Display system

Abstract

To provide a display system that excels in information transmissibility.SOLUTION: The display system comprises: a first display 20 that shows an image in a first display region 8 so as to be visually recognized at the position of a first display distance with respect to a sight line 4a of a driver 4 of a host vehicle 1; a second display 30 that shows an image in a second display region 9 that is different from the first display region 8 so as to be visually recognized at the position of a second display distance with respect to the sight line 4a of the driver 4 that is larger than the first display distance; and a display control unit that executes an awareness raising process of showing a warning image 97 in the second display region 9 when a first condition is met, moving the warning image 87 to the first display region 8 and shows it there when a second condition whose warning degree is higher than that of the first condition is met after the first condition is met, with the warning image 87 updated thereafter to an updated warning image 187 that is the same as or different from the warning image 87, and thereafter moving the updated warning image 187 to the second display region 9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display system for vehicles or the like having a plurality of displays.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a plurality of displays are arranged at a plurality of locations inside a vehicle, and information is displayed by linking the plurality of displays.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Today, vehicles are equipped with a head-up display capable of displaying information in various display modes and a large display panel capable of displaying a lot of information. Along with this, the amount of information that can be transmitted to the driver and the types of information are increasing. Along with this, there is a demand for the display device to transmit necessary information to the driver with good visibility at necessary timings.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a display system excellent in information transmission performance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the display system of this disclosure includes: a first display unit 20 that displays an image in a first display area 8 so that it is visible at a first display distance relative to the line of sight 4a of the driver 4 of the vehicle 1; a second display unit 30 that displays an image in a second display area 9 different from the first display area 8 so that it is visible at a second display distance greater than the first display distance relative to the line of sight 4a of the driver 4; and a display control unit that performs recognition enhancement processing, which displays a warning image 97 in the second display area 9 when a first condition is met, moves the warning image 87 to the first display area 8 and displays it when a second condition is met, which is a situation with a higher degree of warning than the first condition after the first condition has been met, then updates the warning image 87 to an updated warning image 187 which is the same as or different from the warning image 87, and then moves the updated warning image 187 to the second display area 9. After the warning image 87 moves to the first display area 8, it moves to a position outside the lane marking image 84, and then the updated warning image 187 moves toward the warning image 87 along the lane marking image 84 and overlaps with it, at which point it is updated. Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the display system of this disclosure includes a first display unit 20 that displays an image in a first display area 8 so that it can be seen at a first display distance relative to the line of sight 4a of the driver 4 of the vehicle 1; a second display unit 30 that displays an image in a second display area 9 different from the first display area 8 so that it can be seen at a second display distance greater than the first display distance relative to the line of sight 4a of the driver 4; and when the first condition is met, a warning image 97 is displayed in the second display area 9; when the first condition is met and then the second condition is met, which is a situation with a higher degree of warning than the first condition, the warning image 87 is moved and displayed in the first display area 8; and thereafter, the warning image 87 is the same as or different from the warning image 87. The system includes a display control unit that performs a recognition enhancement process, which updates the warning image 87 to an updated warning image 187, and then moves the updated warning image 187 to the second display area 9, wherein the warning image 87 and the updated warning image 187 are images showing information about traffic information located in front of the vehicle 1, the first condition is that the display control unit detects the traffic information that should be notified to the driver 4, and the second condition is that the distance between the traffic information and the vehicle 1 is less than or equal to a predetermined distance which is less than the distance between the traffic information and the vehicle 1 when the traffic information was detected, and the display control unit performs the recognition enhancement process if the second condition is met after the first condition is met. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The display system described in this disclosure offers excellent information transmission capabilities. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the display system in this embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of a display using two indicators. [Figure 3] A flowchart illustrating the cognitive enhancement process performed by the main control unit. [Figure 4] An explanatory diagram showing an example of the display before the recognition processing is performed, as a concrete example. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates an example of displaying a warning image in step S2 of the cognitive decline processing, as a concrete example. [Figure 6] An explanatory diagram showing other examples of how warning images are displayed in step S4 of the cognitive decline processing as a concrete example. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates an example of displaying a warning image in step S4 of the cognitive decline processing, as a concrete example. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates an example of displaying a warning image in step S4 of the awareness-raising process as a concrete example. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates an example of displaying a warning image in step S4 of the awareness-raising process as a concrete example. [Figure 10] An explanatory diagram showing an example of the display of a warning image in steps S4 and S5 of the awareness-raising process as a concrete example. [Figure 11] This diagram illustrates an example of displaying a warning image in step S5 of the awareness-raising process as a concrete example. [Figure 12] This diagram illustrates an example of displaying a warning image in step S5 of the awareness-raising process as a concrete example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the display system of this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The display system of this disclosure can be applied to display systems mounted on vehicles such as automobiles and motorcycles, as well as on ships, agricultural machinery, and construction machinery. In this embodiment, the display system of this disclosure will be described using an example in which the display system of this disclosure is mounted on a vehicle and has two head-up displays (HUDs) that display required information based on various information acquired from the vehicle.

[0010] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the display system 10 in this embodiment. Figure 2 shows an example of a display using two indicators.

[0011] In the following explanation, "front," "back," "up," "down," "right," and "left" follow the definitions "Fr.", "Re.", "To.", "Bo.", "R," and "L" in Figures 1 and 2.

[0012] The display system 10 is mounted within the instrument panel 2 of the vehicle 1 (the vehicle itself). The display system 10 includes an upper HUD 20, a lower HUD 30, and a main control unit 40.

[0013] The upper HUD 20 (first display) is disposed forward with respect to the steering wheel 5 and irradiates the windshield 3 with display light L1. The reflected display light L1 is reflected by the windshield 3 toward the driver 4 side, allowing the driver 4 to visually recognize an image formed by a virtual image V1 in front of the vehicle 1. The image displayed by the upper HUD 20 is, for example, displayed within the virtual upper HUD display area 8 (first display area) of FIG. 2 and is visually recognized in a superimposed manner with the forward scenery such as the road surface.

[0014] The lower HUD 30 (second display) is disposed further forward (in a direction away from the driver 4) than the upper HUD 20 and irradiates the display light L2 to a light-shielding portion 3a formed around the windshield 3. The light-shielding portion 3a is a portion made of a light-shielding color such as black, which is made of black ceramics or the like. The light-shielding portion 3a is formed for the purpose of preventing deterioration of the adhesive that fixes the windshield 3 to the vehicle 1 due to sunlight, concealing the adhesive, improving the design, and the like. The reflected display light L2 is reflected by the light-shielding portion 3a toward the driver 4 side, allowing the driver 4 to visually recognize an image formed by a virtual image V2 in front of the vehicle 1. The image displayed by the lower HUD 30 is, for example, displayed within a virtual lower HUD display area 9 (second display area) different from the upper HUD display area 8 of FIG. 2 and is visually recognized in front of the light-shielding portion 3a.

[0015] The upper HUD 20 displays an image by a virtual image V1 at a position of a distance d1 (first display distance) in the vertical direction with respect to the line of sight 4a assumed during normal driving (driving) of the driver 4 so that the image is visible. Further, the lower HUD 30 displays an image by a virtual image V2 at a position of a distance d2 (second display distance) greater than the distance d1 with respect to the line of sight 4a of the driver 4 so that the image is visible. That is, for the driver 4, the moving distance for shifting the line of sight 4a to the image related to the display light L2 is greater than the moving distance for shifting the line of sight 4a to the image related to the display light L1. In other words, the angle θ2 formed between the direction of the line of sight 4a and the line of sight direction for viewing the image by the virtual image V2 is greater than the angle θ1 formed between the direction of the line of sight 4a and the line of sight direction for viewing the image by the virtual image V1. For this reason, the driver 4 views the image displayed by the lower HUD 30 at a position farther from the line of sight 4a than the image displayed by the upper HUD 20 and below the image displayed by the upper HUD 20.

[0016] Also, in the present embodiment, the upper HUD 20 forms the virtual image V1 in front of the virtual image V2 formed by the lower HUD 30. That is, the image by the virtual image V1 is visible at a position far from the driver 4 in the front-rear direction, and the image by the virtual image V, is visible at a position close to the driver 4 in the front-rear direction.

[0017] The display surfaces, which serve as the upper HUD display area 8 and the lower HUD display area 9, are surfaces having four sides: top, bottom, left, and right. For example, the bottom sides 8a, 9a and the top sides 8b, 9b are substantially parallel in the left-right direction. The left sides 8c, 9c and the right sides 8d, 9d are surfaces set at an arbitrary angle with respect to the vertical direction. For example, the display surface is formed such that the left sides 8c, 9c and the right sides 8d, 9d are surfaces that follow the vertical direction (surfaces perpendicular to the road surface), inclined surfaces that are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction (surfaces inclined with respect to the road surface), or surfaces that follow the front-back direction (surfaces superimposed on the road surface (subjectively parallel)). Alternatively, the display surface may be formed such that the left sides 8c, 9c and the right sides 8d, 9d are curves that follow the vertical direction on the side closer to the viewer and follow the front-back direction as they move away. On a display surface other than one perpendicular to the road surface, the display distance between the driver 4 and the virtual images V1 and V2 varies depending on the display position on the display surface, and an image expressing a sense of depth can be displayed. For example, if the display surface is inclined such that the left sides 8c and 9c and the right sides 8d and 9d are inclined such that the upper sides 8b and 9b are positioned in front of the lower sides 8a and 9a, the driver 4 can perceive depth on the display surface.

[0018] Furthermore, information regarding the driver's line of sight 4a (viewpoint) for calculating the display distance of the image may be pre-set and held by the main control unit 40, etc., or if the vehicle 1 or the display system 10 has a sensor for detecting the driver's line of sight, it may be detected by this sensor.

[0019] The upper HUD 20 includes a display unit 21, a concave mirror 22, a housing 24, and an upper HUD display control unit 25.

[0020] The display unit 21 emits display light L1 toward the concave mirror 22. The display unit 21 is, for example, a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) type liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display. The display unit 21 may also have a projector and a screen that constitutes the display surface.

[0021] The concave mirror 22 reflects the display light L1 emitted from the display unit 21 toward the windshield 3. The concave mirror 22 also functions as a magnifying mirror, magnifying the image displayed on the display unit 21 and reflecting it toward the windshield 3. In other words, the driver 4 sees a magnified image of the image displayed on the display unit 21.

[0022] The housing 24 supports a control board on which a concave mirror 22, a display unit 21, and an upper HUD display control unit 25 are mounted.

[0023] The upper HUD display control unit 25 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and performs predetermined calculation processing according to the program written in the ROM. Specifically, the upper HUD display control unit 25 controls the display unit 21 to display the required image based on instructions from the main control unit 40.

[0024] The lower HUD 30 includes a display unit 31, a housing 34, and a lower HUD display control unit 35.

[0025] The display unit 31 emits display light L2 directly onto the light-shielding section 3a outside the housing 34. The display unit 31 has a configuration similar to, for example, the upper HUD 20. As a result, the driver 4 can see the image displayed on the display unit 31 and reflected by the light-shielding section 3a.

[0026] The housing 34 supports a control board on which the display unit 31 and the lower HUD display control unit 35 are mounted.

[0027] The lower HUD display control unit 35 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and performs predetermined calculation processing according to the program written in the ROM. Specifically, the lower HUD display control unit 35 controls the display unit 31 to display the required image based on instructions from the main control unit 40.

[0028] The main control unit 40 controls the upper HUD 20 and lower HUD 30, in particular, based on information acquired from various parts of the vehicle 1, which will be described later. The main control unit 40 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and executes predetermined calculation processing and display control processing, which will be described later, according to the program written in the ROM.

[0029] Vehicle 1 includes, in addition to the display system 10, a surrounding information acquisition unit 51, an external information acquisition unit 52, a car navigation system 53, and a vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 54. Each unit and the main control unit 40 are connected, for example, via a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus 50.

[0030] The surrounding information acquisition unit 51 acquires information about the area (external) surrounding the vehicle 1. The surrounding information acquisition unit 51 communicates with the vehicle 1 and the wireless network, with other vehicles, with pedestrians, and with roadside infrastructure. For example, the surrounding information acquisition unit 51 is equipped with a communication module that can directly access a WAN (Wide Area Network), a communication module for communicating with external devices (such as mobile routers) that can access the WAN, and public wireless LAN (Local Area Network) access points, and performs internet communication. The surrounding information acquisition unit 51 is also equipped with a wireless communication module that conforms to a predetermined wireless communication standard. Furthermore, the surrounding information acquisition unit 51 has a communication device that wirelessly communicates with roadside infrastructure, and for example, acquires object information and traffic information from a base station of a Driving Safety Support Systems (DSSS) via roadside wireless devices deployed as infrastructure.

[0031] The external information acquisition unit 52 detects the contents and locations of objects such as people, structures, and other vehicles in the external environment surrounding the vehicle 1, including above, below, in front of, behind, and to the left and right of the vehicle 1. The external information acquisition unit 52 includes, for example, a stereo camera that captures the scenery around the vehicle 1, a distance measuring sensor such as LIDAR (Laser Imaging Detection And Ranging) that measures the distance from the vehicle 1 to an object, sonar, ultrasonic sensors, and millimeter-wave radar that detect objects located around the vehicle 1.

[0032] The car navigation system 53 has a GPS controller that calculates the position of vehicle 1 based on GPS (Global Positioning System) signals received from artificial satellites or the like. The car navigation system 53 has a storage unit that stores map data, and based on the position information from the GPS controller, it reads map data near the current position from the storage unit and determines a guidance route to the destination set by the user. The car navigation system 53 outputs information regarding the current position of vehicle 1 and the determined guidance route to the main control unit 40.

[0033] Furthermore, the car navigation system 53 outputs information to the main control unit 40 indicating the name and type of facilities in front of the vehicle 1, the distance between the facilities and the vehicle 1, etc., by referring to map data. The map data associates various types of information with location data, such as road shape information (lanes, road width, number of lanes, intersections, curves, forks, etc.), traffic information such as road signs including speed limits, road closures, alternating one-way traffic, speed restrictions, etc., and information about each lane when there are multiple lanes. The car navigation system 53 outputs all of this information to the main control unit 40. Note that the car navigation system 53 is not limited to being installed in the vehicle 1, but may also be implemented by a mobile terminal with car navigation functionality (e.g., a smartphone or tablet PC (Personal Computer)) that communicates with the main control unit 40 by wire or wireless connection.

[0034] The vehicle ECU 54 acquires vehicle information necessary for the operation of vehicle 1, such as vehicle speed and engine speed, from various sensors installed on vehicle 1, and controls the operation of vehicle 1. The vehicle ECU 54 outputs necessary vehicle information, such as vehicle speed and warning information for vehicle 1 itself (e.g., low fuel, abnormal engine oil pressure), to the main control unit 40.

[0035] Next, the display control of images by the display system 10 will be described in detail. The display system 10 performs recognition enhancement processing when predetermined conditions are met.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, this is a flowchart illustrating the awareness-raising process performed by the main control unit 40. The awareness-raising process is as follows: If the first condition is met (YES in step S1), a warning image is displayed in the lower HUD display area 9 (step S2); if the second condition, which is a situation with a higher warning level than the first condition, is met after the first condition is met (YES in step S3), the warning image is moved and displayed in the upper HUD display area 8 (step S4); and then the warning image is moved (returned) and displayed in the lower HUD display area 9 (step S5).

[0037] In other words, the display system 10 in this embodiment has an upper HUD 20 that displays an image at a position where the amount of eye movement from the driver's line of sight 4a is small (close position) and is easily recognized by the driver 4, and a lower HUD 30 that displays an image at a position where the amount of eye movement from the line of sight 4a is larger than that of the upper HUD 20 (far position) and is relatively less easily recognized by the driver 4. The display system 10 can coordinate the upper HUD 20 and the lower HUD 30 so that in situations with a high degree of warning, it can display the information on the easily recognizable upper HUD 20 and appropriately convey information to the driver 4. The recognition enhancement process shown in Figures 3 to 12 will be explained below using specific examples.

[0038] [Specific example] A concrete example is the recognition enhancement process that is executed when the upper HUD20 and lower HUD30 display warning images (sign images 87 and 97) indicating traffic information located ahead. The following explanation uses an example where the traffic information is a road sign indicating a speed limit.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the lower HUD display area 9 displays an image of the vehicle 1 (vehicle 91), a vehicle speed image (92) related to vehicle speed information acquired from the vehicle ECU (ECU)

[0040] Furthermore, the lower HUD display area 9 displays a sign image 97 related to information about road signs currently applied to the vehicle 1 in motion, at the appropriate time. In this specific example, the sign image 97 is a speed limit sign indicating a 100 km / h speed limit. The content of the road sign may also be a regulatory sign indicating prohibitions such as no overtaking, or information about other road signs. Multiple sign images 97 may be displayed in the lower HUD display area 9, and in this case, it is preferable that the sign image 97 related to the speed limit, which is of high importance, is displayed in the central part of the lower HUD display area 9, in an area that is easily recognized by the driver 4. At this time, the upper HUD display area 8 does not have any information to promote recognition, so no images are displayed there.

[0041] The main control unit 40 determines whether the first condition is met, which is that the surrounding information acquisition unit 51 or the external information acquisition unit 52 has detected traffic information related to road signs or traffic regulations located in front of the vehicle 1, or that the car navigation system 53 has acquired traffic information related to road signs or traffic regulations located in front of the vehicle 1 (step S1 in Figure 3). If the main control unit 40 determines that the first condition is not met (NO in step S1), it waits until the second condition is met.

[0042] If the main control unit 40 determines that the first condition is met (YES in step S1), it controls the lower HUD display control unit 35 to enlarge and display the sign image 97 at the same position, as shown in Figure 5 (step S2). At the same time, the lower HUD display control unit 35 reduces the brightness (luminance) of displays other than the sign image 97. At this time, the lower HUD display control unit 35 may make the sign image 97 flash to further alert the driver 4 that a road sign is approaching.

[0043] The main control unit 40 determines whether the second condition, that the distance between the road sign and the vehicle 1 is less than or equal to a predetermined distance, is met (step S3 in Figure 3). The predetermined distance is a distance smaller than the distance between the road sign and the vehicle 1 when the road sign was detected. In other words, the main control unit 40 determines whether the situation is one in which the warning level is higher than when the first condition, which allows the driver 4 to recognize the timing when the sign image 97 displayed in the lower HUD display area 9 will be updated, is met, and whether the timing for applying the speed limit, which is the content of the road sign, has arrived (the timing is approaching).

[0044] If the main control unit 40 determines that the second condition is not met (NO in step S3), it maintains the display of the indicator image 97 in the lower HUD display area 9. On the other hand, if the main control unit 40 determines that the second condition is met (YES in step S3), as shown in Figure 6, it controls the lower HUD display control unit 35 to move the indicator image 97 toward the upper HUD display area 8, so that it is cut off from the upper edge 9b of the lower HUD display area 9. As soon as the indicator image 97 is completely removed from the lower HUD display area 9, the lower HUD display control unit 35 restores the brightness of the displays other than the indicator image 97 to their original levels and displays them.

[0045] The upper HUD display control unit 25 displays the sign image 87 by moving it linearly vertically while gradually making it appear from the lower edge 8a of the upper HUD display area 8 as soon as the sign image 97 is completely erased from the lower HUD display area 9. The sign image 87 displayed at this time is formed to appear to the driver 4 as the same size as the enlarged sign image 97. The upper HUD display control unit 25 also makes the sign image 87 appear from a position directly above the position where the sign image 97 was displayed in the lower HUD display area 9 (same position horizontally). At this time, the upper HUD display control unit 25 may make the sign image 87 flash to make the driver 4 even more aware that a road sign is approaching.

[0046] Furthermore, in order to make the sign image 87 appear to be the same size as the enlarged sign image 97 as seen from the driver's perspective (4), the size of the sign image 87 actually displayed in the upper HUD display area 8 is made smaller than the size of the sign image 97 actually displayed in the lower HUD display area 9.

[0047] In this way, by making it appear as if the sign image 97 is moving toward the sign image 87, the sense of synchronization between the upper HUD 20 and the lower HUD 30 can be improved.

[0048] As shown in Figure 6, the upper HUD display control unit 25 displays a lane marking image 84 that mimics a lane marking superimposed on the lane markings on the road surface in front of the vehicle 1, after a predetermined time (within 1 second) has passed since the sign image 87 was displayed on the lower edge 8a of the upper HUD display area 8. As shown in Figure 7, the upper HUD display control unit 25 moves the sign image 87 linearly to a position outside the lane marking image 84 (to the left edge 8c side of the lane marking image 84) after a predetermined time (within 1 second) has passed since the lane marking image 84 was displayed on the upper HUD display area 8.

[0049] As shown in Figure 8, the upper HUD display control unit 25 displays an updated sign image (updated warning image) 187, which is different from the sign image 87, and an associated line 188 on the driving lane, at a position outside and above the lane marking image 84 (on the upper edge 8b side of the lane marking image 84), after a predetermined time (within 1 second) when the sign image 87 has moved to a position outside the lane marking image 84. In this specific example, the updated sign image 187 is a speed limit sign with a speed limit of 80 km / h.

[0050] As shown in Figure 9, the upper HUD display control unit 25 moves the updated indicator image 187 linearly along the demarcation line image 84 toward the indicator image 87 after a predetermined time (within 1 second) has elapsed since the updated indicator image 187 was displayed in the upper HUD display area 8.

[0051] At this time, as the vehicle 1 moves and approaches the road sign, the upper HUD display control unit 25 moves the updated sign image 187 closer to the sign image 87. In this way, the upper HUD display control unit 25 makes the driver 4 aware that the road sign that will be applied is approaching the vehicle 1. Subsequently, when the distance between the road sign and the vehicle 1 is close (approximately 30m), the upper HUD display control unit 25 overlays the updated sign image 187 and the sign image 87. When both are complete, it erases the sign image 87 and replaces it with the updated sign image 187, making the driver 4 aware that the road sign has been changed. The upper HUD display control unit 25 erases the line 188 at the same time as the sign image 87 is erased.

[0052] Here, the upper HUD display control unit 25 may flash the updated sign image 187 or the line 188 to further make the driver 4 aware that the updated sign image 187 is moving.

[0053] As shown in Figure 10, the upper HUD display control unit 25 moves the updated sign image 187 linearly along the lane marking image 84 toward the lower HUD display area 9 to the bottom edge 8a after a predetermined time (3 to 5 seconds) when the updated sign image 187 overlaps with the sign image 87, and when the vehicle 1 passes the road sign.

[0054] Simultaneously, the lower HUD display control unit 35 moves the pair of vehicle speed images 92 to the left edge 9c and the right edge 9d, respectively, and forms a display space where the vehicle speed images 92 were previously displayed.

[0055] Once the updated sign image 187 has moved to the bottom edge 8a and the vehicle speed image 92 has moved to the left edge 9c, the upper HUD display control unit 25 moves the updated sign image 187 toward the lower HUD display area 9, causing the updated sign image 187 to be cut off from the bottom edge 8a of the upper HUD display area 8. The upper HUD display control unit 25 cuts off the updated sign image 187 by moving it diagonally downward along the virtual extension line of the lane marking image 84 in the upper HUD display area 8.

[0056] When the updated sign image 187 disappears from the upper HUD display area 8, the lower HUD display control unit 35 displays the updated sign image (updated warning image) 197, gradually making it appear from the upper edge 9b of the lower HUD display area 9. The updated sign image 197 moves to the same vertical position as the position where the sign image 97 was placed before the first condition was met. At this time, the updated sign image 197 is formed so that it appears to the driver 4 as the same size as the updated sign image 187. When the updated sign image 187 disappears from the upper HUD display area 8, the upper HUD display control unit 25 erases the lane marking image 84.

[0057] Furthermore, in order to make the updated sign image 197 appear to the driver 4 as the same size as the updated sign image 187, the size of the updated sign image 197 actually displayed in the lower HUD display area 9 is made larger than the size of the updated sign image 187 actually displayed in the upper HUD display area 8.

[0058] In this way, by making it appear as if the updated sign image 187 is moving toward the updated sign image 197, the sense of synchronization between the displays of the upper HUD 20 and the lower HUD 30 can be improved.

[0059] As shown in Figure 11, the lower HUD display control unit 35 moves the updated indicator image 197 linearly to the position where the indicator image 97 was located before the first condition was met, after a predetermined time (within 1 second) has elapsed since the updated indicator image 197 was displayed on the upper edge 9b of the lower HUD display area 9.

[0060] As shown in Figure 12, after a predetermined time (within 1 second) has elapsed since the updated sign image 197 moved, the vehicle speed image 92 is returned to its original position, and the updated sign image 197 is displayed at the same position but reduced to the same size as the sign image 97 before the first condition was met.

[0061] As a result, the main control unit 40 can make it appear as if the sign image 97, which was displayed in the lower HUD display area 9, has moved to the upper HUD display area 8, been updated, and returned to the lower HUD display area 9. In other words, the main control unit 40 displays the sign image 97 in the upper HUD display area 8 to the driver 4 as a warning in order to improve the recognition of the road sign that will be applied. As a result, the display system 10 can effectively utilize the upper HUD 20 and the lower HUD 30 and appropriately convey the necessary information to the driver 4.

[0062] Although road signs related to speed limits were used as examples for sign images 87 and 97, multiple types of road signs may be displayed as sign images 87 and 97 in the upper HUD display area 8 and the lower HUD display area 9. For example, if a speed limit sign image 97 and a no-passing sign image are displayed in the lower HUD display area 9, and there is a speed limit road sign that changes the current speed limit and a road sign of the same type as the no-passing sign image (for example, a no-parking sign) ahead, the upper HUD display control unit 25 may display multiple sign images located ahead in the upper HUD display area 8. When moving each sign image, the upper HUD display control unit 25 can improve the visual effect by moving diagonally downward toward the corresponding sign images of the same type in the lower HUD display area 9 to create a sense of depth.

[0063] As another example, when the main control unit 40 is displaying a sign image 97 in the lower HUD display area 9, if the vehicle 1 complies with the content of the sign image 97, the main control unit 40 may consider that the driver 4 has recognized the sign image 97 and turn off the sign image 97 in the lower HUD display area 9. Specifically, when a sign image 97 related to a 100 km / h speed limit is displayed in the lower HUD display area 9, if the vehicle speed falls below 100 km / h, the lower HUD display control unit 35 may turn off the sign image 97.

[0064] When the lower HUD display control unit 35 turns off the sign image 97, it may also display the current vehicle speed along with the sign image 97 to notify the vehicle that the vehicle speed is within the speed limit indicated by the sign image 97. In addition, or instead of this, when the lower HUD display control unit 35 turns off the sign image 97, it may further notify the vehicle that it is within the speed limit by performing visual effects such as lighting up, making the sign image 97 bold, flashing, rotating, or bouncing.

[0065] Furthermore, if the main control unit 40 detects that the vehicle speed does not conform to the sign image 97 displayed in the lower HUD display area 9, it may perform recognition enhancement processing even if the updated sign image 187 is the same sign as the sign image 87.

[0066] The main control unit 40 displays the sign image 97 currently applied to vehicle 1 in the lower HUD display area 9 (YES in step S1 and step S2 in Figure 3). The main control unit 40 determines whether the second condition, that vehicle 1 is deviating from the current speed limit displayed in the sign image 97, is met (step S3 in Figure 3). For example, the main control unit 40 determines whether the speed limit is being exceeded or whether the set speed of the adaptive cruise control exceeds the speed limit.

[0067] If the main control unit 40 determines that the second condition is met (YES in step S3), it controls the lower HUD display control unit 35 as described in the recognition enhancement process above, and moves the sign image 97 toward the upper HUD display area 8 (step S4 in Figure 3). Subsequently, it controls the upper HUD display control unit 25 to display the sign image 87 near the lower edge 8a of the upper HUD display area 8, moves the sign image 87 to a position outside the lane line image 84, replaces the sign image 87 with the updated sign image 187 which is the same sign, and moves the updated sign image 187 toward the lower HUD display area 9 (step S5 in Figure 3). Subsequently, it controls the lower HUD display control unit 35 to move the updated sign image 197 to the position where the sign image 97 was located, and shrinks the updated sign image 197 to the same size as the previous sign image 97. By displaying the sign image 97 as the sign image 87 in the upper HUD display area 8, the display system 10 can improve the recognition of the warning and appropriately communicate it to the driver 4.

[0068] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents.

[0069] For example, although we have described an example where both the first and second displays are HUDs, one or both may also display a real image on a display panel such as a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) type liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display.

[0070] Furthermore, although an example was described in which the projection members of the upper HUD20 and lower HUD30 are windshields 3, a combiner may be used instead of, or in conjunction with, these projection members.

[0071] The first and second conditions and warning images used in the specific example are merely examples, and the content of the conditions and warning images can be set as appropriate. When information (images) displayed in the lower HUD display area 9 (second display area) moves to the upper HUD display area 8 (first display area) and is displayed there, or when information displayed in the upper HUD display area 8 (first display area) moves to the lower HUD display area 9 (second display area) and is displayed there, it is not necessary for the information to move within the upper HUD display area 8 or lower HUD display area 9. It may simply turn off in place without moving and then reappear in the lower HUD display area 9 or upper HUD display area 8. In that case, the turning off and reappearance of the information may or may not be accompanied by effects such as fade-out or fade-in.

[0072] In a specific example, as shown in Figure 7, in the upper HUD display area 8, the indicator image 87 was moved from the lower edge 8a of the upper HUD display area 8 to a position outside the boundary line image 84 before being replaced with the updated indicator image 187. However, it may also be replaced with the updated indicator image 187 at the lower edge 8a without moving. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 1. Vehicle (Own vehicle) 2. Instrument Panel 3 Windshield 3a Light shielding part 4. Driver 4a line of sight 5. Steering wheel 8 Upper HUD display area (first display area) 9 Lower HUD display area (second display area) 8a, 9a bottom edge 8b, 9b upper edge 8c, 9c Left side 8d, 9d Right side 10 Display Systems 20 Upper HUD (first display) 21, 31 Display 22 concave mirror 24, 34 cabinets 25 Upper HUD display control unit 30 Lower HUD (second display) 35 Lower HUD display control unit 40 Main control unit 50 CAN bus 51 Peripheral Information Acquisition Unit 52 External Information Acquisition Unit 53 Car Navigation System 54 Vehicle ECU 84, 94 Pavement line images 86, 86a, 86b, 96 Front vehicle image 87, 97 Sign images (warning images) Images of approaching vehicles from the rear (88, 98) 89 Warning images 91 Image of my vehicle 92 Vehicle speed image 95 Rear vehicle image 187, 197 Updated sign images Line 188 L1, L2 display light V1, V2 virtual images d1, d2 distance θ1, θ2 angle

Claims

1. A first display unit that displays an image in a first display area so that it is visible at a first display distance relative to the driver's line of sight of the vehicle, A second display device that displays an image in a second display area different from the first display area so that it can be viewed at a second display distance greater than the first display distance relative to the driver's line of sight, The system includes a display control unit that performs a recognition enhancement process, which, if a first condition is met, displays a warning image in the second display area; if a second condition is met after the first condition is met, which is a situation with a higher degree of warning than the first condition, moves the warning image to the first display area and displays it; then updates the warning image to an updated warning image which is the same as or different from the original warning image; and then moves the updated warning image to the second display area. The display system updates the warning image when it moves to the first display area, then to a position outside the lane marking image, and then moves the updated warning image toward the warning image along the lane marking image until they overlap.

2. A first display device that displays an image in a first display area so that it is visible at a first display distance relative to the line of sight of the driver of the vehicle, A second display device that displays an image in a second display area different from the first display area so that it can be viewed at a second display distance greater than the first display distance relative to the driver's line of sight, The system includes a display control unit that performs a recognition enhancement process, which, if a first condition is met, displays a warning image in the second display area; if a second condition is met after the first condition is met, which is a situation with a higher degree of warning than the first condition, moves the warning image to the first display area and displays it; then updates the warning image to an updated warning image which is the same as or different from the original warning image; and then moves the updated warning image to the second display area. The aforementioned warning image and the aforementioned updated warning image are images that show information regarding traffic information located in front of the vehicle. The first condition is that the display control unit detects the traffic information that should be notified to the driver, The second condition is that the distance between the traffic information and the vehicle is less than or equal to a predetermined distance which is less than the distance between the traffic information and the vehicle at the time the traffic information was detected. The display control unit is a display system that executes the recognition-enhancing process if the second condition is met after the first condition is met.

3. The display system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the warning image is displayed enlarged when the first condition is met.

4. The display system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, if the second condition is met, the warning image moves linearly to the first display area directly above the second display area, with the same size.

5. The display system according to claim 2, wherein the update is performed after the update warning image moves within the first display area so as the distance between the traffic information and the vehicle decreases, the warning image approaches the warning image.

6. The display system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein after the update, the second display area forms a space, and the update warning image moves from the first display area to the space.

7. The display system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the update warning image is moved from the first display area to the second display area and then displayed in a reduced size.

Images