Vehicle display device

Abstract

To provide a display device for a vehicle in which a driver is easy to recognize that a design is displayed even when the design is displayed in a one-eye region.SOLUTION: An image includes: a both-eye region CB being a region visually recognized by both eyes of a driver 200; and a one-eye region CRL being a region visually recognized by one eye of the driver 200. When a right turn guide design D1 is displayed in the one-eye region CRL, a control unit 23 causes the right turn guide design D1 to be displayed in an interruption display area A1 temporarily provided in the both-eye region CB, and then causes a display position of the right turn guide design D1 move to the one-eye region CRL.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there have been known display devices for vehicles, such as head-up displays, that allow a driver to view an image as a virtual image from the driver's eye position (eye point). For example, Patent Document 1 describes a display device that aims to improve visibility by increasing the brightness of a one-eye region of an image that can be viewed only with one eye compared to the brightness of a both-eye region that can be viewed with both eyes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-130771 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, even if the brightness is increased, there is a problem in that it is difficult to notice that a design is displayed in one eye area compared to when it is displayed in both eye areas.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle display device that makes it easy for the driver to notice that a design is displayed, even when the design is displayed in one eye area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle display device according to the present invention has the following features. an image display unit that emits display light for an image; an optical system that projects display light emitted from the image display unit onto a reflective surface in front of a driver; a control unit that controls the image display unit, the image has a binocular region that is a region that is viewed by both eyes of the driver, and a single-eye region that is a region that is viewed by only one eye of the driver, When displaying the design in the one-eye region, the control unit temporarily displays the design in an interrupt display area provided in the both-eye region, and then moves the display position of the design to the one-eye region. It must be a display device for vehicles. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a vehicle display device is provided that allows a driver to easily notice that a design is displayed, even when the design is displayed in one eye area.

[0008] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the following detailed description of the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a vehicle display device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the optical positional relationship between the virtual image, the second mirror, and the driver's eyes when the driver's eyes are located at the center of the eye box in the left-right direction. [Figure 3] 3 and 4 are diagrams showing the arrangement of the regions of the virtual image visually recognized by the driver. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit constituting the vehicle display device shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit constituting the vehicle display device shown in FIG. 1 in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] For convenience of explanation, "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" will be defined below as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" are perpendicular to each other.

[0012] (First embodiment) First, a first embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle 100 and constitutes a head-up display. The vehicle display device 1 is disposed, for example, inside an instrument panel 101. The instrument panel 101 has an opening 101a that opens upward. The opening 101a faces a windshield 102 in the vertical direction of the vehicle 100.

[0013] The vehicle display device 1 has a housing 4, a cover 5, an image display unit 20, a control unit 23, and an optical system 25. The image display unit 20, the control unit 23, and the optical system 25 are housed inside the housing 4. The housing 4 has a main body 2 and a lid member 3 that engages with the main body 2. The main body 2 has an opening that opens upward. The lid member 3 closes the opening of the main body 2 from above. The lid member 3 has a wall portion 30 that faces the opening 101a. The wall portion 30 has an opening 31 that opens upward. The housing 4 is arranged so that the opening 31 faces the opening 101a. The cover 5 is a plate-shaped member that closes the opening 31 of the lid member 3. The cover 5 is made of a translucent resin such as polycarbonate (PC) or acrylic.

[0014] The image display unit 20 is a device that emits image display light 70. The illustrated image display unit 20 is a liquid crystal display device, for example, a TFT-LCD (Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display). However, the image display unit 20 is not limited to a liquid crystal display device. The image display unit 20 may be, for example, a device that generates an image on a transparent screen by scanning laser light.

[0015] The optical system 25 has a first mirror 21 and a second mirror 22. The first mirror 21 reflects the display light 70 emitted from the image display unit 20 toward the second mirror 22. The first mirror 21 is, for example, a flat mirror. The second mirror 22 reflects the display light 70 toward the windshield 102. The shape of the reflective surface of the second mirror 22 is, for example, a free-form surface. The second mirror 22 is, for example, a concave mirror that magnifies the display light 70.

[0016] The display light 70 reflected by the second mirror 22 passes through the opening 31 and the opening 101a, and is reflected by the reflecting surface 102a of the windshield 102 toward the driver 200. A virtual image is formed by the display light 70 incident on the eye 201 of the driver 200. The instrument panel 101 is provided with a cylindrical wall portion 103. The wall portion 103 surrounds the optical path of the display light 70 traveling from the opening 31 toward the opening 101a.

[0017] 2, the image displayed on the image display unit 20 and displayed as a virtual image to the driver 200 has a both-eye region CB, which is a region visible with both eyes of the driver 200, a right-eye region CR, which is a region not visible with the left eye but visible only with the right eye, and a left-eye region CL, which is a region not visible with the right eye but visible only with the left eye. The right-eye region CR and the left-eye region CL are regions on the left-right end side of the both-eye region CB. Hereinafter, the right-eye region CR and the left-eye region CL will be collectively referred to as the "one-eye region CRL."

[0018] Fig. 3 shows the arrangement of each region of the virtual image visually recognized by driver 200. As shown in Fig. 3, the leftmost region of the virtual image corresponds to right eye region CR, the central region of the virtual image corresponds to both eye region CB, and the right region of the virtual image corresponds to left eye region CL.

[0019] The control unit 23 has a control circuit configured to control the image display unit 20. The control unit 23 is mounted on, for example, a control board arranged inside the housing 4. The control unit 23 controls the image display unit 20 to generate an image, for example, in accordance with a program stored in advance.

[0020] The vehicle 100 has a driver monitor 104. The driver monitor 104 includes a camera disposed in front of the driver 200. The driver monitor 104 captures an image of the driver 200 and generates a driver image. The driver monitor 104 detects the position of the head of the driver 200 and the position of the eyes 201 of the driver 200 (viewpoint position) based on the driver image. The detection result by the driver monitor 104 is sent to the control unit 23.

[0021] The control unit 23 sets a both-eye area CB and a one-eye area CRL (see FIG. 2) on the display screen of the image display unit 20, and changes the luminance between the both-eye area CB and the one-eye area CRL. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, when the control unit 23 displays, for example, a right-turn guide design D1 (=design) in the one-eye area CRL, the control unit 23 temporarily changes the luminance of the interruption area provided in the both-eye area CB. display After the right turn guidance design D1 is displayed in the area A1, the display position of the right turn guidance design D1 is moved to the one-eye area CRL.

[0022] Next, the above-mentioned both-eye area CB and one-eye area CRL will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the optical positional relationship between a virtual image, a second mirror, and an eye 201 of the driver 200. The position of the eye 201 shown in FIG. 2 is the center position in the left-right direction in the eye box EB. The eye box EB is a range assumed in advance as a range within which the position of the eye 201 moves. The eye box EB has a predetermined width in the left-right direction. The vehicle display device 1 is configured so that an image can be viewed by the driver 200 when the eye 201 is inside the eye box EB.

[0023] 2, when the light reflected by the entire surface of the second mirror 22 is viewed, the left edge position of the right eye region CR is on an extension of the light ray "L1" that connects the right eye of the driver 200 and the left edge position of the second mirror 22. Also, the right edge position of the left eye region CL is on an extension of the light ray "L2" that connects the left eye of the driver 200 and the right edge position of the second mirror 22. Note that the driver 200 cannot view the left edge position of the right eye region CR with his left eye, and cannot view the right edge position of the left eye region CL with his right eye.

[0024] The left end position of the eye area CB is on an extension of the configuration "L3" that connects the left eye of the driver 200 and the left position of the second mirror 22. The right end position of the eye area CB is on an extension of the configuration "L4" that connects the right eye of the driver 200 and the left position of the second mirror 22.

[0025] As is clear from Figure 2, when the viewpoint position of driver 200 is at the center position in the left-right direction of eye box EB, the eye area CB, right eye area CR and left eye area CL can be set based on the distance between the eyes of driver 200 and the position of optical system 25.

[0026] Next, the operation of the control unit 23 outlined above will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 4. When the ignition switch is turned on, the control unit 23 starts processing. First, the control unit 23 measures the distance between the eyes of the driver 200 based on the driver image from the driver monitor 104 (S1).

[0027] Next, the control unit 23 sets the both-eye area CB and one-eye area CRL on the display screen of the image display unit 20 when the eye 201 of the driver 200 is at the center position in the left-right direction of the eye box EB based on the measured distance between the eyes and the known position of the optical system 25 (S2).

[0028] Thereafter, when the control unit 23 determines that it is necessary to display a design in the one-eye area CRL (Y in S3), it temporarily displays the design to be displayed in the interrupt display area A1 of the both-eye area CB (S4). Next, after waiting for a certain period of time to elapse (Y in S5), the control unit 23 display The design displayed in area A1 is moved to one-eye area CRL and displayed (S6), and then the process returns to S3.

[0029] The interrupt display area A1 is an area for temporarily displaying the design of the one-eye area CRL, and the control unit 23 does not display the design to be displayed in the both-eye area CB in the interrupt display area A1.

[0030] According to the above-described embodiment, when displaying a design in the one-eye region CRL, the control unit 23 temporarily displays the design in the interrupt display area A1 provided in the both-eye region CB, which is easy to see, and then moves the display position of the design to the one-eye region CRL. This makes it easy for the driver 200 to notice that the design has been displayed, even when the design is displayed in the one-eye region CRL, which is difficult to see.

[0031] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. The vehicle display device 1 of the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0032] The first embodiment and the second embodiment differ in the operation performed by the control unit 23. Next, the operation of the control unit 23 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, the same parts as those in the flowchart shown in Fig. 4 already explained in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0033] First, the control unit 23 measures the distance between the eyes (S1) and sets the both-eyes area CB and the single-eye area CRL (S2), as in the first embodiment.

[0034] Thereafter, when the control unit 23 determines that a design needs to be displayed in the one-eye area CRL (Y in S3), it determines whether or not there is a design currently being displayed in the interruption display area A1 (S7). If there is a design currently being displayed in the interruption display area A1 (Y in S7), the control unit 23 moves that design to the one-eye area CRL and displays it (S8). Next, the control unit 23 displays the design determined to need to be displayed in S3 in the interruption display area A1 (S9), and then returns to S3.

[0035] According to the embodiment described above, after the control unit 23 temporarily displays a design in the interruption display area A1, the control unit 23 continues to display the design in the interruption display area A1 until another design that needs to be displayed in the one-eye area CRL is temporarily displayed in the interruption display area A1. This makes it easier for the driver 200 to notice that a design has been displayed, even when the design is displayed in the one-eye area CRL, which is difficult to see.

[0036] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. Furthermore, the material, shape, size, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0037] According to the embodiment described above, the control unit 23 sets the both-eye area CB and the one-eye area CRL when the eye is located at the center of the eye box EB in the horizontal direction, but this is not limited to this. The both-eye area CB and the one-eye area CRL shift to the left when the eye 201 is located to the right of the eye box EB, and shift to the right when the eye 201 is located to the left of the eye box EB. Therefore, the control unit 23 may periodically measure the position (gaze position) of the eye 201 and reset the both-eye area CB and the one-eye area CRL that have been set according to the position of the eye 201.

[0038] According to the above-described embodiment, one interrupt display area A1 is provided in the both-eye area CB, but this is not limited to this. Multiple interrupt display areas A1 may be provided in the both-eye area CB. This makes it possible to deal with cases where multiple designs need to be displayed simultaneously in one-eye area CRL.

[0039] In the above-described embodiment, the case where light reflected by the entire surface of second mirror 22 is viewed by driver 200 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image may be cut off by cover member 3. In this case, both-eye region CB and one-eye region CRL are determined by lines connecting eye 201 of driver 200 with the right and left edge positions of opening 31 of cover member 3.

[0040] In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 23 measures the distance between the eyes based on the driver image and sets the both-eyes area CB, the one-eye area CRL, and the non-display area CN based on the measured distance between the eyes, but this is not limited to this. The control unit 23 may set the both-eyes area CB, the one-eye area CRL, and the non-display area CN based on a predetermined average distance between the eyes without measuring the distance between the eyes.

[0041] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of the vehicle display device according to the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [3].

[0042] [1] an image display unit (20) that emits image display light (70); an optical system that projects display light (70) emitted from the image display unit (20) onto a reflective surface in front of the driver; a control unit that controls the image display unit (20), The image has a binocular region (CB) that is a region that is viewed by both eyes of the driver (200) and a single-eye region (CRL) that is a region that is viewed by only one eye of the driver (200), When displaying a design in the one-eye region (CRL), the control unit (23) temporarily displays the design in an interrupt display area (A1) provided in the both-eye region (CB), and then moves the display position of the design to the one-eye region (CRL). Vehicle display device (1).

[0043] According to the configuration [1] above, when the control unit (23) displays a design in the one-eye region (CRL), it temporarily displays the design in the interrupt display area (A1) provided in the both-eye region (CB) where it is easy to see, and then moves the display position of the design to the one-eye region (CRL). This makes it easy for the driver (200) to notice that the design has been displayed, even when the design is displayed in the one-eye region (CRL) where it is difficult to see.

[0044] [2] In the vehicle display device (1) described in [1], A plurality of the interrupt display areas (A1) are provided in the eye area (CB). Vehicle display device (1).

[0045] According to the configuration of [2] above, multiple interrupt display areas (A1) are provided in the both-eye area (CB), which makes it possible to deal with cases where multiple designs need to be displayed simultaneously in one-eye area (CRL).

[0046] [3] In the vehicle display device (1) described in [1], After temporarily displaying the design in the interrupt display area (A1), the control unit (23) continues to display the design in the interrupt display area (A1) until another design to be displayed in the one-eye region (CRL) is temporarily displayed in the interrupt display area (A1). Vehicle display device (1).

[0047] According to the configuration [3] above, even when the design is displayed in the one-eye region (CRL) which is difficult to see, the driver (200) can more easily notice that the design is displayed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1. Vehicle display device 20 Image display unit 23 Control Unit 70 display light 200 Drivers A1 Interrupt display area CB Eye area CRL single eye area

Claims

1. an image display unit that emits display light for an image; an optical system that projects display light emitted from the image display unit onto a reflective surface in front of a driver; a control unit that controls the image display unit, the image has a binocular region that is a region that is viewed by both eyes of the driver, and a single-eye region that is a region that is viewed by only one eye of the driver, When displaying the design in the one-eye region, the control unit temporarily displays the design in an interrupt display area provided in the both-eye region, and then moves the display position of the design to the one-eye region. Vehicle display device.

2. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, A plurality of the interrupt display areas are provided in the eye regions. Vehicle display device.

3. An image display unit that emits image display light; an optical system that projects display light emitted from the image display unit onto a reflective surface in front of a driver; a control unit that controls the image display unit, the image has a binocular region that is a region that is viewed by both eyes of the driver, and a single-eye region that is a region that is viewed by only one eye of the driver, When the control unit determines that a design needs to be displayed in the one-eye region, it determines whether or not there is another design currently being displayed in the interrupt display area provided in the both-eye region, and if there is another design currently being displayed in the interrupt display area, it moves the another design to the one-eye region and then displays the design to be displayed in the one-eye region in the interrupt display area, and if there is no another design currently being displayed in the interrupt display area, it displays the design to be displayed in the one-eye region in the interrupt display area. Vehicle display device.

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