Head-up display device and helmet

Abstract

When a shield projection type HUD device is used to display an image directly in front of the user, the goal is to ensure that the user's field of view is maintained. [Solution] The head-up display device (3) mounted on a helmet (101) with a shield (107) comprises a projection module (39) positioned above or below the user's eye level in the left-right center of the helmet (101) and emitting display light toward the user's eye level, and a mirror (M) positioned inside the shield (107) so as to receive the display light emitted from the projection module (39) and outside the user's effective field of view, and reflecting the display light emitted from the projection module (39) toward the shield (107).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a head-up display device mounted on a helmet and a helmet equipped with the head-up display device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, by mounting a head-up display (HUD) device (hereinafter referred to as "HUD device") on a helmet worn when driving a motorcycle or the like, various information such as vehicle information such as vehicle speed, map information by a navigation system, and warning information can be visually recognized as virtual images in front of the field of view for a user (driver) wearing the helmet, thereby enhancing the convenience and safety during vehicle driving.

[0003] The HUD device mounted on the helmet includes a projection module that projects display light corresponding to the information to be displayed, and a combiner that reflects the display light projected by the projection module toward the eyes of the user who is the wearer of the helmet. The combiner is composed of a half mirror, is disposed in front of the user's eyes within a window opening provided in the front portion of the helmet, and transmits light from the front of the user. Therefore, the user can visually recognize a virtual image (display image) by the display light in a state superimposed on the scenery through the combiner. An example of such a HUD device is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, since helmets are equipped with shields, if the display light projected by the HUD's projection module is projected onto the shield, the user can view the display image superimposed on the scenery or other elements through the shield without using a combiner. Such a HUD device is called a shield projection type HUD device.

[0006] In the case of a shield projection type HUD device, as shown in Figure 7, the projection module 39 projects display light onto the shield 107. However, if the projection module 39 is positioned to the right of the user, the display light will be emitted from the right of the user and incident on the shield 107. As a result, as shown in display image A and display image B, the display image will appear to the user as being shifted to the right from the front. The ideal position for the display image is directly in front of the user, as shown in display image C. If it is shifted to the right as in display image A and display image B, the user will have to shift their gaze to the right to see display image A and display image B, which could interfere with driving.

[0007] A similar problem may occur if the projection module 39 is positioned to the left of the user. In other words, if the projection module 39 is positioned to the left, the displayed image will appear to be shifted to the left from the front, although this is not shown in the diagram.

[0008] Therefore, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, it is conceivable to position the projection module 39 in the center of the left-right direction, at an upper position higher than the eyes. By projecting display light onto the shield 107 from the center of the left-right direction using the projection module 39 in this way, it becomes possible to position the display image directly in front of the user, eliminating the need to move one's gaze from the front to view the display image. The same applies when the projection module 39 is positioned in the center of the left-right direction, at a lower position lower than the eyes.

[0009] However, in order to direct the display light emitted from the projection module 39, located at an upper or lower position in the center of the left-right direction, into the shield 107, it is necessary to place a mirror M in the middle of the optical path. This mirror M may obstruct the user's view.

[0010] This disclosure is made in view of the above, and its purpose is to ensure a good field of view for the user when a shield projection type HUD device is used to make the displayed image visible directly in front of the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve the above objective, one aspect of this disclosure may be based on a shield projection type head-up display device mounted on a helmet with a shield. The shield projection type head-up display device comprises a projection module positioned above or below the user's eye level in the left-right center of the helmet and emitting display light toward the user's eye level, and a mirror positioned inside the shield so as to receive the display light emitted from the projection module and outside the user's effective field of view, and which reflects the display light emitted from the projection module toward the shield.

[0012] In this configuration, the display light emitted from the projection module is reflected by a mirror, causing it to enter the inner surface of the shield and generate a display image in front of the user. At this time, since the projection module is located in the center of the helmet in the left-right direction, the display image is positioned directly in front of the user, as shown in Figure 9. This allows the user to view the display image without moving their gaze from side to side, while keeping their eyes focused straight ahead.

[0013] The mirror in this embodiment is located outside the user's effective field of view. The effective field of view is the range in which objects can be distinguished when looking straight ahead with both eyes. Because the mirror is located outside this effective field of view, it becomes almost impossible for the user to distinguish the mirror while looking straight ahead. Therefore, the user does not perceive the mirror as obstructing their view, and thus a good forward view is ensured.

[0014] The mirror can be positioned in the center of the helmet in the left-right direction. This ensures that the mirror is located outside the effective field of view between the left and right eyes.

[0015] The projection module may be positioned above the user's eye level and emit the display light downwards. In this case, the mirror may be positioned below the projection module and tilted so that it is positioned further forward as it goes downwards. This allows the display light emitted downwards from the projection module to be reflected by the mirror toward the inner surface of the shield.

[0016] The left-right dimension of the mirror may become shorter towards the bottom. Furthermore, the mirror may be formed so that its vertical dimension is longer than its left-right dimension, or vice versa.

[0017] Another aspect of this disclosure may involve a helmet with a shield equipped with a head-up display device. The helmet includes a projection module positioned above or below the user's eye level in the left-right center of the helmet and emitting display light toward the user's eye level, and a mirror positioned inside the shield so as to receive the display light emitted from the projection module and outside the user's effective field of view, and which reflects the display light emitted from the projection module toward the shield. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] As described above, when the shield projection type HUD device enables the user to visually recognize the display image in front of the user, the user's field of view can be ensured well.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of an information presentation system including a HUD device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an information presentation system including a HUD device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state in which a helmet equipped with a HUD device according to an embodiment is worn. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which a helmet equipped with a HUD device according to an embodiment is worn. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the effective visual field range of a human and the area outside that range. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 according to a modification example of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view for explaining the formation position of a display image when the light projection module is disposed on the right side of the user. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view for explaining the formation position of a display image when the light projection module is disposed at the center in the left - right direction of the helmet. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view for explaining the formation position of a display image when it is disposed.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The following description of preferred embodiments is essentially illustrative and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses. In the following embodiments, for convenience, the upper side of the helmet and the HUD device mounted on the helmet will be referred to as "top" and the lower side as "bottom" in the direction corresponding to the top and bottom of the user's face when wearing the helmet; the front side will be referred to as "front" and the rear side as "rear" in the direction corresponding to the front and back of the user's face when wearing the helmet; and the left side will be referred to as "left" and the right side as "right" in the direction corresponding to the left and right of the face when facing forward from the user's face when wearing the helmet. Therefore, the top and bottom direction is the height direction and corresponds to the top and bottom direction of the helmet. The left and right direction corresponds to the width direction of the helmet.

[0021] <Configuration of the Information Presentation System> Figure 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of the information display system 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of the information display system 1. In Figure 1, the dashed arrows indicate the path and direction of the display light. The information display system 1 is a system that provides information that contributes to driving assistance to, for example, a motorcycle rider (user), and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, it comprises a shield projection type HUD device 3 mounted on the motorcycle helmet 101 and an information terminal 5 that provides various information that can be displayed on the HUD device 3.

[0022] - Information terminal configuration - The information terminal 5 can be, for example, a small, multi-functional mobile phone called a smartphone or a tablet device. This information terminal 5 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 7 that receives radio waves from GPS satellites S and generates positioning information, a wireless communication module 9 that performs wireless communication with the outside world, a microcomputer 11 that comprehensively controls the operation of the information terminal 5, a display device with a touch panel 13 as an input / output device, and a power supply 15 that supplies the power necessary to operate the information terminal 5.

[0023] The GPS receiver 7 is configured with a GPS antenna (not shown) and other components. The GPS antenna receives GPS signals transmitted from multiple GPS satellites S launched into Earth orbit. Based on the GPS signals received by the GPS antenna, the GPS receiver 7 acquires information about the current location of the information terminal 5 (e.g., latitude, longitude, and altitude). In response to a request from the microcomputer 11, the GPS receiver 7 stores the positioned location information of the information terminal 5 in the memory 21 included in the microcomputer 11 and updates it sequentially.

[0024] The wireless communication module 9 includes a network communication unit 17 that communicates with an external network N, such as the Internet, and a short-range communication unit 19 that performs short-range wireless communication with the HUD device 3.

[0025] The network communication unit 17 has wireless LAN (Local Area Network) functionality such as WiFi (Wireless Fidelity; registered trademark) and communication functionality using mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Time Evolution; registered trademark). In response to requests from the microcomputer 11, the network communication unit 17 receives network information from the external network N, such as map information, road information regarding construction and traffic congestion, information on surrounding facilities based on the current location acquired by the GPS receiver 7, and disaster information, and temporarily stores it in the memory 21 included in the microcomputer 11.

[0026] The short-range communication unit 19 has communication capabilities using short-range wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). In response to a request from the microcomputer 11, the short-range communication unit 19 reads location information of the information terminal 5 acquired by the GPS receiver 7, network information acquired by the network communication unit 17, and application information acquired by various application software (hereinafter referred to as "apps") described later from the memory 21 contained in the microcomputer 11, and transmits it to the HUD device 3 via wireless communication.

[0027] The microcomputer 11 includes memory 21 and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 23. Memory 21 temporarily or permanently stores various information, including programs for operating the information terminal 5. This memory 21 is typically implemented using a combination of RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The various programs stored in this memory 21 include a mobile OS (Operating System) and multiple applications that operate on the mobile OS to implement specific functions.

[0028] The multiple applications include a time app 25, a speed app 27, a navigation app (hereinafter referred to as "navigation app") 29, and a connectivity app 31. These multiple applications 25, 27, 29, and 31 are pre-installed on the information terminal 5 and stored in memory 21.

[0029] The Time App 25 is software that obtains the current time. This Time App 25 obtains the current time based on, for example, timestamps obtained through communication with base stations and time information obtained by GPS receiver 7, as well as using time synchronization technologies such as NITZ (Network Identity and Time Zone) and NTP (Network Time Protocol).

[0030] The speed app 27 is software that detects the movement speed of the information terminal 5. This speed app 27 detects the movement speed of the information terminal 5 based on the location information of the information terminal 5 acquired by the GPS receiver 7, for example.

[0031] Navigation application 29 is software that provides route guidance to a destination set by the user. This navigation application 29 provides route guidance to the destination based, for example, on map information acquired by the network communication unit 17 or pre-stored in memory 21 and location information of the information terminal 5 acquired by the GPS receiver 7.

[0032] The linked application 31 is software that communicates with the HUD device 3 using wireless communication via the short-range communication unit 19 and transmits various information to the HUD device 3, such as application information, network information, and display settings information on the HUD device 3.

[0033] This linked application 31 allows users to configure the display settings of the HUD device 3. Specifically, the display settings allow users to select items to be displayed on the HUD device 3 from a selection of items including the current time, travel speed, and route guidance information (navigation information), as well as to set the brightness of the display image shown by the HUD device 3. The display settings information configured in the linked application 31 is stored in the memory 21.

[0034] The CPU 23 is typically implemented as an IC (Integrated Circuit), LSI (Large Scale Integration), or ASIC (Application Specific Integration Circuit). This CPU 23 performs calculations to process various data and controls the operation of the wireless communication module 9 and the touch panel display device 13, as well as the execution of various applications 25, 27, 29, and 31.

[0035] The microcomputer 11, using the functions of the CPU 23, causes the GPS receiver 7 to acquire current location information, establishes a connection with the external network N via the network communication unit 17 to collect network information, and, by executing the collaborative application 31, establishes a connection with the HUD device 3 via the short-range communication unit 19. It also performs various processes according to the execution of other applications 25, 27, and 29 and transmits the acquired application information, network information, and display setting information to the HUD device 3.

[0036] The touch panel display device 13 is an electronic device that integrates a display device that displays an image on the screen 33 of the information terminal 5 and a touch panel that detects the position (touch location) on the screen 33 touched by the user, and it has both an image output function and a user operation input function. The information terminal 5 can execute various applications 25, 27, 29, and 31 by touching the touch panel display device 13, and when executing the linked application 31, it can also configure the display settings on the HUD device 3 described above.

[0037] The power supply 15 is comprised of a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery. The power supply 15 is electrically connected to the wireless communication module 9, the microcomputer 11, and the touch panel display device 13 via wiring. When the information terminal 5 is powered on using a power switch (not shown), the power supply 15 supplies power to the wireless communication module 9, the microcomputer 11, and the touch panel display device 13, enabling it to perform predetermined operations in response to user input.

[0038] - HUD device configuration - Figure 3 is a front view showing the helmet 101 equipped with the HUD device 3 being worn. Figure 4 is a side view showing the helmet 101 equipped with the HUD device 3 being worn. The HUD device 3 is a display device that projects visual information into the field of view of the user wearing the helmet 101 (helmet body 105). As shown in Figure 2, the HUD device 3 comprises a wireless communication module 35 for wireless communication with the outside, a control unit 37 for controlling the display operation of the HUD device 3, a projection module 39 for generating and projecting display light, a mirror unit 41 having a display light reflecting mirror M that reflects the display light projected from the projection module 39, an operation unit 43 for inputting user operations to the HUD device 3, and a power supply 45 for supplying the power necessary to operate the HUD device 3.

[0039] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the helmet 101 on which the HUD device 3 according to this embodiment is mounted is a full-face helmet with a shield 107. That is, the helmet 101 comprises a helmet body 105 with a window opening 103 formed at the front to provide a field of view to the wearer, and a transparent shield 107 that is interchangeably attached to the helmet body 105 and can open and close the window opening 103.

[0040] The helmet body 105 has a structure in which a liner (not shown) made of expanded polystyrene or the like is provided inside the shell (helmet body) that constitutes its outer shell to absorb impact. The shield 107 is attached to both the left and right sides of the window opening 103 in the helmet body 105 using fasteners 109 or the like so that it can rotate within a predetermined angular range, and the window opening 103 is opened and closed by a rotational movement in the vertical direction.

[0041] The shield 107 has the function of blocking foreign objects such as dust, wind, and ultraviolet rays that enter through the window opening 103 when the window opening 103 is closed. The shield 107 can be removed by releasing the fasteners 109. Depending on the brightness of the external environment, such as weather and day / night, various types of shields with different light transmittances can be used for the shield 107, including a colorless transparent shield, a colored transparent shield such as a smoke shield, and a mirror shield.

[0042] The wireless communication module 35 has communication capabilities using short-range wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth. In response to requests from the microcomputer 53 in the control unit 37, the wireless communication module 35 receives network information, application information, and display setting information transmitted from the short-range communication unit 19 of the information terminal 5, and temporarily stores them in the memory 49 included in the microcomputer 53. The wireless communication module 35 is mounted on the PCB together with the control unit 37, and the PCB module 47, which includes the wireless communication module 35 and the control unit 37, is built into the helmet body 105, for example, in the lower left cheek area 111.

[0043] The control unit 37 controls the communication operation of the wireless communication module 35 and the generation of display light in the light emitter 57 included in the projection module 39. This control unit 37 has a microcomputer 53 including a memory 49 and a CPU 51, and a GDC (Graphics Display Controller) 55, which is an integrated circuit that is responsible for processing related to image display.

[0044] Memory 49 temporarily or permanently stores various information, including programs for operating the HUD device 3. Network information, application information, and display settings information received by the wireless communication module 35 are also temporarily stored in this memory 49. This memory 49 is typically implemented using a combination of RAM and ROM.

[0045] The CPU 51 is typically implemented by an IC, LSI, or ASIC. This CPU 51 performs calculations to process various data and controls the operation of the wireless communication module 35, the projection module 39, and the GDC 55.

[0046] The GDC55 generates display image data for the user to view via the mirror M included in the mirror unit 41, based on network information, application information, display settings, and other information stored in the memory 49. The display image data generated by the GDC55 is image data representing the information of the items set in the display settings of the linked application 31 of the information terminal 5. The microcomputer 53, using the functions of the CPU 51, causes the GDC55 to generate the display image data and outputs the image signal to the light emitter 57 included in the projection module 39.

[0047] The projection module 39 is positioned above the user's eye level in the left-right center of the helmet body 105. Specifically, the projection module 39 is built into the part of the helmet body 105 liner that covers the user's forehead. The projection module 39 includes a light emitter 57 that generates and emits display light corresponding to a display image pattern based on an image signal input from the GDC 55, and a concave mirror 59 that reflects the display light emitted from the light emitter 57 toward the mirror M included in the mirror unit 41. The light emitter 57 and the concave mirror 59 are housed, for example, in a common housing to maintain their relative positions. In this example, since the projection module 39 is positioned above the user's eye level, the direction of the display light emitted by the projection module 39 is downward. In other words, the projection module 39 emits display light toward the user's eye level.

[0048] The light emitter 57, although not shown in the figure, is composed of a display element consisting of a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and a reflective display panel such as an LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon), and multiple optical components such as optical lenses such as convex lenses and concave lenses, a diffuser, and a TIR (Total Internal Reflection) prism. The light emitter 57 generates display light at a light intensity that results in a display image displayed by the HUD device 3 at a brightness level set on the information terminal 5, and emits the generated display light toward the concave mirror 59.

[0049] The concave mirror 59 has a reflective surface with a free-form shape that does not have rotational symmetry. The concave mirror 59 reflects the display light emitted from the light emitter 57 downwards with its reflective surface, and shapes the display image visible to the user to a size and position suitable for display during operation. In this embodiment, the orientation of the concave mirror 59 is fixed.

[0050] The mirror unit 41 comprises a mirror M that receives display light reflected by a concave mirror 59 from above, and a support mechanism 65 that supports the mirror M. The support mechanism 65 is a mechanism for supporting the mirror M at a position where display light emitted from the projection module 39 enters within a window opening 103 provided at the front of the helmet body 105, that is, inside the shield 107. The mirror M is positioned by this support mechanism 65 in the left-right center of the helmet 101, outside the user's effective field of view. The support mechanism 65 comprises a stay 69 that extends vertically and a holding member 71 that holds the mirror M at the lower end of the stay 69. The upper end of the stay 69 is fixed to the helmet body 105. The stay 69 is configured to be adjustable in length in the vertical direction, thereby allowing the height of the mirror M to be adjusted. The holding member 71 also has a rotation mechanism for rotating the mirror M around an axis that extends horizontally, thereby allowing the angle of the mirror M to be adjusted. Furthermore, the structure of the support mechanism 65 is not limited to the structure described above; it may also be a structure that does not allow for height or angle adjustment.

[0051] The mirror M, supported by the support mechanism 65, is positioned inside the shield 107 such that the display light emitted from the projection module 39 enters it, and is located outside the user's effective field of view. The mirror M may be, for example, a flat mirror or a curved mirror, as long as its shape allows the displayed image to be clearly visible.

[0052] Figure 5 schematically illustrates the effective field of view and the area outside the effective field of view for humans, viewed from above. Figure 5 shows the state where both eyes are looking straight ahead, and when driving, for example, one is often looking several tens of meters or more ahead. The effective field of view when driving is the range in which objects can be distinguished when both eyes are looking several tens of meters or more ahead. In other words, the effective field of view can be defined as the range in which information can be effectively obtained from the outside world when a person is looking straight ahead with both eyes and has a fixation point (point of gaze) near the center of the physiological field of view. The range in which objects are perceived by moving the left and right eyeballs to explore the periphery is not included in the effective field of view. On the other hand, the area outside the effective field of view is the range in which it is almost impossible to distinguish objects when both eyes are looking several tens of meters or more ahead, and in which information cannot be effectively obtained from the outside world.

[0053] During normal driving, drivers often maintain a driving field of view several tens of meters or more ahead, so it is preferable to generate a display image that is in focus in that vicinity. When a driving field of view is maintained several tens of meters or more ahead, the area outside the effective field of view directly in front of the face becomes the triangular region indicated by reference numeral 200 in Figure 5. For example, when looking 30 meters ahead with both eyes, the left-right dimension D in the area 200 outside the effective field of view is approximately 65 mm for an adult male of average build, and the front-back dimension in the area 200 outside the effective field of view is approximately 120 mm for the same male. Although dimensions D and E vary slightly depending on body type, the difference is not so large, so it is possible to place a mirror M of a size that reflects the display light in the area 200 outside the effective field of view.

[0054] The placement of the mirror M is determined such that it is located in the area 200 outside the effective field of view. In other words, the support mechanism 65 supports the mirror M at a predetermined position relative to the helmet body 105 so that the mirror M does not enter the effective field of view. As shown in Figure 3, the mirror M, which is positioned outside the effective field of view, is positioned between the user's left and right eyes when viewed from the front. Also, the vertical middle part of the mirror M is positioned at the same height as the user's left and right eyes when viewed from the front.

[0055] Mirror M is positioned below the projection module 39 and is tilted so that it is positioned further forward towards the bottom of the mirror M. This makes it possible to direct the display light emitted downward from the projection module 39 towards the inner surface of the shield 107.

[0056] Mirror M has a shape in which its vertical dimension is longer than its horizontal dimension. The horizontal dimension of Mirror M becomes shorter towards the bottom. In other words, Mirror M has a rectangular shape that is longer in the vertical direction, and its width increases towards the top.

[0057] The shape of the mirror M is not limited to the shape described above. For example, as shown in the modified embodiment in Figure 6, the mirror M may have a shape in which the left-right dimension is longer than the up-down dimension. In this modified example, the mirror M is positioned so as to reach above the user's left and right eyes when viewed from the front.

[0058] The shape and size of mirror M can be set as appropriate according to the display range of the displayed image, etc. For example, it may be a triangular, circular, oval, rectangular, or square mirror. Depending on the shape of mirror M, the shape of its edge will also differ, and it may be a straight edge or a curved edge. In the example shown in Figure 6, the lower edge of mirror M is curved so that it does not fall within the effective field of view.

[0059] Although not shown in the diagram, the projection module 39 may be positioned below the user's eye level in the left-right center of the helmet 101. Specifically, the projection module 39 can be built into the chin portion 113 of the helmet body 105. In this case, the display light is projected upward from the projection module 39. The display light emitted from the projection module 39 is reflected by the mirror M toward the shield 107.

[0060] The operation unit 43, although not shown, is located, for example, in a place corresponding to the PCB module 47 of the helmet body 105. This operation unit 43 includes a power switch and an operation switch. The power switch is a push-button type switch that has the function of switching the power of the HUD device 3 on and off (power on and off). The operation switch is a push-button type switch that has the function of switching the display of the HUD device 3 on and off.

[0061] The power supply 45 is built into the back of the helmet body 105, for example. This power supply 45 is composed of a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery. The power supply 45 is electrically connected to the wireless communication module 35, the control unit 37, and the light emitter 57 via wiring. When the power is turned on using the power switch on the operation unit 43, the HUD device 3 is powered by the power supply 45, which then supplies power to the wireless communication module 35, the control unit 37, and the light emitter 57, causing the display to operate in accordance with the on / off switching of the display by the operation switch.

[0062] <Operation of the Information Presentation System> In the information display system 1 configured as described above, when the HUD device 3 is powered on and the linked application 31 is executed on the information terminal 5, network information, application information, and display setting information are received by the HUD device 3. Based on the received network information and application information, the GDC 55 generates display image data corresponding to the pre-set items included in the display setting information. At this time, if the display of the HUD device 3 is turned on, the light emitter 57 generates display light corresponding to the display image data generated by the GDC 55, with a light intensity corresponding to the brightness level of the display image set on the information terminal 5. This display light is emitted from the light emitter 57, reflected by the concave mirror 59, and incident on the mirror M. The display light reflected by the mirror M is incident on the shield 107. As a result, the user can see the display image generated by the display light as a virtual image superimposed on the scenery in the forward field of view through the shield 107.

[0063] According to the HUD device 3 of this embodiment, since the projection module 39 is located in the center of the helmet 101 in the left-right direction, when the display light emitted from the projection module 39 is reflected by the mirror M and incident on the shield 107, a display image is formed in front of the user, as shown in Figure 5. This makes it possible for a user, for example, while driving to view the display image without moving their gaze from side to side, while keeping their eyes fixed straight ahead.

[0064] Furthermore, since the mirror M, which reflects the display light emitted from the projection module 39, is located outside the user's effective field of view, it becomes virtually impossible for the user to distinguish the mirror M while looking straight ahead. Therefore, the user does not perceive the mirror M as obstructing their view, and a good forward view is ensured. Even when the vehicle is stationary, it is virtually impossible for the user to distinguish the mirror M while looking straight ahead.

[0065] As described above, preferred embodiments have been explained as examples of the technology of this disclosure. However, the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, some of the components described in the accompanying drawings and detailed description may not be essential for solving the problem. Therefore, the mere presence of such non-essential components in the accompanying drawings and detailed description should not be immediately assumed to mean that they are essential.

[0066] For example, the above embodiment may have the following configuration.

[0067] In the above embodiment, a reflective display panel such as LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon) was given as an example of a display element used in the light emitter 57, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display panel or a VFD (Vacuum Fluorescent Display) or other self-emissive display element may be used as the display element of the light emitter 57.

[0068] In the above embodiment, only one display light reflecting mirror M is provided for reflecting the display light, but the system is not limited to this, and multiple display light reflecting mirrors M may be provided. When multiple display light reflecting mirrors M are provided, they can be arranged side by side in the left-right direction or side by side in the up-down direction, for example.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the orientation of the concave mirror 59 was assumed to be fixed, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. The orientation of the concave mirror 59 may be variable so as to change the position of the displayed image in the user's field of view.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the projection module 39 is assumed to have a concave mirror 59, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. The projection module 39 may have a convex mirror or a planar mirror instead of the concave mirror 59.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the information presented to the user as a display image by the HUD device 3 is assumed to be the current time, speed, and route guidance information, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited to this. This information of the current time, speed, and route guidance is merely an example of the information that can be presented by the HUD device 3, and other information that contributes to the driving of a motorcycle may also be displayed by the HUD device 3, for example, by setting it in the linked application 31 of the information terminal 5, and other information useful to the user, such as surrounding facilities in the driving area, may also be set as items to be displayed by the HUD device 3. Furthermore, information related to smartphone calls may also be displayed as a display image by the HUD device 3. Information related to smartphone calls may include, for example, notification information to inform the user of an incoming call.

[0072] In the above embodiment, a smartphone was used as an example of the information terminal 5 that interacts with the HUD device 3, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited to this. The information terminal 5 may be a smartwatch or a PDA (Personal Data Assistant) or other device equipped with smartphone-like functions, and may be any other portable information terminal that has the ability to connect to an external network N and a GPS receiver 7 and can communicate with the HUD device 3. In addition, the HUD device 3 may communicate with a motorcycle in place of or in addition to the information terminal 5 to receive detection information from various sensors mounted on the motorcycle and display it as an image. Furthermore, the HUD device 3 may have a wireless communication module 9 and a microcomputer 11.

[0073] In the above embodiment, a full-face helmet was used as an example to describe the helmet 101 on which the HUD device 3 is mounted, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited to this. The full-face helmet 101 is merely one example of a helmet 101 on which the HUD device 3 is mounted, and any type of helmet, such as an open-face (jet) or semi-jet (three-quarters) helmet, can be used as the helmet 101 on which the HUD device 3 is mounted, as long as it has a part that can house the projection module 39.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the helmet 101 equipped with the HUD device 3 was described using a helmet 101 worn when driving a motorcycle as an example, but the technology of this disclosure is not limited to this. The HUD device 3 can of course also be applied to helmets worn on other vehicles such as jet skis, bicycles, snowmobiles, etc. [Industrial applicability]

[0075] As described above, the technology of this disclosure is useful, for example, for a HUD device mounted on a helmet and a helmet equipped with a HUD device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 3. HUD (Head-Up Display) 39 Projection Modules 101 Helmets 107 Shield M Mirror

Claims

1. A head-up display device mounted on a helmet with a shield, A projection module is positioned above or below the user's eye level in the left-right center of the helmet and emits display light toward the user's eye level. A head-up display device comprising a mirror disposed inside the shield such that the display light emitted from the projection module is incident upon it, and which is positioned outside the user's effective field of view, and which reflects the display light emitted from the projection module toward the shield.

2. In the head-up display device according to claim 1, The aforementioned mirror is a head-up display device positioned in the center of the helmet in the left-right direction.

3. In the head-up display device according to claim 2, The projection module is positioned above the user's eye level and emits the display light downwards. The head-up display device comprises a mirror positioned below the projection module and tilted so that it is positioned further forward as it goes downward.

4. In the head-up display device according to claim 3, The aforementioned mirror has dimensions that become shorter towards the bottom as it moves downwards, in this head-up display device.

5. In the head-up display device according to claim 3, The aforementioned mirror is a head-up display device in which the vertical dimension is longer than the horizontal dimension.

6. In the head-up display device according to claim 3, The aforementioned mirror is a head-up display device in which the left-right dimension is longer than the up-down dimension.

7. A helmet with a shield equipped with a head-up display device, A projection module is positioned above or below the user's eye level in the left-right center of the helmet and emits display light toward the user's eye level. A helmet comprising a mirror positioned inside the shield such that the display light emitted from the projection module is incident upon it, and which is located outside the user's effective field of view, and which reflects the display light emitted from the projection module toward the shield.

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