On-vehicle video device

Abstract

To provide a technique that eliminates need to separately provide a display and enables effective use of a projector by projecting video onto both a headrest and a seat back from one projector.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle video device includes a display control unit that performs control for outputting a video, and a projector that is installed on a ceiling of a vehicle and projects the video on a back surface of a headrest and a back surface of a seat back.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-vehicle imaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a system in which a projector mounted on the roof of a vehicle projects an image onto the seat back, allowing the vehicle occupants to view the image content projected onto the seat back of the front seat. Patent Document 1 also describes a system in which an in-vehicle monitor is attached to the back of the headrest, where various information can be displayed, and where occupants can operate the monitor by touching an operation button or a screen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-186661 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, an in-vehicle monitor that displays operation information is provided in addition to a projector that allows passengers to view images, which poses a problem in that the projector cannot necessarily be used effectively.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a technology that enables effective use of a projector by projecting an image from a single projector onto both the headrest and the seat back, eliminating the need for a separate display. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the in-vehicle imaging device of the present disclosure includes: a display control unit that controls output of video; a projector that is installed on the ceiling of the vehicle and projects the image onto the rear surface of the headrest and the rear surface of the seat back; Equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the technology of the present disclosure, by projecting an image from a single projector onto both the headrest and the seat back, it is possible to provide a technology that eliminates the need for a separate display and enables effective use of the projector. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an image display system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the video display system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the in-vehicle imaging device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the in-vehicle imaging device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the in-vehicle imaging device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the speaker unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle imaging device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the illumination unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed by an in-vehicle image device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow for switching the projection destination of video content depending on the reclining angle of the front seat or rear seat. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which a passenger sitting in a rear seat with a large reclining angle is watching video content projected onto a ceiling surface by an in-vehicle video device. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the drive mechanism. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a flow for driving the mounting table in accordance with the reclining angle of the rear seat. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which a switch unit is attached to the rear surface of a seat back and an image is projected. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of illuminating a lost item. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a display device and a method for expanding the display device according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations and combinations thereof in each embodiment are merely examples, and additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications of the configurations are possible as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0010] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an in-vehicle imaging system 100 according to a first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the in-vehicle imaging system 100 according to the first embodiment, FIG. 3 is a front view of the in-vehicle imaging device, FIG. 4 is a rear view of the in-vehicle imaging device 10, and FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the in-vehicle imaging device 10. In this embodiment, of the vertical direction (Y-axis direction), the direction toward the ceiling in the vehicle cabin is the upward direction, and the direction toward the floor in the vehicle cabin is the downward direction. The direction in which the vehicle moves forward is the forward direction (front side), and the direction in which the vehicle moves backward is the backward direction (rear side), and these front-to-back directions are the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, the width direction of the vehicle (X-axis direction) is the left-to-right direction. These directions are merely examples and are not limiting. The definitions of these directions are the same in the subsequent figures unless otherwise specified.

[0011] [System Configuration] The in-vehicle video system 100 is provided in a vehicle 1 and includes an in-vehicle video device 10, an operation panel 20, a sensor 30, and a speaker unit 40. The vehicle 1 includes a vehicle door 1B, a ceiling 1C, and a floor 1D that define a vehicle interior 1A. The floor 1D is provided with a front seat SF and a rear seat SR for seating occupants. The front seat SF and the rear seat SR are arranged side by side, one on the left and one on the right. Of the two front seats SF, the one on the right is the driver's seat, and the other is the passenger seat. A center console 15 is provided between the two rear seats SR. In this embodiment, the rear seats SR are configured independently on the left and right, but this is not limited thereto, and they may also be configured to seat three people, with the seat surfaces connected to the left and right. The following description will focus on the rear seat SR located at the rear of the vehicle. However, since the front seat SF located at the front has a similar configuration, the rear seat SR may be simply referred to as the vehicle seat S when there is no need to distinguish between them.

[0012] Each vehicle seat S includes a seat cushion S1 whose upper surface forms a seat surface, a seat back (backrest) S2 connected to the seat cushion S1 so as to be reclined, and a headrest S3 attached to the upper part of the seat back S2. Furthermore, each vehicle seat S includes a speaker unit 40 provided between the seat back S2 and the headrest S3, and a sensor 30 for detecting the reclining angle of the seat back S2. In this embodiment, the reclining angle is defined as 0 degrees when the seat back S2 is upright, and 90 degrees when the seat back S2 is tilted backward from this state to a horizontal position. Note that the movable range of the seat back S2 is not limited to 0 degrees to 90 degrees, but may be any suitable range from a state in which an occupant seated in the vehicle seat S can look straight ahead to a state in which the occupant can look at the ceiling 1C. It can be set appropriately.

[0013] The sensor 30 that detects the reclining angle is, for example, an encoder. However, the sensor 30 is not limited to this and may be other sensors such as an angle sensor or a gyro sensor. A signal indicating the reclining angle detected by the sensor 30 is transmitted to the in-vehicle imaging device 10 via an ECU or the like.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the speaker unit 40. The speaker unit 40 includes four speakers 41 to 44 and an output control unit 45 housed within a housing 46. The speakers 41 and 42 are arranged on the left and right sides in the front portion of the housing 46. The speakers 41 and 42 output sound from behind the occupant seated in the vehicle seat S in which the speaker unit 40 is provided. The speakers 43 and 44 are arranged on the left and right sides in the rear portion of the housing 46. The speakers 43 and 44 output sound from the front toward the occupant seated in the vehicle seat S located behind the speaker unit 40. Note that the number of speakers included in each speaker unit 40 is not limited to four, and may be less than or more than four depending on the number of channels of sound to be output. Furthermore, the speaker unit 40 is not limited to being located between the seat back S2 and the headrest S3, but may be located elsewhere, such as within the headrest S3 or the seat back S2.

[0015] The output control unit 45 of the speaker unit 40 is connected to the in-vehicle imaging device 10 via a wireless or wired line, receives an acoustic signal from the in-vehicle imaging device 10, performs processing such as amplification and demodulation, and then outputs the signal as sound from the speakers 41 to 44.

[0016] 1, the in-vehicle imaging device 10 is mounted on the passenger compartment ceiling (roof) 13 behind the front seats SF, and projects images onto at least the rear surfaces of the headrests S3 and the seatbacks. The in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment is also capable of projecting images onto the rear ceiling surface. The operation panel 20 is a device that allows the occupant to operate the in-vehicle imaging device 10.

[0017] [In-car video equipment] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of an in-vehicle imaging device 10. FIG. 7 mainly illustrates components necessary for explaining the features of this embodiment, and omits general components. In other words, the components shown in FIG. 7 are functional concepts and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. For example, the specific form of distribution and integration of each functional block is not limited to that shown in the figure. All or part of the functional blocks can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, and the like. The in-vehicle imaging device 10 includes a display control unit 11 that controls image output, a projector 12 that projects images, a camera 13, and a lighting unit 14. The projector 12 includes a left projection unit 12L that projects images onto the back of the headrest S3 and the back of the seatback S2 of the left front seat SF, of the front seats SF arranged side by side in the vehicle 1, and a right projection unit 12R that projects images onto the back of the headrest S3 and the back of the seatback S2 of the right front seat SF. The projector 12 further includes a ceiling projection unit 12B that projects an image onto the ceiling 1C of the vehicle 1. The left projection unit 12L and the right projection unit 12R are arranged on the front side of the in-vehicle imaging device 10 with their projection lenses facing the front seat SF, as shown in Fig. 3. The ceiling projection unit 12B is arranged on the back side of the in-vehicle imaging device 10 with their projection lenses facing the ceiling 1C, as shown in Fig. 4.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 5, the camera 13 is disposed on the underside of the in-vehicle imaging device 10 with the photographing lens facing downward, and is capable of photographing the interior of the vehicle. The lighting unit 14 partially illuminates the interior of the vehicle. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the illumination unit 14. The illumination unit 14 is embedded in the underside 19 of the in-vehicle imaging device 10 and includes a light source 141 that outputs illumination light 143, and a drive unit 142 that drives the light source 141 to change the illumination position of the light source 141. The drive unit 142 rotates the light source 141 around the X-axis and the Z-axis, thereby changing the position where the light from the light source 141 reaches, i.e., the illumination position, front to back, left to right. For example, when illuminating the seat surface of each vehicle seat S, the light source 141 illuminates a range of 100 mm to several hundred mm in diameter. Note that the light source 141 may have a zoom mechanism and be configured to change the illumination range under the control of the display control unit 11.

[0019] The display control unit 11 is an information processing device (computer) having a processor 101, a memory 102, an input / output interface (IF) 103, and a communication IF 104, which are interconnected by a connection bus 110, as shown in FIG.

[0020] The processor 101 controls the entire display control device and is configured, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a main memory device, etc. The processor 101 is also called a controller. The processor 101 is not limited to a configuration including a single processor, but may be configured as a multiprocessor. Furthermore, a single processor 101 connected via a single socket may have multiple cores. The main memory device is used as a working area for the processor 101, a storage area for programs and data, and a buffer area for communication data. The main memory device includes, for example, Random Access Memory (RAM) or a combination of RAM and Read Only Memory (ROM). The main memory device is a storage medium in which the processor 101 caches programs and data and expands its working area.

[0021] The memory 102 is an auxiliary storage device that stores programs executed by the processor 101, operation setting information, etc. The memory 102 is not limited to an internal storage device built into the display control unit 11, but may also be an external storage device such as an external storage device or a NAS (Network Attached Storage). The memory 102 may be, for example, a hard-disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, USB memory, memory card, etc.

[0022] The input / output IF 103 is an interface that inputs and outputs data (electrical signals) to and from other devices, such as the operation panel 20, the sensor 30, the speaker unit 40, the camera 13, and the lighting unit 14. The input / output IF 103 inputs and outputs data to and from devices such as a disk drive that reads data from a storage medium such as a CD or a DVD, an operation unit that receives operations from the occupant, and a display device that displays information to the occupant. The input / output IF 103 also inputs and outputs data to and from devices such as a tuner that receives radio or television broadcast waves, a reader / writer that reads and writes data from and to a storage medium such as a memory card, a microphone, and a sensor. The operation unit is input means that receives operations by the occupant and inputs operation information indicating this operation to the processor 101. The operation unit may be, for example, a button, a switch, a dial (rotary knob), or the like.

[0023] The communication IF 104 is an interface for communicating with other devices such as a content server and the operation panel 20 via a communication line. Note that each of the above components may be provided in plural, or some of the components may not be provided.

[0024] In the display control unit 11, the processor 101 executes an application program to function as a processing unit that displays images, accepts passenger operations, controls the lighting unit 14, etc. However, at least some of the processing of these processing units is provided by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. At least a part of each of the processing units may be configured with a dedicated LSI (large scale integration) such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or other digital circuit. Each of the processing units may also be configured to include an analog circuit.

[0025] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed by the in-vehicle imaging device 10. The upper part of Fig. 9 shows a state in which no image is displayed by the in-vehicle imaging device 10 (non-display state), and the lower part of Fig. 9 shows video content 51 projected onto the back of the headrest S3, and a GUI (Graphical User Interface) 52 for operating the video content 51 projected onto the back of the seatback S2.

[0026] The GUI 52 is a user interface that indicates operations such as stop, play, fast forward, fast rewind, volume adjustment, function selection, etc. for the video content 51. Note that the video content may be a movie or video, an electronic book, a website browsing screen, a selection screen for playing music, etc.

[0027] When an occupant operates the video content 51, the occupant touches a location where a GUI 52 for performing this operation is displayed or points with a finger at the GUI 52. The display control unit 11 captures such an occupant's action with the camera 13, determines which GUI 52 has been selected through image analysis, and executes control according to the selected GUI 52. The display control unit 11 may also capture a gesture by the camera 13 and, when determining through image analysis that an operation gesture has been performed, execute control according to the gesture. For example, the display control unit 11 displays a cursor along with the GUI 52, and when the occupant performs a gesture to move the cursor, moves the cursor according to the gesture. Then, when the occupant performs a confirmation gesture when the cursor overlaps the GUI 52 they want to select, the display control unit 11 executes control according to the GUI 52. In this way, the occupant can operate the video content 51 using the GUI 52. In a configuration in which the GUI 52 is displayed by projection, when the video content is not displayed, the GUI 52 is not displayed either, as shown in the upper part of Fig. 9, which allows for a simple interior design and a smart impression. Furthermore, in the in-vehicle video system 100 of this embodiment, the speaker unit 40 is disposed between the seat back S2 and the headrest S3, and therefore the speaker unit 40 acts as a visual accent, separating the video content 51 from the GUI 52. This allows the occupants to concentrate on watching the video content 51.

[0028] Operations on the video content can also be performed using an operation panel 20 arranged on the center console 15 or the like. The operation panel 20 may be, for example, an information processing device (computer) having a processor, memory, an input / output interface (IF), and a communication IF interconnected by a connection bus, similar to the display control unit 11 in Fig. 7. When the operation panel 20 receives an operation by the occupant, it communicates with the in-vehicle image device 10 via a wireless communication line and transmits the operation by the occupant to the display control unit 11 to perform the operation.

[0029] In addition, when video content is projected onto the rear surface of the seat back S2 and the rear surface of the headrest S3 of the front seat SF as shown in Fig. 9, if the reclining angle of the front seat SF is large, it may be difficult for the passenger sitting in the rear seat SR to view the video content. Also, if the reclining angle of the rear seat SR is large, the passenger sitting in the rear seat SR will be facing the ceiling, so if the video content is projected onto the back surface of the front seat SF as shown in Fig. 9, it will be difficult for the passenger to view the video content. For this reason, the display control unit 11 switches the projection destination of the video content from the back surface of the front seat SF to the ceiling surface when the reclining angle of the front seat SF or the rear seat SR is large. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a flow for switching the projection destination of the video content depending on the reclining angle of the front seat SF or the rear seat SR. The display control unit 11 controls the in-vehicle video device 1. While the power of the CPU 10 is on, the process of FIG. 10 is repeatedly executed.

[0030] In step S10, the display control unit 11 acquires the detection result of the reclining angle by the sensor 30.

[0031] In step S20, display control unit 11 determines whether the reclining angle acquired in step S10 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If the determination in step S20 is negative, display control unit 11 proceeds to step S30, and if the determination is positive, proceeds to step S40.

[0032] In step S30, the display control unit 11 controls the left projection unit 12L or the right projection unit 12R, or both the left projection unit 12L and the right projection unit 12R, to project an image onto the back of the front seat SF. In step S40, the display control unit 11 controls the ceiling projection unit 12B to project video content onto the ceiling surface. FIG. 11 illustrates a state in which an occupant sitting in the rear seat SR with its reclining angle increased is viewing video content 53 projected onto the ceiling surface by the in-vehicle imaging device 10. When the occupant sitting in the rear seat SR reclines their seat to a large angle, the in-vehicle imaging device 10 automatically switches the projection of the video content onto the ceiling, allowing the occupant to continue viewing the video content while lying down. Even when the front seat occupant reclines the front seat SF to a large angle, the in-vehicle imaging device 10 automatically switches the projection of the video content onto the ceiling, allowing the occupant sitting in the rear seat SR to continue viewing the content. In this case, the in-vehicle image device 10 projects the GUI 54 together with the video content onto the ceiling surface, and the user can operate the video content 53 by performing an operation on the GUI 54 in the same way as the operation on the GUI 52 in FIG.

[0033] Furthermore, operations for the video content 53 may be performed using the operation panel 20. As shown in FIG. 11 , when the reclining angle of the rear seat SR is set to a predetermined value or more, if the operation surface 21 of the operation panel 20 placed on the center console 15 is horizontal, it is difficult for the occupant to operate the operation panel 20, and the occupant has to sit upright to operate it, which is inconvenient. Therefore, the in-vehicle video system 100 of this embodiment is provided with a drive mechanism 60 that drives the operation panel 20 in the center console 15. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the drive mechanism 60. The drive mechanism 60 is embedded in the upper surface of the center console 15 and includes a mount 61 on which the operation panel 20 is placed, and a drive unit 62 that drives the mount 61. The mount 61 is configured to be rotatable by the drive unit 62 from a position parallel to the upper surface of the center console 15, for example, from a substantially horizontal position (a lying state) to an upright position (an upright state). The drive unit 62 raises the mount base 61 to a rotation angle corresponding to the reclining angle of the rear seat SR under the control of the display control unit 11. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a flow for driving the mount base 61 according to the reclining angle of the rear seat SR. The display control unit 11 repeatedly executes the process of Fig. 13 while the power of the in-vehicle image device 10 is on.

[0034] In step S50, the display control unit 11 acquires the reclining angle of the rear seat SR detected by the sensor 30.

[0035] In step S60, the display control unit 11 determines the rotation angle of the support base 61 based on the reclining angle acquired in step S50. Here, the rotation angle is determined so that the support surface 611 after rotation faces the face of the passenger sitting in the rear seat SR.

[0036] In step S70, the display control unit 11 controls the drive unit 62 to drive the mount 61 to the rotation angle determined in step S60. As a result, the operation surface of the operation panel 20 placed on the mount 61 faces the face of the passenger sitting in the rear seat SR, so that the passenger does not have to sit up to operate the video content 53 when reclining the rear seat SR. The operation panel 20 can be operated in a comfortable position without having to be moved. Note that the configuration is not limited to one in which the operation panel 20 is separate from the mounting base 61, and the operation panel 20 may be integrated with the mounting base 61, and the drive unit 62 may drive the operation panel 20. The operation panel 20 is not limited to being located on the center console 15, but may also be located on an armrest. Note that the configuration may be such that the in-car imaging device 10 is operated using a remote controller or a mobile terminal instead of the operation panel 20.

[0037] The in-vehicle video system 100 may include a switch unit 70 having multiple hardware switches 71 for operating video content. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which the switch unit 70 is attached to the back of the seat back S2 and projects an image. The upper part of FIG. 14 shows a state in which no image is displayed by the in-vehicle video device 10 (non-display state). The switch unit 70 contains multiple hardware switches 71 in a housing, and as shown in the upper part of FIG. 14, the hardware switches 71 are not visible from the outside. The switch unit 70 communicates with the in-vehicle video device 10 via a wireless communication line and transmits the state of the hardware switches 71 operated by the occupant to the in-vehicle video device 10. The hardware switches 71 may be a touchpad.

[0038] In the lower part of FIG. 14, video content 51 is projected onto the back of headrest S3, and GUI (image) 52, which indicates the operation of video content 51, is projected onto the back of switch unit 70 attached to seatback S2. When a user selects a hardware switch 71 based on GUI 52, switch unit 70 transmits a signal indicating that the hardware switch 71 has been selected to display control unit 11, which then executes the operation corresponding to the selected hardware switch 71. By using hardware switch 71 in this manner, it is possible to accept the operation of the occupant and perform an operation on the video content without capturing the occupant's actions with a camera. Furthermore, when the occupant selects (presses) the hardware switch 71 with their finger, the occupant's finger is given feedback indicating the selection. This provides the operability of an analog switch while maintaining the flexibility of function assignment like a touch panel. Switch unit 70 may be attached at any position on the back of seatback S2 using hook-and-loop fasteners, magnets, or the like. In this case, the display control unit 11 detects the position and orientation of the switch unit 70 based on the image captured by the camera 13, and projects the GUI 52 in accordance with the position and orientation of the switch unit 70.

[0039] The switch unit 70 may be attached not only to the seat back S2 but also to other positions in the vehicle interior, such as the door panel, dashboard, ceiling 1C, or floor 1D, as long as it can be photographed by the camera 13 and the GUI 52 can be projected thereon. The camera photographing the switch unit 70 does not have to be the same as the camera 13 photographing the occupant, but may be provided separately. A plurality of switch units 70 may be provided in the vehicle interior. The number of hardware switches 71 included in each switch unit 70 may be one or more, and may be different for each switch unit 70.

[0040] The in-vehicle imaging device 10 also detects whether any article or child has been left behind, and if any article or child has been left behind, the lighting unit 14 illuminates the location of the article or child to notify the user of the presence of the article or child. For example, the display control unit 11 monitors the interior of the vehicle with the camera 13, and when it detects that the door of the vehicle 1 has been closed and opened with no occupants inside the vehicle, it takes an image of the interior of the vehicle before the occupant who opened the door gets in and stores the captured image (hereinafter also referred to as an image just before getting in) in memory. Then, when it detects that the occupant has gotten out of the vehicle, the display control unit 11 takes an image of the interior of the vehicle with the camera 13, acquires the captured image (hereinafter also referred to as an image at the time of getting out), compares the image just before getting in with the image at the time of getting out, and if an object that does not exist in the image just before getting in but does exist in the image at the time of getting out is extracted, the object is regarded as a lost item, and the lighting unit 14 illuminates the location of the lost item. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example in which a lost item 81 is illuminated. In FIG. 15, a lost item 81 left on the seat of the right rear seat SR is captured. The lost item 81 is illuminated with illumination light 143 from the lighting unit 14. This allows the occupant who has exited the vehicle to recognize that they have left something behind and the location of the lost item. Furthermore, when a lost item is detected, the in-vehicle imaging device 10 may output a warning sound along with the illumination. In this case, the display control unit 11 may determine the identity of the detected object by image recognition, and based on the determination result, output a voice message including the name of the object, such as "Your bag has been left behind," "Your smartphone has been left behind," or "A child has been left behind."

[0041] [Effects of the embodiment] (1) The in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment includes a display control unit 11 that controls the output of images, and a projector 12 that is installed on the ceiling 1C of the vehicle 1 and projects images onto the rear surface of the headrest S3 and the rear surface of the seatback S2. As a result, the in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment uses a single projector 12 to project images onto both the headrest S3 and the seatback S2, eliminating the need for a separate display and enabling the projector 12 to be used effectively.

[0042] (2) In the in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment, the projector 12 includes a left projection unit that projects the image onto the rear surface of the headrest and the rear surface of the seat back of the left seat, and a right projection unit that projects the image onto the rear surface of the headrest and the rear surface of the seat back of the right seat, among the seats lined up on the left and right sides of the vehicle. This allows the in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment to allow passengers sitting in the left and right rear seats SR to view different images.

[0043] (3) In the in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment, the projector 12 projects video content onto the back surface of the headrest S3 and projects a GUI for operating the video content onto the back surface of the seatback S2. This allows the in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment to project both the video content and the GUI for operation using a single projector 12, eliminating the need for a separate operation unit or the like and simplifying the device.

[0044] (4) The in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment further includes a camera 13 that captures the movements of the occupant, and the display control unit 11 detects operations on the GUI based on the movements of the occupant captured by the camera 13. This allows the in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment to be operated by the movements of the occupant without the need for a separate operating unit on the seat back S2.

[0045] (5) In the in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment, the projector 12 further includes a ceiling projection unit 12B that projects an image onto the ceiling of the vehicle 1. This allows the in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment to allow the occupant to view the image in a comfortable position even when the seat back is reclined to a great extent.

[0046] (6) In the in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment, the display control unit 11 detects the reclining angle of the seat onto which the image is projected or the seat on which the occupant watching the image sits, and when the angle reaches a predetermined value or more, the display control unit 11 changes the image projected onto the back of the headrest to be projected onto the ceiling. This allows the in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment to automatically change the projection destination of the image when the seat reclining angle is increased.

[0047] (7) In the in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment, an operation panel 20 for operating video content is provided on the armrest or center console 15 of the seat S in which the occupant sits, and a display control unit varies the angle of the operation panel in accordance with the reclining angle of the seat in which the occupant sits. As a result, when the seat S is reclined to a large extent, the in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment can be operated in a comfortable position without having to raise the upper body to operate the operation panel 20.

[0048] (8) The in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment is provided with a mount on the armrest or center console of the seat where the occupant sits, on which a remote controller or a mobile terminal for operating the video content can be placed, and the angle of the mount is variable according to the reclining angle of the seat where the occupant sits. As a result, the in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment can be operated in a comfortable position even when the seat S is reclined to a large extent, and the remote controller or the mobile terminal can be removed from the mount and operated, allowing for flexible operation.

[0049] (9) The in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment further includes a hardware switch 71 disposed on the seat back for operating the video content, and a projector projects an image indicating the operation content onto the hardware switch 71. This allows the in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment to flexibly change the function assignment of the hardware switch in the same way as a software switch.

[0050] (10) The in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment includes a hardware switch 71 that can be attached to any position inside the vehicle cabin, and a camera 13 that captures an image of this hardware switch 71. The display control unit 11 determines the attachment position of the hardware switch 71 based on the image captured by the camera 13, and projects an image showing the operation content at the attachment position of the hardware switch 71. This increases the degree of freedom in the attachment position of the hardware switch 71 in the in-vehicle imaging device 10 of this embodiment.

[0051] The above describes embodiments of the present invention, but these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these. Various modifications based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art are possible as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1: Vehicle 1A: Vehicle interior 1B: Vehicle door 1C: Ceiling 1D: Floor 10: In-car video equipment 11: Display control unit 12: Projector 12B: Ceiling projection part 12L: Left projection section 12R: Right projection unit 13: Camera 14: Lighting department 15: Center console 19: Underside of in-car video device 20: Operation panel 21: Operation surface 30: Sensor 40: Speaker unit 41~44: Speaker 45: Output control section 46: Cabinet 51, 53: Video content 60: Drive mechanism 61: Mounting table 62: Drive unit 70: Switch unit 71:Hard Switch 81: Lost items 100: In-vehicle video system 101: Processor 102: Memory 103: Input / output interface 104: Communication IF 110: Connection bus 141: Light source 142: Drive unit 143: Illumination light 611: Placement surface S: Vehicle seat S1: Seat cushion S2: Seat back S3: Headrest SF: Front seat SR: Rear seat

Claims

1. a display control unit that controls output of video; a projector that is installed on the ceiling of the vehicle and projects the image onto the rear surface of the headrest and the rear surface of the seat back; An in-vehicle imaging device comprising:

2. The projector, a left projection unit that projects the image onto a rear surface of the headrest and a rear surface of a seat back of a left seat among seats arranged side by side in the vehicle; a right projection unit that projects the image onto a rear surface of the headrest and a rear surface of the seat back of the right seat; The in-vehicle imaging device according to claim 1 ,

3. 2. The in-vehicle image device according to claim 1, wherein the projector projects video content onto the rear surface of the headrest and projects a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for operating the video content onto the rear surface of the seatback.

4. Further equipped with a camera that captures the movements of the occupants, The in-vehicle image device according to claim 3 , wherein the display control unit detects an operation on the GUI based on a movement of the occupant captured by the camera.

5. 5. The in-vehicle image device according to claim 1, wherein the projector further comprises a ceiling projection unit that projects the image onto a ceiling of the vehicle.

6. 6. The in-vehicle imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the display control unit detects the reclining angle of the seat onto which the image is projected or the seat on which the occupant watching the image sits, and when the angle reaches a predetermined value or greater, projects the image that was being projected onto the back of the headrest onto the ceiling.

7. an operation panel for operating the video content is provided on an armrest or a center console of the seat on which the occupant sits, 7. The in-vehicle image device according to claim 6, wherein the display control unit varies the angle of the operation panel in accordance with a reclining angle of a seat in which the passenger sits.

8. 7. The in-vehicle video device according to claim 6, further comprising a mounting base on an armrest or center console of the seat in which the occupant sits, on which a remote controller or a mobile terminal for operating video content can be placed, and the angle of the mounting base is variable according to the reclining angle of the seat in which the occupant sits.

9. Further, a hardware switch is provided on the seat back for operating video content, 4. The in-vehicle image device according to claim 3, wherein the projector projects an image showing an operation of the hard switch onto the hard switch.

10. A hardware switch that can be attached to any position inside the vehicle and a camera that photographs the hardware switch are provided.

2. The in-vehicle image device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit determines the installation position of the hardware switch based on the image captured by the camera, and projects an image showing an operation content at the installation position of the hardware switch.

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