A video display device installed on a vehicle steering device

Abstract

To provide a technology of an image display apparatus with which a user can make up without raising the face upward in the cabin.SOLUTION: An image display apparatus installed to a steering device of a vehicle includes: an image acquisition unit for acquiring an image of a driver; an image display unit disposed so as to face the driver; and a display control unit for displaying an inverse image which can be acquired by inverting an image acquired by the image acquisition unit in a horizontal direction on the image display unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a video display device installed in a steering device of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are vehicles equipped with mirrors on the sun visors to allow occupants to groom themselves. Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle display device that is attached to the sun visor of the vehicle and includes a liquid crystal display, a camera, a first recognition unit that recognizes the face of the occupant, a second recognition unit that recognizes makeup tools in an image captured by the camera, and an enlarged display unit that enlarges and displays the image on the display. The areas where makeup is being applied, detected by the first recognition unit and the second recognition unit, are enlarged and displayed on the liquid crystal display, thereby improving the efficiency of the user's makeup application in the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-48600 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the occupant must maintain a face-up position while applying makeup while looking at a liquid crystal display attached to the sun visor, which can be difficult to do. In addition, the face-up position, which is different from the normal posture, increases the likelihood that the occupant applying makeup will be seen from outside, which poses a problem that the occupant cannot apply makeup comfortably. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present disclosure can be realized in the following forms. (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an image display device installed on a steering device of a vehicle, the image display device including: an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of a driver; an image display unit that is arranged to face the driver; a display control unit that displays an inverted image, which is an image obtained by left-right inverting the image acquired by the image acquisition unit, on the image display unit; and a driving state acquisition unit that acquires a signal indicating a driving state of the vehicle, the display control unit being capable of displaying the inverted image on the image display unit when the driving state acquisition unit acquires a signal indicating that the vehicle is in autonomous driving or stopped; and, when the inverted image is displayed on the image display unit and the driving state acquisition unit acquires a signal indicating that the vehicle is being driven by the driver or should be driven by the driver, hiding the inverted image. The display control unit A switch-on function unit that can be displayed or hidden on the video display unit can be displayed, and is capable of displaying a switch-on function unit for inputting an instruction to turn on the display of the inverted video. When the driving state acquisition unit acquires a signal indicating that the vehicle is in automatic driving or stopped, the switch-on function unit is displayed on the video display unit, and when the driving state acquisition unit does not acquire a signal indicating that the vehicle is in automatic driving or stopped, the switch-on function unit is not displayed on the video display unit. (2) According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an image display device installed on a steering device of a vehicle, the image display device including: a plurality of image acquisition units that acquire images of a driver; an image display unit that is arranged to face the driver; a display control unit that displays an inverted image on the image display unit by horizontally inverting the images acquired by the image acquisition units; and a position displacement creation unit that creates an image of the driver's face in which the amount of horizontal rotational displacement of the driver's face in the images acquired by the plurality of image acquisition units is greater than the amount of actual rotational displacement.

[0006] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an image display device. The image display device is an image display device installed on a steering device of a vehicle, and includes an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of a driver, an image display unit that is arranged to face the driver, and a display control unit that displays an inverted image, which is an image obtained by left-right inverting the image acquired by the image acquisition unit, on the image display unit. According to this aspect of the image display device, an inverted image of the driver is displayed on the image display unit of the image display device installed on the steering device. The driver can apply makeup without turning his / her face up. The driver does not need to keep his / her face up, which improves the efficiency of the makeup application process. Furthermore, compared to applying makeup with his / her face up, there is a lower chance that the driver will be seen from outside. (2) The image display device of the above aspect may further include a driving state acquisition unit that acquires a signal indicating the driving state of the vehicle, and the display control unit may be capable of displaying the inverted image on the image display unit when the driving state acquisition unit acquires a signal indicating that the vehicle is in autonomous driving or is stopped, and may be capable of hiding the inverted image when the inverted image is displayed on the image display unit and the driving state acquisition unit acquires a signal indicating that the vehicle is being driven by the driver or should be driven by the driver. According to the image display device of this aspect, by enabling the display of the inverted image when the vehicle is in autonomous driving or is stopped, it is possible to prevent the driver from starting to put on makeup when the vehicle is not in autonomous driving or is stopped. (3) The image display device of the above aspect may further include a voice guidance unit that provides a voice notification that the reversed image will be hidden before the display control unit stops the display of the reversed image. According to this aspect of the image display device, when the display control unit stops the display of the reversed image, the voice guidance unit notifies the driver in advance that the reversed image will not be hidden, allowing the driver to apply makeup with more time to spare than in an aspect in which the display of the reversed image is suddenly stopped. (4) In the image display device of the above aspect, the display control unit is a switch-on function unit that can be displayed or hidden on the image display unit, and can display a switch-on function unit for inputting an instruction to turn on the display of the inverted image, and when the driving state acquisition unit acquires a signal indicating that the vehicle is in autonomous driving or stopped, the switch-on function unit may be displayed on the image display unit, and when the driving state acquisition unit does not acquire a signal indicating that the vehicle is in autonomous driving or stopped, the switch-on function unit may not be displayed on the image display unit. According to the image display device of this aspect, the driver can display the inverted image via the switch-on function unit, which improves the driver's freedom in deciding when to apply makeup. (5) In the image display device of the above aspect, the display control unit may be capable of displaying, on the image display unit, an automatic driving operation unit for collectively controlling the automatic driving of the vehicle through the driver's operation. According to this aspect of the image display device, the function of displaying a reversed image and the function of operating the automatic driving can be integrated into the image display device. Therefore, compared to an aspect in which these functions are distributed across different devices, the burden on the driver can be reduced. (6) The image display device of the above aspect may further include a remaining seconds acquisition unit that acquires the remaining time of the red light of a vehicle traffic light located in the straight direction of the vehicle and closest to the vehicle, and the display control unit may be capable of displaying a remaining seconds display unit on the image display unit for displaying the remaining time of the red light acquired by the remaining seconds acquisition unit. According to this aspect of the image display device, the display of the remaining time of the red light allows the driver to notice that the light has changed to green. This reduces the possibility of the driver causing inconvenience to following vehicles. (7) The image display device of the above aspect may further include an other vehicle distance acquisition unit that acquires the distance to the nearest other vehicle ahead of the vehicle in the same driving lane as the vehicle, and the display control unit may automatically hide the reversed image when the other vehicle distance acquisition unit acquires a predetermined distance while the reversed image is being displayed on the image display unit. According to this aspect of the image display device, when the other vehicle ahead is a predetermined distance away, the image is hidden, thereby reducing the possibility that the driver will cause inconvenience to following vehicles. (8) In the image display device of the above aspect, the display control unit may be configured to display a size change unit on the image display unit, which is operated by the driver to enlarge or reduce the inverted image and display it on the image display unit. According to this aspect of the image display device, enlarging or reducing the image makes it easier for the driver to apply makeup. (9) In the image display device of the above aspect, the display control unit may be configured to display a map display instruction unit on the image display unit when operated by the driver. According to this aspect of the image display device, the amount of movement of the driver's line of sight is reduced compared to an aspect in which the map display function is provided in a device different from the image display device. (10) The image display device of the above aspect may further include a voice recognition unit that recognizes the driver's voice and reads the driver's instructions, and a voice-based control unit that controls the vehicle based on the instructions read by the voice recognition unit. This aspect of the image display device can save the driver who is applying makeup the trouble of operating the image display unit with their hands. (11) In the image display device of the above aspect, the image acquisition unit may include a plurality of the image acquisition units, and a position displacement creation unit may be provided that creates an image in which the position of the driver's face in the image acquired by the plurality of the image acquisition units is displaced by an increased amount. With this aspect of the image display device, the driver can view an inverted image of his or her face that is rotated more than the actual movement of his or her face, thereby reducing the possibility of the driver being concerned about being looked at by others. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a video display device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] A diagram showing the interior of the vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a processing unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle running state. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a video display unit. [Figure 6] A diagram showing the remaining time for a red light displayed on the remaining seconds display. [Figure 7] A diagram showing the switch-on function section. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display on the video display unit indicating that the preceding vehicle has started moving. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A1. Configuration of this embodiment: Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image display device 1 of this embodiment. The image display device 1 of this embodiment is a device installed in a vehicle WV that assists the driver DR in applying makeup. In Fig. 1, the vehicle WV is not shown except for the steering device SD and the image display device 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the interior of the vehicle WV.

[0009] The vehicle WV of this embodiment is capable of autonomous driving. As shown in FIG. 2, the image display device 1 is installed on the steering device SD of the vehicle WV so as to face the driver DR. The image display device 1 is electrically connected to a control system (not shown) of the vehicle WV and is capable of sending and receiving signals. The image display device 1 is also connected to a wireless network provided from outside the vehicle WV. In this embodiment, the image display device 1 is a tablet terminal. As shown in FIG. 1, the image display device 1 includes three units: an image acquisition unit 10, an image display unit 20, an audio acquisition unit 30, an audio generation unit 40, and a processing unit 50. Note that the processing unit 50 is not shown in FIG. 1.

[0010] The image acquisition unit 10 acquires an image of the driver DR. The image acquired by the image acquisition unit 10 is used when the driver DR applies makeup or when the control system of the vehicle WV monitors the state of the driver DR. "Monitoring the state of the driver DR" means monitoring the physical condition of the driver DR, whether he is looking away from the driver, whether he is dozing off, etc. In this embodiment, a camera built into the image display device 1 is used as the image acquisition unit 10.

[0011] The image display unit 20 is a section that displays an image obtained by horizontally inverting the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 10. Hereinafter, the image obtained by horizontally inverting the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 10 is referred to as an "inverted image." The image display unit 20 also displays content such as videos and social media, as well as maps. The image display unit 20 also displays functional sections that enable the driver DR to operate the image display device 1 and to operate the vehicle WV during autonomous driving. The functional sections will be described later. As shown in FIG. 2, the image display unit 20 is disposed on the surface of the image display device 1 that faces the driver DR. The image display unit 20 is a touch sensor that detects operations by the driver DR using ultrasonic waves or changes in capacitance. In this embodiment, a liquid crystal display is used as the image display unit 20.

[0012] The voice acquisition unit 30 acquires the voice of the driver DR. The voice acquisition unit 30 has different voice acquisition sensitivity depending on the direction. The voice acquisition unit 30 can acquire voice emitted from the direction of the driver DR with high sensitivity. In this embodiment, the voice acquisition unit 30 is a microphone built into the image display device 1. The voice generation unit 40 emits voice to notify the driver DR. For example, the voice generation unit 40 emits voice to notify the driver DR that the inverted image will not be displayed, voice for navigation to the destination, voice of video content, etc. The voice to notify the driver DR that the inverted image will not be displayed will be described later.

[0013] 3 is a block diagram illustrating the processing unit 50. The processing unit 50 executes various processes of the video display device 1. The processing unit 50 is composed of a CPU, and a ROM and RAM (not shown). The processing unit 50 executes processes of the video display device 1 by expanding a program stored in the ROM onto the RAM and executing it with the CPU.

[0014] The CPU of the processing unit 50 functions as a display control unit 501, an image conversion unit 502, a driving state acquisition unit 503, an automatic driving control unit 504, a remaining second acquisition unit 505, a distance to other vehicles acquisition unit 506, a voice recognition unit 507, a voice system control unit 508, a voice transmission unit 509, and a position displacement creation unit 510.

[0015] The display control unit 501 controls whether the inverted image is displayed or not. In this embodiment, the display control unit 501 displays the inverted image on the image display unit 20 when the driving state acquisition unit 503 acquires a signal indicating that the vehicle WV is autonomously driving or is stopped. The display control unit 501 hides the inverted image when the inverted image is displayed on the image display unit 20 and the driving state acquisition unit 503 acquires a signal indicating that the vehicle WV is being driven by the driver DR or should be driven by the driver DR. An example of a case where the vehicle WV should be driven by the driver DR is when the vehicle WV is performing autonomous driving and enters a road on which autonomous driving is restricted.

[0016] Display control unit 501 hides the inverted image when the remaining time at the red light acquired by remaining seconds acquisition unit 505 becomes zero. Display control unit 501 hides the inverted image when the inverted image is being displayed on image display unit 20 and other vehicle distance acquisition unit 506 acquires a predetermined distance.

[0017] The display control unit 501 displays or hides content such as videos and social media, as well as maps, on the video display unit 20 in addition to the inverted image. The display control unit 501 also displays or hides images on the video display unit 20 that the driver DR uses to operate the video display device 1 or the autonomous driving of the vehicle WV. Images displayed on the video display unit 20 by the display control unit 501 so that the driver DR can operate the video display device 1 or the autonomous driving of the vehicle WV are referred to as "functional units." Specifically, the functional units in this embodiment are an inverted image display unit 501a, a switch-on function unit 501b (not shown in FIG. 1), a switch-off function unit 501c, a remaining seconds display unit 501d, an autonomous driving operation unit 501e, a size change unit 501f, and a map display instruction unit 501g (not shown in FIG. 1). The displays of the inverted image display unit 501a to the map display instruction unit 501g in FIG. 1 are merely examples.

[0018] The inverted image display section 501a is a frame-shaped functional section that is displayed on the image display section 20 by the display control section 501. The display control section 501 displays content such as inverted images, maps, videos, and social media within the frame of the inverted image display section 501a. In this embodiment, the inverted image display section 501a is displayed in the center of the image display section 20 by the display control section 501. The size of the frame of the inverted image display section 501a can be changed by the driver DR touching the frame of the inverted image display section 501a. The inverted image display section 501a is displayed or hidden on the image display section 20 by the display control section 501. The display and non-display of the inverted image display section 501a will be described later.

[0019] The switch-on function unit 501b is a function unit for inputting an instruction to turn on the display of the inverted image. When the driver DR touches the switch-on function unit 501b, an instruction to turn on the display of the inverted image is input to the image display device 1, and the display control unit 501 displays the inverted image. The switch-on function unit 501b can be made to appear or disappear on the image display unit 20 by the display control unit 501. Note that FIG. 1 shows the switch-on function unit 501b in a hidden state.

[0020] When the driving state acquisition unit 503 acquires a signal indicating that the vehicle WV is in automatic driving or stopped, the display control unit 501 displays the switch-on function unit 501b on the video display unit 20. When the driver DR touches the switch-on function unit 501b, an inverted video is displayed on the video display unit 20. After the inverted video is displayed, the switch-on function unit 501b is hidden by the display control unit 501. When the driving state acquisition unit 503 does not acquire a signal indicating that the vehicle WV is in automatic driving or stopped, the display control unit 501 does not display the switch-on function unit 501b on the video display unit 20.

[0021] In this embodiment, by enabling the display of an inverted image when the vehicle WV is autonomously traveling or stopped, it is possible to prevent the driver DR from starting to put on makeup when the vehicle WV is not autonomously traveling or stopped. Furthermore, since the driver DR can control the display of an inverted image via the switch-on function unit 501b, if the driver DR does not want to put on makeup, the inverted image will not be displayed on the image display unit 20. In this way, the driver DR has more freedom in deciding when to put on makeup.

[0022] 1 is a functional unit for inputting an instruction to turn off the display of the inverted image. The switch-off functional unit 501c can be displayed or hidden on the image display unit 20 by the display control unit 501.

[0023] When the driver DR touches the switch-off function unit 501c, an instruction to turn off the display of the inverted image is input to the image display device 1, and the display control unit 501 hides the inverted image. When an inverted image is displayed on the inverted image display unit 501a, the switch-off function unit 501c is displayed on the image display unit 20 by the display control unit 501.

[0024] When an inverted image is displayed on the image display unit 20, the display control unit 501 causes the switch-off function unit 501c to be displayed on the image display unit 20. When an inverted image is not displayed on the image display unit 20, the display control unit 501 causes the switch-off function unit 501c not to be displayed on the image display unit 20.

[0025] The remaining seconds display unit 501d is a functional unit that displays the remaining time of the red light of the vehicle traffic light that is located in the straight-ahead direction of the vehicle WV and is closest to the vehicle WV. In FIG. 1, the remaining time of the red light is expressed as a remaining amount. It may also be expressed as the number of seconds remaining for the red light. The remaining seconds display unit 501d is displayed or hidden on the video display unit 20 by the display control unit 501.

[0026] In this embodiment, the remaining time of the red light is displayed, so that the driver DR can notice that the light has turned green. This reduces the possibility that the driver DR will cause trouble to following vehicles. In addition, the driver DR can apply makeup at leisure.

[0027] The automatic driving operation unit 501e is a functional unit for collectively controlling the automatic driving of the vehicle WV through the operation of the driver DR. "Conducting collectively" means that various control instructions for the automatic driving of the vehicle WV are given via the automatic driving operation unit 501e. In this embodiment, when automatic driving starts, the driver DR touches the automatic driving operation unit 501e, which starts the automatic driving. Furthermore, during automatic driving, the driver DR touches the automatic driving operation unit 501e, which ends the automatic driving. During automatic driving, the display control unit 501 displays functional units for controlling the automatic driving speed, braking, etc. on the video display unit 20. In this embodiment, the automatic driving operation unit 501e is displayed on the video display unit 20 by the display control unit 501.

[0028] In this embodiment, by providing the automatic driving operation unit 501e, the function of displaying a reversed image and the function of operating automatic driving can be integrated into the image display device 1. Therefore, the burden on the driver DR can be reduced compared to a configuration in which these functions are distributed among different devices in the vehicle WV.

[0029] The size change unit 501f is a functional unit for enlarging or reducing the inverted image and displaying it on the inverted image display unit 501a. The size change unit 501f is operated by the driver DR. In this embodiment, when the driver DR touches the size change unit 501f once, the inverted image is enlarged. When the driver DR touches the size change unit 501f twice, the inverted image is reduced. In this embodiment, the size change unit 501f enlarges or reduces the image, making it easier for the driver DR to apply makeup.

[0030] The map display instruction unit 501g is a functional unit for displaying a map on the inverted image display unit 501a. The map display instruction unit 501g is operated by the driver DR. Although not shown, in this embodiment, a map provided from a wireless network can be displayed on the inverted image display unit 501a. By providing the map display instruction unit 501g, the amount of eye movement of the driver DR is reduced compared to an embodiment in which the map display function is provided in a device different from the image display device 1.

[0031] The image conversion unit 502 shown in FIG. 3 prepares an inverted image by horizontally inverting the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 10. The image conversion unit 502 also receives a signal instructing the driver DR to enlarge or reduce the inverted image by operating the size change unit 501f or by voice instruction from the driver DR. Voice instructions will be described later. The image conversion unit 502 enlarges or reduces the inverted image in accordance with the received signal. The image conversion unit 502 passes the inverted image to the inverted image display unit 501a.

[0032] The driving state acquisition unit 503 acquires a signal representing the driving state of the vehicle WV from the control system of the vehicle WV. In this embodiment, the signals representing the driving state of the vehicle WV include a signal representing that the vehicle WV is driving automatically, a signal representing that the vehicle WV is stopped, a signal representing that the vehicle WV is being driven by the driver DR, and a signal representing that the vehicle WV should be driven by the driver DR. Having acquired the signal representing the driving state, the driving state acquisition unit 503 notifies the display control unit 501 of the driving state of the vehicle WV.

[0033] The automatic driving control unit 504 recognizes the automatic driving operation instruction input by the driver DR touching the automatic driving operation unit 501e, and transmits a signal indicating the instruction to the control system of the vehicle WV. The content of the operation input by the driver DR includes an operation to start automatic driving, an operation to end automatic driving, the speed of the vehicle WV during automatic driving, etc.

[0034] The remaining seconds acquisition unit 505 acquires the remaining time of the red light of the vehicle traffic light that is located in the straight-ahead direction of the vehicle WV and is closest to the vehicle WV. Specifically, first, a receiving antenna (not shown) of the vehicle WV receives a signal indicating the remaining time of the red light from a wireless antenna installed near the vehicle traffic light, and transmits the signal to the control system of the vehicle WV. Then, the remaining seconds acquisition unit 505 acquires the remaining time of the red light of the traffic light by receiving the signal from the control system of the vehicle WV. The remaining seconds acquisition unit 505 notifies the display control unit 501 of the acquired remaining time. Then, the display control unit 501 displays the remaining time on the remaining seconds display unit 501d.

[0035] The other vehicle distance acquisition unit 506 acquires the distance to the nearest other vehicle ahead of the vehicle WV in the same driving lane as the vehicle WV. Specifically, the distance to the other vehicle is first acquired using a distance measurement device such as a millimeter-wave radar, sonar, monocular camera, or LIDAR sensor mounted on the vehicle WV. The other vehicle distance acquisition unit 506 acquires the distance to the other vehicle by receiving a signal indicating the distance to the other vehicle from a control system of the vehicle WV. When an inverted image is displayed on the video display unit 20 and the other vehicle distance acquisition unit 506 has acquired a predetermined distance, the other vehicle distance acquisition unit 506 notifies the display control unit 501 of the acquisition. When an inverted image is not displayed on the video display unit 20, the other vehicle distance acquisition unit 506 does not notify the display control unit 501 of the acquisition even if the predetermined distance has been acquired.

[0036] In this embodiment, when the other vehicle ahead is a predetermined distance away, the image is hidden, thereby reducing the possibility that the driver DR will cause trouble to the following vehicle.

[0037] The voice recognition unit 507 recognizes the voice of the driver DR acquired by the voice acquisition unit 30 and reads out instructions from the driver DR. The driver DR's instructions include "display or hide the inverted image," "enlarge or reduce the inverted image," "display or hide the video," "display or hide the map," and "start or end automatic driving." The voice recognition unit 507 notifies the voice control unit 508 of the read instructions.

[0038] The voice-system control unit 508 controls the vehicle WV via the control system of the vehicle WV based on the instructions read by the voice recognition unit 507. Specifically, the voice-system control unit 508 receives the instructions from the voice recognition unit 507 and prepares a signal indicating the content of the control of the vehicle WV in accordance with the instructions. The voice-system control unit 508 transmits the signal indicating the content of the control of the vehicle WV to the control system of the vehicle WV. In this way, the voice-system control unit 508 can control the vehicle WV via the control system of the vehicle WV.

[0039] In this embodiment, the voice recognition unit 507 recognizes the voice of the driver DR, and the voice control unit 508 controls the vehicle WV based on the recognized voice, thereby saving the driver DR the trouble of operating the vehicle WV with his or her hands while applying makeup.

[0040] The audio transmitting unit 509 transmits audio data for notifying the driver DR of various messages to the audio generating unit 40. For example, before the display control unit 501 turns off the display of the inverted video, the audio transmitting unit 509 transmits audio data for notifying the driver DR that the inverted video will be turned off to the audio generating unit 40. Specifically, when the audio transmitting unit 509 receives a notification from the display control unit 501 that the inverted video will be turned off, the audio transmitting unit 509 transmits the audio data to the audio generating unit 40. When the inverted video is turned off to the audio generating unit 40, the audio transmitting unit 509 notifies the driver DR in advance that the video will not be turned off, which allows the driver DR to apply makeup with more time to spare compared to a situation in which the display of the inverted video is suddenly turned off.

[0041] Furthermore, the voice transmitting unit 509 can transmit, for example, voice data of the remaining time of the red light acquired by the remaining seconds acquiring unit 505 to the voice generating unit 40. The voice is pre-stored in the processing unit 50. The voice generating unit 40 and the voice transmitting unit 509 are collectively referred to as the "voice guidance unit."

[0042] The positional displacement creation unit 510 creates an image in which the amount of positional displacement of the driver DR's face in the images acquired by the multiple image acquisition units 10 is increased. For example, when the driver DR turns his face to the left, the positional displacement creation unit 510 creates an inverted image in which the driver DR turns his face further to the left. Then, the inverted image is displayed on the inverted image display unit 501a. Because the driver DR can see an inverted image of his face that has rotated more than the actual facial movement, the possibility of him being concerned about being seen by others can be reduced.

[0043] A2. Description of makeup using the image display device of this embodiment: Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the traveling state of the vehicle WV. ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST4 in Fig. 4 each represent the traveling state of the vehicle WV at a different time. Time passes in the order of ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST4. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the video display unit 20.

[0044] Makeup using the image display device 1 of this embodiment will be described. ST1 in FIG. 4 shows a state in which the driver DR is manually driving the vehicle WV. In ST1, the driver DR is driving the vehicle WV, so the display control unit 501 does not display the switch-on function unit 501b on the image display unit 20. Therefore, in ST1, as shown in FIG. 5, the inverted image is not displayed on the image display unit 20.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the remaining time of the red light displayed on the remaining seconds display unit 501d. ST2 in FIG. 4 shows a state in which the vehicle WV is stopped at a red light. In ST2, roadside devices WN, which are devices that transmit signals indicating the remaining time of the signal via a wireless network, are installed on the road around the traffic light. In ST2, the remaining seconds acquisition unit 505 acquires the remaining time of the red light from the roadside device WN via a wireless antenna of the vehicle (not shown). The remaining seconds acquisition unit 505 notifies the display control unit 501 to display the remaining time on the remaining seconds display unit 501d. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the remaining time of the red light is displayed on the remaining seconds display unit 501d. In addition, when the traveling state acquisition unit 503 receives a signal indicating that the vehicle WV is stopped from the control system of the vehicle WV, the display control unit 501 displays the switch-on function unit 501b on the video display unit 20.

[0046] When the driver DR touches the switch-on function unit 501b shown in FIG. 6, the reversed image display unit 501a is displayed on the image display unit 20 as shown in FIG. 1, and the reversed image is displayed. As a result, the driver DR can apply makeup. At this time, the display control unit 501 makes the switch-on function unit 501b invisible and displays the switch-off function unit 501c. At this time, the reversed image can be enlarged or reduced by the audio control unit 508 in response to a voice instruction from the driver DR, or by the driver DR touching the size change unit 501f.

[0047] In ST2 of FIG. 4, when the remaining time of the red light approaches zero, the audio guidance unit notifies the user that the display of the reversed image will end. "Approaching zero" means that it will be within a predetermined time. In this embodiment, the predetermined time is 5 seconds before the remaining time of the red light. Then, when the remaining time of the red light reaches zero, the display control unit 501 hides the reversed image.

[0048] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the switch-on function unit 501b. ST3 in Fig. 4 shows a state in which the vehicle WV is stopped at a traffic light different from that of ST2. In ST3, a roadside device WN that transmits a signal indicating the remaining time of the traffic light via a wireless network is not installed on the road. Also, in ST3, the vehicle WV and another vehicle OV ahead of the vehicle WV are separated by a predetermined distance DT1.

[0049] First, after ST2 and before ST3, as shown in Fig. 7, the display control unit 501 displays the switch-on function unit 501b on the video display unit 20. This allows the driver DR to apply makeup.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing that a display is displayed on the video display unit 20 indicating that the preceding vehicle has started moving. Next, in ST3, the other vehicle distance acquisition unit 506 acquires a predetermined distance. Then, the display control unit 501, which is notified by the other vehicle distance acquisition unit 506 that the vehicle WV is separated from the other vehicle OV ahead by the predetermined distance DT1, hides the inverted video. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, a display is displayed on the video display unit 20 indicating that the preceding vehicle has started moving.

[0051] Furthermore, immediately before the state ST3 is reached, if a device mounted on the vehicle WV for detecting whether the brake lights are on detects that the brake lights of the other vehicle OV ahead have been turned off, a signal to that effect is transmitted from the control system of the vehicle WV to the audio transmitting unit 509. Then, the audio transmitting unit 509 that has received the signal transmits audio data to the audio generating unit 40, which then notifies the audio generating unit 40 that the display of the reversed image has ended.

[0052] If the driver DR starts driving the vehicle WV before the vehicle WV is separated from the other vehicle OV ahead by a predetermined distance DT1, the driving state acquisition unit 503 acquires a signal indicating that the driver DR is driving the vehicle WV. In this case, the display control unit 501 hides the inverted image.

[0053] ST4 in FIG. 4 represents a state in which the vehicle WV is in automatic driving. The driving state is changed from that operated by the driver DR to that of automatic driving by control of the audio control unit 508 in response to the driver DR's voice or by the driver DR touching the automatic driving operation unit 501e. As described above, when the driving state acquisition unit 503 acquires a signal indicating that the vehicle WV is in automatic driving, the display control unit 501 displays the switch-on function unit 501b on the video display unit 20, as shown in FIG. 7. When the driver DR touches the switch-on function unit 501b, an instruction to turn on the display of the inverted image is input. This displays the inverted image, allowing the driver DR to apply makeup.

[0054] As described above, in this embodiment, an inverted image of the driver DR is displayed on the image display unit 20 of the image display device 1 installed on the steering device SD. The driver DR can apply makeup without turning his / her face up. The driver DR does not need to keep his / her face up, which improves the efficiency of the makeup application process. Furthermore, compared to applying makeup with his / her face up, the driver DR is less likely to be seen from outside.

[0055] The airbag device that protects the driver DR when the vehicle WV collides is housed in the instrument panel of the vehicle WV, at the feet of the driver's seat, or on the side of the steering device SD opposite to the side on which the image display unit 20 is located. When housed on the side opposite to the image display unit 20, the airbag device is activated after the image display device 1 is tilted toward the driver DR.

[0056] B. Other Embodiments: (B1) In the above embodiment, the image display device 1 was equipped with the driving condition acquisition unit 503. For example, in a mode in which an inverted image is always displayed, the image display device does not need to be equipped with the driving condition acquisition unit.

[0057] (B2) In the above embodiment, the image display device 1 includes an audio guidance unit. The image display device does not have to include an audio guidance unit. For example, when the remaining time of the red light approaches zero, the display control unit may hide the reversed image without providing a notification by the audio guidance unit.

[0058] (B3) In the above embodiment, the display control unit displayed the switch-on function unit 501b and the switch-off function unit 501c. For example, in a mode in which a voice recognition unit and a voice control unit are provided and a reversed image is displayed in response to the driver's voice, the switch-on function unit and the switch-off function unit may not be displayed.

[0059] (B4) In the above embodiment, the automatic driving operation unit 501e was provided. For example, in a case where the image display device is mounted on a vehicle that does not perform automatic driving, the image display device does not need to be provided with the automatic driving operation unit.

[0060] (B5) In the above embodiment, by including the remaining seconds acquisition unit 505 and by having the display control unit 501 display the remaining time of the red light on the remaining seconds display unit 501d, the driver DR can notice that the traffic light has changed to green. This reduces the possibility of causing inconvenience to following vehicles. For example, in a mode in which the display control unit hides the reversed image when the other vehicle distance acquisition unit acquires a predetermined distance, the image display device does not need to include the remaining seconds acquisition unit, and the remaining time does not need to be displayed on the remaining seconds display unit. Also, in the above embodiment, the predetermined time is 5 seconds before the remaining time of the red light. The predetermined time is 5 seconds before the remaining time of the red light. Note that the predetermined time may be 10 seconds or 20 seconds before the remaining time of the red light.

[0061] (B6) In the above embodiment, the image display device includes a vehicle distance acquisition unit. For example, in a configuration in which a device for detecting whether the brake lights of a vehicle ahead are on and the audio guidance unit issues a notification that the vehicle should start moving when the brake lights of the vehicle ahead are turned off, the image display device does not need to include a vehicle distance acquisition unit.

[0062] (B7) In the above embodiment, the display control unit 501 displays the size change unit 501f and the map display instruction unit 501g. For example, in a mode in which the voice recognition unit recognizes an instruction to enlarge or reduce the inverted image or to operate the map, and the voice control unit enlarges or reduces the inverted image or operates the map, the display control unit may not display the size change unit or the map display instruction unit. Alternatively, either the size change unit or the map display instruction unit may be displayed.

[0063] (B8) In the above embodiment, the voice recognition unit 507 and the voice control unit 508 are provided, which can save the driver DR from having to operate the vehicle WV with his or her hands while applying makeup. For example, in a mode in which the driver operates the vehicle by touching the video display unit with his or her hands, the video display unit does not need to be provided with the voice recognition unit and the voice control unit.

[0064] (B9) In the above embodiment, the positional displacement creating unit 510 is provided. However, the positional displacement creating unit does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0065] (B10) In the above embodiment, the vehicle WV is capable of autonomous driving. However, the vehicle may not be autonomous and may run only under the control of the driver.

[0066] (B11) In the above embodiment, the image display device 1 is equipped with three cameras as the image acquisition unit 10. Note that the image display device may be equipped with one, five, or other number of image acquisition units other than three. A plurality of inverted images obtained by horizontally inverting a plurality of images acquired by a plurality of image acquisition units may be arranged and displayed on the image display unit.

[0067] (B12) In the above embodiment, the image acquisition unit 10 is built into the image display device 1. The image acquisition unit may be connected to the image display device, so that the image display device is provided with the image acquisition unit. The angle and position of the image acquisition unit may be changed by the driver's operation.

[0068] (B13) In the above embodiment, the video display unit 20 is a liquid crystal display. However, other displays such as an organic EL display or a plasma display may also be used as the video display unit.

[0069] (B14) In the above embodiment, the voice acquisition unit 30 is a microphone built into the video display device 1. The voice acquisition unit may be a microphone worn by the driver, and may transmit voice to the video display device wirelessly.

[0070] (B15) In the above embodiment, the inverted image display section 501a is displayed in the center of the image display section 20. The inverted image display section may be positioned closer to the top, bottom, left, or right of the image display section. Also, in a mode in which, for example, the driver's instructions are read by a voice recognition section and the vehicle is controlled by a voice-related control section, the inverted image display section may be positioned in a size that overlaps the entire image display section.

[0071] (B16) In the above embodiment, a map provided from a wireless network is displayed on the reverse image display section 501a. Note that a map that has been stored in the image display device in advance may also be displayed on the reverse image display section.

[0072] (B17) In the above embodiment, content such as maps, videos, and SNS is displayed within the frame of inverted image display section 501a. Note that such content may also be displayed in a part of the image display section other than the inverted image display section.

[0073] (B18) In the above embodiment, when the driver DR touches the size change section 501f once, the inverted image is enlarged. When the driver DR touches the size change section 501f twice, the inverted image is reduced. Note that the operation may be performed in a different manner, for example, when the driver slides the size change section, the inverted image is enlarged.

[0074] (B19) The image display device may further include a monitoring unit. If the monitoring unit detects from the image acquired by the image acquisition unit that the driver is looking away or falling asleep at the wheel, it transmits a signal to the vehicle's control system indicating switching to automatic driving or stopping the vehicle. Because the image acquisition unit can monitor the driver, costs can be reduced compared to an embodiment in which a device for monitoring the driver is installed in addition to the image display device.

[0075] (B20) In the above embodiment, in ST1 of FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 5, the inverted image is not displayed on the video display unit 20. At this time, for example, a map may be displayed on the video display unit. In ST2 of FIG. 4, if the switch-on function unit 501b is displayed on the video display unit 20, the map is hidden by the display control unit 501.

[0076] (B21) The displays on the video display unit in Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 8 are examples. The displays on the video display unit are not limited to those shown in the figures.

[0077] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the technical features in the embodiments can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-described problems or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1...video display device, 10...video acquisition unit, 20...video display unit, 30...audio acquisition unit, 40...audio generation unit, 50...processing unit, 501...display control unit, 501a...inverted image display unit, 501b...switch-on function unit, 501c...switch-off function unit, 501d...remaining seconds display unit, 501e...automatic driving operation unit, 501f...size change unit, 501g...map display instruction unit, 502...video conversion unit, 503...driving status acquisition unit, 504...automatic driving control unit, 505...remaining seconds acquisition unit, 506...other vehicle distance acquisition unit, 507...voice recognition unit, 508...audio control unit, 509...voice transmission unit, 510...position displacement creation unit, DR...driver, OV...other vehicle, SD...steering device, WN...roadside device, WV...vehicle

Claims

1. An image display device installed on a steering device of a vehicle, an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of the driver; a video display unit disposed opposite the driver; a display control unit that displays an inverted image, which is an image obtained by inverting the image acquired by the image acquisition unit in a horizontal direction, on the image display unit; a running state acquisition unit that acquires a signal representing a running state of the vehicle; The display control unit When the driving state acquisition unit acquires a signal indicating that the vehicle is in automatic driving or stopped, the video display unit can display the inverted video, When the inverted image is displayed on the image display unit and the driving state acquisition unit acquires a signal indicating that the vehicle is being driven by the driver or should be driven by the driver, the inverted image is hidden; The display control unit a switch-on function unit that can be displayed or hidden on the video display unit, and that is used to input an instruction to turn on the display of the inverted video; When the driving state acquisition unit acquires a signal indicating that the vehicle is in automatic driving or stopped, the switch-on function unit is displayed on the video display unit; An image display device that does not display the switch-on function unit on the image display unit when the driving state acquisition unit does not acquire a signal indicating that the vehicle is in automatic driving or stopped.

2. 2. The image display device according to claim 1, a voice guidance unit that notifies by voice, before the display control unit makes the inverted image invisible, that the inverted image will be made invisible.

3. 2. The image display device according to claim 1, The display control unit is capable of displaying on the image display unit an automatic driving operation unit for controlling the automatic driving of the vehicle in a single operation by the driver.

4. 2. The image display device according to claim 1, Further, a remaining second acquisition unit is provided that acquires the remaining time of a red signal of a traffic signal for vehicles that is located in a straight direction of the vehicle and closest to the vehicle, The video display device, wherein the display control unit is capable of displaying a remaining seconds display unit for displaying the remaining time of a red light acquired by the remaining seconds acquisition unit on the video display unit.

5. 2. The image display device according to claim 1, Further, a vehicle distance acquisition unit is provided for acquiring a distance between the vehicle and the nearest vehicle ahead of the vehicle in the same lane as the vehicle, The display control unit, when the inverted image is displayed on the image display unit, does not display the inverted image when the other vehicle distance acquisition unit acquires a predetermined distance.

6. 2. The image display device according to claim 1, The display control unit is operable by the driver to display a size change unit on the image display unit for enlarging or reducing the inverted image and displaying it on the image display unit.

7. 2. The image display device according to claim 1, The display control unit is operable by the driver to display a map on the video display unit.

8. 2. The image display device according to claim 1, a voice recognition unit that recognizes the driver's voice and reads the driver's instructions; a voice control unit that controls the vehicle based on instructions read by the voice recognition unit.

9. An image display device installed on a steering device of a vehicle, a plurality of image acquisition units for acquiring images of the driver; a video display unit disposed opposite the driver; a display control unit that displays an inverted image, which is an image obtained by inverting the image acquired by the image acquisition unit in a horizontal direction, on the image display unit; and a position displacement creation unit that creates an image of the driver's face in which the amount of rotational displacement in the left-right direction of the face in the images acquired by the multiple image acquisition units is greater than the actual amount of rotational displacement.

Images