Display control device, display device, head-up display device, and display method

Abstract

The present invention provides a display control device, a display device, a head-up display device, and a display method that enable clearer and easier-to-understand guidance displays. [Solution] The control unit 50 projects display light onto the windshield, thereby controlling the display of the display device that displays a virtual image superimposed on the target position of the actual scene visible through the windshield. When the control unit 50 displays a barricade display content D located at the entrance of road R2 and a route guide display content E located further away than the barricade display content D as virtual images, it controls the display with a depth effect that emphasizes the sense of depth of the route guide display content E.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display control device, a display device, a head-up display device, and a display method.

Background Art

[0002] The display control device described in Patent Document 1 promotes a direction change by displaying a projected image so as to overlap a target position of a real scene visible through a projection member with a graphic element of an arrow, which is a stereoscopic image, in a direction intersecting the road surface (see FIG. 7(D) of Patent Document 1, etc.).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1 above, when a graphic element is displayed on the far back side from the viewer, it is difficult for the viewer to grasp the sense of distance of the display position of the graphic element, and as a result, it is difficult to understand the content of the guidance display.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a display control device, a display device, a head-up display device, and a display method capable of performing more understandable guidance display.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) To achieve the above object, a display control device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a display control device that controls the display of a display device that displays a projected image so as to overlap a target position of a real scene visible through a projection member by projecting display light onto the projection member. When the projected image includes both near-range display content and far-range display content located further away from the viewer than the near-range display content, the system includes a control unit that controls the display with depth effects to emphasize the sense of depth of the far-range display content. (2) In order to achieve the above objective, the display device relating to the second aspect of this disclosure displays the projected image under the control of the display control device. (3) To achieve the above objective, a head-up display device relating to the third aspect of this disclosure comprises the display device and the display control device. (4) In order to achieve the above objectives, the method of display relating to the fourth aspect of this disclosure is: A method for displaying a projected image of a display device, which displays a projected image superimposed on a target position of a real scene visible through the projected member by projecting display light onto the member to be projected, When the projected image includes both near-range display content and far-range display content located further away from the viewer than the near-range display content, the display includes a depth effect that emphasizes the sense of depth of the far-range display content. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide clearer signage. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with a head-up display device according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle traveling on a road and display content as viewed from above, according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows the actual scenery as seen by a viewer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows the actual scenery and displayed content as seen by the viewer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5]This figure shows the actual scenery and displayed content as seen by the viewer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows the actual scenery and displayed content as seen by the viewer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows the actual scenery and displayed content as seen by the viewer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows the actual scenery and displayed content as seen by the viewer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart of the display process for route guidance with barricade indication according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle traveling on a road and display content as viewed from above, according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11A] This figure shows the actual scenery and displayed content as seen by the viewer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11B] This figure shows the actual scenery and displayed content as seen by the viewer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12A] This figure shows the actual scenery and displayed content as seen by the viewer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12B] This figure shows the actual scenery and displayed content as seen by the viewer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12C] This figure shows the actual scenery and displayed content as seen by the viewer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] This figure shows the actual scenery as seen by the viewer and the displayed content according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle traveling on a road and display content as viewed from above according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15A] This figure shows the actual scenery and displayed content as seen by the viewer according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15B] This figure shows the actual scenery and displayed content as seen by the viewer according to the third embodiment. [Figure 16]A graph showing the relationship between the distance between the vehicle according to the third embodiment and the route guidance display content, and the distance between the spot display content and the route guidance display content. [Figure 17] A schematic view showing a vehicle traveling on a road as viewed from above according to the fourth embodiment and display content. [Figure 18A] A diagram showing route guidance display content as viewed from the direction along the road surface according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18B] A diagram showing route guidance display content as viewed from the direction along the road surface according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] A diagram showing the actual scenery as viewed from the viewer according to the fourth embodiment and display content.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (First Embodiment) The head-up display device and display method according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. As shown in FIG. 1, the head-up display device 100 is installed in the dashboard of the vehicle 200. The head-up display device 100 emits display light L representing an image toward the windshield 201 which is the front glass of the vehicle 200. The display light L is reflected by the windshield 201 and reaches the viewer 1 (mainly the driver of the vehicle 200). Thereby, a virtual image V as a three-dimensional display image is displayed superimposed on the scenery in front of the vehicle 200 as viewed from the viewer 1.

[0010] The head-up display device 100 includes a display device 10, a folding mirror 20, a concave mirror 30, a control unit 50, and a housing 60.

[0011] The housing 60 is made of a non-transparent resin or metal and is a hollow, substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The housing 60 has an opening at a position opposite the windshield 201. The housing 60 is provided with a window portion 62 that closes the opening. The window portion 62 is made of a translucent resin such as acrylic that transmits display light L. The housing 60 houses the display device 10, a concave mirror 30, a folded mirror 20, and a control unit 50.

[0012] The folded mirror 20 and the concave mirror 30 constitute an optical relay that guides the display light L from the display device 10 to the windshield 201. The folding mirror 20 reflects the display light L from the display device 10 toward the concave mirror 30. The folding mirror 20 is a planar mirror. Note that the folding mirror 20 is not limited to a planar mirror; it may also be a free-form surface mirror. The concave mirror 30 reflects the display light L from the folded mirror 20, amplifying it as it is directed towards the windshield 201.

[0013] The display device 10 generates display light L to display a virtual image V, and radiates the generated display light L toward the folded mirror 20. The display device 10 is configured to display a three-dimensional image using display light L. The display device 10 uses a light field display. This light field display is also called a light ray regeneration display or integral photography display. The display device 10 is not limited to this example; as long as it can display a three-dimensional image using the display light L, it may be a volumetric display using a vibrating screen or a rotating screen, a parallax type three-dimensional display, or any other glasses-type three-dimensional display. Furthermore, it is not limited to this glasses-type three-dimensional display; a glasses-type three-dimensional display may also be used.

[0014] The control unit 50 comprises a processing unit consisting of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GDC (Graphics Display Controller), and a memory consisting of ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The control unit 50 controls the display of the display device 10. The control unit 50 also acquires image data A1 of the front of the vehicle 200 taken by an onboard camera (not shown) and acquires car navigation data A2 including route guidance for the vehicle 200 from the car navigation system. Image data related to the virtual image V is stored in the memory.

[0015] The control unit 50 displays various vehicle information as a virtual image V, such as vehicle speed display, sign display, and display content D and E that guide the vehicle 200's route, via the display control of the display device 10. The control unit 50, by executing the display processing for route guidance with barricade display described later, receives car navigation data A2 and displays display content D and E (see Figures 4 to 8) that show the route of the vehicle 200, and receives photographic data A1 and displays them superimposed on the actual scenery (scenery in front of the vehicle 200).

[0016] Next, the display processing of route guidance with barricade indication by the control unit 50 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 9. This display processing is started when the control unit 50 receives the car navigation data A2 and the photographic data A1 and there are multiple candidate left turn destinations for the vehicle 200. In this example, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the vehicle 200 is traveling on road R1, this display processing is started when there are two candidate left turn destinations, roads R2 and R3, at intersection C ahead of the vehicle 200. From the perspective of the driver (viewer) of the vehicle 200 traveling on road R1, road R3 is located further back than road R2. Intersection C is, for example, a multi-way intersection with five or more intersections, and in such a multi-way intersection, there may be multiple possible right turns or multiple possible left turns.

[0017] When the control unit 50 receives the car navigation data A2 and determines that the vehicle 200 has approached a distance L1 from intersection C, it starts displaying the barricade display content D and the route guide display content E, as shown in Figure 4 (step S101).

[0018] Barricade display content D is displayed in a position that blocks the entrance to road R2 from the viewer's perspective. Barricade display content D is displayed as if it were erected on the road surface of road R2 and indicates that entry to road R2 is prohibited. Barricade display content D is displayed in a position that does not interfere with route guide display content E, which moves forward on road R1, as will be described later.

[0019] The barricade display content D consists of multiple poles D1 to D3. The multiple poles D1 to D3 are cylindrical in shape and erected on the road surface of road R2, arranged in a single row along the width of road R2. The poles D1 to D3 are colored red. In step S101, the route guide display content E is displayed closer to the viewer than the barricade display content D. The route guide display content E is displayed along the road surface of road R1, specifically parallel to the road surface. At the point shown in Figure 4, the route guide display content E consists of a single arrowhead E1 pointing forward.

[0020] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 2, when the control unit 50 determines that the vehicle 200 has approached the intersection C to a medium distance L2, which is shorter than the long distance L1, it moves the route guide display content E forward (step S102). In step S102, as shown by arrow Ar1 in Figure 2, the route guide display content E is moved along the road surface of road R1 to a position further back than the barricade display content D, and on the extension of road R3 at intersection C. As the route guide display content E moves forward, the display size as seen by the viewer decreases. In step S102, the barricade display content D remains in a position that blocks the entrance to road R2 from the perspective of the observer, regardless of the forward movement of vehicle 200.

[0021] Then, as shown in Figure 2, when the control unit 50 determines that the vehicle 200 has approached the intersection C to a short distance L3, which is shorter than the medium distance L2, it raises the route guide display content E so that it is upright relative to the road surface (step S103). In this step S103, as shown by arrow Ar2 in Figure 2 and in Figure 5, the route guide display content E moves forward with its arrowhead E1 facing forward, and gradually changes its orientation from being aligned with the road surface to being upright relative to the road surface.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown by arrows Ar3 and Ar4 in Figure 2, the control unit 50 turns the route guide display content E towards road R2 at intersection C and moves it along road R3 (step S104). In step S104, as shown in Figure 7, the route guide display content E is displayed overlapping the barricade display content D at the rear (front of the vehicle) of the barricade display content D from the perspective of the viewer. In this overlapping portion, the barricade display content D located in front is displayed. Note that the order of steps S103 and S104 may be reversed or performed simultaneously.

[0023] Then, the control unit 50 stops the movement of the arrowhead E1 of the route guide display content E and then increases the number of arrowheads of the route guide display content E (step S105). In this step S105, as shown in Figure 8, arrowheads E2 to E4 are displayed in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of arrowhead E1 on the road R3 (to the right in Figure 8). Arrowheads E1 to E4 are arranged along the direction in which the road R3 extends. Arrowheads E2 to E4 increase in the order of arrowhead E2 → E3 → E4, starting from the direction closest to arrowhead E1. Arrowheads E1 to E4 are located behind the barricade display content D from the viewer's perspective, and are displayed so that a portion of arrowheads E1 to E4 overlaps with a portion of the barricade display content D.

[0024] When the control unit 50 determines that the vehicle 200 has completed a left turn at intersection C to enter road R3, it turns off the display of display content D and E (step S106). This concludes the display process. In the above example, there were multiple left-turning roads R2 and R3 at intersection C. However, if there are multiple right-turning roads at intersection C, the display contents D and E in Figures 4 to 8 will be displayed in a horizontally flipped manner. Furthermore, if there are three possible left-turn routes at intersection C, barricade display content D will be displayed near the entrances of the two roads other than the guided route among the three left-turn routes.

[0025] (Effects of the first embodiment) The first embodiment described above provides the following effects. (1-1) The head-up display device 100 mounted on the vehicle 200 includes a display device 10 that displays a virtual image V, which is an example of a three-dimensional display image, in front of the moving vehicle 200, and a control unit 50 that controls the display of the display device 10. When there are multiple candidate right or left turn destinations at intersection C, the control unit 50 displays a barricade display content D as a virtual image V at a position corresponding to the entrance of road R2, which is one of the roads R2 and R3, which are examples of the multiple candidate right or left turn destinations, other than the guided route road R3. With this configuration, the barricade display content D is displayed at the position corresponding to the entrance of road R2, which helps to prevent vehicle 200 from mistakenly entering road R2 and allows for clearer guidance.

[0026] (1-2) The control unit 50 displays a virtual image V of route guide display content E on the road R3, which overlaps at least a portion of the barricade display content D. This configuration makes the positional relationship between barricade display content D and route guide display content E easy to understand. This allows for clear and easy-to-understand guidance displays.

[0027] (1-3) The control unit 50 moves the route guide display content E forward from the viewer 1 to intersection C, and then turns it to enter road R3. With this configuration, the movement of the route guide display content E enables easy-to-understand guidance displays.

[0028] (Modified version of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, step S105 may be omitted. In the first embodiment described above, the route guide display content E was overlapped behind the barricade display content D, but it does not have to be. For example, if road R3 is located in front of a person viewing vehicle 200 traveling on road R1, the route guide display content E may be displayed without overlapping with the barricade display content D. In the first embodiment described above, the route guide display content E moved, but it is also possible for the route guide display content E to gradually extend in length without moving. In the first embodiment described above, the guided route, road R3, may be located before road R2. In this case, the route guide display content E is displayed so as to overlap with the barricade display content D. For this overlapping portion, the route guide display content E located in the foreground is displayed. In the first embodiment described above, arrowheads E2 to E4 may increase in the direction the arrow of arrowhead E1 points (to the left in Figure 8). Furthermore, the number of arrowheads that increase is not limited to three; it may be two, four or more. In the first embodiment described above, the route guide display content E may be omitted.

[0029] (Second Embodiment) A display control device, display device, head-up display device, and display method according to the second embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 13. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that spot display content is displayed as a depth effect to emphasize the sense of depth in the route guide display content. The differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0030] As shown in Figure 10, the control unit 50 displays spot display content F as a virtual image, which emphasizes the sense of depth of the route guide display content E. The spot display content F is located on the road surface directly below the route guide display content E. As shown in Figures 11A and 11B, the spot display content F is a shadow representation representing the shadow of the route guide display content E, a reflected light representation that makes it appear as if the light emitted by the route guide display content E is being reflected, or a spotlight representation that makes it appear as if a spotlight is shining on it. The route guide display content E is displayed upright on the road surface and is positioned to appear floating above the road surface. The spot display content F is displayed along the road surface. The spot display content F is circular, for example, elliptical. The spot display content F has a brightness gradient that decreases from the center outwards. In addition to this example, the brightness of the spot display content F may be constant within the spot display content F, or it may have a brightness gradient where the brightness increases from the center outwards.

[0031] Next, we will explain only the differences between the display processing for route guidance with barricade markings and the first embodiment described above. In step S101 described above, when the control unit 50 determines that the vehicle 200 has approached a distance L1 from intersection C, it starts displaying the route guide display content E and the spot display content F, as shown in Figure 11A.

[0032] Subsequently, in step S102, the control unit 50 moves the route guide display content E and the spot display content F forward, as shown by arrow Ar5 in Figure 10 and Figure 11B, and stops their movement at position P1, which is behind the barricade display content D and near the entrance to road R3. At this time, the spot display content F is always directly below the route guide display content E. Then, as shown in Figures 12A, 12B, and 12C, the control unit 50 performs a sliding motion to bring the route guide display content E, which appears to float above the road surface, down to the road surface and onto the spot display content F on the road surface. During this sliding motion, the size of the spot display content F is gradually increased as the route guide display content E approaches the road surface. This gives a sense of realism to the landing of the route guide display content E and makes it easier to grasp the position of the route guide display content E in the depth direction.

[0033] In the state shown in Figure 12A, where the route guide display content E is floating above the road surface, the horizontal size of the spot display content F is smaller than the horizontal size of the route guide display content E from the perspective of the viewer. In the state shown in Figure 12C, where the route guide display content E is resting on the road surface, the horizontal size of the spot display content F is larger than the horizontal size of the route guide display content E from the perspective of the viewer.

[0034] For example, the height at which the route guide display content E floats above the road surface is approximately 1m (0.9m to 1.1m), the time from when the route guide display content E stops moving forward to when it starts sliding towards the road surface is set to approximately 0.5 seconds (0.4 seconds to 0.6 seconds), and the sliding time from when the route guide display content E starts sliding to when it lands on the road surface is set to approximately 0.5 seconds to 1 second.

[0035] (Effects of the second embodiment) The second embodiment described above provides the following effects. (2-1) A control unit 50, which is an example of a display control device, projects display light L onto a windshield 201, which is an example of a projection member, and controls the display of a display device 10 that displays a virtual image V, which is an example of a projected image, superimposed on the target position of the actual scene visible through the windshield 201. When the control unit 50 displays a barricade display content D, which is an example of a near-range display content located at the entrance of road R2, and a route guide display content E, which is an example of a far-range display content located further away than the barricade display content D, as the virtual image V, it controls the display with depth effects that emphasize the sense of depth of the route guide display content E. With this configuration, the depth effect makes it clear that the route guide display content E is located further back than the barricade display content D. Therefore, clearer guidance can be provided.

[0036] (2-2) The control unit 50 displays a spot display content F on the road surface at a position corresponding to the route guide display content E erected on the road surface as seen from the viewer's perspective, as a depth effect. With this configuration, the spot display content F makes it clear that the route guide display content E is located further back than the barricade display content D. Therefore, clearer guidance can be provided.

[0037] (2-3) The control unit 50, as a depth effect, slides the route guide display content E, which appears to be floating above the road surface from the viewer's perspective, down to a position corresponding to the road surface. With this configuration, the sliding presentation makes it clear that the route guide display content E is located further back than the barricade display content D. Therefore, clearer guidance can be provided.

[0038] (2-4) As a depth effect, the control unit 50 further displays spot display content F on the road surface, which is an example of shadow display content that represents the shadow of route guide display content E, and in the slide expression, slides route guide display content E and performs a shadow enlargement expression that enlarges the size of spot display content F. With this configuration, the change in size of the spot display content F makes it easier to understand where the route guide display content E has landed on the road surface. Therefore, clearer guidance can be provided.

[0039] (Modified version of the second embodiment) In the second embodiment, the route guide display content E and the spot display content F were moved directly in front of the vehicle 200, but are not limited to this. As shown by arrow Ar6 in Figure 13, they may be moved diagonally forward relative to the front of the vehicle 200, behind the barricade display content D and toward the entrance of road R3. Furthermore, after moving directly in front of the vehicle 200, the route guide display content E and the spot display content F may be made to turn toward road R3. In the second embodiment, the route guide display content E and the spot display content F were moving forward, but they may be displayed behind the barricade display content D from the beginning without moving. In this case, the route guide display content E and the spot display content F may appear by fading in. In the second embodiment, barricade display content D and route guide display content E were displayed at different positions in the depth direction, but the content of the display content is not limited to these, as long as there are multiple display contents displayed at different positions in the depth direction. In the second embodiment, during the slide display, the brightness of the spot display content F may be gradually increased as the route guide display content E approaches the road surface. In the second embodiment, the spot display content F is displayed only when the route guide display content E and the barricade display content D are displayed simultaneously, and does not need to be displayed when the barricade display content D is not displayed.

[0040] (Third embodiment) A display control device, display device, head-up display device, and display method according to the third embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 14 to 16. This embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that, as a depth effect, the spot display content is shifted to the back (front) side of the route guide display content. The differences from the second embodiment will be described below in detail.

[0041] As shown in Figure 14, when vehicle 200 is located away from intersection C, spot display content F is positioned behind route guide display content E. As vehicle 200 approaches intersection C, spot display content F moves closer to the viewer, approaching route guide display content E, and eventually positions itself directly below route guide display content E. In this example, as shown in Figures 14 and 15B, the route guide display content E is displayed at intersection C, extending along the extension of road R3 and pointing to road R3. The route guide display content E tilts so as it approaches road R3, moving further away from the viewer. The spot display content F forms a long ellipse in the left-right direction from the viewer's perspective. As shown by arrows Ar7 and Ar8 in Figure 14, the orientation of the spot display content F changes as it moves towards the route guide display content E. Directly below the route guide display content E, the spot display content F tilts in the same direction as the route guide display content E, that is, so as it approaches road R3, it moves further away from the viewer. Then, as the spot display content F moves closer to the route guide display content E, its orientation changes so that it rotates clockwise. In addition, the area of ​​the spot display content F is displayed so that it decreases as it approaches the route guide display content E. This makes it possible to keep the size of the spot display content F located directly below the route guide display content E approximately constant from the viewer's perspective.

[0042] Specifically, when the control unit 50 determines that the vehicle 200 has approached a long distance L1 from intersection C, it displays the spot display content F at position M3; when the vehicle 200 has approached a medium distance L2 from intersection C, it displays the spot display content F at position M2; and when the vehicle 200 has approached a short distance L3 from intersection C, it displays the spot display content F at position M1. Position M3 is the position furthest from the route guide display content E among positions M1 to M3. Position M1 is the position directly below the route guide display content E among positions M1 to M3. Position M2 is located between positions M1 and M3 in the depth direction as viewed from the viewer.

[0043] Here, the viewer relies on the spot display content F to determine the depth position of the route guide display content E. Therefore, if the spot display content F is always directly below the route guide display content E, it may be difficult to see that the spot display content F is behind the barricade display content D. In this embodiment, when the vehicle 200 is located at a long distance L1 or a medium distance L2 from intersection C, the spot display content F is displayed further back, making it easier to recognize that the spot display content F is located behind the barricade display content D, as shown in Figure 15A. Also, when the vehicle 200 is located at a short distance L3 from intersection C, the spot display content F is located directly below the barricade display content D, and as shown in Figure 15B, the viewer can see that the spot display content F is directly below the barricade display content D without any sense of incongruity.

[0044] As shown in Figure 16, the distance between the vehicle 200 and the route guide display content E decreases as the distance decreases within the range H1 below the specified value Th, the distance between the spot display content F and the route guide display content E decreases. Within range H1, the distance between the spot display content F and the route guide display content E changes quadratically. The distance between the vehicle 200 and the route guide display content E is constant in range H2 above the specified value Th, and is the same value as the distance between the spot display content F and the route guide display content E when Th is the specified value. The specified value Th is set to, for example, 90m to 110m, preferably about 100m. The distance between the spot display content F and the route guide display content E at the specified value Th is set to, for example, 15m to 19m, preferably about 17m. When the distance between vehicle 200 and route guide display content E is within a predetermined range from zero to 15m (in this example, 0m to 15m), the distance between spot display content F and route guide display content E is set to zero, and in this case, spot display content F is positioned directly below route guide display content E.

[0045] (Effects of the third embodiment) The third embodiment described above provides the following effects. (3-1) As a depth effect, the control unit 50 displays the spot display content F at a position further away from the viewer than the position directly below the route guide display content E, so that the viewer perceives the spot display content F as being located directly below the route guide display content E. This configuration emphasizes that the route guide display content E is located further back than the barricade display content D.

[0046] (3-2) As the viewer approaches the route guide display content E along with the vehicle 200, the spot display content F is moved so that the distance between the route guide display content E and the spot display content F decreases. With this configuration, even when a viewer approaches the route guide display content E, the likelihood of the spot display content F causing discomfort to the viewer is suppressed.

[0047] (3-3) The area of ​​the spot display content F is displayed such that it decreases as the spot display content F approaches the route guide display content E. This configuration suppresses changes in the size of the spot display content F, which is positioned directly below the route guide display content E from the viewer's perspective. This reduces the sense of incongruity caused to the viewer by the spot display content F being behind the route guide display content E.

[0048] (Modified version of the third embodiment) In the third embodiment, the spot display content F changed its orientation so that it rotated clockwise as it moved closer to the route guide display content E, as shown by arrows Ar7 and Ar8 in Figure 14. However, the orientation of the spot display content F may remain constant in the direction aligned with the route guide display content E. Furthermore, the route guide display content E is not limited to an ellipse; it may also be a circle, rectangle, or other shape. Furthermore, the direction in which the route guide display content E extends may be left or right from the viewer's perspective. Furthermore, the area of ​​the spot display content F may be constant.

[0049] (Fourth Embodiment) A display control device, display device, head-up display device, and display method according to the fourth embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 17 to 19. This embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the route guide display content is displayed below the road surface as a depth effect. The differences from the second embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment, spot display content is not displayed.

[0050] In Figure 17, when vehicle 200 approaches intersection C to a distance L1, Ea is displayed as route guide display content E, and when vehicle 200 approaches intersection C to a short distance L3, Eb is displayed as route guide display content E. As shown in Figures 17 and 18A, when the control unit 50 determines that the vehicle 200 has approached a distance L1 from intersection C, it lowers the route guide display content Ea to a position below the road surface at intersection C and displays it. The entire area of ​​the route guide display content Ea is located below the road surface at intersection C. The leading edge of the route guide display content Ea (the end that the route guide display content Ea points to) is positioned either in contact with the road surface or facing the road surface. In addition, the center line K of the route guide display content Ea is inclined with respect to the width direction of the road surface (left and right direction from the viewer's perspective). The direction that the route guide display content Ea points to is towards road R3 and is angled upwards. The angle between the center line K of the route guide display content Ea and the road surface is set to 20° to 40°.

[0051] As the vehicle 200 approaches the intersection C from a distance L1, the control unit 50 moves the route guide display content E upward and reduces the angle between the center line K of the route guide display content E and the road surface, that is, rotates the route guide display content E so that it moves closer to the direction of the road surface. Then, as shown in Figures 17 and 18B, when the control unit 50 determines that the vehicle 200 has approached within a short distance L3 from intersection C, it displays the route guide display content Eb above the road surface at intersection C, in a direction parallel to the road surface. At this time, the angle between the center line K of the route guide display content E and the road surface becomes zero, and the entire area of ​​the route guide display content Eb is located above the road surface at intersection C. Thus, as shown in Figure 19, by positioning the route guide display content E below the road surface and facing diagonally upwards, it becomes easier to recognize that the route guide display content E is pointing further back than the barricade display content D.

[0052] (Effects of the fourth embodiment) The fourth embodiment described above provides the following effects. (4-1) The control unit 50 displays the route guide display content E at a position below the road surface as a depth effect. It is known that people perceive distance based on the contact points with the road surface. Therefore, with the above configuration, the contact points between the route guide display content E and the road surface increase from the viewer's perspective, emphasizing that the route guide display content E is located further back than the barricade display content D.

[0053] (4-2) Route guide display content E is oriented diagonally upwards toward road R3. This configuration makes it easier to recognize that the route guide display content E is pointing to road R3, which is further back than the barricade display content D.

[0054] (Modification of the fourth embodiment) In the fourth embodiment, as the vehicle 200 approached intersection C, the route guide display content E rotated to move closer to the direction along the road surface, but it is not limited to this, and it does not need to rotate. In this case, the route guide display content E may be facing diagonally upwards or along the road surface. Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the spot display content F of the second or third embodiment may be displayed. In the fourth embodiment, the entire area of ​​the route guide display content Ea was located below the road surface of intersection C, but a portion of the route guide display content Ea may be located below the road surface, and the remaining portion may be located above the road surface. In the fourth embodiment, the control unit 50 may determine the degree of slope of the road surface from the captured data A1 and adjust the display position of the route guide display content E according to the degree of slope of the road surface. This makes it possible to display the route guide display content E in an appropriate position (a position where the route guide display content Ea is below the road surface at intersection C) regardless of whether the road surface is flat, uphill, or downhill.

[0055] (Complete variation) However, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and drawings described above. Modifications (including the deletion of components) may be made as appropriate, provided that they do not alter the essence of this disclosure.

[0056] In each of the above embodiments, the shape of the route guide display content E can be changed as appropriate. For example, the route guide display content E may be an arrow shape consisting of a shaft and an arrowhead (approximately the shape of "←"). In each of the embodiments described above, the barricade display content D was composed of multiple poles D1 to D3, but it is not limited to this and may also be composed of a wall, a no-entry sign, etc.

[0057] In each of the above embodiments, the folded mirror 20 may be omitted, and the display light L from the display device 10 may be directly radiated to the concave mirror 30. Furthermore, the concave mirror 30 may be omitted, and the display light L from the display device 10 may be directly radiated to the windshield 201. In each of the above embodiments, the head-up display device 100 projected the display light L onto the windshield 201. However, it is not limited to the windshield 201; the display light L may also be projected onto a combiner composed of a plate-shaped half-mirror, a hologram element, or the like. In each of the above embodiments, the vehicle 200 may be an autonomously driven vehicle, and during autonomous driving, display content D, E, and F may be displayed to inform the occupants of the movement of the vehicle 200. The first to fourth embodiments described above may be combined as appropriate. For example, the route guide display content E in the first embodiment may be displayed and moved in the same manner as in the second embodiment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 1…Sighted person 10…Display device 20...Folding mirror 30…Concave mirror 50…Control Unit 60...casing, 62...window section 100... Head-up display device 200...Vehicle, 201...Windshield C…Intersection, R1,R2,R3…Road D... Barricade display content, D1~D3... Pole E, Ea, Eb...Route guide display content, E1~E4...Arrowhead F... Spot display content Ar1~Ar8…Arrows, A1…Shooting data, A2…Car navigation data, L…Display light, L1…Long distance, L2…Medium distance, L3…Short distance, V…Virtual image, K…Centerline, M1~M3…Position, H1,H2 range, Th…Specified value

Claims

1. A display control device that controls the display of a display device that projects display light onto a projection object so as to superimpose a projected image onto a target position in a real scene visible through the projection object, When the projected image includes both near-range display content and far-range display content located further away from the viewer than the near-range display content, the system includes a control unit that controls the display with depth effects to emphasize the sense of depth of the far-range display content. Display control device.

2. The control unit displays spot display content on the road surface at a position corresponding to the long-distance display content, which is oriented to appear upright on the road surface from the viewer's perspective, as a depth effect. The display control device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit, as part of the depth effect, displays the spot display content at a position shifted from directly below the far-distance display content to a position further away from the viewer, causing the viewer to perceive the spot display content as being directly below the far-distance display content. The display control device according to claim 2.

4. The spot display content is moved such that the distance between the far-range display content and the spot display content decreases as the viewer approaches the far-range display content. The display control device according to claim 3.

5. The control unit performs a sliding motion as part of the depth effect, sliding the long-distance display content, which appears to be floating above the road surface from the viewer's perspective, down to a position corresponding to the road surface. The display control device according to claim 1.

6. The control unit further displays shadow display content on the road surface to represent the shadow of the long-distance display content as part of the depth effect, and in the slide expression, slides the long-distance display content and performs a shadow enlargement expression to enlarge the size of the shadow display content. The display control device according to claim 5.

7. The control unit displays at least a portion of the long-distance display content at a position below the road surface as part of the depth effect. The display control device according to claim 1.

8. A display device that displays the projected image under the control of a display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A head-up display device comprising the display device described in claim 8 and the display control device.

10. A method for displaying a projected image of a display device, which displays a projected image superimposed on a target position of a real scene visible through the projected member by projecting display light onto the member to be projected, When the projected image includes both near-range display content and far-range display content located further away from the viewer than the near-range display content, the display includes a depth effect that emphasizes the sense of depth of the far-range display content. Display method.

Images