Vehicle display device

Abstract

Even with a configuration that displays the image on an oblique surface, sufficient display effect for the occupants can be obtained. [Solution] The system includes display units 12b and 12a that transmit light emitted from light sources 11b and 11a and display a virtual image VI or a real image RI, and a control unit 15 that controls the display units 12b and 12a. The control unit 15 performs the following actions: an image display process that causes the driver DR to view the virtual image VI on an oblique image plane having a near and far distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle C, and the real image RI on an elevation image plane; a detection process that detects the operating state of the vehicle C or the operation state by the driver DR; and a display switching process that, based on the detection results in the detection process, switches the display so that the image or content to be displayed is viewed as a real image RI on the elevation image plane in at least a first predetermined state where the vehicle C is not moving forward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle display device that performs a desired display for a passenger boarding a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a vehicle display device described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this vehicle display device, when switching between a real image and a virtual image of a display image represented by display light for a passenger to visually recognize, the virtual image is made to be visually recognized on an oblique image plane inclined such that the upper end side is in the back and the lower end side is in the front.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, in the case of a configuration in which a display image is visually recognized on an oblique image plane as in the above prior art, a virtual image is displayed obliquely. Therefore, for example, depending on the display content such as the display of a manufacturer emblem image (so-called opening display) at the time of vehicle startup, the passenger may feel a visual discomfort, or since the focus of the passenger's line of sight in the vehicle is directed to the vicinity of the meter at startup, it may be difficult to notice, etc., and there is a problem that a sufficient display effect may not be obtained.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle display device that can obtain a sufficient display effect for a passenger even in a configuration in which a display image is visually recognized on an oblique image plane.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a vehicle display device 1 provided in a vehicle C, which switches between a first display image VI and a second display image R1 represented by display lights L11 and L22 for the occupant DR to view, and comprises image display units 12b and 12a that transmit light emitted from a light source and display the first display image VI or the second display image RI, and a control unit 15 that controls the image display units 12b and 12a, wherein the control unit 15 performs an image surface display processing that causes the occupant DR to view the first display image VI on an oblique image surface having a near and far distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle C, and the second display image RI on an elevation image surface, a detection processing that detects the operating state of the vehicle C or the operation state by the occupant DR, and a display switching processing that, based on the detection result in the detection processing, switches the display so that the image or content to be displayed is viewed as the second display image RI on the elevation image surface in at least a first predetermined state in which the vehicle C is not moving forward. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle display device that can obtain a sufficient display effect for the occupants even when the display image is made visible on an oblique image plane. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the configuration of a head-up display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit in a head-up display device. [Figure 3] An explanatory diagram illustrating the content of the display switching process in the display switching unit. [Figure 4] An explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the vehicle while illustrating the temporal coordination of the opening display. [Figure 5] A time chart showing the details of the temporal coordination between the two opening displays. [Figure 6] A time chart showing the details of the process for a modified example that switches between real and virtual image display in conjunction with the shift lever. [Figure 7] This time chart shows the details of the process for a modified version that switches between real and virtual image displays in conjunction with actions such as turning off the engine when exiting the vehicle. [Figure 8] An explanatory diagram illustrating the content of the display switching process in the display switching unit in a modified example that switches between displaying a virtual image on an oblique image plane and displaying a virtual image on an elevation image plane. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 shows the configuration of a head-up display device (hereinafter referred to as HUD device), which is a vehicle display device according to this embodiment. In Figure 1, the HUD device 1 has a first PGU 10b having a first light source 11b that emits light in the visible wavelength range, and a first display unit 12b that transmits the light emitted by the first light source 11b and displays a virtual image VI (first display image) of the display image formed in front of the driver DR (occupant), and a second light source 11a that emits light in the visible wavelength range, and a second display unit that transmits the light emitted by the second light source 11a and displays a real image RI (second display image) of the display image formed in front of the driver DR. The device comprises a second PGU 10a having a display unit 12a, a reflector 13 that reflects a first display light L22 representing the display image (first display image) displayed on the first display unit 12b and a second display light L11 representing the display image (second display image) displayed on the second display unit 12a toward a windshield WS (transparent member), and a control unit 15 that controls the display content in the first display unit 12b and the second display unit 12a, and controls the switching between the first PGU 10b and the second PGU 10a, etc., and these are housed in a housing 16. The housing 16 is provided with an opening 17 (emission outlet) from which the second display light L11 and the first display light L22 are emitted, and a cover glass 18 is placed in the opening 17 to protect the inside. The first display unit 12b and the second display unit 12a are examples of image display units, and the first light source 11b and the second light source 11a are examples of light sources.

[0011] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the control unit 15 may be configured to control the first PGU 10b and the second PGU 10a with a single control unit 15, or the first PGU 10b and the second PGU 10a may each have their own control unit, and the control unit 15 may be configured to control these individual control units in coordination with each other.

[0012] <Display light> The HUD device 1 is positioned below the windshield WS of the vehicle C (for example, inside the instrument panel IP; see Figure 4 below) and emits a first display light L22 and a second display light L11, projecting them onto the windshield WS. The first display light L22 is generated by a first light source 11b and a first display unit 12b inside the HUD device 1, and the second display light L11 is generated by a second light source 11a and a second display unit 12a inside the HUD device 1. The first display light L22 emitted from the first display unit 12b and the second display light L11 emitted from the second display unit 12a are transmitted through the reflector 13 and emitted through the opening 17 of the housing 16 and through the cover glass 18. The driver DR of vehicle C can see the real image RI on the near side of the windshield WS by viewing the second display light L11 reflected on the windshield WS (real image display state), and can also see the virtual image VI on the far side of the windshield WS by viewing the first display light L22 reflected on the windshield WS (virtual image display state).

[0013] <Illusion and Reality> In Figure 1, the virtual image VI displays information that is highly important to draw the driver's attention to, such as vehicle information like the vehicle's speed and engine RPM, route guidance displays such as turn-by-turn directions and maps, blind spot indicators, and warning displays such as speed limit exceeding warnings, on the other side of the windshield WS from the driver's perspective. In Figure 1, the real image RI displays, for example, entertainment content, assistants and agents supporting the driver DR, and characters representing them, on the side in front of the windshield WS as seen from the driver DR. The virtual image VI and real image RI include not only the text and icons representing this information, but also a background area, which in a plan view from the driver DR appears, for example, as roughly rectangular.

[0014] <pgu> In the second PGU 10a, the second light source 11a is a light emitting diode that emits light in the visible wavelength range, for example, mounted on a wiring board, and emits white light. The second display unit 12a is provided on the opening 17 side along the optical path from the second light source 11a, and has a TFT type second display element (not shown in FIG. 1) that forms the second display light L11 representing an arbitrary image according to a control signal sent from the control unit 15.

[0015] In the first PGU 10b, the first light source 11b is a light emitting diode that emits light in the visible wavelength range, for example, mounted on a wiring board, and emits white light. The first display unit 12b is provided on the opening 17 side along the optical path from the first light source 11b, and has a TFT type first display element (not shown in FIG. 1) that forms the first display light L22 representing an arbitrary image according to a control signal sent from the control unit 15.

[0016] In addition, in the first PGU 10b and the second PGU 10a, optical members such as a condenser lens, a lenticular lens, a diffusion plate, and a polarizing plate may be arranged at arbitrary positions on the subsequent stage side of the respective first light source 11b and second light source 11a other than the above.

[0017] <Reflection portion> In FIG. 1, the reflection portion 13 includes a second correction mirror 1310 that reflects the second display light L11 emitted from the second display unit 12a toward the first correction mirror 1320, a first correction mirror 1320 that reflects the second display light L11 emitted from the second correction mirror 1310 toward the concave mirror 1330, and the second display light L11 reflected and folded by the second correction mirror 1310 and the first correction mirror 1320, and a concave mirror 1330 that receives the first display light L22 transmitted through the first correction mirror 1320 and reflects it toward the opening 17.

[0018] <Correction mirror and concave mirror> The first corrector mirror 1320 and the second corrector mirror 1310 have mirror surfaces and are complex free-form shapes to correct distortion of the image seen by the driver DR. The first corrector mirror 1320 is, for example, a half-mirror and transmits the first display light L22 representing the virtual image VI displayed on the first display unit 12b. The first display light L22 that has passed through the first corrector mirror 1320 then enters the concave mirror 1330. The concave mirror 1330 is rotatably mounted and rotates to match the driver's (DR) eye position, freely changing the emission direction of the second display light L11 and the first display light L22, and adjusting the image position. In this embodiment, the angle of the display surface is made different depending on whether the second display light L11 displays a real image RI or the first display light L22 displays a virtual image VI. That is, the driver (DR) is made to view the virtual image VI on an oblique image plane with perspective in the front-rear direction of the vehicle C, and the real image RI on an upright image plane. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the virtual image VI is displayed as if inclined with respect to the road surface, and the real image RI is displayed in a nearly perpendicular position to the road surface. In this embodiment, by adjusting the rotational drive of the concave mirror 1330, it is possible to display the images at angles suitable for the real image RI and the virtual image VI, respectively (see also Figure 2 below).

[0019] The second corrector mirror 1310 is positioned along the optical path of the second indicator light L11, closer to the aperture 17 than the second PGU 10a, and closer to the second PGU 10a than the second optical focus F1 of the imaging optical system, which includes the windshield WS, the first corrector mirror 1320, and the concave mirror 1330. The first display unit 12b of the first PGU 10b is positioned on the aperture 17 side of the position of the first optical focal point F2 of the imaging optical system, which includes the windshield WS and the concave mirror 1330, along the optical path of the first display light L22. The position of the first display unit 12b is outside the focal length of the optical system when the first correcting mirror 1320, the concave mirror 1330, and the windshield WS are considered as a single optical system. The position of the second display unit 12a is inside the focal length of the optical system (in this disclosure, between the second corrector 1310 and the first corrector 1320) when the first corrector mirror 1320, the second corrector mirror 1310, the concave mirror 1330, and the windshield WS are considered as a single optical system.

[0020] With this configuration, when the second light source 11a is lit, that is, when the second PGU 10a is ON, the second display light L11 emitted from the second PGU 10a is reflected by the second correcting mirror 1310, the first correcting mirror 1320, the concave mirror 1330, and the windshield WS, allowing the driver DR to see the real image RI on the inside of the vehicle with the windshield WS in between. Furthermore, when the first light source 11b is lit, that is, when the first PGU 10b is ON, the first display light L22 emitted from the first PGU 10b passes through the first correcting mirror 1320 and is reflected by the concave mirror 1330 and the windshield WS, allowing the driver DR to see a virtual image VI on the outside of the vehicle with the windshield WS in between.

[0021] Although countless rays of light actually emanate from the first display unit 12b and the second display unit 12a, for the sake of simplicity, the light emitted from the centers of the first display unit 12b and the second display unit 12a, respectively, and passing through the center of the eye box will be referred to as representative rays and indicated by the symbols L11 and L22. In Figure 1, the representative light rays emitted from the centers of the first display unit 12b and the second display unit 12a are shown as solid lines, the light rays emitted from the upper ends of the first display unit 12b and the second display unit 12a are shown as dashed lines, and the light rays emitted from the lower ends of the first display unit 12b and the second display unit 12a are shown as double-dash lines.

[0022] <Department Head> The control unit 15 is a computer equipped with a CPU that executes various programs stored in advance while utilizing the temporary storage function of the memory, and a memory consisting of a storage device equipped with RAM and ROM. The control unit 15 controls at least the first PGU 10b and the second PGU 10a in coordination, and performs switching control between the real image RI and the virtual image VI by turning the first light source 11b on / off and the second light source 11a on / off, control the display content of the first display unit 12b, control the display content of the second display unit 12a, and so on.

[0023] <Functional configuration of the control unit> Figure 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 15 in the HUD device 1 according to this embodiment. The control unit 15 comprises a detection unit 21, an image plane display processing unit 22, and a display control unit 23.

[0024] The detection unit 21 can, for example, acquire information regarding the position or orientation of the seat 50 (see Figure 3, described later) which is switched in response to the switching between manual driving mode and automatic driving mode of the vehicle C, as external information 25 using known methods (for example, the reclining angle of the backrest 52 measured by the measurement sensor 40, the front-to-back sliding position of the seat 51, etc.), and can detect the switching between various modes such as automatic driving mode, manual driving mode, and driving mode. Furthermore, various vehicle information based on the driver's (DR) operation, such as the position of the shift lever (Drive D for forward driving, Back R for reverse driving, or Parking P for parking), whether or not the brakes were applied, whether or not the accelerator was applied, whether or not the auto brake hold was activated, the locking and closing status of the doors DO (see Figure 4 below), and whether or not the engine was ON or OFF, as well as surrounding traffic environment information such as the display of the traffic lights ahead (whether or not they were green or red), can be acquired as external information 25, and the content of this information or changes therein can be detected. An example of detection processing is the process performed by the detection unit 21 to detect the operating state of the vehicle C or the operation state by the driver (DR) as described above.

[0025] The image plane display processing unit 22 switches from the display state of the virtual image VI to the display state of the real image RI (i.e., turns OFF the first PGU 10b and ON the second PGU 10a) or switches from the display state of the real image RI to the display state of the virtual image VI (i.e., turns OFF the second PGU 10a and ON the first PGU 10b) based on an appropriate trigger. At this time, the image plane display processing unit 22 also adjusts the rotational drive of the concave mirror 1330 as described above, so that the driver DR can see the virtual image VI on the aforementioned oblique image plane (in detail, a plane with an inclination such that the upper end is in the background and the lower end is in the foreground; see Figure 1), which has a perspective in the front-rear direction of the vehicle C. The image plane display processing unit 22 also makes the driver DR see the real image RI on the aforementioned vertical image plane (in detail, a plane with almost no inclination and a nearly vertical orientation; see Figure 1). As an example of the trigger described above, the image display processing unit 22 displays a virtual image VI when the vehicle C is in manual driving mode where the driver DR performs the driving operations, and displays a real image RI when the vehicle C is in automatic driving mode where the computer performs the automatic driving operations. In addition to the above-mentioned switching of driving modes, the trigger may also be, for example, when the driver DR operates the switching switch, when entering a highway or general road, or when parking, stopping, or driving occurs. Furthermore, the image display processing unit 22 switches between the display of the real image RI and the display of the virtual image VI in response to a switching signal from the display switching unit 24, which will be described later (details will be described later). The above processing performed by the image display processing unit 22 is an example of image display processing.

[0026] The display control unit 23 controls the display content of the first display unit 12b and the second display unit 12a based on information input from various devices 30, including memory. Specifically, the display control unit 23 issues control signals to the first display unit 12b and the second display unit 12a to generate light representing a figure of an arbitrary shape, based on information sent from various devices 30, such as a vehicle speed sensor, navigation system, RADAR (Radio Detecting and Ranging), LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging, Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging), and content information pre-registered in memory. The first PGU 10b and the second PGU 10a then display the desired display image, respectively.

[0027] The display switching unit 24 will be described later.

[0028] <Features of the Embodiment> The key feature of this embodiment lies in the processing content of the display switching unit 24. That is, as described above, if the image plane display processing unit 22 controls the system to allow the driver DR to see a virtual image VI on the oblique image plane, the driver DR may feel a visual discomfort depending on the display content, such as the display of the manufacturer's emblem image when the vehicle starts up (the so-called opening display; details will be described later), or the driver DR may not notice it because their gaze is focused on the interior of the vehicle, such as the area around the meter, when the vehicle starts up. In such cases, there is a risk that a sufficient display effect for the driver DR may not be obtained.

[0029] Therefore, in this embodiment, the display switching unit 24, based on the detection result of the detection unit 21, switches the display so that, at least when the vehicle C is not moving forward (first predetermined state), the image or content to be displayed is made visible as a real image RI on the elevation image plane. The details of this will be explained in order below.

[0030] <Real image display of the opening screen> First, one of the features of this embodiment is that, as a first predetermined state, when a predetermined vehicle operation start operation, such as an engine start operation, is performed by the driver DR, the display control unit 23 executes a display at the time of the vehicle C's operation start state (= opening) (hereinafter referred to as the "opening display" in the HUD device as appropriate) and this display is shown using a real image RI. The behavior of this opening display being performed using a real image RI is explained with reference to Figures 3(a) to (c).

[0031] In this example, the logo mark LM, which includes the text "UltraNS" as shown in Figure 3(c), is displayed as the opening display. This logo mark LM is originally designed to be viewed upright on the elevation image plane (see Figure 3(c)). However, if this logo mark LM were to be displayed as a virtual image VI on an oblique image plane (see Figure 3(a)), as shown in Figure 3(b), the letters "U," "l," "t," "r," "a," "N," and "S" would appear tilted to the driver DR, resulting in an unnatural appearance and a significant visual sense of unease. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the display switching unit 24 performs such an opening display, it makes the logo mark LM, which is the image to be displayed, visible as a real image RI on the elevation image plane, as shown in Figure 3(c).

[0032] <Integration with meter display> Another feature of this embodiment is that, in the meter of vehicle C, a predetermined opening display is also performed in conjunction with the opening display using the real image RI in the HUD device 1 described above, at a time that is synchronized with the timing. In other words, as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 4, in this embodiment, under the control of the control unit 15, a predetermined startup display (= "opening display" in the meter) is performed in the meter display unit MR before displaying images such as the meter's memory and numbers. After the opening display in the meter display unit MR is performed, the display switching unit 24 of the HUD device 1 displays the logo mark LM as a real image RI. In other words, in this embodiment, the opening display is performed in the meter display unit MR of the vehicle C before the display target is made visible as a real image RI on the elevation image plane in the first predetermined state of the HUD device 1.

[0033] Figure 5 shows a time chart illustrating the details of the temporal coordination process for the two opening displays described above. In this example, the opening displays are controlled according to the locked and unlocked status of the vehicle C's door DO, as detected by the aforementioned detection unit 21. In Figure 5, first, at the time (time t00) when the driver DR unlocks the door DO to get into the vehicle C, neither the meter display unit MR nor the HUD device 1 displays anything; they are in a non-display state.

[0034] Subsequently, at the moment (time t01) when the driver DR opens the door DO of vehicle C (door open), the above-mentioned opening display is executed on the meter display unit MR. This opening display may be an image such as a logo mark similar to that of the HUD device 1, or it may be a simple text message such as "Welcome". At this time t01, the above-mentioned hidden state is still maintained on the HUD device 1.

[0035] Furthermore, when the driver DR gets into the driver's seat of vehicle C and closes the door DO (door closed) (time t02), the HUD device 1, under the control of the display switching unit 24, displays the logo mark lM as a real image RI on the elevation image plane.

[0036] <Effects of the Embodiment> As described above, in this embodiment, the display switching unit 24 of the HUD device 1, in response to various states detected by the detection unit 21, causes the driver DR to view the image or content to be displayed (logo mark LM in the above example) as a real image RI on the elevation image plane (rather than as a virtual image VI on the oblique image plane) when the vehicle C is in the first predetermined state which is not in a forward driving state (see Figure 3(c)). This eliminates visual incongruity and makes it easier for the driver (DR) to notice the logo mark LM on an oblique image plane during the opening display (see Figure 3(b)), thus achieving a sufficient display effect.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is possible to avoid the unnatural appearance of content, such as the logo mark LM or manufacturer emblem used as an opening display, which are normally designed to be viewed directly on an elevation image plane, being displayed on an oblique image plane.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the opening display is executed on the meter display unit MR of the vehicle C before the opening display is made visible as a real image RI on the elevation image plane in the HUD device 1. This enhances the visual effect of each opening display, as it is performed sequentially in conjunction with the driver's (DR) engine start operation, from the opening display of the meter display unit MR to the opening display of the HUD device 1. In addition, the driver's (DR) gaze can be smoothly guided from the opening display of the meter display unit MR, which is visible in the first half, to the opening display of the HUD device 1, which is visible in the second half.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, when the door DO of vehicle C changes from a closed state to an open state, the meter display unit MR performs an opening display, and then, after the door DO changes from an open state back to a closed state, the display switching unit 24 performs an opening display as a real image RI on the vertical image plane. By performing a real-image RI on the elevation view after the door DO is closed, the driver DR can see the opening even when the HUD device 1 has a narrow viewing range.

[0040] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit and technical concept. Such modifications will be described in order below.

[0041] (1) When switching between real image display and virtual image display in conjunction with the shift lever. Figure 6 shows a time chart illustrating the details of the process in this modified example. In this example, the shift lever (not shown) on vehicle C is operated by the driver DR in the following order: Drive D for forward driving → Reverse R for reverse driving → Drive D for forward driving → Parking P for parking.

[0042] In Figure 6, first, at the moment when the driver DR switches the shift lever to drive D in order to move vehicle C forward (time t10), the HUD device 1 starts displaying the aforementioned vehicle information, route guidance display, warning display, etc., using virtual images VI on the oblique image plane.

[0043] Subsequently, in this modified example, as an exception when the shift lever is in drive D, if the driver DR applies the brakes (time t11), the display switching unit 24 causes the HUD device 1 to start displaying the real image RI on the elevation image plane. The displayed content at this time may continue to be the same as in the case of the virtual image VI, such as vehicle information, route guidance display, warning display, etc. (hereinafter the same applies), or it may be, for example, entertainment content, assistant or agent, character, etc. (hereinafter the same applies). When the brake operation is released (time t12), the display returns to the original display on the oblique image plane of the virtual image VI. That is, the state between times t11 and t12 is an example of the first predetermined state in this modified example.

[0044] Subsequently, when the driver DR switches the shift lever to reverse R in order to drive vehicle C in reverse, at that time (time t13), the display switching unit 24 switches to displaying the real image RI on the elevation image plane. When the reverse driving is completed and the driver DR switches the shift lever to drive D in order to drive vehicle C forward again, at that time (time t14), the display switching unit 24 switches back to displaying the virtual image VI on the elevation image plane. In other words, the state between times t13 and t14 is also an example of the first predetermined state in this modified example.

[0045] Finally, when the driver DR switches the shift lever to parking P with the intention of parking vehicle C (after the above actions have completed parking or stopping in the parking space), the display switching unit 24 switches back to the display on the elevation image plane using the real image RI at that time (time t15). In other words, the state after time t15 is also an example of the first predetermined state in this modified example. Also, the state between times t10-t11, t12-t13, and t14-t15 is an example of the second predetermined state in this modified example.

[0046] In this modified example configured as described above, similar to the above embodiment, a sufficient display effect can be obtained by allowing the driver DR to view the image or content to be displayed as a real image RI on the elevation image plane, at least when the vehicle C is in the first predetermined state which is not in a forward-moving state.

[0047] Furthermore, in this modified example, the state in which vehicle C is moving in reverse (the state in which the driver DR has switched the shift lever to reverse R for reverse driving: see time t13~t14) is defined as the first predetermined state and is made visible to the driver DR as a real image RI on the elevation image plane. By automatically switching the display state in conjunction with gear changes during reverse driving, the inconvenience of driver operation of the DR (Driver) system is reduced, and the visibility of the displayed information is improved.

[0048] Furthermore, in this modified example, the state in which vehicle C is parked (the state in which the driver DR has switched the shift lever to parking P for parking: see from time t15 onwards) is defined as the first predetermined state, and is made visible to the driver DR as a real image RI on the elevation image plane. By automatically switching the display state in conjunction with gear changes during parking, the inconvenience of driver operation is reduced, and the visibility of the displayed information is improved.

[0049] Furthermore, in this modified example, the state in which the driver DR has switched the shift lever to drive D for forward driving of vehicle C, and the brakes of vehicle C are applied (see times t11~t12), is defined as the first predetermined state and is made visible to the driver DR as a real image RI on the elevation image plane. For example, when the vehicle is briefly stopped with the shift lever in Drive (D), the display state automatically switches, reducing the inconvenience of the driver having to operate the DR (Drive) position and improving the visibility of the displayed information. Alternatively, the first predetermined state may be defined as the state in which the shift lever is switched to drive D, and the signal in the direction of travel of vehicle C is showing a stop indication (so-called red light), and this state may be made visible to the driver DR as a real image RI on the elevation image plane.

[0050] Furthermore, in this modified example, the state in which the driver DR has switched the shift lever to drive D for forward driving of vehicle C, and the brake has been released (see time t12~t13), is defined as the second predetermined state and is made visible to the driver DR as a virtual image VI on the oblique image plane. After a short stop with the shift lever in Drive (D), the display automatically switches when driving resumes, reducing the inconvenience of the driver having to manually switch to DR. Alternatively, the following conditions may be met: the shift lever is switched to drive D, and the signal for the direction of travel of vehicle C is showing a proceed indication (so-called green light). This state may be defined as the second predetermined state and made visible to the driver DR as a virtual image VI on the oblique image plane.

[0051] (2) When switching between real image display and virtual image display in conjunction with the engine OFF operation when disembarking. Figure 7 shows a time chart illustrating the details of this modified example. This example shows the case where the driver DR finishes driving, parks vehicle C, opens door DO, and exits the vehicle.

[0052] In Figure 7, first, at time t20, the driver DR is driving vehicle C (forward or backward) and the engine is turned on. In the HUD device 1, for example, the virtual image VI described above is displayed on the oblique image plane.

[0053] Subsequently, when the driver DR parks vehicle C and turns off the engine (corresponding to a predetermined vehicle operation termination operation), and the engine is turned off (corresponding to the operation termination state described later; see time t21), the display switching unit 24 switches the HUD device 1 to display predetermined content on the elevation image plane using a real image RI. The content displayed at this time is, for example, the display when vehicle C is in the operation termination state (= ending) executed by the display control unit 23 (hereinafter referred to as the "ending display" in the HUD device). This ending display may be a logo mark or other image similar to the opening display described above, or it may be a simple text message such as "GoodBye".

[0054] Then, when the driver DR opens the door DO to get out of the vehicle (see time t22), the ending display using the real image RI disappears under the control of the control unit 15. At this time, the virtual image VI is also not displayed; in other words, the HUD device 1 is turned off. The state between times t21 and t22 is an example of the first predetermined state in this modified example, and the state between times t20 and t21 is an example of the second predetermined state in this modified example.

[0055] In this modified example configured as described above, similar to the above embodiment, a sufficient display effect can be obtained by making the image or content to be displayed visible to the driver DR as a real image RI on the elevation image plane, at least when the vehicle C is in the first predetermined state which is not in a forward-moving state.

[0056] Furthermore, this modification specifically avoids the unnatural appearance of content that is normally designed to be viewed directly on an elevation view, such as the LM logo or manufacturer emblem used as an ending display after operations like turning off the engine, being displayed on an oblique view.

[0057] Furthermore, in this modified example, the HUD device 1 is turned off when the door DO of vehicle C changes from a closed state to an open state, after the display switching unit 24 has displayed the real image RI on the elevation image plane. By detecting the driver's (DR's) intention to alight and turning off the lights early, even before the ending display is complete, the power consumption of vehicle (C) can be reduced.

[0058] (3) When switching between displaying a virtual image on an oblique image plane and displaying a virtual image on an elevation image plane In the above embodiments, modified example (1), and modified example (2), the image plane display processing unit 22 causes the driver DR to view the virtual image VI on the oblique image plane and the real image RI on the vertical image plane, but the invention is not limited to this. That is, in this modified example, using a known and appropriate method, as shown in Figure 8(a) corresponding to Figure 3(a), the image plane display processing unit 22 causes the driver DR to view the virtual image VI (the first display image in this modified example) on an oblique image plane having a near and far distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle C, and also causes the virtual image VI' (the second display image in this modified example) on the vertical image plane.

[0059] In this modified example, although a detailed explanation is omitted, the image plane display processing unit 22 can switch from the display state of the virtual image VI to the display state of the virtual image VI', or from the display state of the virtual image VI' to the display state of the virtual image VI, based on the aforementioned trigger. At this time, as described above, the image plane display processing unit 22 makes the driver DR view the virtual image VI on an oblique image plane (a plane with an inclination such that the upper end is in the background and the lower end is in the foreground; see Figure 8(a)) which has perspective in the front-rear direction of the vehicle C, and makes the virtual image VI' view on an elevation image plane (a plane that is displayed on the driver DR side of the virtual image VI and has almost no inclination and is almost vertical; see Figure 8(a)). The above processing performed by the image plane display processing unit 22 is an example of the image plane display processing in this modified example.

[0060] In this modified example, the display switching unit 24 switches the display so that, when any of the various first predetermined states described above are met, the image or content to be displayed at that time is viewed as a virtual image VI' on the vertical image plane, rather than as a virtual image VI on the oblique image plane. Figure 8(b) shows the same opening display as described above, in which the logo mark LM is viewed as a virtual image VI' on the vertical image plane.

[0061] In this modified example, as in the above embodiment, compared to, for example, the case where the logo mark LM is made visible as a virtual image VI on the oblique image plane during the opening display (see Figure 3(b)), it is possible to eliminate visual discomfort and make it easier for the driver DR to notice, thereby achieving a sufficient display effect.

[0062] (4) Others In the above embodiments, the vehicle display device 1 switches the display of virtual image VI and real image RI by switching the illumination of two PGUs (first PGU10b and second PGU10a), but is not limited to this. For example, one display unit may be configured to include a switching element that switches the polarization of the emitted display light between S-polarization and P-polarization. In this case, the reflecting unit 13 includes a first mirror that reflects S-polarized display light and transmits P-polarized display light, a second mirror that reflects the display light transmitted through the first mirror, and a third mirror that reflects the respective display lights reflected by the first and second mirrors and emits them onto the windshield WS. If the driver (DR) is to be able to see the virtual image (VI), the switching element is switched to emit the display light as S-polarized light, and the image formed by the display light is displayed on the windshield WS by the imaging optical system consisting of the first mirror, the third mirror, and the windshield WS. Alternatively, if the driver (DR) is to be able to see the real image (RI), the switching element is switched to emit the display light as P-polarized light, and the image formed by the display light is displayed on the windshield WS by the imaging optical system consisting of the second mirror, the third mirror, and the windshield WS.

[0063] In addition to the above, the method for switching between displaying the virtual image VI and the real image RI is arbitrary. For example, the distance between the optical focus and the display unit can be changed by sliding the position of one display unit in the direction of the optical axis, thereby switching between displaying the virtual image VI and the real image RI. Alternatively, the axis of the light rays emitted from the display unit can be shifted when displaying the virtual image VI and when displaying the real image RI to form separate optical systems and switch between displaying the virtual image VI and the real image RI.

[0064] Furthermore, if it is desired to further adjust the inclination angle of the virtual image VI or real image RI with respect to the road surface, the display unit may be equipped with a motor that rotates the display unit by pitch with the optical axis direction as the roll axis. By changing the inclination of the display unit with this motor, it may be possible to display a real image RI that appears to be standing perpendicular to the road surface, or a virtual image VI that appears to be tilted relative to the road surface. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. HUD (Head-Up Display) device (vehicle display device) 10a PGU 2 10b 1st PGU 11a 2nd light source 11b 1st light source 12a 2nd display section (image display section) 12b 1st display section (image display section) 13 Reflector 15 Control Unit 16 cabinets 17 Opening 18 Cover glass 21 Detection unit 22 Image plane display processing unit 23 Display Control Unit 24 Display switching section 25 External Information 30 Various Devices 40 measuring sensors 50 sheets 51 Seat area 52 Backrest 1310 Second correcting mirror 1320 First correcting mirror 1330 concave mirror BK background image C Vehicle DR: Driver (occupant) F1 2nd optical focus F2 1st optical focus L11 2nd display light L22 1st display light LM logo VI. Virtual Image (First Display Image) VI' Virtual image (second display image) RI Real Image (Second Display Image) WS Windshield (Light-Transmitting Material)< / pgu>

Claims

1. A vehicle display device installed in a vehicle, which switches between a first display image and a second display image represented by a display light to allow the occupant to view them, An image display unit that transmits light emitted from a light source and displays the first display image or the second display image, It includes a control unit that controls the image display unit, The control unit, Image plane display processing, which causes the occupant to view the first display image on an oblique image plane having a distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the second display image on an elevation image plane, A detection process for detecting the operating state of the vehicle or the operation state by the occupant, Based on the detection results in the detection process, in at least the first predetermined state in which the vehicle is not moving forward, a display switching process is performed to switch the display so that the image or content to be displayed is visible on the elevation image plane as the second display image. A vehicle display device characterized by the following features.

2. The control unit, in the display switching process, In a second predetermined state different from the first predetermined state, the display is switched so that the display target is visible on the oblique image plane as the first display image. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a vehicle display device.

3. The first predetermined state includes a state in which the vehicle is moving in reverse, or a state in which the occupant is performing the operation for the vehicle to move in reverse. A vehicle display device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is a vehicle display device.

4. The first predetermined state includes a state in which the vehicle is parked, or a state in which the occupant is performing the operation for parking. A vehicle display device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is a vehicle display device.

5. The first predetermined state includes a state in which the occupant is operating the vehicle to move forward, and the brakes of the vehicle are applied or the signal indicating the direction of travel of the vehicle is in a stop state. The vehicle display device according to claim 2, characterized in that it is a vehicle display device.

6. The second predetermined state includes a state in which the occupant is operating the vehicle to move forward, and the brakes are released or the vehicle's direction of travel signal is set to proceed. The vehicle display device according to claim 5, characterized in that it is a vehicle display device.

7. The first predetermined state includes the state in which the vehicle is started to operate due to a predetermined vehicle operation start operation performed by the occupant. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a vehicle display device.

8. Before the display target is made visible as a second display image on the vertical image plane in the first predetermined state, the control unit executes a predetermined startup display on the vehicle's meter display unit. The vehicle display device according to claim 7, characterized in that it is a vehicle display device.

9. The control unit, When the door of the vehicle changes from a closed state to an open state, the startup display on the meter display unit is executed. Furthermore, in the first predetermined state resulting from the start of operation after the door has returned from the open state to the closed state, the display switching process causes the display target to be made visible on the vertical image plane as a second display image. The vehicle display device according to claim 8, characterized in that it is a vehicle display device.

10. The first predetermined state is, This includes the state of the vehicle's operation being terminated by a predetermined vehicle operation termination procedure performed by the occupant. The vehicle display device according to claim 2, characterized in that it is a vehicle display device.

11. The control unit, In the first predetermined state, after the display switching process makes the display target visible on the vertical image surface as a second display image, the second display image is turned off when the vehicle door changes from a closed state to an open state. The vehicle display device according to claim 10, characterized in that it is a vehicle display device.

12. The first display image is a virtual image, and the second display image is a real image. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a vehicle display device.

13. The aforementioned vehicle display device is The light source that emits light that becomes the virtual image or the real image, The image display unit displays the virtual image or the real image based on the light emitted from the light source, The device includes a reflecting unit that reflects a first display light or a second display light, which represent the virtual image or the real image displayed on the image display unit, toward the light-transmitting member of the vehicle, This is a head-up display device that switches between the virtual image represented by the first display light and the real image represented by the second display light, allowing the occupant to view them. The vehicle display device according to claim 12, characterized in that it is a vehicle display device.

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