Vehicle display device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle display device that can appropriately display virtual images. [Solution] The vehicle display device 1 comprises an image generation unit 73 that generates display content V, a display device 3 that emits display light Lt corresponding to the display content V generated by the image generation unit 73, a first mirror 11 and a second mirror 12 that reflect the display light Lt and project it onto the windshield 110, an inclination information acquisition unit 91 that acquires inclination information of the display content V, and a rotation information acquisition unit 92 that acquires rotation information of the display content V. The image generation unit 73 is configured to correct and generate the display content V according to the inclination information acquired by the inclination information acquisition unit 91 and the rotation information acquired by the rotation information acquisition unit 92.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle display device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a vehicle display device, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a device that generates display content, projects the display content as display light onto a windshield, and makes it visible as a virtual image is known. This device displays a virtual image inclined along the road surface by correcting the display content.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In this vehicle display device, there is room for improvement in that a viewer such as a driver may feel discomfort with respect to the virtual image. For example, when the virtual image is rotated in the vehicle width direction with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle and recognized, there is a risk of causing distortion of the virtual image when the virtual image is inclined along the road surface. Therefore, this distortion may cause discomfort in the virtual image.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle display device that can appropriately display a virtual image.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In other words, the vehicle display device according to the present invention comprises an image generation unit that generates display content, a display device that emits display light corresponding to the display content generated by the image generation unit, a reflecting unit that reflects the display light and projects it onto a display member, an inclination information acquisition unit that acquires inclination information of the display content, and a rotation information acquisition unit that acquires rotation information of the display content, wherein the image generation unit is configured to correct and generate the display content according to the inclination information acquired by the inclination information acquisition unit and the rotation information acquired by the rotation information acquisition unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the vehicle display device of the present invention, virtual images can be displayed appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle display device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an overview of a vehicle display device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an overview of the electrical configuration of a vehicle display device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of image generation in a vehicle display device according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of a virtual image in a vehicle display device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the image display process in a vehicle display device according to an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Furthermore, some of the components in the following embodiments may be easily substituted or substantially identical to those that are easily substituted by those skilled in the art.

[0010] [Embodiment] This embodiment relates to a vehicle display device. In the following description, in the first and second directions that intersect each other, the first direction is referred to as the "forward / backward direction X," and the second direction is referred to as the "height direction Z." Here, the connection direction X and the height direction Z are mutually orthogonal. The forward / backward direction X corresponds to the direction along the vehicle's direction of travel. Note that "orthogonal" as used here includes approximately orthogonal directions.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment is a head-up display device mounted on a vehicle 100 such as an automobile. The vehicle display device 1 projects, for example, an image display light Lt toward the windshield 110. The windshield 110 is a display member onto which the display light Lt is projected, and is located in front of the eye point EP of the vehicle 100 and faces the eye point EP in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle. The display light Lt is reflected toward the eye point EP by the reflective surface 110a of the windshield 110. The driver of the vehicle 100 can see the virtual image Vi by the display light Lt.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle display device 1 includes, for example, a housing 2, an image display device 10, a control unit 7, a first mirror 11, a second mirror 12, and a cover 8. The housing 2 is positioned in front of the vehicle relative to the eye point EP and is housed, for example, in the instrument panel 120. The housing 2 is the outer shell member of the vehicle display device 1 and is fixed to the vehicle body of the vehicle 100. The housing 2 is made of a light-shielding material, for example, metal or resin. The housing 2 has an opening 21 that faces the windshield 110 in the vehicle's vertical direction Z. The illustrated opening 21 is located on the upper surface of the housing 2 and is situated at the front end of the housing 2. The first mirror 11 and the second mirror 12 function as reflectors that reflect display light Lt. The first mirror 11 reflects the display light Lt emitted from the image display device 10 with its reflective surface 11a, and the second mirror 12 reflects the display light Lt reflected by the first mirror 11 toward the cover 8 with its reflective surface 12a. The cover 8 is a light-transmitting member that covers the opening of the housing 2. The display light Lt is projected onto the windshield 110 through the cover 8.

[0013] The image display device 10, control unit 7, first mirror 11, and second mirror 12 are located inside the housing 2. The image display device 10 is a device that outputs display light Lt corresponding to the image, which is the display content. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the image display device 10 has a display device 3 and a backlight unit 4.

[0014] The display device 3 is a liquid crystal display, for example, a TFT-LCD (Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display). The display device 3 has a display surface and a back surface. The display surface is the surface that displays the image and outputs display light Lt. The back surface is the surface opposite to the display surface. The shape of the display device 3 in plan view is, for example, rectangular.

[0015] The backlight unit 4 is a device that illuminates the back of the display device 3 with light. The image display device 10 generates display light Lt using the light from the backlight unit 4. The backlight unit 4 has a light source. The light source has, for example, a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions of the image. The backlight unit 4 may have a lens for focusing the light from the light-emitting elements and a diffusion member for diffusing the focused light. The light source is positioned opposite the back of the display device 3. The shape of the light source in a plan view is, for example, rectangular.

[0016] The control unit 7 is a device that controls the image display device 10 and is composed of, for example, a computer having a processing unit, memory, and a communication interface. The control unit 7 performs, for example, the image display control described later, according to a program stored in memory.

[0017] The control unit 7 is connected to a tilt information acquisition unit 91 and a rotation information acquisition unit 92. The tilt information acquisition unit 91 and the rotation information acquisition unit 92 are provided, for example, outside the housing 2. The tilt information acquisition unit 91 acquires information on the tilt of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, for example, information on the gradient or inclination of the road surface in the direction of travel on which the vehicle is traveling. For example, the tilt information acquisition unit 91 could be a sensor that detects the road surface gradient from an image taken around the vehicle, a sensor that detects the road surface gradient based on the vehicle's posture, or an advanced driver assistance system that can acquire the road surface gradient from map data based on the vehicle's location. The rotation information acquisition unit 92 acquires rotation information of a virtual image, for example, an input device that acquires information on the rotation of a virtual image of a user, such as a driver, and provides instructions for operation. Note that the tilt information acquisition unit 91 and the rotation information acquisition unit 92 may be sensors, systems, and devices other than those described above, as long as they can acquire tilt information and rotation information. Also, the tilt information acquisition unit 91 and the rotation information acquisition unit 92 may be provided inside the housing 2.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 7 includes an inclination information recording unit 71, a rotation information recording unit 72, an image generation unit 73, and an image display control unit 74. The inclination information recording unit 71 records the inclination information input from the inclination information acquisition unit 91. For example, the inclination information recording unit 71 records the inclination information input from the inclination information acquisition unit 91 at any time and updates it with new inclination information. The rotation information recording unit 72 records the rotation information input from the rotation information acquisition unit 92. For example, the rotation information recording unit 72 records the rotation information input from the rotation information acquisition unit 92 and updates it with new rotation information.

[0019] The image generation unit 73 generates display content V based on the inclination information acquired by the inclination information acquisition unit 91 and the rotation information acquired by the rotation information acquisition unit 92. That is, the image generation unit 73 generates display content V based on the inclination information acquired by the inclination information recording unit 71 and the rotation information acquired by the rotation information recording unit 72. For example, the display content V is created by correcting a preset image based on the inclination information and the rotation information. That is, the display content V is created based on the preset image when there is no inclination information and rotation information, and when there is inclination information and rotation information, it is created by performing corrections corresponding to the inclination information and the rotation information on the preset image. The preset image is, for example, one that indicates the traveling direction of the vehicle, and more specifically, an arrow indicating the traveling direction of the vehicle is used.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the display content V is an image of an arrow, and in order to give a sense of inclination, it is generated in a state or shape tilted in the traveling direction of the vehicle at a predetermined inclination angle. As a result, the display content V is displayed and recognized as a virtual image Vi of an arrow directed in the direction along the road surface (FIG. 4(A)).

[0021] Figure 4(A) shows the display content V in the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment when there is no rotation correction, Figure 4(B) shows the display content V in the vehicle display device of the comparative example when there is rotation correction, and Figure 4(C) shows the display content V in the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment when there is rotation correction. Figure 5(A) shows the virtual image Vi in the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment when there is no rotation correction, Figure 5(B) shows the virtual image Vi in the vehicle display device of the comparative example when there is rotation correction, and Figure 5(C) shows the virtual image Vi in the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment when there is rotation correction.

[0022] If the road surface is on a downhill or uphill slope, the displayed content V is corrected based on the incline information, and the virtual image Vi of the arrow pointing in the direction along the road surface is corrected so that the tip of the arrow points upward or downward, as shown in Figure 4(A).

[0023] Furthermore, when the virtual image Vi is rotated in the vehicle width direction based on rotation information, the display content V is rotated in a direction and rotation angle corresponding to the rotation information to correct the rotation. For example, as shown in Figure 4(C), the display content V rotates clockwise at a rotation angle corresponding to the rotation information. At this time, not only the rotation vector A of the display content V but also the tilt vector B is rotated together with the display content V. As a result, the virtual image Vi is perceived with reduced distortion and in a state that is natural or with minimal discomfort.

[0024] Rotation vector A indicates the rotational position of the displayed content V. For example, if the rotation angle of the rotation information is zero, rotation vector A is directed in the direction of travel of the vehicle. In Figure 4, the upward direction is set as the direction of travel of the vehicle. Also, if the rotation of the rotation information is clockwise, rotation vector A is directed in a clockwise direction relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle, and the displayed content V is rotated in accordance with this rotation vector A.

[0025] The tilt vector B indicates the direction of tilt when the displayed content V is tilted. For example, if the rotation angle of the rotation information is zero, the tilt vector B is directed in the direction of the vehicle's movement. Also, if the rotation information is clockwise, the tilt vector B is directed in a clockwise direction relative to the vehicle's movement, and the displayed content V is corrected to tilt along this tilt vector B.

[0026] For example, if only the display content V is rotated and the tilt vector B is not rotated, as shown in Figure 4(B), the virtual image Vi will be distorted, creating an unnatural appearance (Figure 5(B)). In other words, even if the display content V rotates in accordance with the rotation information from the direction of travel of the vehicle, if the tilt vector B remains in the direction of travel of the vehicle, the virtual image Vi based on the display content V will be distorted, creating an unnatural appearance. In contrast, the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment rotates the tilt vector B together with the rotation vector A of the display content V when the display content V is rotated, so that the distortion of the virtual image Vi can be reduced and viewed as shown in Figure 5(C).

[0027] In Figure 3, the image display control unit 74 controls the display content V generated by the image generation unit 73 to be displayed as a virtual image Vi. For example, the image display control unit 74 transmits the image signal of the display content V to the display device 3, causing the display device 3 to display it. The image displayed by the display device 3 is emitted from the image display device 10 as display light Lt. The display light Lt is then projected toward the windshield 110 and viewed by the vehicle driver as a virtual image Vi.

[0028] Next, the operation of the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0029] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the vehicle display device 1. The series of control processes shown in the flowchart of Figure 6 are executed, for example, by the control unit 7 and are initiated by the vehicle's power switch being turned on, the ignition being turned on, or the vehicle display device 1 being powered on. Furthermore, the control processes shown in the flowchart of Figure 6 are executed repeatedly, for example, until the operation of the vehicle display device 1 ends.

[0030] As part of the operation of the vehicle display device 1, first, in step S10 of Figure 6 (hereinafter simply referred to as S10; the same applies to steps after S10), the tilt information acquisition step is performed. The tilt information acquisition step is the process of reading the tilt information input from the tilt information acquisition unit 91, and is performed, for example, by the tilt information recording unit 71.

[0031] Then, the control process moves to S12, and the rotation information acquisition process is performed. The rotation information acquisition process is the process of reading the rotation information input from the rotation information acquisition unit 92, and is performed, for example, by the rotation information recording unit 72.

[0032] Then, the control process moves to S14, and the image generation process is performed. The image generation process is the process of generating display content V. Display content V is generated based on an image set in advance in the control unit 7, and corrected according to the inclination information read in the inclination information acquisition process of S10 and the rotation information read in the rotation information acquisition process of S12. For example, if the vehicle is continuously traveling on a flat road, there is no change in inclination information, and display content V is generated without inclination correction. Also, if the rotation information input from the rotation information acquisition unit 92 is zero, display content V is generated without rotation correction.

[0033] Furthermore, for example, if a vehicle enters an uphill or downhill slope from a flat road, the display content V is corrected for tilt according to the tilt information and the display content V is generated. Also, if the rotation information input from the rotation information acquisition unit 92 is clockwise or counterclockwise rotation information, the rotation is corrected and the display content V is generated. That is, as shown in Figure 4(C), the display content V is generated by correcting it based on the rotation vector A and tilt sense vector B rotated according to the rotation information. At this time, as shown in Figure 5, if the virtual image Vi is displayed tilted in the direction along the road surface, even if there is no change in the tilt information, the display content V is generated by correcting it based on the rotation vector A and tilt sense vector B rotated according to the rotation information. In this way, by correcting and generating the display content V based on the rotation vector A and tilt sense vector B rotated according to the rotation information, a virtual image Vi with less distortion can be displayed.

[0034] Then, in Figure 6, the control process moves to S16, and the image display process is performed. The image display process is the process of sending the display content V generated in S14 to the display device 3 and displaying a virtual image Vi corresponding to the display content V. That is, the control unit 7 outputs an image signal of the display content V to the display device 3. The display device 3 displays the image of the display content V, and the image displayed by the display device 3 is emitted from the image display device 10 as display light Lt, projected toward the windshield 110, and viewed as a virtual image Vi by a user such as the vehicle driver.

[0035] As described above, the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment can adjust the sense of tilt according to the amount of rotation of the display content by correcting and generating the display content V based on the tilt information and rotation information of the display content V. Therefore, the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment can reduce the distortion of the virtual image Vi in a tilted state and rotate it, and can appropriately display the virtual image Vi corresponding to the display content V.

[0036] Furthermore, in the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment, the display content V is generated to indicate the direction of travel of the vehicle, and the display content V is corrected and generated according to the rotation information of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. In the case where the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment rotates the virtual image Vi in the vehicle width direction and displays it, the virtual image Vi according to the display content V can be appropriately displayed.

[0037] Furthermore, in the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment, when correcting the display content V in accordance with rotation information, both the rotation vector A indicating the rotational position of the display content V and the tilt vector B indicating the tilt direction of the display content V are rotated in accordance with the rotation information, and the display content V is corrected based on the rotation vector A and the tilt vector B. As a result, the vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment can reduce the distortion of the virtual image Vi corresponding to the display content V and can appropriately display the virtual image Vi corresponding to the display content V, compared to the case where only the rotation correction of the display content V is performed.

[0038] It should be noted that the vehicle display device according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The vehicle display device 1 according to this embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of each embodiment and modified example described above.

[0039] For example, in the vehicle display device 1 according to the above embodiment, the display content V was an image of an arrow indicating the direction of travel of the vehicle, but it may also be a virtual image Vi that is perceived as any other image. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 1: Vehicle display device 3: Display device 11: First mirror (reflector) 12: Second mirror (reflector) 73: Image generation unit 91: Slope information acquisition section 92: Rotation Information Acquisition Unit A: Rotation vector B: Slope vector Lt:Display light V: Display Content

Claims

1. An image generation unit that generates display content, A display device that emits display light corresponding to the display content generated by the image generation unit, A reflective section that reflects the aforementioned display light and projects it onto a display member, A tilt information acquisition unit that acquires tilt information for the aforementioned display content, The system includes a rotation information acquisition unit that acquires rotation information of the display content, The image generation unit corrects and generates the display content according to the tilt information acquired by the tilt information acquisition unit and the rotation information acquired by the rotation information acquisition unit. Vehicle display device.

2. The aforementioned display content indicates the direction of travel of the vehicle. The rotation information acquisition unit acquires rotation information of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle display device according to claim 1.

3. When the image generation unit corrects the display content in accordance with the rotation information, it rotates both the rotation vector indicating the rotation position of the display content and the tilt vector indicating the direction of the tilt of the display content in accordance with the rotation information, and corrects the display content based on the rotation vector and the tilt vector. The vehicle display device according to claim 1 or 2.

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