Vehicular video display device

Abstract

To prevent driving of a driver from being disturbed.SOLUTION: A vehicular video display device 100 includes: a projector 2a mounted on a vehicle, for projecting a video content toward a space above an occupant; an information acquisition unit 11 for acquiring visual line information on the visual line of the occupant; and a control unit 12 for identifying an occupant viewing the video content on the basis of the visual line information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11, and controlling the projector 2a so as to adjust the display position and display size of the video content on the basis of the identification result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle video display device for displaying video content inside a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of device, a device that projects an image from a projector onto a wall surface of a vehicle has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the device described in Patent Document 1, the projection angle of the image by the projector is adjusted according to the reclining angle of the rear seat on which the passenger watching the image is seated.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in recent years, the need to enjoy video content on a large screen inside a vehicle has been increasing. However, watching video content on a large screen in the limited space inside a vehicle may interfere with the driver's driving.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A vehicle video display device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a projector mounted on a vehicle and projecting video content toward an upper space of a passenger, an information acquisition unit that acquires line-of-sight information regarding the line of sight of the passenger, and a control unit that identifies a passenger watching the video content based on the line-of-sight information acquired by the information acquisition unit and controls the projector to adjust the display position and display size of the video content based on the identification result.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent interference with the driver's driving.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 3C

Figure 3D

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In recent years, the need to enjoy video content on a large screen inside a vehicle has been increasing. However, viewing video content on a large screen in the limited space inside the vehicle may interfere with the driver's driving. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the vehicle video display device is configured as follows so that even when viewing video content on a large screen in the limited space inside the vehicle, it is possible to prevent interference with the driver's driving.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a passenger in a vehicle 1 equipped with a vehicle video display device according to an embodiment of the present invention views video content, with a part of the vehicle 1 cut away. Hereinafter, for convenience, the front-rear direction and the up-down direction as shown in the drawing are defined, and the configuration of each part will be described according to this definition. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 is a two-row seat vehicle having a front seat located in front of the vehicle and a rear seat located behind the front seat, and the front seat is composed of a driver's seat and a passenger seat. For convenience, FIG. 1 shows one front seat (driver's seat or passenger seat).

[0010] In the vehicle 1, a display unit 2 capable of displaying video content on a large screen above the passenger is provided. The display unit 2 is configured as a projector system including a projector 2a and a screen 2b. The projector 2a has a pan-tilt mechanism and a zoom mechanism, and is configured to be able to change the projection range. The screen 2b is attached to the ceiling 1a of the vehicle 1 using a fixture 3 such as a clip. By attaching the screen 2b to the ceiling 1a of the vehicle 1 and projecting video content toward the space above the passenger with the projector 2a, a wide projection range can be secured, and the video content can be viewed on a large screen.

[0011] The seat 4 of each seat in the vehicle 1 has a seat cushion portion 4a that supports the passenger's buttocks, a seat back portion 4b that supports the passenger's back, and a headrest portion 4c that is provided at the upper part of the seat back portion 4b and supports the passenger's head. The seat cushion portion 4a has a front-rear position adjustment mechanism that can slide in the front-rear direction and can be fixed at an arbitrary position. The seat back portion 4b has a reclining mechanism that can fix the inclination angle with respect to the seat cushion portion 4a at an arbitrary angle. The headrest portion 4c has a vertical position adjustment mechanism that can move upward from the upper end portion of the seat back portion 4b and can be fixed at a predetermined position.

[0012] A center console 5 is provided between the left and right seats 4 of the front seats and the rear seats. The projector 2a can be arranged, for example, on the center console 5 so as to project video content in the direction of the screen 2b, that is, toward the overhead space of the passengers. Note that in FIG. 1, only the center console (rear center console) 5 provided between the rear seats is shown, and an example of arranging the projector 2a on the rear center console 5 is shown.

[0013] Once the arrangements of the projector 2a and the screen 2b are determined, the initial setting of the projection range can be performed using the pan-tilt mechanism and the zoom mechanism of the projector 2a. The initial setting is performed so that the projection range is suitable for each passenger to view a test still image with all the seats 4 of the vehicle 1 reclined while the vehicle is stopped. In the initial setting, in addition to the projection range for displaying a single large screen (full screen display) viewed by all passengers, the projection range for displaying a plurality (for example, four) of screens at positions corresponding to each seat (multi-display display) can be set. Also, in addition to the projection range for full screen display when all passengers view, the projection range for full screen display when only some passengers, such as passengers in the rear seats or passengers excluding the driver's seat, view can also be set.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the main configuration of a vehicle video display device (hereinafter, the device) 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the device 100 includes a projector 2a, a controller 10 for controlling the projector 2a, a user terminal 6 capable of outputting video content, and a sensor 7 for detecting the line of sight of the passengers. The controller 10 is connected to each of the projector 2a, the user terminal 6, and the sensor 7 by wire or wirelessly.

[0015] As the user terminal 6 capable of outputting video content, for example, portable devices such as smartphones, portable game consoles, and video cameras carried by passengers can be used. The entertainment system installed in the vehicle 1 can also be used as the user terminal 6. The user terminal 6 outputs a video signal corresponding to the video content selected according to the operation by the passenger, who is the user, to the projector 2a via the controller 10.

[0016] The user terminal 6 may transmit (output) a video file corresponding to the video content selected according to the operation by the passenger to the controller 10. The video file transmitted from the user terminal 6 to the controller 10 is stored in the memory of the controller 10. Video files and image files are stored in advance in the memory of the controller 10. The video file transmitted from the user terminal 6 to the controller 10 may be stored together with the files stored in advance in the memory of the controller 10, or may be stored after deleting the files stored in advance.

[0017] As the sensor 7 for detecting the line of sight of the passenger, for example, an in-vehicle camera provided on the instrument panel of the vehicle 1 or the like and used to determine whether the driver is awake by photographing the driver can be used. Such an in-vehicle camera (sensor 7) can also photograph the passengers in the passenger seat and the rear seat, and can also photograph the seat 4 on which each passenger is seated. Based on the image information photographed by the in-vehicle camera (sensor 7), the inclination angle of each seat 4 representing the direction of the line of sight of each passenger in the vertical direction (pitch direction) can be detected, and the direction of the line of sight of each passenger can be indirectly specified. Alternatively, the direction of the line of sight of each passenger can also be directly specified. The sensor 7 may be a reclining sensor provided in the reclining mechanism of each seat 4 and used to detect the inclination angle of the seat back portion 4b with respect to the seat cushion portion 4a, that is, the inclination angle of each seat 4. The controller 10 is connected to an electronic control unit installed in the vehicle 1 and to which a signal from the sensor 7 is input, and is connected to the sensor 7 via the electronic control unit.

[0018] The controller 10 includes a computer having a processor such as a CPU, memories such as a ROM and a RAM, and other peripheral circuits, and is built into, for example, the projector 2a. The controller 10 may include an independent computer not built into the projector 2a, or a user terminal such as a smartphone carried by a passenger may be used as the controller 10. The processor of the controller 10 functions as the information acquisition unit 11 and the control unit 12 by executing a program stored in the memory in advance.

[0019] The information acquisition unit 11 acquires line-of-sight information regarding the line of sight of the passenger detected by the sensor 7. The line-of-sight information includes image information captured by an in-vehicle camera (sensor 7), information on the tilt angle of each seat 4 detected by a reclining sensor (sensor 7), and the like.

[0020] The control unit 12 controls the projector 2a to display video content by transmitting a video signal to the projector 2a. Further, the control unit 12 controls the projector 2a to adjust the display size of the video content based on the line-of-sight information detected by the sensor 7 and acquired by the information acquisition unit 11.

[0021] More specifically, based on the image information captured by the in-vehicle camera (sensor 7) or the information on the tilt angle of each seat 4 detected by the reclining sensor (sensor 7), it is determined whether each seat 4 is reclined to a predetermined tilt angle or more. Then, for the passenger on the seat 4 reclined to the predetermined tilt angle or more, since it can be said that the line of sight is directed toward the predetermined screen 2b, the passenger watching the video content is identified. Also, for the passenger on the seat 4 not reclined to the predetermined tilt angle or more, since it can be said that the line of sight is not directed toward the predetermined screen 2b, the passenger not watching the video content is identified.

[0022] The control unit 12 may determine whether or not the line of sight of the occupant is directed toward the predetermined screen 2b based on the image information captured by the in-vehicle camera (sensor 7). In this case, based on the image information, the direction of the line of sight of each occupant is directly specified, and it is determined whether or not the direction of the line of sight of each occupant is within the range where the video content projected and displayed on the screen 2b can be viewed. Then, the occupant whose line of sight is within the range where the video content can be viewed is specified as the occupant watching the video content, and the occupant whose line of sight is not within the range where the video content can be viewed is specified as the occupant not watching the video content.

[0023] The control unit 12 may specify only the occupants whose line of sight is within the range where the video content can be viewed among the occupants sitting on the seat 4 that is reclined by a predetermined inclination angle or more as the occupants watching the video content. In this case, it is possible to specify occupants who are reclining the seat 4 to rest their eyes or looking upward for a neck stretch as occupants not watching the video content, and it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not each occupant is watching the video content.

[0024] The control unit 12 controls the projector 2a to adjust the display position and display size of the video content based on the identification result of the occupants watching the video content. FIGS. 3A to 3D are diagrams for explaining an example of the display position and display size adjusted based on the identification result of the occupants watching the video content.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3A, when it is determined that all four occupants including the driver are watching the video content, the projector 2a is controlled so as to be in the projection range AR of the full-screen display that displays a single large screen for all occupants to watch, which is initially set. In this case, all four occupants sitting in the driver's seat DR, the front passenger seat AS, the rear right seat RR, and the rear left seat RL can watch the video content on a single large screen. Although not shown, the projector 2a may be controlled so as to be in the projection range of the multi-display display for four occupants that is initially set.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3B, when it is determined that only the passengers in the rear seats are watching video content, the projector 2a is controlled so as to be in the projection range AR of the full-screen display that displays a single large screen that only these passengers watch, which is initially set. In this case, only the two passengers sitting in the rear seats RR and RL can watch the video content on a single large screen, and the projection range AR of the video content does not enter the field of view of the passengers in the driver's seat DR and the front passenger seat AS who have not reclined the seat 4. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the driver (the passenger in the driver's seat DR) from being obstructed in driving. Although not shown, the projector 2a may be controlled so as to be in the projection range of the multi-display for the two passengers in the rear seats that is initially set.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3C, when it is determined that only three passengers excluding the passenger in the driver's seat are watching video content, the projector 2a is controlled so as to be in the projection range AR of the full-screen display that displays a single large screen that only these passengers watch, which is initially set. In this case, only the three passengers sitting in the front passenger seat AS and the rear seats RR and RL can watch the video content on a single large screen, and the projection range AR of the video content does not enter the field of view of the passenger in the driver's seat DR who has not reclined the seat 4. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the driver (the passenger in the driver's seat DR) from being obstructed in driving.

[0028] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3D, the projector 2a may be controlled so as to be in the projection range of the multi-display for three passengers excluding the driver's seat occupant who is initially set. In this case, in particular, it can be set to a display position that is easy for the occupant of the right rear seat RR located behind the driver's seat DR to view. Note that the projection range AR in this case is the same as the projection range AR (FIG. 3A) for four passengers that is initially set, and no screen is displayed at the position corresponding to the driver's seat DR. Then, screens AR1 to AR3 for displaying video content are displayed only at positions corresponding to the seats AS, RR, and RL other than the driver's seat. That is, among the projection range AR, the portions other than the screens AR1 to AR3 including the position corresponding to the driver's seat DR are dimmed and displayed in a color with low brightness such as black.

[0029] When the control unit 12 determines that not all four passengers are viewing video content, the control unit 12 controls the projector 2a so as not to perform any display. In this case, the power of the projector 2a may be turned off, or the projector 2a may be set to a standby state. When turning off the power of the projector 2a, power can be saved. When the projector 2a is set to the standby state, the identification of the passengers viewing the video content (passengers with the intention of viewing) can be continued, and the display of the video content can be promptly resumed according to the identification result.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the process executed by the controller 10. The process shown in this flowchart starts, for example, when the controller 10 is activated, and is repeated at a predetermined cycle until the controller 10 is stopped. As shown in FIG. 4, first, in step S1, it is determined whether video content is being displayed by the display unit 2. If the determination in step S1 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S2, and if the determination in step S1 is negative, the process ends. In step S2, the line-of-sight information regarding the line of sight of each passenger detected by the sensor 7 is acquired, and the passengers viewing the video content are identified based on the acquired line-of-sight information. Next, in step S3, the display position and display size of the video content are adjusted according to the seats of the passengers identified in step S2.

[0031] While the video content is being displayed, always identify the passengers watching it, and in particular, when the driver is not watching, adjust the display position and display size of the video content so as to avoid the area visible from the driver's seat (Steps S1 to S3 in FIGS. 3B to 3D and FIG. 4). This can prevent interfering with the driver's operation even when watching video content on a large screen in the limited space inside the vehicle.

[0032] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved. (1) The device 100 includes a projector 2a mounted on the vehicle 1 and projecting video content toward the space above the passengers, an information acquisition unit 11 for acquiring line-of-sight information regarding the line of sight of the passengers, and a control unit 12 for identifying the passengers watching the video content based on the line-of-sight information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 and controlling the projector 2a to adjust the display position and display size of the video content based on the identification result (FIGS. 1 and 2). That is, identify the passengers watching the video content, and in particular, when the driver is not watching, adjust the display position and display size of the video content so as to avoid the area visible from the driver's seat. This can prevent interfering with the driver's operation even when watching video content on a large screen in the limited space inside the vehicle.

[0033] (2) The line-of-sight information includes information regarding the tilt angle of the seat 4 on which the passenger is seated. That is, for a passenger on the seat 4 tilted at a predetermined tilt angle or more, it can be said that the line of sight is directed toward the predetermined screen 2b, so the passenger is identified as a passenger watching the video content. Also, for a passenger on the seat 4 not tilted at a predetermined tilt angle or more, it can be said that the line of sight is not directed toward the predetermined screen 2b, so the passenger is identified as a passenger not watching the video content. This can accurately determine whether each passenger, including the driver, is watching the video content.

[0034] (3) The device 100 further includes an in-vehicle camera (sensor 7) that captures images of the passengers (FIG. 2). The information acquisition unit 11 acquires the image information from the in-vehicle camera (sensor 7) as line-of-sight information. In this case, based on the image information captured by the in-vehicle camera (sensor 7), the direction of the line of sight of each passenger is directly specified, and it is determined whether the line of sight of each passenger is directed toward the direction of the pre-determined screen 2b, and it is determined whether each passenger is watching video content. Thereby, it is possible to more accurately determine whether each passenger including the driver is watching video content.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the specific arrangement example of the projector 2a has been described with reference to FIG. 1 and the like, but the projector mounted on the vehicle and displaying video content is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the projector 2a may be arranged on the floor or the like of the vehicle 1, or may be attached to the ceiling 1a or the like.

[0036] The above description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications as long as the features of the present invention are not impaired. It is also possible to arbitrarily combine one or more of the above embodiments and modifications, and it is also possible to combine the modifications with each other.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0037] 1 Vehicle, 2 Display unit, 2a Projector, 2b Screen, 3 Fixture, 4 Seat, 4a Seat cushion part, 4b Seat back part, 4c Headrest part, 5 Center console, 6 User terminal, 7 Sensor, 10 Controller, 11 Information acquisition unit, 12 Control unit, 100 Vehicle video display device (device)

Claims

1. A projector mounted on a vehicle and projecting video content toward the space above the occupant; An information acquisition unit that acquires line-of-sight information regarding the line of sight of the occupant; A control unit that identifies the occupant who is viewing the video content based on the line-of-sight information acquired by the information acquisition unit, and controls the projector to adjust the display position and display size of the video content based on the identification result. A vehicle video display device characterized by comprising:

2. In the vehicle video display device according to Claim 1, The line-of-sight information includes information regarding the tilt angle of the seat on which the occupant is seated. A vehicle video display device characterized by this.

3. In the vehicle video display device according to Claim 1 or 2, Further comprising a camera that photographs the occupant, The information acquisition unit acquires the image information from the camera as the line-of-sight information. A vehicle video display device characterized by this.

Images