Head-up display device

Abstract

The present invention provides a head-up display device that can display information in a manner that facilitates users in making appropriate situational judgments. [Solution] When the control unit of the head-up display device simultaneously displays a navigation image V1 and other images (driving assistance image V2, entertainment image V3) in a display area Ar set on a virtual surface in front of the vehicle's windshield, it displays the other images superimposed on the navigation image V1, and in the portion where the other images are superimposed on the navigation image V1, it displays the other images in a manner that is more visible than the navigation image V1, or performs a process to indicate the other images by displaying them in a portion that avoids the navigation image V1.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a head-up display device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a head-up display device that projects display light representing an image onto a windshield of a vehicle and causes a user, mainly a driver of the vehicle, to visually recognize the image in front of the windshield.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When displaying a plurality of types of information as images in this type of device, simply dividing the display area of the image for each type of information may cause confusion when the user makes a situation judgment in terms of visually recognizing the image together with the actual scene seen through the windshield.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a head-up display device capable of displaying information in a manner that makes it easy for a user to make an appropriate situation judgment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to this disclosure, information can be displayed in a manner that makes it easier for users to make appropriate judgments about the situation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram showing how a head-up display device according to one embodiment of this disclosure is mounted on a vehicle. [Figure 2] Block diagram of a head-up display device and various systems according to the above embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows examples of various images displayed in the display area according to the above embodiment. [Figure 4] A conceptual diagram showing the rendering method by the control unit according to the above embodiment. [Figure 5] A flowchart of the display mode change process according to the same embodiment as above. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of changing the appearance of an image according to the display appearance change process according to the above embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of changing the appearance of an image according to the display appearance change process according to the above embodiment. [Figure 8]This figure shows an example of changing the appearance of an image according to the display appearance change process according to the above embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of changing the appearance of an image according to the display appearance change process according to the above embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the head-up display device 10 (hereinafter also referred to as the HUD device 10) is installed, for example, in the dashboard 2 of the vehicle 1. The HUD device 10 projects a display light L representing an image onto the windshield 3 of the vehicle 1, thereby displaying the image to the user 4 (mainly the driver of the vehicle 1) in a display area Ar (see Figures 3 and 4) set on a virtual surface A in front of the windshield 3. The user 4 can see the image displayed by the HUD device 10 (specifically, the virtual image V represented by the display light L) by positioning their viewpoint within the eye box E.

[0011] In Figure 1, the virtual plane A is shown tilted forward with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle 1, but it may also be facing directly towards the user 4 without tilting, and its placement is arbitrary. Note that Ud, Dd, Fd, and Bd, shown with arrows in Figure 1, indicate the up, down, front, and rear directions of the vehicle 1, respectively. The size, shape, and position of the display area Ar and the eye box E are determined based on the optical system formed by the HUD device 10 and the windshield 3.

[0012] As shown in Figure 2, the HUD device 10 comprises a display unit 11 and a control unit 12. The control unit 12 is capable of communicating with the infotainment system 20 and the driver assistance system 30 installed in the vehicle 1, respectively.

[0013] The display unit 11 generates and emits display light L, and is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, etc. Note that the display unit 11 may be configured using a reflective display device such as a DMD (Digital Micro mirror Device) or an LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon) and a screen. The display light L emitted by the display unit 11 is reflected by one or more mirrors (not shown) and guided to the windshield 3.

[0014] The control unit 12 is a controller that controls the overall operation of the HUD 10, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a drive circuit that drives the display unit 11 under the control of the CPU and the GPU. The control unit 12 controls the image represented by the display light L by controlling the operation of the display unit 11.

[0015] The control unit 12 acquires navigation information from a navigation system 21 (to be described later) via an information entertainment system 20. Further, the control unit 12 acquires entertainment information (an example of heterogeneous information) from an electronic device 22 (to be described later) via the information entertainment system 20. Here, the entertainment information is not limited to狭义 entertainment such as audio information, but includes various types of information (such as air conditioning information, information from applications, etc.) that do not directly relate to the running of the vehicle 1 but give comfort to the user 4 in the vehicle 1. Also, the control unit 12 acquires driving support information (an example of heterogeneous information) from a driving support system 30.

[0016] Then, the control unit 12 executes the display mode change process described later according to the acquired navigation information and heterogeneous information. Various data including a program for executing the display mode change process are stored in the ROM. The control by the control unit 12 specific to this embodiment will be described later. Further, the control unit 12 receives various instruction operations by the user 4 from input devices (not shown) such as a steering switch and a touch panel provided in the interior of the vehicle 1, and executes control according to the received operation content. Note that the control unit 12 may receive an instruction operation by the user 4 via the motion detection unit 32 as described later. Further, the control unit 12 may receive an instruction operation by the user 4 via an input device provided in the infotainment system 20.

[0017] The infotainment system 20 is configured to communicate with each of the navigation system 21 and the electronic device 22, and provide information based on various applications to the user 4. The infotainment system 20 can provide the control unit 12 with navigation information by the navigation system 21 and entertainment information by the electronic device 22.

[0018] The navigation system 21 is a well-known configuration that identifies the position of the vehicle 1 using GPS (Global Positioning System) and provides route guidance to the destination according to settings by the user 4. The navigation system 21 may be mounted on or connected to the vehicle 1 and used in the vehicle 1. Here, the navigation system 21 connected to the vehicle 1 refers to a configuration in which an information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal carried by the user 4 can communicate with the infotainment system 20 by wire or wirelessly, and can be realized by a navigation application on the information terminal.

[0019] The electronic devices 22 are various devices used in the vehicle 1, and include not only devices installed in the vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as "in-vehicle devices") but also devices brought into the vehicle 1 by the user 4 (hereinafter referred to as "brought-in devices"). In other words, the number and type of electronic devices 22 that communicate with the infotainment system 20 are arbitrary, and it is also arbitrary whether the electronic devices 22 are in-vehicle devices or brought-in devices. For example, in-vehicle devices include audio equipment, air conditioning equipment that provides HVAC (Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning), etc. Brought-in devices are information terminals such as smartphones and tablet devices carried by the user 4, and are devices that can communicate with the infotainment system 20 by wire or wireless connection. The entertainment information that the electronic devices 22 can provide to the control unit 12 is arbitrary and includes (i) audio information including not only music playback but also video playback, (ii) air conditioning information in the vehicle 1, and (iii) information related to applications executed by the information terminal (Internet, calls, email, SNS (Social Networking Service), etc.). Furthermore, audio information may be provided to the infotainment system 20 not from an audio device as an in-vehicle device, but from an information terminal as a personal device that runs an audio application.

[0020] The driver assistance system 30 is a so-called ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) and is installed in the vehicle 1 with a well-known configuration for assisting driving. The driver assistance system 30 provides driver assistance information related to the driving assistance of the vehicle 1 to the control unit 12. The driver assistance system 30 broadly comprises a situation analysis unit 31, an action detection unit 32, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 33.

[0021] The situation analysis unit 31 analyzes information about the surroundings of vehicle 1 from various sensors, such as a vehicle speed sensor, which senses the situation of vehicle 1 (self-vehicle situation), and from various sensors, such as a camera and LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), which sense the external situation of vehicle 1, and outputs a signal indicating the analysis result to the control unit 12 and ECU 33. The situation analysis unit 31 may also be equipped with a module capable of communication such as V2N (Vehicle To Cellular Network), V2V (Vehicle To Vehicle), V2P (Vehicle To Pedestrian), and V2I (Vehicle To Roadside Infrastructure), and may collect information about the surroundings of vehicle 1. In other words, the situation analysis unit 31 may be capable of any of the V2X (Vehicle To Everything) communication between vehicle 1 and the outside of vehicle 1.

[0022] The motion detection unit 32 monitors the user 4's actions and outputs signals indicating the monitoring results to the control unit 12 and the ECU 33. The actions monitored by the motion detection unit 32 may include not only instruction operations performed from input devices such as steering switches and touch panels, but also the direction of the user 4's gaze and point of focus, etc., which are identified based on information from cameras, infrared sensors, etc., that monitor the user 4.

[0023] The ECU 33 is configured to control various parts of the vehicle 1 and can control the operation of the vehicle 1 according to information from the situation analysis unit 31 and the motion detection unit 32, respectively. For example, the ECU 33 controls the vehicle 1 to ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) or an automatic driving mode according to information from the motion detection unit 32 according to settings made by the user 4. In this embodiment, the automatic driving mode is, for example, an automatic driving level of "2+", "3", or "4". The ECU 33 also implements safety driving support such as AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) and LKAS (Lane Keeping Assist System) according to information from the situation analysis unit 31, for example.

[0024] This concludes the explanation of the configuration of the HUD device 10, the infotainment system 20, and the driver assistance system 30. Next, an example of an image displayed by the HUD device 10 will be explained with reference to Figure 3.

[0025] Figure 3 shows an example of an image displayed in the display area Ar. Since the control of the image displayed in the display unit 11 is equivalent to the control of the image actually seen by the user 4 in the display area Ar, the control of the image by the control unit 12 will be described below.

[0026] The control unit 12 can display a navigation image V1 related to navigation information and heterogeneous images related to heterogeneous information (driving support image V2 related to driving support information, and entertainment image V3 related to entertainment information) in the display area Ar. When the control unit 12 displays the navigation image V1 and heterogeneous images simultaneously in the display area Ar, it performs heterogeneous image identification processing to display each image in the manner of (1) or (2) described below.

[0027] (1) The control unit 12 displays a different image superimposed on the navigation image V1, and in the portion where the different image is superimposed on the navigation image V1, it displays the different image in a manner that is more visible than the navigation image V1. Figure 3 shows an example where the portion of the navigation image V1, which displays a map, overlaid with a driving assistance image V2 (an example of a different type of image) showing a pedestrian (the portion showing the edge of the road) is hidden. Here, "displaying the different type of image in a manner that is more visible than the navigation image V1" is not limited to this example of hiding a part of the navigation image V1 to ensure the visibility of the different type of image. It may also be a manner in which, in the portion where the different type of image is superimposed on the navigation image V1, (i) the transparency of the navigation image V1 is increased compared to the different type of image, or (ii) the saturation of the different type of image is increased compared to the navigation image V1, thereby improving the visibility of the different type of image relative to the navigation image V1 in the superimposed portion.

[0028] (2) The control unit 12 displays the different image in the portion that is not adjacent to the navigation image V1. Figure 3 shows an example where an entertainment image V3 (an example of a different type of image) displaying audio information is shown in a portion of the navigation image V1 that is not visible.

[0029] By having the control unit 12 perform the heterogeneous image highlighting process as described above, the user 4 can grasp information from heterogeneous images without taking their eyes off the navigation image V1. In other words, the HUD device 10 can display information in a manner that makes it easy for the user 4 to make appropriate situational judgments.

[0030] As conceptually shown in Figure 4, the control unit 12 renders within the field of view range (i.e., display area Ar) of the HUD device 10 based on the navigation image V1 and various objects related to heterogeneous images placed in a virtual 3D space, and the virtual camera C placed in the same space.

[0031] From here, we will explain specific examples of navigation image V1, driving assistance image V2, and entertainment image V3 as shown in the appropriate figures from Figures 6 to 9. Hereafter, when we say that a predetermined image represents predetermined information, we mean that the icons, shapes, characters, or combinations thereof that constitute the predetermined image represent the predetermined information.

[0032] (Navigation image V1) The navigation image V1 displayed by the control unit 12 according to the acquired navigation information shows at least one of the following: map information V1a, driving route information V1b, and lane information V1c. Map information V1a shows a map of the area around vehicle 1 and the position of vehicle 1 relative to the map, and also includes the road shape around vehicle 1. Driving route information V1b shows the driving route to the destination set by user 4 and includes the driving route to the destination expressed in TBT (Turn-by-Turn) format. Driving route information V1b may also show the direction of travel at intersections to reach the destination in TBT format, and may include the distance to the intersection. Lane information V1c shows the number of lanes on the road that vehicle 1 is traveling on, and if a destination is set, it also includes the recommended driving lane to the destination. Note that the information shown in the navigation image V1 is arbitrary and not limited to these examples, as long as it is information based on the navigation system 21. For example, map information V1a may include destination information. Destination information is information about a destination set by user 4, such as the distance from vehicle 1's current location to the destination, the direction of the destination relative to the current location, etc. In addition, the driving route information V1b may not only show the direction of travel at the nearest intersection to vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as the first intersection) in TBT form, but may also show the direction of travel at the next intersection after the first intersection (hereinafter referred to as the second intersection), or it may show the distance from the first intersection to the second intersection, or the distance from vehicle 1 to the second intersection.

[0033] (Driving assistance image V2) The driver assistance image V2 displayed by the control unit 12 in accordance with the driver assistance information acquired shows regulatory information, collision warning information, setting information, etc. Regulatory information indicates that there are regulatory signs on the road on which vehicle 1 is traveling that the user 4 (mainly the driver of vehicle 1) must obey. Collision warning information indicates that there are objects around vehicle 1 that pose a collision risk and may include BSW (Blind Spot Warning) information. Setting information shows the setting status of the driver assistance system 30, such as the ACC setting status (information on the preceding vehicle that vehicle 1 follows in ACC, information indicating the distance to the preceding vehicle, the set speed of ACC, etc.) and whether autonomous driving is in progress. Note that the information shown in the driver assistance image V2 is not limited to these examples and is arbitrary as long as it is information based on the driver assistance system 30. For example, the driver assistance image V2 may show lane change information indicating a lane change by vehicle 1 while autonomous driving is in progress.

[0034] (Entertainment Image V3) The entertainment image V3 displayed by the control unit 12 in accordance with the acquired entertainment information may, for example, show audio information. The audio information is information related to audio set by the user 4, and may include, for example, (i) the name of the song being played or selected (including the album title), (ii) the album artwork, and (iii) an icon related to the media player. The information shown in the entertainment image V3 can be any information based on the electronic device 22.

[0035] Next, an example of the display mode change process executed by the control unit 12 will be described with reference to Figure 5. This process is executed, for example, while the HUD device 10 is running. It is assumed that the navigation system 21 is running when the display mode change process starts.

[0036] (Display mode change process) In the display mode change process, first, the control unit 12 obtains navigation information from the navigation system 21 via the infotainment system 20, and displays the navigation image V1 based on the obtained navigation information (step S1).

[0037] From step S1 onward, when the navigation image V1 is displayed, the control unit 12 changes at least one of the display magnification and display area of ​​the navigation image V1 according to the navigation information. Changing the display magnification of the navigation image V1 includes (i) changing the scale of the map information V1a according to the vehicle 1, (ii) changing the display magnification of the driving route information V1b displayed in accordance with the scaled map information V1a, (iii) changing the display magnification of the lane information V1c, changing the display magnification when the map information V1a is hidden, etc. Furthermore, changing the display area of ​​the navigation image V1 is not limited to changing the display area of ​​the navigation image V1 within the display area Ar, but also includes changing the display area of ​​each of the various pieces of information shown in the navigation image V1. For example, as the vehicle 1 approaches the destination or an intersection that exists before reaching the destination, the control unit 12 increases the display magnification of at least the map information V1a, which is represented by the map information V1a, among the navigation image V1. Then, when the display magnification of the map information V1a reaches its upper limit, the control unit 12, for example, hides the map information V1a from the navigation image V1 and displays only the driving route information V1b as needed.

[0038] Furthermore, in the heterogeneous image identification process of step S3 described later, when the navigation image V1 shows map information V1a, the control unit 12 can display the driving support image V2 at a position that matches the positional relationship with the map information V1a if it chooses to display the driving support image V2 as a heterogeneous image. In this case, the display magnification and display area of ​​the driving support image V2 will also be changed in accordance with the map information V1a, in which at least one of the display magnification and display area is changed.

[0039] Furthermore, the presence of various objects in front of the vehicle 1, and the distance to such objects, can be acquired or calculated by the control unit 12 based on at least one of the navigation information and the driving support information (mainly information from the situation analysis unit 31). In addition, the control unit 12 may display the navigation image V1 in an augmented reality (AR) manner, corresponding to the actual scenery visible through the windshield 3, based on the navigation information and the driving support information (for example, forward sensing information from the situation analysis unit 31 and the user's gaze information from the motion detection unit 32).

[0040] Following step S1, the control unit 12 determines whether the display conditions for the different image are met (step S2). These display conditions differ depending on whether the different image is a driving assistance image V2 or an entertainment image V3, and also depending on the type of information the different image represents. Specific examples of these display conditions will be described later with reference to Figures 6 to 9.

[0041] If the conditions for displaying a different type of image are not met (Step S2; No), the control unit 12 continues to display the navigation image V1 (Step S1). On the other hand, if the conditions for displaying a different type of image are met (Step S2; Yes), the control unit 12 performs the aforementioned process to identify the different type of image for the different type of image for which the conditions are met (Step S3).

[0042] Following step S3, the control unit 12 determines whether predetermined specific conditions are met (step S4). These specific conditions differ depending on whether the heterogeneous image is a driving assistance image V2 or an entertainment image V3, and also depending on the type of information shown by the heterogeneous image. Specific examples of these specific conditions will be described later with reference to Figures 6 to 9. Note that specific conditions may not be required depending on the type of information shown by the heterogeneous image. In this case, the control unit 12 executes the process of step S2 following step S3.

[0043] If the specific condition is not met (Step S4; No), the control unit 12 returns to Step S2 and executes the process. On the other hand, if the specific condition is met (Step S4; Yes), the control unit 12 performs a priority display process in the display area Ar, prioritizing the display of the navigation image V1 over the other type of image, according to the content of the met specific condition (Step S5), and returns to Step S4 to execute the process. This priority display process allows the user 4 to accurately grasp the information with higher priority. As will be described later, the object to be prioritized for display by the priority display process differs depending on whether the other type of image is a driving assistance image V2 or an entertainment image V3. The above is the display mode change process.

[0044] Next, examples of changing the appearance of various images displayed in the display area Ar, according to the display appearance change process, will be explained in order with reference to Figures 6 to 9. Each of Figures 6 to 9 shows an example in which the appearance changes of various images are performed by animation on a time axis from top to bottom. (a) at the top of each figure corresponds to the execution of step S1, and is an example in which the navigation image V1 is displayed across the entire display area Ar. This navigation image V1 shows map information V1a and driving route information V1b.

[0045] (Example in Figure 6) During the transition from Figure 6(a) to Figure 6(b), vehicle 1 proceeds to an intersection to reach its destination, and in accordance with this progress, the control unit 12 appropriately changes at least one of the display magnification and display area of ​​the navigation image V1.

[0046] Figure 6(b) shows the situation where the display conditions for the driver assistance image V2 (different image) showing regulatory information are met (step S2; Yes), and the control unit 12 has started the process of indicating the different image (step S3) for the driver assistance image V2 showing regulatory information (an image showing a "STOP" sign). Here, the control unit 12 determines that the display conditions are met when the display magnification of the map information V1a is within a predetermined range and a regulatory sign is detected.

[0047] Furthermore, the control unit 12 may identify regulatory information not only based on driving support information from the driving support system 30 (mainly the situation analysis unit 31), but also based on navigation information from the navigation system 21, or based on both driving support information and navigation information. Thus, if the heterogeneous image is the driving support image V2, depending on the type of information shown by the driving support image V2, the driving support image V2 may not be displayed based on information from the driving support system 30, but may be displayed based on information from the navigation system 21. In other words, if navigation information is considered essential information for the vehicle 1 to reach its destination, heterogeneous information of a different type from navigation information may include regulatory information obtainable from the navigation system 21.

[0048] Furthermore, Figure 6(b) shows an example in heterogeneous image display processing where the control unit 12 overlays the driving support image V2 on the navigation image V1 and hides the information in the portion of the navigation image V1 overlaid with the driving support image V2. The overlaid portion is the tip of the arrow icon that indicates the driving route information V1b. Also, in this process, when the driving support image V2 is displayed when the navigation image V1 is showing map information V1a, the control unit 12 displays the driving support image V2 at a position that matches the positional relationship with the map information V1a, as shown in Figure 6(b).

[0049] Figures 6(b) to 6(d) show examples in which the control unit 12 changes at least one of the display magnification and display area of ​​the driving support image V2 according to the distance to the regulatory sign. In particular, Figures 6(c) and 6(d) show examples in which a specific condition is met (step S4; Yes), and the control unit 12 performs a priority display process (step S5) in which it displays the driving support image V2 in the display area Ar with priority over the navigation image V1, according to the content of the met specific condition. Here, the control unit 12 determines that the specific condition is met when the display magnification of the map information V1a reaches the upper limit of the predetermined range. Also, Figures 6(c) and 6(d) show examples in which the navigation image V1 is hidden and the driving support image V2 is displayed as a form of priority display processing. Although not shown, as a form of priority display processing, it is not necessary to hide the entire navigation image V1, but rather to hide a part of the navigation image V1 (for example, hiding the map information V1b).

[0050] Figure 6(e) shows an example where vehicle 1 passes a regulatory sign, the specific conditions and display conditions mentioned above are no longer met (from step S4; No to step S2; No), and the navigation image V1 corresponding to the navigation information is displayed again (step S1). In Figure 6(e), the navigation image V1 shows a driving route information V1b indicating the direction of travel at an intersection in a TBT (Track Byte) manner.

[0051] (Example in Figure 7) During the transition from Figure 7(a) to Figure 7(c), vehicle 1 proceeds to an intersection to reach its destination, and in accordance with this progress, the control unit 12 appropriately changes at least one of the display magnification and display area of ​​the navigation image V1.

[0052] Figure 7(d) shows the situation where the display conditions for the driver assistance image V2 (different image) showing collision warning information are met (Step S2; Yes), and the control unit 12 has started the process of indicating the different image (Step S3) for the driver assistance image V2 (pedestrian icon image) showing collision warning information. Here, the control unit 12 determines that the display conditions are met when the display magnification of the map information V1a is within a predetermined range and an object with a collision risk is detected.

[0053] Furthermore, Figure 7(d) shows an example in heterogeneous image display processing where the control unit 12 overlays the driving support image V2 on the navigation image V1 and hides the information in the portion of the navigation image V1 overlaid with the driving support image V2. The overlaid portion is a part of the road in the map information V1a that is overlaid on the driving support image V2 which shows a pedestrian icon. In this process, when the driving support image V2 is displayed when the navigation image V1 is showing the map information V1a, the control unit 12 displays the driving support image V2 at a position that matches the positional relationship with the map information V1a, as shown in Figure 7(d).

[0054] When displaying such a driver assistance image V2, although not shown in the illustration, as with Figures 6(c) to (e), the navigation image V1 may be hidden and the driver assistance image V2 showing the object with a collision risk may be gradually enlarged and displayed as a priority display process as the vehicle approaches the object with a collision risk. Also, as with Figure 6(e), when no object with a collision risk is detected, the navigation image V1 (for example, driving route information V1b showing the direction of travel at an intersection in a TBT manner) may be displayed again.

[0055] (Example in Figure 8) During the transition from Figure 8(a) to Figure 8(c), vehicle 1 proceeds to an intersection to reach its destination, and in accordance with this progress, the control unit 12 appropriately changes at least one of the display magnification and display area of ​​the navigation image V1. The transition from Figure 8(a) to Figure 8(b) is an example in which lane information V1 is added to the navigation image V1, which previously showed map information V1a and driving route information V1b.

[0056] Figure 8(b) shows the situation where the display conditions for the driver assistance image V2 (different image) indicating the ACC setting status are met (step S2; Yes), and the control unit 12 has started the process of specifying different images (step S3) for the driver assistance image V2 (icon image showing the preceding vehicle and the distance between the preceding vehicle) indicating the ACC setting status. Here, the control unit 12 determines that the display conditions are met when the display magnification of the map information V1a is within the predetermined range and ACC is enabled.

[0057] Furthermore, Figure 8(b) shows an example in heterogeneous image display processing where the control unit 12 overlays the driving support image V2 on the navigation image V1 and hides the information in the portion of the navigation image V1 overlaid with the driving support image V2. The overlaid portion is part of the arrow indicating the driving route information V1b. In addition, in this process, when the driving support image V2 is displayed when the navigation image V1 is showing map information V1a, the control unit 12 displays the driving support image V2 at a position that matches the positional relationship with the map information V1a, as shown in Figure 8(b).

[0058] Figure 8(c) shows an example where ACC is deactivated due to user 4's operation or external circumstances, the aforementioned display conditions are no longer met (step S2; No), and the navigation image V1 corresponding to the navigation information is displayed again (step S1). The transition from Figure 8(c) to Figure 8(d) is an example where, during the execution of step S1, the control unit 12 switches the navigation image V1 from driving route information V1b that shows the direction of travel to the destination and the direction of travel at the intersection in TBT mode, to driving route information V1b that shows only the direction of travel at the intersection in TBT mode, depending on the distance to the intersection.

[0059] (Example in Figure 9) During the transition from Figure 9(a) to Figure 9(c), vehicle 1 proceeds to an intersection to reach its destination, and in accordance with this progress, the control unit 12 appropriately changes at least one of the display magnification and display area of ​​the navigation image V1.

[0060] Figures 9(b) and 9(c) show the state in which the display conditions for the entertainment image V3 (different image) showing audio information are met (step S2; Yes), and the control unit 12 has started the process of indicating the different image for the entertainment image V3 showing audio information (step S3). Here, the control unit 12 determines that the display conditions are met when the display magnification of the map information V1a is within the predetermined range and the user 4 is running an audio application.

[0061] Furthermore, Figures 9(b) and (c) show an example in heterogeneous image display processing where the control unit 12 overlays and displays the entertainment image V3 on the navigation image V1, and hides the information in the portion of the navigation image V1 overlaid with the entertainment image V2. The overlapping portion is part of the arrow indicating map information V1a. Also, in this process, as shown in Figures 9(b) and (c), when displaying the entertainment image V3 while the navigation image V1 is showing driving route information V1b, the entertainment image V3 is displayed in a position that avoids displaying the driving route information V1b.

[0062] Figure 9(d) shows an example where a specific condition is met (Step S4; Yes), and the control unit 12 performs a priority display process (Step S5) in which it displays the navigation image V2 in the display area Ar with priority over the entertainment image V3, according to the content of the met specific condition. Here, the control unit 12 determines that the specific condition is met when the display magnification of the navigation image V1 reaches the upper limit of the predetermined range. Figure 9(d) shows an example of the priority display process where the entertainment image V3 is hidden and the navigation image V1 is displayed. In Figure 9(d), the navigation image V1 shows a driving route information V1b that indicates the direction of travel at an intersection in a TBT (Track Byte) manner. Although not shown, as a form of priority display processing, it is not necessary to hide all of the entertainment image V3; only a part of the navigation image V1 may be hidden (for example, hiding everything except the song title).

[0063] Alternatively, Figure 9(d) can be seen as an example (step S1) in which the navigation image V1 corresponding to the navigation information is displayed again when the above display conditions are no longer met (step S2; No).

[0064] The present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings described above. Modifications (including the deletion of components) can be made as appropriate without altering the essence of the invention.

[0065] The specific examples shown in Figures 6 to 9 are merely examples. The transitions between navigation image V1, driving assistance image V2, and entertainment image V3 that can be displayed in the display area Ar, and the content of the information they display, can be arbitrarily changed according to the purpose and are not limited to the specific examples shown in Figures 6 to 9.

[0066] This invention allows for various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the invention. In other words, the scope of the invention is indicated not by the embodiments, but by the claims. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the equivalent scope of the meaning of the invention are considered to be within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] 1...Vehicle, 2...Dashboard, 3...Windshield, 4...User L...Indicator light, E...Eyebox, V...Virtual image 10…Head-Up Display Device 11...Display unit, 12...Control unit 20…Infotainment System 21…Navigation system, 22…Electronic equipment 30…Driving assistance systems 31... Situation analysis unit, 32... Motion detection unit, 33... ECU A...Virtual surface, Ar...Display area V1…Navigation image, V1a…Map information, V1b…Driving route information, V1c…Lane information V2…Driving assistance image (an example of a different type of image) V3…Entertainment images (an example of different types of images)

Claims

1. A head-up display device that projects display light representing an image onto the windshield of a vehicle, thereby displaying the image to the user in a display area set on a virtual surface in front of the windshield, The display unit that emits the aforementioned display light, A control unit that controls the operation of the display unit and can display navigation images related to navigation information acquired from a navigation system used in the vehicle, and heterogeneous images related to heterogeneous information of a different type than the navigation information, as images. Equipped with, The control unit, When the navigation image and the other image are displayed simultaneously in the aforementioned display area, The system displays the dissimilar image superimposed on the navigation image, and in the portion of the navigation image where the dissimilar image is superimposed, it displays the dissimilar image in a manner that is more visible than the navigation image, or it performs a dissimilar image highlighting process to display the dissimilar image in a portion that is not adjacent to the navigation image. Head-up display device.

2. The aforementioned navigation image shows at least one of map information, driving route information, and lane information. The control unit changes at least one of the display magnification and display area of ​​the navigation image according to the navigation information. The head-up display device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit, As the aforementioned heterogeneous information, it is possible to acquire driver assistance information related to the driving assistance of the vehicle from the driver assistance system installed in the vehicle, and as the aforementioned heterogeneous images, it is possible to display driver assistance images related to the driver assistance information. In the above-mentioned heterogeneous image identification process, when the navigation image shows the map information and the driving assistance image is to be displayed, the driving assistance image is to be displayed at a position that matches the positional relationship with the map information. The head-up display device according to claim 2.

4. The control unit, As the aforementioned heterogeneous information, it is possible to acquire entertainment information from the infotainment system installed in the vehicle, and as the aforementioned heterogeneous images, it is possible to display entertainment images related to the entertainment information. In the above-mentioned differential image display processing, when the navigation image displays the driving route information, the entertainment image is displayed in a position that avoids displaying the driving route information. The head-up display device according to claim 2.

5. The control unit, in the heterogeneous image display processing, displays the driving assistance image superimposed on the navigation image, and hides the information in the portion of the navigation image that is superimposed by the driving assistance image. The head-up display device according to claim 3.

6. The control unit, if the driving assistance information satisfies specific conditions after the start of the heterogeneous image identification process, prioritizes displaying the driving assistance image over the navigation image in the display area. The head-up display device according to claim 5.

7. The control unit, in the heterogeneous image disclosure processing, displays the entertainment image superimposed on the navigation image, and hides the information in the portion of the navigation image over which the entertainment image is superimposed. The head-up display device according to claim 4.

8. The control unit, if the navigation information satisfies specific conditions after the start of the heterogeneous image identification process, will prioritize displaying the navigation image over the entertainment image in the display area. The head-up display device according to claim 7.

Images