Projection system

Abstract

To provide a projection system that makes it possible to perform projection display at a desired display size by switching a projection unit for performing projection display and a projection area of the projection unit.SOLUTION: A projection system 1 includes a plurality of projectors 2 for performing projection display at a predetermined location in a vehicle cabin, a control unit 4 for controlling the projectors 2, and an operation unit 3 for instructing the display size of the projection display. Each of the projectors 2 is associated with a unique first projection area in advance. The control unit 4 executes projection unit determination processing for determining, according to the display size instructed by the operation unit 3, which one of the plurality of projectors 2 will perform the projection display, and projection area determination processing for determining, according to the instructed display size, a corresponding first projection area, a second projection area different from the first projection area, or both the first projection area and the second projection area as a projection display area where the projection display is performed by the projector 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a projection system that provides a display to a passenger at a desired display size. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional projection type image display system is known, for example, as described in Patent Document 1. This projection type image display system includes a screen that diffuses incident light at a predetermined half-luminance angle, and a plurality of projectors that each project an image onto the screen, and among the plurality of projectors, each pair of projectors that each project an image onto adjacent regions on the screen is configured such that the distance between the optical axes of the pair of projectors and the screen gradually increases as the projectors approach the screen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-71308 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional projection-type image display system described above had a problem in that, because the distance from the projector to the screen is short in a limited space such as the interior of an automobile, it was difficult to enlarge the display size of the image projected from the projector beyond a specified size.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a projection system that enables projection display at a desired display size by switching the projection unit that performs the projection display and the projection area of ​​the projection unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to a projection system 1 that is provided in a vehicle C and has a plurality of projection units 2 (2L, 2R) that are capable of projecting and displaying on a predetermined location in the vehicle C, a control unit 4 that controls the plurality of projection units 2 and performs the projected display by at least one of the plurality of projection units 2, and an operation unit 3 for instructing a display size of the projected display, wherein each of the plurality of projection units 2 is previously associated with a unique first projection area ApL, ApR included in the predetermined location, and the control unit 4 controls the plurality of projection units 2 to project and display on a predetermined location in the vehicle C according to the display size instructed by the operation unit 3. The display device is characterized in that it executes a projection unit determination process for determining at least one projection unit 2 among the shadow area 2 that will perform the projection display, and a projection area determination process for determining, according to the display size instructed by the operation unit 3, the target for the projection display by the one projection unit 2 determined in the projection unit determination process to be the corresponding first projection area ApL, ApR, or a second projection area ApR, ApL separate from the first projection area ApL, ApR that is included in the specified portion, or both the first projection area ApL, ApR and the second projection area ApR, ApL. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, when projecting and displaying in a limited space such as the inside of a vehicle, it is possible to project and display an image in a size desired by a viewer. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a system configuration diagram of a projection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state inside a vehicle cabin when a projection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention performs projection display. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit in the projection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing a process of a control unit in the projection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode when a projection display in a first state is performed in the projection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode when a projection display in a second state is performed in the projection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode when a projection display in a third state is performed in the projection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode when a fourth state of projection display is performed in the projection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a process of a control unit in a projection system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode when a projection display in a fifth state is performed in a projection system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode when a sixth state of projection display is performed in the projection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode of the projection display when operation information for increasing the display size of both the left and right projection images is input in the projection display state of FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode in which one projected image is projected and displayed within another projected image in a projection system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (First embodiment of the present invention) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 8. The projection system according to this embodiment projects a display by a projection unit at a predetermined location in the interior of a vehicle C, and changes the display size to a desired size by controlling switching of the projection unit and switching of the projection display area where the projection unit projects the display in response to an instruction to change the display size of the projection display.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a projection system according to this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state inside a vehicle cabin when the projection system according to this embodiment performs a projected display. In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the projection system 1 includes a plurality of projectors 2 (projection units) that perform projected display at predetermined locations inside the cabin of a vehicle C, an operation unit 3 that receives control commands related to the projected display of the projectors 2, and a control unit 4 that controls the entire projection system 1. The projector 2 is an example of the projection unit.

[0011] The projector 2 is a projection type image display device that has the function of changing the direction of the optical axis of the irradiated light and the focal length, and in FIG. 2, for example, is provided on the upper part of the left and right C pillars of the vehicle C. These projectors 2 project and display onto the interior ceiling (predetermined portion) of the vehicle C. The projector 2 provided on the left C pillar of the vehicle C is the left projector 2L (first projection unit), and the projector 2 provided on the right C pillar of the vehicle C is the right projector 2R (second projection unit). The ceiling is an example of a predetermined portion, the left projector 2L is an example of the first projection unit, and the right projector 2R is an example of the second projection unit.

[0012] The left projector 2L is associated in advance with a specific left projection area ApL included in the above-mentioned indoor ceiling as a first projection area, and irradiates at least the left projection area ApL with irradiation light for displaying a predetermined projection image IpL. The left projection area ApL corresponds to the left half area of ​​the indoor ceiling around the front of the rear seats, for example, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0013] The right projector 2R is associated in advance with a unique right projection area ApR included in the above-mentioned indoor ceiling as a first projection area, and irradiates at least the right projection area ApR with irradiation light for displaying a predetermined projection image IpR. The right projection area ApR corresponds to the right half of the indoor ceiling around the front of the rear seats, for example, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0014] The left projector 2L also irradiates light for displaying a predetermined projection image IpL not only to the left projection area ApL as the first projection area but also to a right projection area ApR as the second projection area different from the first projection area. Similarly, the right projector 2R also irradiates light for displaying a predetermined projection image IpR not only to the right projection area ApR as the first projection area but also to the left projection area ApL as the second projection area different from the first projection area.

[0015] In addition, the projected images IpL, IpR (hereinafter including Ip1 and Ip2 (details will be described later) which are a combination of IpL and IpR) projected and displayed by each projector 2 may include, for example, video content displayed on a monitor installed at the front of the interior of vehicle C, video content stored in advance, and video content input from an external video device for each projector 2.

[0016] The operation unit 3 is, for example, a remote control or a touch panel (for example, a touch panel installed near the rear seat) carried by the occupant D who watches the projected images IpL, IpR projected and displayed by each projector 2 from the rear seat, and is capable of instructing at least the display size of the projected images IpL, IpR. Note that, in addition to the display size, it may also be possible to give instructions for switching between the projected images IpL, IpR, and adjusting the display position, brightness, color, etc.

[0017] The control unit 4 is a computer equipped with a CPU 50, a memory 60, etc., and is arranged, for example, in an instrument panel or in a predetermined space inside a vehicle. The CPU 50 is connected to other devices via a bus 65, and can, for example, output control signals for each projector 2 to perform projection display, and input operation information from the operation unit 3. The CPU 50 controls the entire projection system 1 by executing various programs stored in advance while utilizing the storage function of the memory 60. The memory 60 is a storage device equipped with a RAM and a ROM, not shown. The various programs include a program for executing a flowchart shown in FIG. 4, which will be described later.

[0018] The control unit 4 and each component may be connected via a communication interface such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) or may be electrically connected via a hard wire.

[0019] The processing of the control unit 4 will be described in detail below. Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 4 in the projection system 1 according to this embodiment. The control unit 4 includes a size determination unit 42 that determines whether or not the display size of the projection display exceeds a predetermined threshold based on operation information 41 indicating the operation content input by the occupant D to the operation unit 3, a projector determination unit 43 that determines the projector 2 that performs the projection display according to the result determined by the size determination unit 42, a projection area determination unit 44 that determines the projection area that is the target of the projection display by the projector 2 determined by the projector determination unit 43 according to the result determined by the size determination unit 42, and a control signal generation unit 45 that generates a control signal for controlling the corresponding projector 2 based on the processing results of the projector determination unit 43 and the projection area determination unit 44 and transmits the control signal to the corresponding projector 2.

[0020] Note that the configuration shown in FIG. 3 describes only the minimum necessary configuration related to the process of determining the projector 2 that will perform the projection display and the projection area of ​​the projector 2 that will perform the projection display, and other known configurations are omitted.

[0021] The processing contents of each process shown in Fig. 3 will be explained using a concrete example. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing of the control unit in the projection system according to this embodiment. Here, it is assumed that an occupant D (see Fig. 5) is seated in the left rear seat of vehicle C and watches the projection images IpL, IpR projected and displayed on the ceiling, and the processing will be explained for a case in which the state of the projection display transitions from the first state (sequentially transitions to the second to fourth states) by the occupant D performing an operation to gradually increase the display size using the operation unit 3 for the left rear seat located in front of him.

[0022] In FIG. 4, first, the projection system 1 performs projection display in the first state (S1). Here, the first state of the projection display will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode when the projection display in the first state is performed in the projection system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, in the first state of the projection display, the left projector 2L is determined as the projector 2 performing the projection display (projection unit determination process), and the left projection area ApL around the left rear seat front on the indoor ceiling is determined as the projection area (projection area determination process). That is, in FIG. 5, the left projector 2L, which is the first projection unit, projects and displays the projection image IpL in the left projection area ApL as the first projection area. Then, the control signal generation unit 45 generates a control signal for controlling each projector 2 so as to have the display mode of the first state, and transmits it to each projector 2.

[0023] Returning to Fig. 4, when the occupant D performs an operation to increase the display size in the projection display in the first state, the control unit 4 receives operation information 41 including information to increase the display size from the operation unit 3 (S2). The size determination unit 42 determines whether the specified display size included in the input operation information 41 exceeds a threshold value for switching the projection unit (first threshold value for switching the projection unit) (S3) (first size determination process), and if it is equal to or less than the threshold value for switching the projection unit, changes the display size of the projection image IpL to the specified display size while maintaining the left projector 2L performing the projection display and its left projection area ApL (S4), and the first state of S1 is continued.

[0024] If the specified display size included in the operation information 41 in S3 exceeds the threshold for switching the projection unit, the projection display is performed in the second state (S5). In other words, when a display size that exceeds the threshold for switching the projection unit, which is the allowable value for the display size when the left projector 2L projects and displays the projection image IpL in the left projection area ApL, is input via the operation unit 3, the display size is enlarged by switching the projector 2 performing the projection display and its projection area Ap and transitioning to the second state, as shown in the following Fig. 6.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode when a projection display in the second state is performed in the projection system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, in the second state of the projection display, the projector determination unit 43 determines the projector 2 to perform the projection display to be the right projector 2R, which is the second projection unit (projection unit determination process), and the projection area determination unit 44 determines the projection area in which the right projector 2R performs the projection display to be the left projection area ApL (projection area determination process). That is, the display mode is such that the right projector 2R, which is the second projection unit, projects and displays the projection image IpR in the left projection area ApL, which is the second projection area. At this time, the content of the projection image IpR is the same as or continues from the projection image IpL projected and displayed in the first state of S1, and the display size of the projection image IpR is the designated display size included in the operation information 41 input from the operation unit 3. Then, the control signal generation unit 45 generates a control signal for controlling each projector 2 to have the display mode in the second state, and transmits the control signal to each projector 2. In the second state, the projection distance of the light emitted by projector 2 is longer than in the first state, so the display size of the projected display can be made larger.

[0026] Returning to Fig. 4, when the occupant D performs an operation to further increase the display size in the projection display in the second state, the control unit 4 receives operation information 41 including information to increase the display size from the operation unit 3 (S6). The size determination unit 42 determines whether the specified display size included in the input operation information 41 exceeds a threshold for composite display (third threshold for composite display) that is larger than the projection unit switching threshold (S7) (third size determination process), and if it is equal to or smaller than the threshold for composite display, changes the display size of the projection image IpR to the specified display size while maintaining the right projector 2R and its left projection area ApL that are performing the projection display (S8), and the second state of S5 continues.

[0027] If the specified display size included in the operation information 41 in S7 exceeds the threshold for composite display, a division process is performed by a division processing unit (not shown in FIG. 3) to divide the projection image IpR projected and displayed in S5 into two display pieces, left and right (S9), and projection display is performed in the third state (S10). In other words, when a display size that exceeds the threshold for composite display, which is the allowable value for the display size when the right projector 2R projects and displays the projection image IpR in the left projection area ApL, is input by the operation unit 3, as shown in FIG. 7 below, the projector 2 performing the projection display and its projection area Ap are switched to transition to the third state, thereby further enlarging the display size.

[0028] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode when a projection display in a third state is performed in the projection system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, in the third state of the projection display, a division processing unit (not shown in Fig. 3) first divides the projection image IpR projected and displayed in S5 into two display pieces, left and right (division processing). The projector determination unit 43 determines the projector 2 to perform the projection display as both the left projector 2L as the first projection unit and the right projector 2R as the second projector (projection unit determination processing), and the projection area determination unit 44 determines the projection area in which the left projector 2L performs the projection display as the left projection area ApL as the first projection area, and determines the projection area in which the right projector 2R performs the projection display as the right projection area ApR as the first projection area (projection area determination processing). Then, the left projector 2L projects and displays the left display piece divided by the above division process as a projection image IpL in the left projection area ApL, and the right projector 2R projects and displays the right display piece divided by the above division process as a projection image IpR in the right projection area ApR. The projection images IpL and IpR are projected and displayed adjacent to each other, and are composited into one projection image Ip1. The display size of this composite projection image Ip1 becomes the designated display size included in the operation information 41 input from the operation unit 3. Then, the control signal generating unit 45 generates a control signal for controlling each projector 2 to have a display mode of the third state, and transmits it to each projector 2. In such a third state, compared to the second state, one projection image Ip1 is projected and displayed by the two left projectors 2L and the right projector 2R, so that the display size can be further increased.

[0029] Returning to Fig. 4, when the occupant D performs an operation to further increase the display size in the projection display in the third state, the control unit 4 receives operation information 41 including information to increase the display size from the operation unit 3 (S11). The size determination unit 42 determines whether the display size included in the input operation information 41 exceeds a threshold for switching the projection area (a second threshold for switching the projection area) that is larger than the threshold for composite display (S12) (second size determination process), and if it is equal to or smaller than the threshold for switching the projection area, changes the display size of the projection image Ip1 while maintaining the left projector 2L and right projector 2R performing the projection display and their left projection area ApL and right projection area ApR (S13), and the third state of S10 continues.

[0030] If the display size included in the operation information 41 exceeds the threshold for switching the projection area in S12, the projection display is performed in the fourth state (S14). That is, when a display size exceeding the threshold for switching the projection area, which is the allowable value of the display size when projecting and displaying the projection image Ip1, which is a composite of the projection image IpL projected by the left projector 2L into the left projection area ApL and the projection image IpR projected by the right projector 2R into the right projection area ApR, is input by the operation unit 3, the projection areas Ap of each projector 2 are switched to transition to the fourth state, thereby further enlarging the display size, as shown in the following Fig. 8.

[0031] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode when a fourth state of projection display is performed in the projection system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, in the fourth state of projection display, the projector 2 performing the projection display is the same as in the third state, and is determined to be both the left projector 2L as the first projection unit and the right projector 2R as the second projector (projection unit determination process). As for the projection area, the projection area determination unit 44 determines the projection area in which the left projector 2L performs the projection display to be the right projection area ApR as the second projection area, and determines the projection area in which the right projector 2R performs the projection display to be the left projection area ApL as the second projection area (projection area determination process). Then, the left projector 2L projects and displays the right display piece divided in the division process of S9 onto the right projection area ApR as the projection image IpL, and the right projector 2R projects and displays the left display piece divided in the division process of S9 onto the left projection area ApL as the projection image IpR. The projected images IpL and IpR are projected and displayed adjacent to each other as in the case of FIG. 7, and are composited into a single projected image Ip2. The display size of this composited projected image Ip2 is the designated display size included in the operation information 41 input from the operation unit 3. Then, the control signal generating unit 45 generates a control signal for controlling each projector 2 to achieve the display mode of the fourth state, and transmits it to each projector 2. In such a fourth state, the distance to each of the left projector 2L and the right projector 2R can be made longer than in the third state, so that the display size of the projection display can be further increased.

[0032] Returning to Fig. 4, when the occupant D performs an operation to further increase the display size in the projection display in the fourth state, the control unit 4 receives operation information 41 including information to increase the display size from the operation unit 3 (S15). Since the display size currently being projected and displayed is already larger than the projection area switching threshold, the display size of the projection image Ip2 is changed within the allowable range while maintaining the left projector 2L and right projector 2R performing the projection display and their projection areas Ap (S16), and the process ends. At this time, even if a display size larger than the allowable range is specified from the operation unit 3, each projector 2 will not change the display size beyond the allowable range.

[0033] In addition, when occupant D performs an operation on operation unit 3 to gradually reduce the display size from the fourth state of the projection display, the state of the projection display transitions in the reverse processing flow of Figure 4, and the projection display is performed at a display size corresponding to each state.

[0034] In addition, in FIG. 4, the processing for changing the display size seamlessly from a small display size to a large display size is described, but if occupant D specifies and inputs a pinpoint display size from operation unit 3, the display may be directly transitioned to a projection display state corresponding to the specified display size.

[0035] Furthermore, as described above, each process and state in Figures 4 to 8 is an example in which occupant D is seated in the left rear seat of vehicle C and is viewing the projected images IpL, IpR projected and displayed on the ceiling, or the composite images Ip1, Ip2 of these. If occupant D were to sit in the right rear seat of vehicle C, the series of state transitions described in Figures 4 to 8 would be reversed left and right.

[0036] Furthermore, the location where the projection display is performed may be anywhere in the vehicle interior, and it is desirable that the location can be arbitrarily selected depending on the seating position of the occupant D.

[0037] Furthermore, in the above, the left projector 2L and the right projector 2R are arranged on the left and right, respectively, and the left projection area ApL and the right projection area ApR are set to correspond to each projector 2 and divided into left and right areas. However, the left projector 2L and the right projector 2R may be arranged on the front and rear of the vehicle C, respectively (for example, as the front projector 2F and the rear projector 2B, etc.), and the left projection area ApL and the right projection area ApR may be set to correspond to each projector 2 and divided into front and rear areas (for example, as the front projection area ApF corresponding to the front projector 2F, and the rear projection area ApB corresponding to the rear projector 2B).

[0038] Furthermore, in each state of the projection display, each of the left projector 2L and the right projector 2R is associated with the first projection area closest to the corresponding projector 2 among a plurality of first projection areas included in the indoor ceiling, and the second projection area related to each projector 2 is preferably an area located near or adjacent to the corresponding first projection area. That is, for example, in the first state shown in Fig. 5, the left projection area ApL closest to the left projector 2L is associated as the first projection area, and the right projection area ApR adjacent to the left projection area ApL is the second projection area related to the left projector 2L. Also, for example, in the second state shown in Fig. 6, the right projection area ApR closest to the right projector 2R is associated as the first projection area, and the left projection area ApL adjacent to the right projection area ApR is the second projection area related to the right projector 2R.

[0039] In this way, in the projection system according to this embodiment, when projecting and displaying in a limited space such as the inside of a vehicle, it is possible to project and display an image at a size desired by the viewer.

[0040] In particular, when transitioning from the above-mentioned first state to another state (for example, any of the second to fourth states), the control unit 4 judges whether or not the display size instructed by the operation unit 3 exceeds a threshold for switching the projection unit for switching the projector 2 performing the projection display. If it is determined that the instructed display size exceeds the threshold for switching the projection unit, the control unit 4 switches and determines the projector 2 performing the projection display from the first projection unit (for example, the left projector 2L) that was determined before the threshold for switching the projection unit was exceeded to a second projection unit (for example, the right projector 2R) different from the first projection unit (in the case of transitioning to the second state), or to a combination of both the first projection unit and the second projection unit (in the case of transitioning to the third state or the fourth state). Therefore, the state of the projection display can be smoothly transitioned from the first state to another state, and the projection display can be enlarged to a display size desired by the viewer even in a limited space such as the inside of a vehicle.

[0041] Furthermore, when transitioning from the second state to another state (for example, the third state), the control unit 4 determines, in the projection unit determination process of the projector determination unit 43, a plurality of projection units including a one-side projection unit (for example, the left projector 2L) located on one side (for example, the left side) of the vehicle interior and an other-side projection unit (for example, the right projector 2R) located on the other side (for example, the right side) of the vehicle interior, and the one-side projection unit is associated with a one-side projection area (for example, corresponding to the right projection area ApR in the second state) located on one side of a predetermined part in the vehicle interior (for example, the ceiling of the vehicle interior), and the other-side projection unit is associated with the one-side projection area (for example, corresponding to the right projection area ApR in the second state) located on one side of the predetermined part in the vehicle interior (for example, the ceiling of the vehicle interior). is associated with an other-side projection area (e.g., equivalent to the left projection area ApL in the second state) located on the other side of a specified portion within the vehicle cabin, and in the projection area determination process of the projection area determination unit 44, the control unit 4 determines the target for projection display by the one-side projection unit by switching from the one-side projection area to the other-side projection area, and determines the target for projection display by the other-side projection unit by switching from the other-side projection area to the one-side projection area, so that the state of the projection display can be smoothly transitioned from the second state to the third state and the projection display can be performed at an even larger display size than in the second state.

[0042] At this time, the control unit 4 further determines whether the display size for one projection display instructed by the operation unit 3 exceeds the threshold for composite display. If it is determined that the display size exceeds the threshold for composite display, the division processing unit executes a division process in which one projection display is divided into multiple display pieces. In the projection unit determination process of the projector determination unit 43, multiple projection units (for example, both the left projector 2L and the right projector 2R in the third state of Figure 7) capable of projecting the multiple display pieces generated in the above division process are determined, so that one projection image Ip1 is composited by the multiple projectors 2 and can be projected and displayed at a larger display size.

[0043] Furthermore, when transitioning from the third state to another state (for example, the fourth state), the control unit 4 determines whether or not the display size instructed by the operation unit 3 exceeds the threshold value for switching the projection area. If it is determined that the display size exceeds the threshold value for switching the projection area, in the projection area determination process of the projection area determination unit 44, the control unit 4 changes the targets for projection display by each projection unit determined in the projection unit determination process (for example, both the left projector 2L and the right projector 2R that were determined as the projector 2 that performs projection display in the third state) to the first projection area (for example, the third projection area corresponding to the left projector 2L in the third state). Since the projection display state is switched and determined from the first projection area (for example, the right projection area ApR corresponds to the second projection area corresponding to the left projector 2L, and the left projection area ApL corresponds to the second projection area corresponding to the right projector 2R) to the second projection area (for example, the right projection area ApR corresponds to the second projection area corresponding to the left projector 2L, and the left projection area ApL corresponds to the second projection area corresponding to the right projector 2R), the projection display state smoothly transitions from the third state to the fourth state, and one projection image Ip2 is synthesized by multiple projectors 2, and by increasing the distance to each projection area Ap of each projector 2, it is possible to project and display it in a larger display size.

[0044] (Second embodiment of the present invention) The projection system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9 to Fig. 13. The projection system according to this embodiment changes the display size to a desired size by controlling switching of the projection unit and switching of the projection display area in which the projection unit performs the projection display in response to an instruction to change the display size of the projection display when two projection displays are performed simultaneously. Note that descriptions of this embodiment that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0045] 9 is a flowchart showing the processing of the control unit in the projection system according to this embodiment. Here, it is assumed that an occupant D1 is seated on the left side of the rear seat of a vehicle C, and an occupant D2 is seated on the right side of the rear seat, and they are viewing the projection images IpL and IpR projected and displayed on the ceiling. The processing will be described for a case where the state of the projection display transitions from the fifth state to the sixth state by the occupant D1 and the occupant D2 performing operations to gradually increase the display size using the operation units 3 carried by them (the operation unit 3 carried by the occupant D1 is assumed to be operation unit 3L, and the operation unit 3 carried by the occupant D2 is assumed to be operation unit 3R).

[0046] In FIG. 9, first, the projection system 1 performs projection display in the fifth state (S1). Here, the fifth state of the projection display will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode when the projection display in the fifth state is performed in the projection system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, in the fifth state of the projection display, the left projector 2L and the right projector 2R are determined as the projectors 2 performing the projection display (projection unit determination process), the left projection area ApL around the left rear seat front on the indoor ceiling is determined as the projection area of ​​the left projector 2L, and the right projection area ApR around the right rear seat front on the indoor ceiling is determined as the projection area of ​​the right projector 2R (projection area determination process). That is, in FIG. 10, the left projector 2L, which is the projection unit, projects and displays the projection image IpL in the left projection area ApL as the first projection area, and the right projector 2R projects and displays the projection image IpR in the right projection area ApR as the first projection area. Then, the control signal generating unit 45 generates a control signal for controlling each projector 2 so as to achieve the display mode of the fifth state, and transmits the control signal to each projector 2. Note that the projected image IpL and the projected image IpR have different contents, and the projected image IpL is viewed by the occupant D1, and the projected image IpR is viewed by the occupant D2.

[0047] Returning to Fig. 9, when the occupant D1 performs an operation to increase the display size of the projection image IpR in the projection display in the fifth state, the control unit 4 receives operation information 41 including information to increase the display size from the operation unit 3L (S2). The size determination unit 42 determines whether the specified display size included in the input operation information 41 exceeds a threshold value for switching the projection area (a second threshold value for switching the projection area) (S3) (second size determination process), and if it is equal to or less than the threshold value for switching the projection area, changes the display size of the projection image IpL to the specified display size while maintaining the left projector 2L and right projector 2R performing the projection display, and the left projection area ApL and right projection area ApR that are their respective display areas (S4), and the fifth state of S1 is continued.

[0048] In the processing of Figure 9, the case where occupant D1 operates operation unit 3L is described. However, when occupant D2 operates operation unit 3R, the processing content is the same except that the projector 2 to be controlled and its projection area are swapped left and right.

[0049] If the specified display size included in the operation information 41 in S3 exceeds the threshold for switching the projection area, the projection display is performed in the sixth state (S5). That is, when a display size that exceeds the threshold for switching the projection area, which is the allowable value of the display size when the left projector 2L projects and displays the projection image IpL in the left projection area ApL, is input via the operation unit 3L, the projection area Ap is switched and the display size is enlarged by transitioning to the sixth state, as shown in the following Fig. 11.

[0050] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode when a sixth state of projection display is performed in the projection system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, in the sixth state of projection display, the projectors 2 performing the projection display are the same as in the fifth state, and are determined to be both the left projector 2L and the right projector 2R (projection unit determination process). As for the projection area, the projection area determination unit 44 determines the projection area in which the left projector 2L performs the projection display to be the right projection area ApR as the second projection area, and determines the projection area in which the right projector 2R performs the projection display to be the left projection area ApL as the second projection area (projection area determination process). That is, the display mode is such that the left projector 2L projects and displays the projection image IpL in the right projection area ApR, and the right projector 2R projects and displays the projection image IpR in the left projection area ApL. At this time, the content of the projection image IpR is the same as or continues from the projection image IpL projected and displayed in the fifth state of S1, and the content of the projection image IpL is the same as or continues from the projection image IpR projected and displayed in the fifth state of S1. The display size of the projection image IpR projected and displayed in the left projection area ApL by the right projector 2R becomes the designated display size included in the operation information 41 input from the operation unit 3L, and the display size of the projection image IpL projected and displayed in the right projection area ApR by the left projector 2L remains the display size projected and displayed in the fifth state of S1. That is, the left projector 2L and the right projector 2R automatically adjust the range of the irradiation light so that the range of the irradiation light is the same as or continues from the display size in the fifth state. For example, when it is impossible to set the display size of the projection image IpR projected and displayed in the left projection area ApL by the right projector 2R to be equal to the display size projected in the left projection area ApL by the left projector 2L, the display size is changed to the minimum size that can be displayed. Then, the control signal generating unit 45 generates a control signal for controlling each projector 2 to have a display mode of the sixth state, and transmits the control signal to each projector 2. In such a sixth state, the projection distance of the light emitted by the projector 2 is longer than in the fifth state, so that the display size of the projection display can be made larger.

[0051] In addition, when occupant D2 performs an operation to increase the display size of the projected image IpL in the state of Fig. 11, the display size of the projected image IpL is increased within the allowable range without switching the projection unit or the projection display area. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of the projection display when operation information 41 to increase the display size of both the projected image IpL and the projected image IpR is input in the projection display state of Fig. 11. As shown in Fig. 12, occupant D1 and occupant D2 can independently view the respective projected images IpL and IpR in a large display size.

[0052] Returning to Fig. 9, when the occupant D1 performs an operation to further increase the display size in the projection display in the sixth state, the control unit 4 receives operation information 41 including information to increase the display size from the operation unit 3 (S6). Since the display size currently being projected and displayed is already larger than the projection area switching threshold, the display size of the projection image Ip2 is changed within the allowable range while maintaining the left projector 2L and right projector 2R performing the projection display and their projection areas Ap (S7), and the process ends. At this time, even if a display size larger than the allowable range is specified from the operation unit 3L, each projector 2 will not change the display size beyond the allowable range.

[0053] In addition, in Figs. 10 to 12, a display mode in which the projected images IpL and IpR are arranged in parallel as a display mode in which two projection displays are performed simultaneously, but a display mode in which a smaller projected image is projected and displayed within one larger projected image may also be used. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode in which another projected image is projected and displayed within one projected image. In this case, as shown in Fig. 13, one projector 2 (the right projector 2R in Fig. 13) may generate a composite image in which one projected image IpR1 includes another projected image IpR2, and project and display it. In addition, for example, two projectors 2 may be used, and one projector 2 may display one projected image in a large size, and the other projector 2 may irradiate a light to black out a part of the one projected image, and then display the other projected image in a small size in the blacked-out area. By using such a display mode, the occupant D1 and the occupant D2 may each individually view one projected image or the other projected image.

[0054] In this way, in the projection system according to this embodiment, when projecting and displaying in a limited space such as the inside of a vehicle, it is possible to project and display an image at a size desired by the viewer.

[0055] In particular, when transitioning from the fifth state to the sixth state described above, the control unit 4 determines, in the projection unit determination process of the projector determination unit 43, a plurality of projection units including a one-side projection unit (e.g., the left projector 2L) located on one side (e.g., the left side) of the vehicle interior and an other-side projection unit (e.g., the right projector 2R) located on the other side (e.g., the right side) of the vehicle interior, and the one-side projection unit is associated with a one-side projection area (e.g., corresponding to the left projection area ApL in the fifth state) located on one side of a predetermined portion in the vehicle interior (e.g., the ceiling in the vehicle interior) as a first projection area, and the other-side projection unit is associated with a one-side projection area (e.g., corresponding to the left projection area ApL in the fifth state) located on one side of a predetermined portion in the vehicle interior (e.g., the ceiling in the vehicle interior) as a first projection area. The control unit 4 further determines, in the projection area determination process of the projection area determination unit 44, the target for projection display by the one-side projection unit from the one-side projection area to the other-side projection area as the second projection area, and determines the target for projection display by the other-side projection unit from the other-side projection area to the one-side projection area as the second projection area, so that the state of the projection display can be smoothly transitioned from the fifth state to the sixth state and can be projected and displayed at an even larger display size than the fifth state.

[0056] Furthermore, when transitioning from the fifth state to the sixth state described above, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the display size instructed by the operation unit 3 exceeds the threshold value for switching the projection area. If it is determined that the display size exceeds the threshold value for switching the projection area, in the projection area determination process of the projection area determination unit 44, the control unit 4 changes the targets for projection display by each projection unit determined in the projection unit determination process (for example, both the left projector 2L and the right projector 2R that were determined as the projector 2 that performs projection display in the fifth state) to the first projection area (for example, the left projector 2L and the right projector 2R that were determined as the projector 2 that performs projection display in the fifth state). In this case, the projection display state is switched from the left projection region ApL to the right projection region ApR as the first projection region corresponding to the left projector 2L, and the right projection region ApR to the right projector 2R) to the second projection region (for example, the right projection region ApR corresponds to the second projection region corresponding to the left projector 2L, and the left projection region ApL corresponds to the second projection region corresponding to the right projector 2R), and thus the projection display state is smoothly transitioned from the fifth state to the sixth state, and the distance to each projection region Ap of each projector 2 is increased, thereby enabling projection display at a larger display size. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] ApL left projection area ApR right projection area C Vehicle D(D1,D2) Crew IpL,IpR Projection image IpR1 One Projection Image IpR2 Other Projection Images Ip1,Ip2 (composite) projected images 1 Projection System 2. Projector 2L Left projector 2R Right projector 3(3L,3R) Operation unit 4. Control Unit 41 Operation information 42 Size determination section 43 Projector determination unit 44 Projection area determination section 45 Control signal generator 50 CPU 60 Memory 65 Bus

Claims

1. a plurality of projection units provided in a vehicle cabin and capable of projecting and displaying images on predetermined locations in the cabin; a control unit that controls the plurality of projection units and performs the projection display using at least one of the plurality of projection units; an operation unit for instructing a display size of the projected display; 1. A projection system comprising: Each of the plurality of projection units includes: A unique first projection region included in the predetermined portion is assigned in advance, The control unit is a projection unit determination process for determining, among the plurality of projection units, at least one projection unit that will perform the projection display in accordance with the display size instructed by the operation unit; a projection area determination process for determining, in accordance with the display size instructed by the operation unit, an object to be projected and displayed by the one projection unit determined in the projection unit determination process to be the corresponding first projection area, or a second projection area included in the predetermined portion and different from the first projection area, or both the first projection area and the second projection area; 13. A projection system comprising:

2. The control unit further execute a first size determination process to determine whether or not the display size instructed by the operation unit exceeds a first threshold value for switching between projection units; When it is determined in the first size determination process that the display size exceeds the first threshold, in the projection unit determination process, the projection unit that performs the projection display is switched from a first projection unit that was determined before the display size exceeded the first threshold to a second projection unit different from the first projection unit, or a combination of the first projection unit and the second projection unit.

2. The projection system of claim 1.

3. The control unit further execute a second size determination process to determine whether or not the display size instructed by the operation unit exceeds a second threshold value for switching a projection area; When it is determined in the second size determination process that the display size exceeds the second threshold value, in the projection area determination process, a target for the projection display by the projection unit determined in the projection unit determination process is switched from the first projection area to the second projection area.

2. The projection system of claim 1.

4. The control unit is In the projection unit determination process, the plurality of projection units are determined to include a one-side projection unit located on one side of the vehicle interior and an other-side projection unit located on the other side of the vehicle interior; a one-side projection area located on the one side of the predetermined portion is associated with the one-side projection unit as the first projection area, an other-side projection area located on the other side of the predetermined portion is associated with the other-side projection unit as the first projection area, The control unit further performs the projection area determination process. determining a target to be projected and displayed by the one-side projection unit by switching the target from the one-side projection region to the other-side projection region as the second projection region; The target to be projected and displayed by the other-side projection unit is switched from the other-side projection region to the one-side projection region as the second projection region and determined.

2. The projection system of claim 1.

5. The control unit further a third size determination process for determining whether or not the display size for one of the projected displays instructed by the operation unit exceeds a third threshold value for a composite display; a division process of dividing the one projected display into a plurality of display pieces when it is determined in the third size determination process that the display size exceeds the third threshold value; Run In the projection unit determination process, a plurality of projection units capable of projecting the plurality of display pieces generated in the division process are determined.

5. The projection system according to claim 1,

6. Each of the plurality of projection units is Among the plurality of first projection regions included in the predetermined portion, the first projection region is associated with the first projection region that is closest to the corresponding projection portion, The second projection area for each projection unit is an area located near or adjacent to the corresponding first projection area.

2. The projection system of claim 1.

Images