Decoration device for vehicle window glass

Abstract

To provide a decoration device of a window glass for a vehicle capable of obtaining a sense of unity according to a peripheral situation of the vehicle.SOLUTION: The decorating apparatus 100 includes a peripheral condition determining unit 10 that determines a peripheral condition of a vehicle (for example, a color of the sky or a color of a scene in front of the vehicle), an image generating unit 20 that generates an image of a gradation pattern according to the determined peripheral condition of the vehicle, and a display device 40 that is provided on a window glass of the vehicle and displays the image of the gradation pattern generated by the image generating unit 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a decorative device for a vehicle window glass that applies a pattern to a part of the vehicle window glass. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles with a gradient pattern called a top shade or blurring pattern on the top of the windshield have been known for some time. This gradient pattern has the effect of partially blocking strong direct sunlight and softening the sunlight. Generally, the gradient pattern is printed on the interlayer of laminated glass or on the surface of the windshield.

[0003] Such a gradation pattern is not necessary for blocking sunlight on cloudy days, etc. Focusing on this point, a vehicle sunshade device is known that can block sunlight only when needed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this sunshade device, a light-control glass plate that can change the light transmittance is provided on the upper part of the vehicle windshield, allowing light to pass through or be blocked. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-1693 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when a gradation pattern is printed on the intermediate layer of laminated glass or the surface of a windshield, the color cannot be changed even when the surrounding conditions such as the weather or the surrounding scenery change, so there is a problem in that it is not possible to obtain a sense of unity that matches the surrounding conditions. Also, while it would be convenient to be able to widen the field of view by removing the gradation pattern at night, the printed gradation pattern cannot be erased.

[0006] On the other hand, the sunshade device disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 can make the dimming glass plate transparent at night to widen the field of view, but it cannot address the problem of not being able to achieve a sense of unity that matches the surrounding conditions.

[0007] The present invention has been created in view of the above points, and its object is to provide a decorative device for a vehicle window glass that can achieve a sense of unity with the surrounding conditions of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the decorative device for a vehicle window glass of the present invention comprises an image generating means for generating an image of a gradation pattern that matches the surrounding conditions of the vehicle, and a display device that is provided on the window glass of the vehicle and displays the image of the gradation pattern generated by the image generating means.Since the display device is attached to the window glass of the vehicle and generates and displays an image of a gradation pattern that matches the surrounding conditions, passengers in the vehicle who see this gradation pattern can feel a sense of unity that matches the surrounding conditions.

[0009] It is also desirable to further include a surrounding situation determination means for determining the surrounding situation, as described above, which makes it possible to change the content of the gradation pattern in accordance with the changing surrounding situation.

[0010] Furthermore, it is desirable that the above-mentioned surrounding situation determination means include an imaging means for capturing an image of the surroundings included in the field of view of the vehicle occupant, and an image analysis means for determining the surrounding situation based on the image captured by the imaging means, thereby making it possible to easily grasp the surrounding situation of the vehicle.

[0011] Furthermore, it is desirable that the above-mentioned surrounding conditions be the color of the scenery around the vehicle, and that the image generating means generate an image with a gradation pattern of colors corresponding to the color of this scenery. Alternatively, it is desirable that the surrounding conditions be the color of the sky around the vehicle, and that the image generating means generate an image with a gradation pattern of colors corresponding to the color of this sky. It is also desirable that the surrounding conditions be the color of the interior of the vehicle adjacent to the window glass, and that the image generating means generate an image with a gradation pattern of colors corresponding to the interior color. This makes it possible to match the gradation pattern to the colors of the scenery, sky, and interior of the vehicle that are included in part of the field of view, thereby ensuring a sense of unity that is consistent with the surrounding conditions.

[0012] Furthermore, it is desirable that the display device be a transparent display that becomes transparent when not displaying any image. In particular, when the surrounding conditions are nighttime, it is desirable that the transparent display stop displaying the image generated by the image generating means and maintain the transparent state. This makes it possible to hide the gradation pattern when it is not necessary, thereby widening the field of view for the passengers.

[0013] It is also desirable that the display device be positioned along the top edge of the window glass, which allows for a gradation pattern near the top edge of the window glass to be devised to create a sense of continuity in design at the transition point between the inside and outside of the vehicle.

[0014] It is also desirable that the image generating means generates an image containing a predetermined message overlaid on the gradation pattern and / or instead of the gradation pattern, thereby making it possible to display useful information on a portion of the window glass. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a decoration device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of display devices. [Figure 3]10 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure for displaying an image with a gradation pattern that matches the surrounding situation. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a decoration device 100A of a modified example in which a message is displayed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, a decoration device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a decoration device 100 according to one embodiment. The decoration device 100 shown in Fig. 1 is used to display an image of a gradation pattern on a portion of a vehicle window glass, and includes a surrounding situation determination unit 10, an image generation unit 20, a display processing unit 30, and a display device 40.

[0018] The surrounding situation determination unit 10 determines the surrounding situation of the vehicle. The surrounding situation determination unit 10 includes a camera 12 and an image analysis unit 14.

[0019] Camera 12 captures the surroundings within the field of view of the vehicle occupants, specifically, the scenery within an imaging range that allows the vehicle's surrounding conditions to be determined. Camera 12 is attached at a position where it can capture the scenery ahead of the vehicle that can be seen by the driver or other occupants through the windshield of the vehicle, for example, a position near the top of the windshield where the imaging range covers the front.

[0020] The image analysis unit 14 analyzes (determines) the surrounding conditions of the vehicle based on the image captured by the camera 12. For example, the image analysis unit 14 analyzes the color of the scenery around the vehicle and the color of the sky that are included in the field of view of the passenger as the surrounding conditions of the vehicle.

[0021] The image generation unit 20 generates an image of a gradation pattern based on the determination result by the surrounding situation determination unit 10 (the analysis result by the image analysis unit 14). The display processing unit 30 displays the image of the gradation pattern generated by the image generation unit 20 on the display device 40.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the display device 40. FIG. 2 shows the range seen from the front seat of the vehicle looking forward. A display device 40 having a size approximately equal to the width of the windshield 200 is arranged along the upper edge of the windshield 200. For example, the display device 40 is a transparent display capable of color display using LEDs in each pixel. In a non-display state where no image is displayed, the display device 40 transmits light incident from the outside, allowing passengers to see the outside scenery through the transparent display. Note that in a non-display state, it is not necessary to transmit 100% of the light; this also includes cases where the outside scenery can be seen through an area excluding the LED elements and drive wiring of each pixel. Furthermore, as long as light from the outside can pass through, the transparent display may be constructed using elements other than LEDs.

[0023] A ceiling 210 of a predetermined color is disposed above the windshield 200, and pillars 220 and 222 of a predetermined color are disposed adjacent to each other on the left and right sides.

[0024] The image generating unit 20 corresponds to the image generating means, the surrounding situation determining unit 10 corresponds to the surrounding situation determining means, the camera 12 corresponds to the imaging means, and the image analyzing unit 14 corresponds to the image analyzing means.

[0025] The decoration device 100 of this embodiment has the above-described configuration, and the operation of displaying an image with a gradation pattern on the display device 40 will now be described.

[0026] 3 is a flowchart showing the operational procedure for displaying an image with a gradation pattern that matches the surrounding conditions. When the camera 12 captures an image of a predetermined range ahead of the vehicle (step 100), the image analysis unit 14 extracts a partial image from the captured image that corresponds to the range visible to the vehicle occupants through the installation range of the display device 40 (the hatched range in FIG. 2), analyzes the content of the extracted image, and identifies the color of the partial image (step 102). This partial image is assumed to be a scene of the sky or other natural scenery such as buildings. If multiple colors are mixed, the color that is most frequently included may be identified as the color of the analysis result.

[0027] Next, based on the analysis result, the image generation unit 20 determines whether the surroundings (forward) of the vehicle are dark (step 104). When the vehicle is traveling at night or in a tunnel, the imaging range of the camera 12 is dark, and therefore a positive determination is made. In this case, an image with a gradation pattern is not generated, and the image is not displayed on the display device 40, but remains in a non-display state (step 106). This allows the occupant's field of view that can be seen through the windshield 200 to be widened.

[0028] On the other hand, if the area around the vehicle is bright, a negative determination is made in step 104. Next, the image generation unit 20 generates an image with a gradation pattern based on the analysis result (color) by the image analysis unit 14 (step 108). For example, if there is a blue sky, a blue gradation pattern image is generated; if there are white or gray clouds, a white or gray gradation pattern image is generated; and if there is a sunset, a red gradation pattern image is generated. Also, if there are green, yellow, or red roadside trees, an image with a gradation pattern of these colors is generated.

[0029] Once an image with a gradation pattern that matches the color seen ahead is generated in this way, the display processing unit 30 displays this image on the display device 40 (step 110).

[0030] In this way, in the decorative device 100 of this embodiment, the display device 40 is attached to the vehicle's window glass (windshield 200), and an image of a gradient pattern that matches the surrounding conditions is generated and displayed, so that vehicle occupants who see this gradient pattern can feel a sense of unity that matches the surrounding conditions.

[0031] Furthermore, since the surrounding conditions are determined by the surrounding conditions determination unit 10, it is possible to change the content of the gradation pattern in accordance with the changing surrounding conditions.

[0032] Furthermore, by configuring the surrounding situation determination unit 10 to include a camera 12 that captures images of the surroundings within the field of view of the vehicle occupants, and an image analysis unit 14 that determines the surrounding situation based on the image obtained by the camera 12, the surrounding situation of the vehicle can be easily grasped.

[0033] In addition, by identifying the surrounding conditions, such as the color of the scenery around the vehicle and the color of the sky around the vehicle, and generating an image with a gradation pattern of colors corresponding to these colors, the gradation pattern can be matched to the colors of the scenery, sky, etc. that are included in part of the field of view, making it possible to achieve a sense of unity that is reliably in line with the surrounding conditions.

[0034] In addition, a transparent display that becomes transparent when not displayed is used as the display device 40, and when the surroundings are dark, such as at night, the transparent display is set to the non-display state and maintained in the transparent state. This makes it possible to hide the gradation pattern when it is not necessary, thereby widening the field of view for the passengers.

[0035] Furthermore, since the display device 40 is provided along the upper edge of the window glass (windshield 200), it is possible to create a gradation pattern near the upper edge of the window glass to create continuity in design at the point where the inside and outside of the vehicle change over.

[0036] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. In the above-described embodiment, an image with a gradation pattern is generated based on the color of the sky or scenery ahead of the vehicle as the analysis result by the image analysis unit 14. However, instead of or in addition to these colors, an image with a gradation pattern may be generated based on the color of the interior of the vehicle (ceiling 210 shown in FIG. 2).

[0037] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a partial image corresponding to the range visible to the vehicle occupants through the installation range of the display device 40 (the hatched range in Figure 2) is extracted and its contents are analyzed to identify the color of this partial image, but the color may also be identified including the surrounding area of ​​the hatched range.

[0038] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the setting range of the color of the gradation pattern is not particularly limited, but it is not limited to the case where the entire gradation pattern is the same color, but it is also possible to use different colors on the left and right or above and below, or to make the color gradually change.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the display device 40 is placed on the top of the windshield 200 to display an image with a gradient pattern, but the display device 40 may be placed elsewhere than on the top, or on a window glass other than the windshield 200 (in which case the orientation of the camera 12 must also be changed).

[0040] In the above-described embodiment, an image of a gradation pattern generated by the image generation unit 20 is displayed on the display device 40, but an image containing a predetermined message may be generated to be superimposed on the gradation pattern and / or in place of the gradation pattern. This makes it possible to display useful information on a portion of the windshield 200.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows the configuration of a modified decoration device 100A that displays a message. This decoration device 100A differs from the decoration device 100 shown in FIG. 1 in that a message creation unit 50 is added and the image generation unit 20 is replaced with an image generation unit 20A. The message creation unit 50 creates a message image to be displayed. For example, it creates a message image containing characters and symbols such as weather information, traffic information, driving warning information, and incoming email information. The image generation unit 20A generates a gradation pattern in which a message image is partially superimposed or partially replaced with a message image. The gradation pattern image, which partially includes the message image, is displayed on the display device 40 by the display processing unit 30. [Industrial Applicability]

[0042] As described above, according to the present invention, a display device is attached to the window glass of a vehicle, and a gradation pattern that matches the surrounding conditions is generated and displayed, so that vehicle occupants who see this gradation pattern can feel a sense of unity that matches the surrounding conditions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 10 Surrounding situation determination unit 12 Camera 14 Image analysis unit 20, 20A Image generation unit 30 Display processing section 40 Display device 50 Message Creation Section 100, 100A Decorative Device 200 windshield 210 Ceiling

Claims

1. an image generating means for generating an image with a gradation pattern that matches the surrounding conditions of the vehicle; a display device provided on a window glass of a vehicle, the display device displaying an image of the gradation pattern generated by the image generating means; A decorative device for a vehicle window glass, comprising:

2. The decorative device for a vehicle window glass according to claim 1, further comprising a surrounding situation determining means for determining the surrounding situation.

3. The surrounding situation determination means an imaging means for imaging the surroundings included in the field of view of a vehicle occupant; an image analysis means for determining a surrounding situation based on an image captured by the imaging means; 3. The decorative device for a vehicle window glass according to claim 2, further comprising:

4. the surrounding conditions are the colors of the scenery around the vehicle, 2. The decorative device for a vehicle window glass according to claim 1, wherein the image generating means generates an image of the gradation pattern in a color corresponding to the color of the scenery.

5. the surrounding conditions are the color of the sky around the vehicle, 2. The decorative device for a vehicle window glass according to claim 1, wherein the image generating means generates an image of the gradation pattern in a color corresponding to the color of the sky.

6. the surrounding conditions are the interior color of the vehicle interior adjacent to the window glass, 2. The decorative device for a vehicle window glass according to claim 1, wherein the image generating means generates an image of the gradation pattern in a color corresponding to the interior color.

7. 2. The decorative device for a vehicle window glass according to claim 1, wherein the display device is a transparent display that becomes transparent when not displaying an image.

8. 8. The decorative device for a vehicle window glass according to claim 7, wherein when the surrounding conditions are nighttime, the transparent display stops displaying the image generated by the image generating means and maintains a transparent state.

9. 2. The decorative device for a vehicle window glass according to claim 1, wherein the display device is provided at a position along an upper edge of the window glass.

10. 2. The decorative device for a vehicle window glass according to claim 1, wherein the image generating means generates an image including a predetermined message to be superimposed on the gradation pattern and / or in place of the gradation pattern.

Images