Vehicular projection device

Abstract

To provide a vehicular projection device which enables a driver who is going to grasp a distance between a vehicle body and a white line by using a mirror or the like to grasp the distance between the vehicle body and the white line even during night as during day.SOLUTION: This vehicular projection device 1, provided on a vehicle C running on a road surface with a guide line GL indicated, comprises a detection part 10 for detecting the guide line GL, a projector 20 for performing a projection display on a lateral side or a rear side of the vehicle C, and a drive control part 30, where the drive control part 30 projects, on the basis of a detection result of the detection part 10, a first image P1 expressing the position of a matching guide line GL, on a visible region R visible in a lateral side field of view or in a rear side field of view of the vehicle C so as to overlap on the guide line GL.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a projection device for a vehicle that projects a desired image onto a road surface on which guide lines are marked. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional lane departure prevention device is known, for example, as described in Patent Document 1. This lane departure prevention device uses a white line detection sensor to detect the position of the white line ahead of the vehicle. A lane departure determination unit determines whether the vehicle will deviate from the white line based on the vehicle's directional position relative to the white line, and also has a driver awareness level detection means consisting of a steering angle sensor and a no-steering determination unit, and controls the warning by the warning unit. The vehicle departure determination unit monitors the state of the white line, and does not issue a warning if the vehicle immediately returns to the lane even after deviating from the white line. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-171392 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the lane departure prevention device described in Patent Document 1 issues a warning when the vehicle approaches a white line, but does not notify the driver of the distance between the vehicle and the white line. While there are systems that display the distance between the white line and the vehicle using illustrations, it is difficult to grasp the actual distance from the illustration alone.

[0005] Therefore, drivers with poor sense of the vehicle's body must receive frequent warnings or use side mirrors to compensate for their sense of the vehicle's body. However, in this case, it is difficult to recognize the white lines behind the vehicle, especially at night, which puts drivers who use side mirrors to compensate for their sense of the vehicle's body at a disadvantage.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a projection device for a vehicle that allows drivers who use mirrors or the like to grasp the distance between the vehicle body and the white line to grasp the distance between the vehicle body and the white line at night in the same way as during the day. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is a vehicle projection device 1 that is installed on a vehicle C that travels on a road surface on which guide lines GL are marked, and is equipped with a guide line detection unit 10 that detects the guide lines GL, a projection unit 20 that performs a desired projection display to the side or rear of the vehicle C, and a control unit 30, and is characterized in that the control unit 30 executes a first projection process that projects a first image P1 representing the position of the corresponding guide line GL onto a predetermined area R of the road surface that is visible in the side field of view or rear field of view of the vehicle C, so as to superimpose the first image P1 on the corresponding guide line GL, based on the detection result of the guide line detection unit 10. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, projection is performed onto the guide line from the side or rear, and by visually viewing it directly in a mirror or indirectly through a dashboard image, the distance from the vehicle to the guide line can be grasped at night in the same way as during the day. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle when a vehicle-mounted projection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is installed, as viewed from the left side of the vehicle. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a drive control unit in a vehicle projection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram showing an example of how the left side mirror looks to the driver when a first image is projected and displayed in the vehicle projection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing an example of how the left side mirror looks to the driver when a second image is projected and displayed in the vehicle projection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing examples of how the left side mirror appears to the driver when a third image is projected and displayed in the vehicle projection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in the cases where (A) the distance between the guide line and the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and (B) the distance between the guide line and the vehicle is less than a predetermined value. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of how the left side mirror looks to the driver when a fourth image is projected and displayed in the vehicle projection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle projection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a projection display when backing into a parking lot in the vehicle projection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (First embodiment of the present invention) The vehicular projection device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 7. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle when the vehicular projection device according to this embodiment is installed, as viewed from the left side. In Fig. 1, the vehicular projection device 1 includes a sensor unit 11 including various sensors including a front camera that captures an image ahead of the vehicle C, and a detection unit 10 (guide line detection unit) including a processing unit 12 that detects at least guide lines GL marked on the road surface and the lane in which the vehicle C is traveling from image information captured by the sensor unit 11, a projector 20 (projection unit) that projects and displays a desired image to the side or rear of the vehicle C, and a drive control unit 30 (control unit) that drives and controls the projector 20.

[0011] For example, the front camera serving as the sensor unit 11 is typically a camera used in an advanced driver assistance system (hereinafter referred to as ADAS), but a dedicated camera for detecting guide lines GL may be installed. Also, the arithmetic processing device 12 detects guide lines GL (for example, white lines that separate the lanes in which the vehicle C is traveling) by image analysis processing from the image information of the sensor unit 11. This arithmetic processing device 12 also uses a arithmetic processing device that functions in the ADAS, but a dedicated arithmetic processing device for detecting guide lines GL may be installed.

[0012] The sensor unit 11 includes various sensors attached to the vehicle C, and may include, for example, the imaging sensor, in addition to the front camera described above, a rear camera, an in-vehicle camera that captures images of the interior of the vehicle (particularly the eye area of ​​the driver DR), various cameras that capture images to be displayed on a side mirror (door mirror) or a rearview mirror (room mirror) when a display is used in the side mirror (door mirror), etc. Furthermore, other sensors may include, for example, an angle sensor that detects the rotation angle of the steering wheel or tires of the vehicle C, various sensors that detect the driving state of the vehicle C (switching between automatic driving / manual driving, activation of turn signals when turning right / left), etc.

[0013] In addition, the guide lines GL detected by the detection unit 10 may include "dividing lines" and "road markings" as defined in the Road Signs Act, such as dividing lines between adjacent lanes in a road with two or more lanes, dividing lines separating the lane in which vehicle C is traveling from the shoulder or side strip, and demarcating lines defining parking spaces in parking lots, etc.

[0014] The projector 20 projects and displays a first image P1 representing the position of the corresponding guide line GL in a visibility region R (predetermined region) visible in the side field of view (for example, the field of view that the driver DR can directly see in the side mirror (including the display)) or the rear field of view (for example, the field of view that the driver DR can directly see in the rearview mirror (including the display)) of the vehicle C, of ​​the road surface on which the guide line GL is marked in the vicinity of the vehicle C traveling, so as to be superimposed on the guide line GL. In addition to these, the projector 20 projects and displays a second image P2 representing the side position of the vehicle C in the visibility region R, a third image P3 corresponding to the distance between the side position of the vehicle C and the position of the guide line GL in the visibility region R, and a fourth image P4 prompting the driver to move the vehicle C away from the guide line GL in the visibility region R. Specific examples of the first image P1 to the fourth image P4 will be described later.

[0015] The projector 20 is preferably installed at the rear of the vehicle C, but may also be installed on the side of the vehicle (for example, on a side mirror or side sill). The projector 20 may be configured to project a single-color image or may be configured to project a multi-color image.

[0016] The visible area R also includes the direct field of view of the side mirrors or rearview mirrors, the indirect field of view of a display that replaces the side mirrors or rearview mirrors, or the visible area R of the indirect field of view of a display installed on the instrument panel or dashboard.

[0017] The drive control unit 30 controls the drive of the projector 20 based on the detection results of the detection unit 10. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the drive control unit 30 in the vehicle projection device 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 2, the drive control unit 30 is a computer internally equipped with a CPU 31, a memory 32, and the like. The CPU 31 is connected to the detection unit 10 via a bus 33 to acquire detection information on the guide lines GL and other detection information, and is also connected to the projector 20 to output control information. The CPU 31 controls the drive of the projector 20 by executing various pre-stored programs using the temporary storage function of the memory 32. The memory 32 is a storage device equipped with RAM and ROM (not shown). The various programs include a program for executing the procedures shown in FIG. 7 (described later). The drive control unit 30 and each component may be connected via a communication interface such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) or electrically connected via hardwires.

[0018] The following is a specific description of the first image P1 through the fourth image P4 projected and displayed by the projector 20 based on the drive control of the drive control unit 30. In the vehicle projection device 1 according to this embodiment, the first image P1 through the fourth image P4 are projected and displayed when the value of an external light sensor (not shown) of the vehicle C is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, or when the headlights or parking lights are on, i.e., when it is dark. That is, at night, it is extremely difficult for the driver DR to see the guide lines GL in the side mirrors or rearview mirror. Therefore, by projecting and displaying the first image P1 through the fourth image P4 shown below using the projector 20, the driver DR can clearly see the guide lines GL in the side mirrors or rearview mirror even in dark conditions such as at night. In particular, when driving on narrow mountain roads at night, the driver DR can drive safely by checking the position of the white lines in the side mirrors, etc., allowing the driver DR, who has poor sense of the vehicle's body, to drive safely.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of how the left side mirror appears to the driver DR when a first image P1 is projected and displayed by the vehicle projection device 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 3, the side of the vehicle C, which is the driver's vehicle, is reflected in approximately one-quarter of the right side area of ​​the left side mirror. The upper half of the left side area shows the scenery from the left side to the left rear of the vehicle C, and the lower half shows the ground. This includes a guide line GL on the left side of the vehicle C when the vehicle C is traveling straight. In FIG. 3, the first image P1 is projected and displayed so as to be superimposed on the guide line GL. Here, superimposition means projecting and displaying a linear first image P1 that follows the guide line GL on top of the guide line GL. The projected first image P1 may be projected and displayed with a width that matches the width of the guide line GL, or may be projected and displayed with a width that is larger than the width of the guide line GL, or may be projected and displayed so that the entire first image P1 fits within the guide line GL.

[0020] In the projection display shown in FIG. 3, first, the detection unit 10 detects a guide line GL on the left side of the lane in which the vehicle C is traveling from image information captured by the front camera, which is the sensor unit 11. At this time, the detection unit 10 also detects the relative positional relationship of the guide line GL with respect to the vehicle C (for example, the distance from the vehicle C to the guide line GL, and the angle of the guide line GL with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle C). The detected detection information is passed to the drive control unit 30. Based on the detection information including the positional relationship of the guide line GL with respect to the vehicle C, the drive control unit 30 calculates a display mode in which the projector 20 projects and displays a first image P1. Specifically, the drive control unit 30 calculates the position, shape, size (including width), color, etc. of the first image P1 as shown in FIG. 3, and controls the drive of the projector 20 so that the first image P1 is projected and displayed superimposed on the guide line GL (first projection process).

[0021] The first image P1 may be projected and displayed at all times, or may be projected and displayed only when the vehicle C approaches the guide line GL.

[0022] Moreover, it is desirable that the first image P1 superimposed on the guide line GL is projected and displayed so as to be visually recognized in substantially the same color as the guide line GL.

[0023] 4 is a diagram showing an example of how the left side mirror appears to the driver DR when a second image P2 is projected and displayed in the vehicle projection device 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 4, in addition to the first image P1 of FIG. 3, a second image P2 representing the side position of the host vehicle C is projected and displayed along the side of the vehicle C. As in the case of FIG. 3, the projection display shown in FIG. 4 is achieved by the detection unit 10 detecting the guide line GL on the left side of the lane. The detected detection information is passed to the drive control unit 30, and the drive control unit 30 calculates the display mode in which the projector 20 projects and displays the second image P2 based on the received detection information, and controls the drive of the projector 20 so that the second image P2 is projected and displayed opposite and parallel to the first image P1 and along the side position of the vehicle C (second projection process).

[0024] Furthermore, since the relative positional relationship between the projector 20 and the vehicle C remains unchanged regardless of the driving state of the vehicle C, the second image P2 may be set to be projected and displayed at a fixed position that is predetermined when the projector 20 is installed.

[0025] Furthermore, the timing for projecting and displaying the second image P2 may be set to be constant, or at the same timing as the first image P1, or may be set to be projected and displayed when the distance between the guide line GL and the vehicle C becomes closer than a predetermined distance.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of how the left side mirror appears to the driver DR when a third image P3 is projected and displayed by the vehicle projection device 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 5(A) shows a case where the separation distance between the vehicle C and the guide line GL is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and FIG. 5(B) shows a case where the separation distance between the vehicle C and the guide line GL is less than the predetermined value. In FIG. 5, in addition to the first image P1 and the second image P2 of FIG. 4, a third image P3 corresponding to the separation distance between the guide line GL and the side position of the vehicle C is projected and displayed between the guide line GL and the side position of the vehicle C, i.e., between the first image P1 and the second image P2. In FIG. 5, when the separation distance is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, three designs P31 representing the separation distance are projected and displayed as shown in FIG. 5(A). On the other hand, when the separation distance is less than the predetermined value, two designs P31 representing the separation distance are projected and displayed as shown in FIG. 5(B). That is, the distance between the guide line GL and the side position of the vehicle C is projected and displayed so as to correspond to the number of designs P31.

[0027] Note that the third image P3 shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example, and the third image P3 may be configured to gradually represent the distance between the guide line GL and the side position of the vehicle C. Specifically, the number of designs P31 may be gradually decreased as the distance decreases, and gradually increased as the distance increases. The width (thickness) of the designs P31 may all be the same, or may become narrower as they approach the guide line GL, as shown in FIG. 5. Furthermore, the designs P31 may be projected and displayed as numerical values, such as "1.0" or "0.5," or values ​​or ratios that are easier to understand by normalizing the distance from 0 to 1.

[0028] Furthermore, the color of the design P31 of the third image P3 may be projected and displayed while changing depending on the distance between the guide line GL and the side position of the vehicle C. For example, as shown in Fig. 5(A), when the distance between the guide line GL and the side position of the vehicle C is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and there is little risk, the third image P3 may be projected and displayed in a first color, such as blue or white, and when the distance is less than the predetermined value, as shown in Fig. 5(B), the third image P3 may be projected and displayed in a second color, such as yellow, to warn the driver. When the distance is even smaller than that shown in Fig. 5(B), the third image P3 may be projected and displayed in a third color, such as red, to issue a warning.

[0029] In the projection display shown in FIG. 5, similarly to the case of FIG. 4, the detection unit 10 detects the guide line GL on the left side of the lane. The detection information detected by the detection unit 10 includes information on the distance from the vehicle C to the guide line GL, as described above in FIG. 3. That is, in this case, the detection unit 10 also functions as a distance detection unit. The detection information detected by the detection unit 10 is passed to the drive control unit 30. Based on the received detection information, the drive control unit 30 calculates a display mode in which the projector 20 projects and displays the third image P3, and controls the drive of the projector 20 so that a number of designs P31 set according to the distance between the guide line GL and the side position of the vehicle C are projected and displayed as the third image P3 (third projection process).

[0030] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of how the left side mirror appears to the driver DR when a fourth image P4 is projected and displayed by the vehicle projection device 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 6, in addition to the first image P1 and the second image P2 shown in FIG. 4, a fourth image P4, which prompts the driver C to move away from the guide line GL, is projected and displayed between the guide line GL and the side of the vehicle C, i.e., between the first image P1 and the second image P2. In the case of FIG. 6, an arrow-like design P41 indicating the direction in which the vehicle C should move away from the guide line GL is projected and displayed. As in the case of FIG. 5, the projection display shown in FIG. 6 is generated when the detection unit 10 detects the guide line GL on the left side of the lane. The detected detection information is passed to the drive control unit 30. Based on the received detection information, the drive control unit 30 calculates a display mode for the projector 20 to project and display the fourth image P4, and controls the drive of the projector 20 so that the fourth image P4 is projected and displayed between the guide line GL and the side of the vehicle C (fourth projection process).

[0031] As described above, the detection information detected by the detection unit 10 may include information on the distance from the vehicle C to the guide line GL, and the fourth image P4 may be projected and displayed as a warning only when the distance between the vehicle C and the guide line GL is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In addition, the design P41 projected and displayed as the fourth image P4 may have a shape other than that shown in Fig. 6, such as text such as "Turn right" or may be projected and displayed as the design P41, or a design P41 that evokes a turning action such as turning the steering wheel to the right.

[0032] By projecting and displaying the first image P1 to the fourth image P4 as shown in Figures 3 to 6, the driver DR can reliably see the guide lines GL in the side mirrors, especially when the surroundings are dark, such as at night. Here, in Figures 3 to 6, the first image P1 to the fourth image P4 have been described using the scenery reflected in the side mirror as an example, but the guide lines GL can also be seen from the first image P1 to the fourth image P4 in a rearview mirror or on a display that displays an image of the surroundings of the vehicle C.

[0033] For example, if the vehicle C steps over the guide line GL (for example, if the detection unit 10 detects that the distance from the vehicle C to the guide line GL is 0 or less, or if the guide line GL is no longer detected), the drive control unit 30 may control the projector 20 to stop projecting and displaying the first image P1 to the fourth image P4.

[0034] Furthermore, for example, when the vehicle C changes lanes on a multi-lane road (for example, when the detection unit 10 detects a dividing line between adjacent lanes on a multi-lane road as a guide line GL and detects that the vehicle C is changing lanes and crossing the guide line GL), there is no need to project and display the first image P1 to the fourth image P4, and the control unit 30 controls the projector 20 not to project and display them. Specifically, the sensor unit 11 of the detection unit 10 detects a turn signal activation signal and a tire or steering wheel rotation angle signal, and based on the detection signals, the arithmetic processing unit 12 determines that the vehicle C is changing lanes and crossing the guide line GL if the turn signal is activated and the tire or steering wheel has rotated by more than a predetermined angle. That is, in this case, the detection unit 10 also functions as a lane change detection unit. The drive control unit 30 may control the projector 20 to stop projecting and displaying when the detection unit 10 detects that the vehicle C is changing lanes.

[0035] Furthermore, the projector 20 may be configured to project and display only when the driver DR is looking at the side mirror or the rearview mirror. Specifically, the arithmetic processing device 12 detects the direction of the driver DR's line of sight from image information of the driver DR's eye area captured by an in-vehicle camera serving as the sensor unit 11 of the detection unit 10. That is, in this case, the detection unit 10 also functions as a line of sight detection unit. The drive control unit 30, which has acquired the detection information from the detection unit 10, may determine whether the driver DR is looking at the side mirror or the rearview mirror based on the detection information (line of sight determination processing), and may control the projector 20 to project and display when the driver DR is looking at the side mirror or the rearview mirror.

[0036] Furthermore, the projection display of the second image P2 to the fourth image P4 may be any one of the images, a combination of any two images, or all of the second image P2 to the fourth image P4.

[0037] Next, the operation of the vehicular projection device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the vehicular projection device 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 7, first, the sensor unit 11 of the detection unit 10 captures an image of the front, side, or rear of the vehicle C, including the road surface on which the guide lines GL are marked (S1). The arithmetic processing unit 12 of the detection unit 10 performs image analysis on the image information captured by the sensor unit 11 to detect the guide lines GL (S2). Based on the detection information of the detection unit 10, the drive control unit 30 determines whether the display conditions for the first image P1 are met (S3). If the display conditions for the first image P1 are not met (for example, if the guide lines GL are not detected, if the distance between the guide lines GL and the vehicle C is 0 or less, if it is determined that the vehicle C is changing lanes, or if it is determined that the driver DR is not looking at the side mirrors or rearview mirror), the process returns to S1.

[0038] In S3, if the display conditions for the first image P1 are satisfied, the drive control unit 30 calculates the display mode of the first image P1 and controls the projector 20 to project and display the first image P1 (S4) (first projection process). After the first image P1 is projected and displayed, the drive control unit 30 calculates the display mode of the second image P2 and controls the projector 20 to project and display the second image P2 (S5) (second projection process). The drive control unit 30 determines whether the distance between the guide line GL and the side position of the vehicle C, which is included in the detection information received from the detection unit 10, is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (S6). If the distance is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the drive control unit 30 calculates the display mode of the third image P3 corresponding to the distance equal to or greater than the predetermined value and controls the projector 20 to project and display the third image P3 (S7) (third projection process). If the separation distance is less than a predetermined value, the display mode of the third image P3 corresponding to the separation distance less than the predetermined value is calculated, and the projector 20 is controlled to project and display the third image P3 (S8) (third projection processing). Regarding the processing of S8, instead of projecting and displaying the third image P3, the display mode of the fourth image P4 may be calculated, and the projector 20 may be controlled to project and display the fourth image P4 (fourth projection processing). After the processing of S7 or S8, the process returns to S1 and the same processing is repeated.

[0039] As described above, the vehicle projection device 1 according to this embodiment includes a detection unit 10 that detects guide lines GL, a projector 20 that projects a desired image to the side or rear of the vehicle C, and a drive control unit 30. Based on the detection results of the detection unit 10, the drive control unit 30 executes a first projection process that projects a first image P1 representing the position of the corresponding guide line GL onto a visible area R of the road surface visible in the side or rear field of view of the vehicle C so as to superimpose the first image P1 on the corresponding guide line GL. Therefore, by viewing the first image P1 directly in a side mirror or rearview mirror or indirectly via a display image, the distance between the vehicle C and the guide line GL can be grasped at night in the same way as during the day. This is effective in typical situations when each lane on a multi-lane road is narrow, when a guide line GL is marked between the left shoulder and the lane, or when the left shoulder is a sidewalk or a cliff.

[0040] In addition, in the first projection process, the drive control unit 30 projects the first image P1 onto the visible area R of the road surface that is visible in the side view or rear view through the side mirror or rearview mirror of the vehicle C, so that when the driver DR looks to the side or rear of the vehicle C through the side mirror or rearview mirror, the first image P1 can be projected and displayed on the guide line GL reflected in the field of view of the mirror.

[0041] Furthermore, the vehicle C includes a detection unit 10 as a gaze detection unit that detects the gaze of the driver DR of the vehicle C, and the drive control unit 30 further executes a gaze determination process that determines whether the driver DR is looking at the side mirror or the rearview mirror based on the detection result of the gaze detection unit, and if the gaze determination process determines that the driver DR is looking at the side mirror or the rearview mirror, it executes a projection display of the first image P1 by the first projection process, so that unnecessary projections can be avoided when the driver DR is not looking at the side mirror or the rearview mirror. Also, by preventing unnecessary projection displays, it is possible to reduce the annoyance felt by the driver of the following vehicle due to the projection displays.

[0042] Furthermore, the detection unit 10 detects guide lines GL between adjacent lanes on a road with multiple lanes as guide lines GL, and also functions as a lane change detection unit that detects lane change driving by vehicle C that crosses the guide lines GL, and when the lane change detection unit detects lane change driving, the drive control unit 30 stops projecting the first image P1 by the first projection process, thereby preventing visual confusion that would occur when projecting and displaying the first image P1 when changing lanes.

[0043] Furthermore, in the first projection process, the drive control unit 30 projects and displays the first image P1 in a color that is substantially the same as the color of the guide line GL, thereby avoiding any visual discomfort. Also, when a yellow line indicating no-entry is drawn, the driver can reliably recognize that fact.

[0044] Furthermore, based on the detection results of the detection unit 10, the drive control unit 30 further executes a second projection process in which a second image P2 representing the side position of the vehicle C is projected and displayed in the visible area R along the side of the vehicle C. Therefore, by accurately determining the position of the vehicle, the distance from the vehicle to the guide line GL can be accurately determined.

[0045] Furthermore, the detection unit 10 functions as a distance detection unit that detects the distance from the side position of the vehicle C to the guide line GL, and the drive control unit 30 further executes a third projection process that projects a third image P3 corresponding to the distance from the side position of the vehicle C in the visible area R based on the detection result of the distance detection unit, so that the distance from the vehicle to the guide line GL can be clearly and reliably notified to the driver DR.

[0046] Furthermore, in the third projection process, the drive control unit 30 changes the color of the third image P3 and projects it depending on the distance detected by the distance detection unit, thereby more intuitively notifying the driver DR that the vehicle is approaching the guide line GL.

[0047] Furthermore, the drive control unit 30 further executes a fourth projection process that projects a fourth image P4 that prompts the driver DR to move the vehicle C away from the guide line GL, so that when the vehicle is approaching the guide line GL, the driver DR can be intuitively prompted to move the vehicle away from the guide line GL.

[0048] (Second embodiment of the present invention) The vehicular projection device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. When backing into a parking lot, the vehicular projection device 1 according to this embodiment detects the demarcation lines that define the parking space as guide lines GL, and projects and displays a first image P1 so that it is superimposed on these demarcation lines. When backing into a parking lot, the vehicular projection device 1 also projects and displays a third image P3 that corresponds to the distance between the vehicle C and the demarcation lines on both sides. Note that descriptions of this embodiment that overlap with those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0049] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a projection display when the vehicle C is backed into a parking space in the vehicle projection device 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 8, when the vehicle C backs up to park in a predetermined parking space in the parking space, the detection unit 10 captures an image of the rear of the vehicle C using, for example, a rear camera serving as the sensor unit 11, and the arithmetic processing unit 12 detects the parking space division lines as guide lines GL. As in the first embodiment, the detection information of the detection unit 10 includes the relative positional relationship of the guide lines GL with respect to the vehicle C.

[0050] The detection information detected by the detection unit 10 is passed to the drive control unit 30. Based on the received detection information, the drive control unit 30 calculates the display mode in which the projector 20 projects and displays the first image P1. Specifically, the drive control unit 30 calculates the position (here, the positions on both the left and right sides of the vehicle C), shape, size (including width), color, etc. of the first image P1 as shown in Fig. 8, and controls the driving of the projector 20 so that the first image P1 is projected and displayed superimposed on the guide line GL (first projection process).

[0051] At the same time, the drive control unit 30 projects and displays a third image P3 as shown in Fig. 8. That is, in addition to the first image P1, a third image P3 corresponding to the distance between the guide lines GL on both the left and right sides of the vehicle C and the side position of the vehicle C is projected and displayed between the guide lines GL and the side position of the vehicle C (third projection processing). In Fig. 8, the distance between the right side position of the vehicle C and the right guide line GL is greater than the distance between the left side position of the vehicle C and the left guide line GL, so the display mode of the third image P3 is calculated based on this detection information. In Fig. 8, a diamond-shaped figure is projected and displayed as the third image P3, and the diamond-shaped figure is projected and displayed in a shape that elongates as the distance increases.

[0052] Note that Figure 8 shows an example of a state near the end of the parking operation, but detection of guide lines GL and projection display of the first image P1 may also begin from the moment the gear is put into reverse in preparation for parking, as shown in Figure 8 for vehicle C parked in the lower parking space.

[0053] As described above, in the vehicle projection device 1 according to this embodiment, the detection unit 10 detects the demarcation lines that define the parking spaces in the parking lot as guide lines GL, and the drive control unit 30, in the first projection process, projects and displays the first image P1 that indicates the position of the demarcation line so as to be superimposed on the demarcation line in response to the vehicle C reversing into the parking lot. This improves readability when checking visually or with a 360-degree camera when backing into a parking space, making parking easier. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] C vehicle DR Driver GL guide line P1 1st image P2 2nd image P3 3rd image P4 4th image R Visibility Zone 1. Vehicle projection device 10. Detection unit 11 Sensor section 12 Processing unit 20 Projectors 30 Drive control unit 31 CPU 32 memory 33 Bus

Claims

1. A vehicle projection device that is installed on a vehicle that runs on a road surface on which guide lines are marked, a guide line detection unit that detects the guide line; a projection unit that projects and displays a desired image on the side or rear of the vehicle; A control unit; Equipped with The control unit a first projection process for projecting a first image representing the position of the corresponding guide line onto a predetermined area of ​​the road surface visible in a side field of view or a rear field of view of the vehicle based on the detection result of the guide line detection unit, so as to superimpose the first image on the corresponding guide line. A vehicle projection device characterized by executing the above.

2. The control unit, in the first projection processing, The first image is projected onto the predetermined area of ​​the road surface visible in the side field of view or the rear field of view through a side mirror or a rearview mirror of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle projection device according to claim 1.

3. The vehicle further includes a line-of-sight detection unit that detects the line of sight of the driver of the vehicle, The control unit further executes a line-of-sight determination process to determine whether the driver is looking at the side mirror or the rearview mirror based on the detection result of the line-of-sight detection unit; When it is determined in the line-of-sight determination process that the driver is looking at the side mirror or the rearview mirror, the first image is projected by the first projection process.

3. The vehicle projection device according to claim 2.

4. The guide line detection unit detecting a demarcation line defining a parking space in a parking lot as the guide line; The control unit, in the first projection processing, The first image representing the position of the demarcation line is projected so as to be superimposed on the demarcation line in response to the vehicle moving backward in the parking lot.

2. The vehicle projection device according to claim 1.

5. The guide line detection unit As the guide lines, dividing lines between adjacent lanes on a road having a plurality of lanes are detected; and, The vehicle further includes a lane change detection unit that detects lane change travel by the vehicle across the dividing line, The control unit When the lane change detection unit detects the lane change, the projection of the first image by the first projection processing is stopped.

2. The vehicle projection device according to claim 1.

6. The control unit, in the first projection processing, The first image is projected so as to be visually recognized in substantially the same color as the color of the guide line.

2. The vehicle projection device according to claim 1.

7. The control unit further a second projection process for projecting a second image representing a side position of the vehicle in the predetermined area based on the detection result of the guide line detection unit, the second image representing a side position of the vehicle in the predetermined area along the side position of the vehicle; 2. The vehicle projection device according to claim 1.

8. Further, a distance detection unit is provided to detect the distance to the guide line, The control unit further a third projection process for projecting a third image corresponding to a distance from a side position of the vehicle in the predetermined area based on a detection result of the distance detection unit; 8. The vehicle projection device according to claim 7.

9. In the third projection processing, the control unit The third image is projected while changing a color thereof in accordance with the distance detected by the distance detection unit.

9. The vehicle projection device according to claim 8.

10. The control unit further execute a fourth projection process for projecting a fourth image that prompts the user to move the vehicle away from the guide line; 8. The vehicle projection device according to claim 7.

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