Display device

Abstract

To provide a display device which makes it difficult for a user to feel generation of strain of display while reducing time lag concerning projected image of exterior view.SOLUTION: A display device comprises a display unit, image acquisition means, and image processing means. The display unit emits light representing a specific image towards the reflective surface provided on the vehicle. The image acquisition means acquires a pick-up image Q obtained by imaging exterior view of a vehicle by an imaging part provided on the vehicle. The image processing means cuts out the pick-up image Q acquired by the image acquisition method with a specific external shape F that is different from the external shape of the pick-up image Q and displays the cut-out image on the display unit as the specific image. The specific external shape is preset so that external shape Fg of a display image G becomes as optional shape if dealing in a specific image that is visible by the user who gets on the vehicle by the light reflected on the reflected surface as the display image G.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a display device that displays an imaging image of an outdoor scene (for example, the rear of a vehicle) captured by a camera to a user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a configuration in which an imaging image of an outdoor scene as described above is visually recognized by a user through a reflecting surface, as distortion correction due to the shape of the reflecting surface, a warping method that executes image processing over the entire area of the imaging image may be adopted. However, warping has a large processing load, and there is a possibility that a time lag may occur from the time of imaging until the distorted-corrected video is displayed.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a display device that reduces the time lag related to the display of an outdoor scene video and makes it difficult for a user to feel the occurrence of display distortion.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, a display device according to the present disclosure includes a display unit that emits light representing a specific image toward a reflecting surface provided on a vehicle, image acquisition means for acquiring an imaging image obtained by imaging an outdoor scene of the vehicle by an imaging unit provided on the vehicle, Image processing means for cutting out the captured image acquired by the image acquisition means with a specific outer shape different from the outer shape of the captured image, and causing the cut-out image to be displayed on the display unit as the specific image. When the specific image visually recognized by the user riding in the vehicle by the light reflected by the reflecting surface is used as a display image, The specific outer shape is preset so that the outer shape of the display image has an arbitrary shape.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a display device that reduces the time lag related to the display of the outdoor scene video and makes it difficult for the user to feel the occurrence of display distortion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] The display device 100 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle (automobile), and as shown in FIG. 1, includes a display unit 1, a reflection unit 2, a holder 3, an upper bezel 4, a cooling device 5, a ceramic forming unit 6, an imaging unit 7, and a control unit 8.

[0011] Hereinafter, for the display device 100, the side of the user U (mainly the driver of the vehicle) riding in the vehicle is defined as the front of the display device 100 (denoted as "Df" in FIG. 1), and the opposite direction is defined as the rear of the display device 100 (denoted as "Db" in FIG. 1). Also, the rear surface of the display device 100 with a predetermined configuration is also referred to as the "rear surface".

[0012] Note that the front of the display device 100 corresponds to the rear Ab of the vehicle, and the rear of the display device 100 corresponds to the front Af of the vehicle. Also, the vertical direction used in the following description follows the vertical direction of the vehicle and corresponds to the vertical direction in FIG. 1. Also, the imaging unit 7 and the control unit 8 in FIG. 1 are schematically shown as functional blocks, and their positional relationships are arbitrary.

[0013] The display unit 1 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, etc., and is provided in the dashboard (including the instrument panel) of the vehicle. The display unit 1 emits light representing the image (hereinafter, display light L) toward the reflection unit 2 by displaying the image.

[0014] The reflection unit 2 has a reflection surface 20 on its front surface, and reflects the display light L toward the user U riding in the vehicle at the reflection surface 20. The reflection unit 2 and the holder 3 holding the reflection unit 2 are provided at the upper part of the dashboard in such a manner that at least the reflection surface 20 is exposed from the dashboard. For example, the reflection unit 2 is configured by forming a mirror-like reflection surface 20 on a plate-like member molded from resin by aluminum vapor deposition or the like. The reflection surface 20 may be a flat surface or at least a part thereof may be a curved surface.

[0015] The display light L reflected by the reflecting surface 20 travels toward the user U. The user U can visually recognize the virtual image of the image represented by the display light L in the eye box E. The said image shows, for example, various types of information regarding the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as vehicle information). The vehicle information may include not only information about the vehicle itself but also external information of the vehicle such as information about the surroundings of the vehicle. Here, the eye box E is set as a range within which the user U can visually recognize an image by the display light L reflected by the reflecting part 2. The eye box E is optically determined by the area where the image is displayed in the display unit 1, the relative positional relationship of the reflecting part 2, and the shape of the reflecting surface 20.

[0016] In addition, in the dashboard, the length over which the reflecting part 20 and the corresponding display unit 1 are provided in the vehicle left - right direction is arbitrary. For example, the reflecting part 20 and the corresponding display unit 1 may be a device in a Pillar to Pillar mode provided over substantially the entire width of the dashboard. Also, the display unit 1 may be composed of a single display or may be composed of a plurality of displays arranged in the left - right direction.

[0017] The holder 3 is configured to hold the reflecting part 2 and is formed of metal or resin. The holder 3 may be formed by two - color molding. The holder 3 has a support part 30 that supports the reflecting part 2 and a heat sink 31 formed integrally with the support part 30.

[0018] The support part 30 receives the lower end of the reflecting part 2 and covers the back surface of the reflecting part 2. The support part 30 is formed in a hollow structure by having a cavity part 30a on the back surface side of the reflecting part 2. By reducing the thermal conductivity from the support part 30 to the reflecting part 2 by this cavity part 30a, the thermal expansion of the reflecting part 2 can be suppressed.

[0019] The heat sink 31 is configured to include heat radiation fins 31a provided on the back side of the support portion 30. The heat radiation fins 31a are formed in a flat plate shape extending from the support portion 30 toward the windshield 9 of the vehicle. For example, the heat radiation fins 31a are substantially triangular when viewed from the side surface of the holder 3. Note that the shape of the heat radiation fins 31a may be arbitrary as long as it is fin-shaped. A plurality of the heat radiation fins 31a are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction of the vehicle (the depth direction of the paper surface in FIG. 1) and are configured in a comb shape.

[0020] The holder 3 is subjected to low-reflection processing by a known method such as matte black painting or embossing. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the image on the back side of the holder 3 from being prominently reflected on the windshield 9. From this viewpoint, the low-reflection processing may be performed at least on the back surface of the holder 3.

[0021] The upper bezel 4 is configured to fix the reflection portion 2 to the holder 3 (support portion 30) and is formed of resin or metal. The upper bezel 4 is provided so as to cover the upper portion of the reflection portion 2 and is fixed to the holder 3 by fixing means (not shown) such as hooks and screws. The upper bezel 4 has a substantially L-shaped cross section and covers the upper end surfaces of the reflection portion 2 and the holder 3 (support portion 30), and the upper portion of the back surface of the holder 3 (support portion 30).

[0022] Note that the upper bezel 4 may be configured with a color that is not conspicuous, such as black (including not only the color of the material itself but also the fact that it is painted), in order to make it difficult to give trouble to the user U when the user U views the outside world. Also, among the upper bezel 4, the portion covering the upper end surfaces of the reflection portion 2 and the holder 3 may be formed in a thin shape such as a knife edge. Further, the upper bezel 4 may be a part of a bezel (not shown) that surrounds the edge of the reflection portion 2 in a frame shape.

[0023] The cooling device 5 is configured to cool the heat sink 31. For example, it is composed of an air-cooling fan that air-cools the heat-radiating fins 31a of the heat sink 31 from below. Note that the cooling device 5 only needs to be able to cool the heat sink 31, and it may be configured to cool parts other than the heat-radiating fins 31a. Also, the cooling device 5 may be water-cooled or use a heat pipe. Further, the cooling device 5 is not limited to being provided solely for cooling the heat sink 31. For example, the cooling device 5 may air-cool the heat sink 31 as one function of an HVAC (Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning) module mounted on a vehicle. The control of the operation of the cooling device 5 may be performed by the control unit 8 or by an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), not shown, mounted on the vehicle.

[0024] As described above, even in an environment where sunlight S irradiates the interior of the vehicle through the front glass 9, the cooling device 5 that cools the heat sink 31 can release the heat of the reflection part 2 and the holder 3 from the heat sink 31, so that the thermal expansion of the reflection part 2 can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of distortion in the display image (the image visible to the user U).

[0025] The ceramic forming part 6 constitutes a part of a light-shielding part provided along the outer edge of the front glass 9. This light-shielding part is a part where black ceramic is formed by baking paint, and is generally called a black ceramic part. The ceramic forming part 6 is a part provided in the lower end region of the front glass 9 among the light-shielding parts. Note that the light-shielding part including the ceramic forming part 6 may be provided on the inner surface (the surface facing the user U2) of the front glass 9 or on the outer surface of the front glass 9. Also, when the front glass 9 is composed of a plurality of laminated glasses, the light-shielding part may be provided inside the front glass 9. The formation range of the ceramic forming part 6 will be described later.

[0026] The imaging unit 7 is composed of one or more cameras provided on the vehicle, and images the exterior scene of the vehicle. The imaging unit 7 images at least one of the exterior scenes in the left - right direction, rear, and front of the vehicle, and supplies the data of the captured image to the control unit 8. In this article, supplying, acquiring, and generating the data of a predetermined image may sometimes be simply expressed as supplying, acquiring, and generating an image.

[0027] The control unit 8 controls the display operation of the display unit 1. The control unit 8 is composed of, for example, a microcontroller, and includes a processor including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory including a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). Various data such as an operation program (including a program for executing the specific image generation process described later) that defines the processing procedure of the CPU are stored in the memory. The control unit 8 communicates with each device such as the imaging unit 7 and the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle, and acquires various information related to the vehicle. The control unit 8 generates an image to be displayed on the display unit 1 based on the acquired various information and the image data for drawing stored in the memory. The control unit 8 is mounted on, for example, a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) disposed in the dashboard. Further, the control unit 8 includes, as functional units, an image acquisition unit 81 and an image processing unit 82 described later.

[0028] (Formation range of the ceramic forming unit 6) The ceramic forming unit 6 is formed at least at a position facing the heat sink 31. Thereby, since the sunlight S can be blocked at the portion of the windshield 9 facing the heat sink 31, it is possible to suppress the sunlight S that passes through the windshield 9 and illuminates the interior of the vehicle from illuminating the heat sink 31. As a result, the thermal expansion of the reflection unit 2 can be suppressed better.

[0029] Here, as shown in FIG. 1, a straight line passing through a specific point P described later and the upper end of the upper bezel 4 is defined as a first virtual line V1, and a straight line parallel to the first virtual line V1 and passing through the lower end of the upper bezel 4 (specifically, the lower end of the portion of the upper bezel 4 that covers the upper part of the back surface of the support portion 30) is defined as a second virtual line V2.

[0030] The specific point P is a point (coordinate) preset inside the vehicle and is set to the upper end height Et of the glove box E. As shown in FIG. 2, the specific point P may be, for example, (i) a point P1 that is at the position of the upper end height Et and is obtained by vertically moving the glove box center Ec, which is the center of the glove box E, upward, or (ii) a point P2 that is at the position of the upper end height Et and is on the vehicle center line C. The vehicle center line C is a line indicating the center of the vehicle and is set for each vehicle type. Not limited to these examples, the specific point P can be arbitrarily set as long as it is a point at the upper end height Et of the glove box E. Based on the specific point P set in this way, it is preferable that the ceramic forming portion 6 satisfies the conditions described later.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper end of the ceramic forming portion 6 is located between a first position H1 where the first virtual line V1 intersects the windshield 9 and a second position H2 where the second virtual line V2 intersects the windshield 9. By satisfying this condition, it is possible to suppress sunlight S that passes through the windshield 9 and illuminates the interior of the vehicle from illuminating the holder 3, and it is possible to suppress the reflector 2 from overheating via the holder 3. Thereby, the thermal expansion of the reflector 2 can be suppressed.

[0032] From here, the functions and processes of the control unit 8 specific to this embodiment will be described. The image indicating the vehicle information displayed on the display unit 1 under the control of the control unit 8 may include a specific image showing an exterior view of the vehicle (at least one of the exterior views in the left-right direction, rear, and front of the vehicle). That is, the display unit 1 may emit light (display light L) representing the specific image toward the reflecting surface 20. From here, the specific image generation process executed by the control unit 8 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The trigger for starting the process can be arbitrarily determined, such as when the control unit 8 receives an instruction operation by the user U or when the control unit 8 determines that the vehicle is in motion.

[0033] (Specific Image Generation Process) When starting this process, first, the image acquisition unit 81 of the control unit 8 determines whether it has acquired the captured image Q (exemplified in FIG. 4) obtained by the imaging unit 7 capturing the exterior view of the vehicle from the imaging unit 7 (step S1). If the control unit 8 cannot acquire the captured image Q (step S1; No), the specific image generation process ends. On the other hand, when the captured image Q is acquired (step S1; Yes), the image acquisition unit 81 inputs (stores in the memory) the captured image Q (step S2). Note that the specific outer shape F shown in FIG. 4 is not a component of the captured image Q.

[0034] Subsequent to step S2, the image processing unit 82 of the control unit 8 cuts out the captured image Q with a specific outer shape F different from the outer shape (rectangle) of the captured image Q (step S3), and generates the image cut out in this way as a specific image. Explaining with the example of FIG. 4, the specific image is an image of the content obtained by removing the outside of the specific outer shape F from the captured image Q.

[0035] Here, a specific image actually visually recognized by the user U by the display light L reflected by the reflecting surface 20 is defined as a display image G. Since the display image G depends on the shape of the reflecting surface 20, it is different from the aspect of directly viewing the specific image generated in step S3. The specific outer shape F here is preset so that the outer shape Fg of the display image G is an arbitrary shape. The display image G in FIG. 4 represents the exterior view of the left rear of the vehicle, and its outer shape Fg is an example of a shape imitating the left side mirror. Thereby, the display device 100 can function like an electronic mirror. A plurality of types such as the left and right sides of the vehicle and a rear monitor may be prepared for the specific image visually recognized by the user U as the display image G. And the outer shape F of the specific image (the shape visually recognized by the user U as the outer shape Fg of the display image G) may be a different shape for each type of the specific image.

[0036] Note that in step S3, so that the display image G displayed by the display light L reflected by the reflecting surface 20 is in the correct orientation for the user U, the image processing unit 82 also executes adjustment of the image orientation before or after the process of cutting out the captured image Q with the specific outer shape F.

[0037] Subsequent to step S3, the image processing unit 82 causes the display unit 1 to display the image cut out in step S3 (that is, the generated specific image) (step S4). The control unit 8 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S1 to S4 until it determines No in step S1.

[0038] According to the display device 100 that executes the specific image generation process as described above, the outer shape Fg of the display image G (the specific image visually recognized by the user U) can be an arbitrary shape. When the captured image Q is directly displayed on the display unit 1, distortion of the display may be easily recognized due to the shape of the reflecting surface 20. On the other hand, the outer shape Fg of the display image G can be an arbitrary shape different from the outer shape of the captured image Q, and as a contrast with the exterior view reflected in the display image G, it is possible to make it difficult for the user U to feel the occurrence of display distortion. Also, since the specific image can be generated without performing image processing over the entire area of the captured image Q like warping, the time lag related to the video display of the exterior view can be reduced.

[0039] In addition, the outer shape of the captured image Q is rectangular, and the outer shape Fg of the display image G may include a curve. If all of the outer shape Fg of the display image G is composed of straight lines, the distortion of the display can be easily grasped in comparison with the straight lines. However, by configuring the outer shape Fg of the display image G to include a curve, it is possible to make it difficult for the user U to feel the occurrence of display distortion.

[0040] In addition, the image processing unit 82 generates a specific image having a specific outer shape F, but it is not necessary to perform distortion correction on the specific image due to the shape of the reflecting surface 20. Thereby, the time lag related to the video display of the outdoor scene can be reduced more favorably.

[0041] The present invention is not limited by the above embodiments, modifications, and drawings. It is possible to appropriately make changes (including deletion of components) without changing the gist of the present invention.

[0042] The display device 100 described above can be described from the following viewpoints a to c.

[0043] (a1) The display device according to viewpoint a of the present disclosure is a reflection unit that reflects light representing an image toward a user riding in a vehicle on the front surface, a holder having a heat sink that supports the reflection unit while covering the back surface of the reflection unit, and heat radiation fins provided on the back side of the support unit, and a cooling device that cools the heat sink.

[0044] (a2) The display device according to (a1) above may further include a ceramic forming portion provided in a lower end region of the windshield of the vehicle and facing the heat sink.

[0045] (a3) In the display device according to (a1) or (a2) above, the support unit may be formed in a hollow structure.

[0046] (b1) The display device according to aspect b of the present disclosure includes a reflection unit that reflects light representing an image toward a user in the vehicle on the front surface, a holder that supports the reflection unit while covering the back surface of the reflection unit, an upper bezel that covers the upper end surfaces of the reflection unit and the holder and the upper part of the back surface of the holder, and a ceramic forming portion provided in a lower end region of the windshield of the vehicle. When a straight line passing through a specific point set inside the vehicle and the upper end of the upper bezel is defined as a first virtual line, and a straight line parallel to the first virtual line and passing through the lower end of the upper bezel is defined as a second virtual line, the upper end of the ceramic forming portion is located between a first position where the first virtual line intersects the windshield and a second position where the second virtual line intersects the windshield. The specific point is set at the upper end height of an instrument box set as a range in which the user can visually recognize the image by the light reflected by the reflection unit.

[0047] Note that in the display device according to aspect b, the holder may not have a heat sink.

[0048] (b2) In the display device according to (b1) above, at least the back surface of the holder may be subjected to low-reflection processing.

[0049] (c1) The display device according to aspect c of the present disclosure includes a display unit that emits light representing a specific image toward a reflection surface provided in a vehicle, an image acquisition means for acquiring a captured image obtained by capturing an external view of the vehicle by an imaging unit provided in the vehicle, and an image processing means for cutting out the captured image acquired by the image acquisition means with a specific outer shape different from the outer shape of the captured image and displaying the cut-out image as the specific image on the display unit. Taking the specific image visually recognized by a user in the vehicle by the light reflected by the reflecting surface as a display image, the specific outer shape is preset so that the outer shape of the display image can be of any shape.

[0050] In addition, in the display device according to viewpoint c, the reflecting surface does not have to be a component of the reflecting portion 2 provided on the user U side of the windshield 9, and may be a component of the ceramic forming portion 6 of the windshield 9. That is, the display device according to viewpoint c may be configured to allow the user U to visually recognize a specific image by the display light L reflected by the ceramic forming portion 6.

[0051] (c2) In the display device according to the above (c1), the outer shape of the captured image is rectangular, and the outer shape of the display image may include a curve.

[0052] (c3) In the display device according to the above (c1) or (c2), the image processing means generates the specific image having the specific outer shape, but may not perform distortion correction caused by the shape of the reflecting surface on the specific image.

[0053] In the above description, for the sake of easy understanding of the present disclosure, the description of known technical matters has been appropriately omitted.

[0054] This invention can be implemented in various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of this invention. Also, the above-described embodiments are for explaining this invention and do not limit the scope of this invention. That is, the scope of this invention is indicated by the claims rather than the embodiments. And various modifications made within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the meaning of the invention equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of this invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0055] 100... Display device 1... Display unit 2… Reflecting part, 20… Reflecting surface 3… Holder 30… Support part, 30a… Hollow part, 31… Heat sink, 31a… Radiation fin 4… Upper bezel 5… Cooling device 6… Ceramic forming part 7… Imaging part 8… Control part 81… Image acquisition part (image acquisition means), 82… Image processing part (image processing means) 9… Front glass U… User, S… Sunlight E… Eyebox, Ec… Eyebox center, Et… Upper end height P… Specific point, P1, P2… Points V1… First virtual line, H1… First position V2… Second virtual line, H2… Second position Q… Captured image, F… Specific outer shape G… Display image, Fg… Outer shape of display image

Claims

1. A display unit that emits light representing a specific image toward a reflecting surface provided on a vehicle; Image acquisition means for acquiring a captured image obtained by capturing an external view of the vehicle by an imaging unit provided on the vehicle; Image processing means for cutting out the captured image acquired by the image acquisition means with a specific outer shape different from the outer shape of the captured image, and causing the display unit to display the cut-out image as the specific image; and When the specific image visually recognized by a user riding on the vehicle by the light reflected by the reflecting surface is a display image, The specific outer shape is preset so that the outer shape of the display image has an arbitrary shape. A display device.

2. The outer shape of the captured image is rectangular, and the outer shape of the display image includes a curve. The display device according to claim 1.

3. The image processing means generates the specific image having the specific outer shape, but does not perform distortion correction caused by the shape of the reflecting surface on the specific image. The display device according to claim 1 or 2.

Images