JP2005301144A - Virtual image display device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress fatigue of an observer as to a virtual image display device whose display distance is variable. <P>SOLUTION: Figure is an image obtained when a driver in a vehicle traveling toward an intersection views a scenery in front of the vehicle through the windshield 3. As shown in Figure, a traveling speed display virtual image S1 and a remaining fuel amount display virtual image S2 are displayed below the windshield 3 and an arrow display virtual image S3 for navigation is displayed over the front scenery. Then the traveling speed and remaining fuel amount are regularly displayed information, so the virtual image S1 and virtual image S2 are always displayed so that the driver views them when the virtual images are present at an imaging distance from the driver. The arrow display for navigation is variably provided information, so the virtual image S3 is present at the imaging distance from the driver in the beginning and then gradually moves away from the driver to the intersection and finally viewed by the driver by being present closely to the intersection. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a virtual image display device that displays a virtual image superimposed on a foreground.

  In the future, diversification and increase in the amount of in-vehicle display information will progress, and the demand for an image HMI (Human Machine Interface) with excellent visibility and low driver burden will increase further. In particular, there is a growing need in the field of safe driving support, such as visibility assistance information and visual information as display content, and a display device for effectively transmitting these, such as a head-up display that can be superimposed on the foreground. Virtual image display devices are known.

And in order to display information effectively using such a virtual image display device, it is desirable to be able to change the display distance of the virtual image to be displayed.
That is, for example, when foreground-related information related to an object in the foreground is displayed as a virtual image superimposed on the foreground, the display distance is changed according to the distance from the observer to the object, and the virtual image indicating the foreground-related information Is displayed so as to be seen close to the object, it is possible for the observer to visually recognize that the foreground-related information is information about the object.

  As a virtual image display device capable of changing the display distance of a virtual image in this way, a binocular stereoscopic display has been conventionally known (for example, see Patent Document 1). This binocular stereoscopic display displays a left-eye virtual image and a right-eye virtual image with parallax so as to be visible in each of the left and right eyes, thereby connecting a straight line connecting the left eye and the left-eye virtual image, If a three-dimensional virtual image composed of the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image is located at an intersection where the straight line connecting the right eye and the right-eye virtual image intersects, the viewer visually recognizes.

  In other words, the human eye has a function of turning the left and right eyes inward when viewing a certain object so that the lines of sight of the left and right eyes intersect on the object (this function is called convergence). I have. For this reason, a human recognizes that an object is present at a position where the lines of sight of the left and right eyes intersect (hereinafter referred to as a convergence position).

In other words, the binocular stereoscopic display changes the display distance of the stereoscopic virtual image by utilizing the convergence of human eyes by changing the horizontal distance between the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image. be able to. That is, when the horizontal distance between the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image is shortened, the display distance of the stereoscopic virtual image is shortened, and when the horizontal distance is lengthened, the display distance is lengthened.
Japanese Patent No. 3194024

  By the way, the human eye has a function (this function is called adjustment) for adjusting the focus of the object being watched by changing the thickness of the lens of the eye called a crystalline lens. The position at which the left and right eyes are gazing for focus adjustment is hereinafter referred to as an adjustment position. That is, when the observer looks directly at the object (natural vision), the convergence position and the adjustment position are both on the object, and the convergence position and the adjustment position match.

  However, when the observer sees the virtual image displayed by the binocular stereoscopic display, the convergence position changes according to the horizontal distance between the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image. The adjustment position is fixed on the imaging plane on which the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image are formed. For this reason, the convergence position and the adjustment position usually do not match. That is, the congestion and the adjustment are contradictory.

Accordingly, the binocular stereoscopic display has a problem of causing eye fatigue to the observer because the object is displayed in a state different from that of natural vision.
The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object thereof is to suppress observer fatigue in a virtual image display device capable of changing the display distance.

  In the virtual image display device of the first invention made to achieve the above object, the optical unit forms the left-eye image and the right-eye image as the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image by the reflecting member, respectively. To display. Further, the first predetermined display distance setting means, when the display image is always provided information to be always provided, sets the predetermined display distance to the imaging plane on which the left eye virtual image and the right eye virtual image are formed. The imaging distance, which is the distance to the observer, is set. Then, the display control means controls the optical unit so that the convergence position of the observer who visually recognizes the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image coincides with a position away from the observer by a predetermined display distance.

  The predetermined display distance may be set near the imaging distance. Further, the optical unit here includes a video display unit that displays a left-eye video and a right-eye video, and in order to change the display positions of the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image, the display control unit includes: It may be configured to change the display position of the left-eye video and the right-eye video in the video display unit, or may be configured to mechanically drive the video display unit Good.

That is, the virtual image display device displays the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image so that the convergence position of the observer is on the imaging plane when the display image is always provided information.
For this reason, the vergence position and the adjustment position of the observer coincide on the image plane. In other words, since there is no contradiction between the observer's convergence and adjustment, it is possible to prevent the observer from being fatigued even if the observer continues to visually recognize the virtual image representing the provided information for a long time.

  In addition, when the virtual image display device of the first invention is mounted on a vehicle, the always-provided information is information for displaying a meter indicating the state of the vehicle by a meter and displaying a clock indicating a time. Good. Examples of the meter display that represents the state of the vehicle with a meter include a vehicle traveling speed, a remaining fuel amount, an engine rotation speed, and the like. That is, such information is information that is always required while the driver is driving the vehicle, and the driver continues to view for a long time. For this reason, if the above information is always provided information, it is effective in preventing driver fatigue.

  In the virtual image display device of the second invention, the optical unit forms and displays a left-eye image and a right-eye image as a left-eye virtual image and a right-eye virtual image by a reflecting member, respectively. The second predetermined display distance setting means first sets the predetermined display distance to an imaging distance that is a distance between the imaging surface on which the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image are formed and the observer. Thereafter, the first set distance is set in advance. Then, the display control unit controls the optical unit so that the convergence position of the viewer who visually recognizes the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image coincides with a position away from the viewer by a predetermined display distance.

  That is, the virtual image display device displays the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image so that the convergence position is on the imaging plane, and then the convergence position coincides with a position away from the observer by the first set distance. To display. That is, first, a virtual image is displayed in a state where there is no contradiction between the vergence and adjustment of the observer, and then the virtual image is displayed at a position to be originally displayed.

  For this reason, compared with the case where a virtual image is displayed from the beginning at a position away from the observer by the first set distance, the time during which the virtual image is displayed in a state where the convergence and the adjustment are inconsistent is shortened. Can be prevented from causing fatigue.

  In the virtual image display device of the second invention, the second predetermined display distance setting means may instantaneously change the predetermined display distance from the imaging distance to the first setting distance. It is desirable to continuously change between one set distance.

  According to the virtual image display device configured in this way, the observer's eyes can gradually change the convergence position until the predetermined display distance reaches the first set distance from the imaging distance. The burden on both eyes of the person can be suppressed. In addition, since the display distance visually recognized by the observer gradually changes, it is possible to display a virtual image that does not feel uncomfortable for the observer.

  In the virtual image display device of the third invention, the line-of-sight detecting means detects the line-of-sight directions of the left and right eyes of the observer, and obtains the observer's convergence position based on the detected line-of-sight direction. Then, the optical unit forms and displays the left-eye image and the right-eye image as a left-eye virtual image and a right-eye virtual image by the reflecting member, respectively. The third predetermined display distance setting means first sets the predetermined display distance to a convergence distance that is a distance between the convergence position obtained by the line-of-sight detection means and the observer, and is set in advance thereafter. The first set distance is set. Further, the display control means controls the optical unit so that the convergence distance of the viewer who visually recognizes the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image coincides with a position away from the viewer by a predetermined display distance.

  That is, the virtual image display device displays the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image so that the display distance matches the current convergence distance of the observer, and then at a position away from the observer by the first set distance. Display to match. That is, when the virtual image is first displayed, it is not necessary for the observer's eyes to change the convergence distance.

  For this reason, compared with the case where a virtual image is displayed from the beginning at a position that is a first set distance away from the observer, the burden of moving both eyes to change the convergence distance can be reduced, and the observer is made fatigued. Can be suppressed.

  In the virtual image display device of the third invention, the third predetermined display distance setting means may instantaneously change the predetermined display distance from the convergence distance to the first set distance, but the first setting from the convergence distance. It is desirable to change continuously between distances.

  According to the virtual image display device configured as described above, the observer's eyes can gradually change the convergence position until the predetermined display distance reaches the first set distance from the convergence distance. The burden on both eyes can be suppressed. In addition, since the display distance visually recognized by the observer gradually changes, it is possible to display a virtual image that does not feel uncomfortable for the observer.

In the virtual image display device of the third invention, the line-of-sight detection means may detect the line-of-sight direction by photographing both eyes of the observer and subjecting the photographed binocular image to image recognition processing.
According to the virtual image display device configured as described above, it is not necessary to attach a sensor for detecting the line of sight to the eyes of the observer, and the troublesomeness of the observer can be suppressed.

  In the virtual image display devices of the second and third inventions, the display control means may control the optical unit so that the size of the display image changes according to the predetermined display distance. In particular, the larger the predetermined display distance, the smaller the size of the display image.

According to the virtual image display device configured as described above, the size of the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image changes according to the predetermined display distance, so that the observer can easily feel the perspective of the virtual image.
In the virtual image display devices of the second and third inventions, the display control means may control the optical unit so that the brightness of the display image changes according to the predetermined display distance. In particular, the longer the predetermined display distance, the darker the displayed image.

According to the virtual image display device configured as described above, the brightness of the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image changes according to the predetermined display distance, so that the observer can easily feel the perspective of the virtual image.
In the virtual image display devices of the first, second, and third inventions, the optical unit is disposed between the video projection unit that projects the display video, the video projection unit, and the reflection member, and is projected from the video projection unit. And a video enlargement unit that enlarges the size of the displayed video.

  According to the virtual image display device configured as described above, the image formation distance can be increased according to the enlargement ratio at which the image enlargement unit enlarges the size of the display image. For this reason, the distance between the predetermined display distance and the imaging plane can be shortened. That is, since the degree of the state in which the congestion and the adjustment contradict each other can be reduced, it is possible to suppress the observer from being fatigued.

  In order to increase the imaging distance, the distance between the image projection unit and the reflecting member may be increased. However, in this case, it is necessary to enlarge the virtual image display device. That is, by providing the video enlargement unit, it is possible to increase the imaging distance without increasing the size of the virtual image display device.

The program of the present invention is characterized by causing a computer to realize the function as each means provided in the virtual image display devices of the first, second and third inventions.
The computer system controlled by such a program can constitute a part of the virtual image display device of the first, second and third inventions, and can obtain the same operation and effect as the virtual image display device. .

  In addition, the function which implement | achieves each means with which such a virtual image display apparatus is provided with a computer is provided as a program started on the computer side, for example. In the case of such a program, for example, it is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a hard disk, a ROM, and a RAM, and is loaded into a computer as necessary. It can be used by being activated, or can be used by being loaded and activated via a network.

(First embodiment)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, the configuration of a virtual image display system 1 to which the virtual image display device of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the virtual image display system 1.

  A virtual image display system 1 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, a windshield 3 that is a front window of the vehicle, and a head-up display (HUD) device that displays an image on the windshield 3. 5, a viewpoint detection camera 7 that captures the eyes of the driver, and a radio wave transmitted from an artificial satellite for GPS (Global Positioning System) via a GPS antenna (not shown) to detect the position of the vehicle. A GPS receiver 9, a vehicle speed sensor 11 for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle, a known geomagnetic sensor, a gyroscope, and the like, and an azimuth sensor 13 for detecting an absolute azimuth in the traveling direction of the vehicle, acceleration generated in the vehicle, and the like. And.

  Among these, the HUD device 5 is connected to the viewpoint detection camera 7, the GPS receiver 9, the vehicle speed sensor 11, and the azimuth sensor 13, and displays on the windshield 3 based on signals and data input from these. Controller 31 that generates the image data of the right eye, and the right eye display element 35a and the left eye display element that acquire the image data from the controller 31 and display the right eye video and the left eye video based on the image data 35b, a right-eye light source 33a and a left-eye light source 33b that illuminate the right-eye display element 35a and the left-eye display element 35b, respectively, and a diaphragm, and the right-eye display element 35a and the left-eye display element 35b. A right-eye projection lens 37a and a left-eye projection lens 37b that project the displayed images, a windshield 3, and a right-eye projection lens 3 a field lens 39 disposed between the projection lens 37a for the left eye and the projection lens 37b for the left eye and for guiding the images projected from the projection lens 37a for the right eye and the projection lens 37b for the left eye to the left eye and the right eye of the driver, respectively. And.

  The field lens 39 is disposed at a position where the right eye image and the left eye image projected from the right eye projection lens 37a and the left eye projection lens 37b are formed. It has a function as a screen for displaying left-eye video. Furthermore, the field lens 39 is configured as an optical element in which the exit pupil of each of the right-eye projection lens 37a and the left-eye projection lens 37b and the driver's right-eye viewpoint and left-eye viewpoint have a conjugate relationship.

  That is, the right eye video and the left eye video are respectively projected from the right eye projection lens 37a and the left eye projection lens 37b. The projected right-eye video and left-eye video are each reflected by the windshield 3 and projected onto the right and left eyes of the driver sitting in the driver's seat in the passenger compartment. Thus, the right eye virtual image formed on the virtual image imaging plane P1 is visually recognized by the driver's right eye, and the left eye virtual image formed on the virtual image imaging plane P1 is visually recognized by the left eye. .

  Due to the convergence of the left and right eyes, the driver recognizes that there is a stereoscopic virtual image in which the virtual image for the right eye and the virtual image for the left eye are fused at the position where the line of sight of the left and right eyes intersect (convergence position). To do.

Next, the configuration of the controller 31 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the controller 31.
As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 31 includes a CPU 51 that executes processing based on a predetermined processing program, a ROM 53 that stores various control programs, a RAM 55 that stores various data, and the positions of buildings and roads. A database 57 that stores navigation map data in which names and names are stored, a drawing RAM 59 that stores image data to be output to the right-eye display element 35a and the left-eye display element 35b, and an image stored in the drawing RAM 59 A display controller 61 that reads out data, calculates a display position so that a display image is displayed at an appropriate position on the windshield 3, and outputs image data to the right-eye display element 35a and the left-eye display element 35b; , Viewpoint detection camera 7, GPS receiver 9, vehicle speed sensor 11, direction sensor 13, and database 57 It is connected, and an output unit 63 for inputting and outputting signals and data to and from the CPU 51, RAM 55, drawing RAM59 and the display controller 61.

The database 57 may use a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or the like as a storage medium, or a writable storage medium such as a memory card or a hard disk.
In the controller 31 configured as described above, the CPU 51 performs display processing related to the characteristic part of the present embodiment.

  Next, the display processing procedure executed by the CPU 51 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the display process. This display process is repeatedly executed while the ignition key of the vehicle is inserted into the key cylinder and the key is turned on.

  In this display process, the CPU 51 first determines in S10 whether or not the content displayed by the HUD device 5 has changed. Here, when there is no change (S10: NO), the said display process is complete | finished. On the other hand, if there is a change (S10: YES), it is determined in S20 whether or not the display with the change is always-provided information that should be always provided. Note that the always-on information includes information on the driver, vehicle, and external conditions, such as travel speed, fuel level, engine speed, fuel leaks and warnings such as half doors, meter display such as travel distance, and current time display. Regardless, it is information that must always be displayed.

  If the information is always provided (S20: YES), the predetermined display distance is set as the imaging distance in S30. That is, the predetermined display distance for instructing the display distance is set to the imaging distance L1 (see FIG. 4A) that is the distance between the virtual image imaging plane P1 and the driver.

  In S40, the right-eye video position on the right-eye display element 35a and the left-eye video position on the left-eye display element 35b corresponding to the predetermined display distance are obtained. That is, in S40, since the predetermined display distance is set to the imaging distance L1, the right-eye virtual image position and the left-eye virtual image position coincide with each other on the virtual image imaging plane P1 (FIG. 4A). See), and the video position for the right eye and the video position for the left eye are calculated.

Next, in S50, right-eye image data and left-eye image data representing the right-eye video and the left-eye video for the changed display contents are written in the drawing RAM 59.
Thereafter, display processing is performed in S60. That is, the CPU 51 causes the display controller 61 to read out the image data for the right eye and the image data for the left eye stored in the drawing RAM 59, and the image position for the right eye and the image position for the left eye calculated in S40. The right-eye image data and the left-eye image data are output to the right-eye display element 35a and the left-eye display element 35b, respectively, so that the right-eye video and the left-eye video are respectively displayed. Then, the display process ends.

  Returning to S20, if the information is not always provided (S20: NO), it is determined that the display with the change is the provided information to be provided at any time, and the process proceeds to S70. Information provided as needed includes navigation information such as arrows, preventive safety information such as white line detection and forward monitoring, blind spot information that displays dangerous objects hidden behind buildings and intersections, and visual assistance information at night and when fog occurs The information that must be displayed according to the driver, vehicle, and external conditions.

  And if it transfers to S70, a driver | operator's binocular space | interval will be calculated. That is, the left and right eyes of the driver are photographed by the viewpoint detection camera 7, and the driver's binocular images are subjected to image recognition processing to detect the black eye positions of the driver's right eye and left eye. Thereafter, the distance between the detected right eye black eye position and left eye black eye position is calculated as the binocular interval.

  Next, in S80, the predetermined display distance is set to the image formation distance as in S30. Thereafter, in S90, the final display distance for instructing the final display distance of the provision information at any time is set to the predetermined display distance L2 (see FIG. 4B) determined according to the contents of the provision information at any time. Set. That is, for example, when a vehicle approaches an intersection where navigation arrows should be displayed, the navigation map data stored in the database 57 and the detection results of the GPS receiver 9, the vehicle speed sensor 11, and the direction sensor 13 are used. Based on this, the distance between the target intersection and the current vehicle position is calculated, and this distance is set as the final display distance as the predetermined display distance L2.

In S100, as in S40, the right-eye video position on the right-eye display element 35a and the left-eye video position on the left-eye display element 35b corresponding to the predetermined display distance are obtained. That is, as shown in FIG. 4B, in order to move the congestion position of the driver to, for example, the display point D2 that is separated from the driver by a predetermined display distance L2, the right-eye virtual image (for the left eye) The virtual image) may be moved from the image plane display point D1 by a horizontal distance u in a direction away from the left-eye virtual image (right-eye virtual image). Here, the horizontal distance u is the distance between the eyes of the driver calculated in S80 as e.
u = (e / 2) × {(L2-L1) / L2} (Formula 1)
It is expressed.

  That is, the horizontal distance u is calculated based on (Equation 1), and the right-eye virtual image (left-eye virtual image) is positioned at a position moved in the horizontal direction u from the imaging plane display point D1 in the horizontal direction. Then, the right-eye video position on the right-eye display element 35a (the left-eye video position on the left-eye display element 35b) is obtained.

  Furthermore, in S110, the display size and brightness of the right-eye video and the left-eye video representing the provided information are set as needed according to the predetermined display distance. That is, the longer the predetermined display distance, the smaller the size of the right-eye video and the left-eye video and the lower the brightness.

Next, in S120, the right-eye image data and the left-eye image data representing the right-eye video and the left-eye video for the display content with the change are written in the drawing RAM 59.
Thereafter, display processing is performed in S130. That is, the CPU 51 causes the display controller 61 to read out the right-eye image data and the left-eye image data stored in the drawing RAM 59 and display them with the display size and brightness set in S110, and further to S100. Right-eye image data and left-eye image data are displayed for the right eye so that the right-eye image and the left-eye image are displayed at the right-eye image position and the left-eye image position calculated, respectively. It outputs to the element 35a and the display element 35b for left eyes.

  In S140, it is determined whether or not the predetermined display distance is equal to or greater than the final display distance. Here, when the predetermined display distance is less than the final display distance (S140: NO), the predetermined addition value set to a value sufficiently smaller than the value of the predetermined display distance is set to the value of the predetermined display distance in S150. to add. That is, the predetermined display distance is set longer by the predetermined addition value. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S100 and the above-described processing is repeated. On the other hand, when the predetermined display distance is equal to or greater than the final display distance (S140: YES), the display process is terminated.

The operation of the virtual image display system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is an image diagram of the vehicle traveling toward the intersection when the front of the vehicle is viewed through the windshield 3 from the viewpoint of the driver in the vehicle. That is, when a right-eye image and a left-eye image are displayed on the display screens of the right-eye display element 35a and the left-eye display element 35b, the images are reflected by the windshield 3, as shown in FIG. In addition, the virtual image for the right eye and the virtual image for the left eye are displayed as a stereoscopic virtual image through the windshield 3. That is, the traveling speed display virtual image S1 and the fuel remaining amount display virtual image S2 are displayed below the windshield 3, and the navigation arrow display virtual image S3 is displayed superimposed on the foreground.

  Since the traveling speed and the remaining fuel amount are always provided information, the traveling speed display virtual image S1 and the remaining fuel amount display virtual image S2 are visually recognized by the driver if they exist at a position away from the driver by the imaging distance L1. It is displayed (S60). Further, since the navigation arrow display is provided information as needed, the navigation arrow display virtual image S3 first exists at a position away from the driver by the imaging distance L1, and then moves away from the driver in the direction toward the intersection. It is displayed so that a driver | operator visually recognizes that it moves gradually and finally exists in proximity to the intersection (S110). Note that the navigation arrow display virtual image S3 is displayed so that the display size gradually decreases and the brightness gradually decreases when moving away.

That is, when always providing information is displayed, the virtual image display system 1 displays the right-eye virtual image and the left-eye virtual image so that the convergence position of the driver is on the virtual image imaging plane P1.
For this reason, a driver's convergence position and adjustment position correspond on the virtual image image plane P1. That is, since there is no contradiction between the driver's congestion and adjustment, it is possible to prevent the driver from getting tired even if the driver continues to visually recognize a stereoscopic virtual image that always represents the provided information.

  In addition, information such as the traveling speed of the vehicle and the remaining amount of fuel is information that is always required while the driver is driving the vehicle, and the driver continues to visually recognize for a long time. For this reason, if the above information is always provided information, it is effective in preventing driver fatigue.

  Further, when displaying provided information as needed, the virtual image display system 1 displays a stereoscopic virtual image at a position where it should be originally displayed after displaying the stereoscopic virtual image in a state where there is no contradiction between the driver's convergence and adjustment. To do. For this reason, compared with the case where the stereoscopic virtual image is displayed from the beginning at a position away from the final display distance from the driver, the time for displaying the stereoscopic virtual image in a state where the convergence and the adjustment are contradictory is shortened. It is possible to suppress the driver from getting tired.

  In addition, since the driver's eyes can gradually change the convergence position until the display distance reaches the final display distance from the image formation distance, the burden on both eyes of the driver can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the display distance of the stereoscopic virtual image visually recognized by the driver also changes gradually, the driver can visually recognize the stereoscopic virtual image without a sense of incongruity.

Further, since the size and brightness of the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image change according to the predetermined display distance, the driver can easily feel the perspective of the stereoscopic virtual image.
In the embodiment described above, the HUD device 5 includes the virtual image display device according to the present invention, the right eye light source 33a, the left eye light source 33b, the right eye display element 35a, the left eye display element 35b, and the right eye projection lens 37a. The left-eye projection lens 37b and the field lens 39 are the optical unit in the present invention, and the windshield 3 is the reflecting member in the present invention.

  3 are the display control means in the present invention, the processes in S20 and S30 in FIG. 3 are the first predetermined display distance setting means in the present invention, and the processes in S80, S90, S140 and S150 in FIG. Is a second predetermined display distance setting means in the present invention.

The virtual image forming plane P1 is the image forming plane in the present invention, and the predetermined display distance L2 is the first set distance in the present invention.
(Second Embodiment)
Below, 2nd Embodiment is described based on drawing. In the second embodiment, only parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

The virtual image display system 1 in the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the display process is changed.
For this reason, below, the display process in 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated based on FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the display process.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the display process of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the process of S75 is added and the process of S80a is performed instead of the process of S80.

  That is, when the process of S70 is completed, the convergence distance is calculated in S75. That is, the left and right eyes of the driver are photographed by the viewpoint detection camera 7, and the center position and the black eye position of the driver's right and left eyes are detected by performing image recognition processing on the photographed driver's binocular images. Then, the right eye line of sight and the left eye line of sight of the driver are specified based on the deviation from the center position of the black eye position. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a position where the specified right eye line of sight and left eye line of sight intersect is calculated, and this position is set as a convergence position D3. Then, the distance between the convergence position D3 and the driver is calculated as the convergence distance L3.

Thereafter, in S80a, the predetermined display distance is set to the convergence distance L3 calculated in S75.
In the virtual image display system 1 configured as described above, the navigation arrow display virtual image S3 (see FIG. 5) first exists at a position away from the driver by the convergence distance L3, and then the direction from the driver toward the intersection. The vehicle is gradually moved away from the vehicle and finally displayed so as to be visually recognized by the driver when it is close to the intersection (S110).

  That is, when the navigation arrow display virtual image S3 is first displayed, it is not necessary for the driver's eyes to change the convergence distance. Therefore, compared with the case where the navigation arrow display virtual image S3 is displayed from the beginning at a position away from the driver by the final display distance, the burden of moving both eyes to change the convergence distance can be reduced, and the driver is fatigued. It can suppress producing.

  In addition, since the viewpoint detection camera 7 captures both the left and right eyes of the driver and detects the line of sight, it is not necessary to attach a sensor for detecting the line of sight to both eyes of the driver, thereby suppressing the driver's troublesomeness. can do.

  In the embodiment described above, the processes of S80a, S90, S140 and S150 in FIG. 6 are the third predetermined display distance setting means in the present invention, and the process of S75 in FIG. 6 is the line-of-sight detection means in the present invention.

(Third embodiment)
Below, 3rd Embodiment is described based on drawing. In the third embodiment, only parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

The virtual image display system 1 in the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the configuration of the HUD device 5 is changed.
For this reason, the structure of the HUD apparatus 5 in 3rd Embodiment is demonstrated based on FIG. 8 below. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the HUD device 5.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the HUD device 5 in the third embodiment is the same as the HUD device 5 in the first embodiment except that a magnifying lens 41 is added. That is, the magnifying lens 41 is disposed between the windshield 3 and the field lens 39.

  Further, the field lens 39 and the magnifying lens 41 are regarded as one lens group, the focal length of this lens group is f, the exit pupil of the right-eye projection lens 37a and the left-eye projection lens 37b, and the principal points of the lens group. The amplifying lens 41 is arranged so that “1 / a + 1 / b = 1 / f” is established, where a is the optical path length of the lens group and b is the optical path length to the principal point of the lens group and the driver. For this reason, the exit pupils of the right-eye projection lens 37a and the left-eye projection lens 37b and the right eye viewpoint and the left eye viewpoint of the driver have a conjugate relationship.

In the HUD device 5 configured as described above, the right-eye image and the left-eye image projected on the field lens 39 are magnified far away by the magnifying lens 41.
By the way, in the HUD device 5 according to the first embodiment, the field lens 39 is located at a position where the right-eye video and the left-eye video projected from the right-eye projection lens 37a and the left-eye projection lens 37b are formed. The driver visually recognizes this image. For this reason, the optical path length from the driver to the field lens 39 coincides with the imaging distance.

  On the other hand, in the HUD device 5 in the third embodiment, since the image projected on the field lens 39 is further magnified by the magnifying lens 41, the optical path length from the field lens 39 to the magnifying lens 41 is enlarged by s. If the optical path length from the lens 41 to the driver is t and the magnification ratio of the magnifying lens 41 is m, the imaging distance L from the driver is “L = s × m + t”. That is, the imaging distance can be increased according to the magnification factor m.

  For this reason, the distance between the final display distance and the virtual image imaging plane can be shortened (see the arrangement of the virtual image imaging plane P1 in FIG. 1 and the virtual image imaging plane P2 in FIG. 8). That is, since the degree of the state in which the congestion and the adjustment contradict each other can be reduced, it is possible to suppress the driver from getting tired.

  In order to increase the imaging distance, the distance between the field lens 39 and the windshield 3 may be increased. In this case, however, the HUD device 5 needs to be enlarged. That is, by providing the magnifying lens 41, the imaging distance can be increased without increasing the size of the HUD device 5.

  In the embodiment described above, the right-eye light source 33a, the left-eye light source 33b, the right-eye display element 35a, the left-eye display element 35b, the right-eye projection lens 37a, the left-eye projection lens 37b, and the field lens 39 The magnifying lens 41 includes an optical unit, a right eye light source 33a, a left eye light source 33b, a right eye display element 35a, a left eye display element 35b, a right eye projection lens 37a, and a left eye projection lens 37b. The field lens 39 is an image projection unit in the present invention, and the magnifying lens 41 is an image enlargement unit in the present invention.

As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said Example, As long as it belongs to the technical scope of this invention, a various form can be taken.
For example, in the above embodiment, the binocular interval e is calculated by performing image recognition processing on the driver's binocular image captured by the viewpoint detection camera 7. However, an operation panel may be provided, and the value of the binocular interval e may be input by an operation on the operation panel. That is, when the ignition key of the vehicle is inserted into the key cylinder and the key is turned on, the virtual image display system 1 performs a virtual image display requesting input of the value of the binocular interval e. Thereafter, when the driver inputs the value via the operation panel, the binocular interval e may be set.

  In the virtual image display system 1 configured as described above, the viewpoint detection camera 7 for calculating the binocular interval e can be omitted.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a virtual image display system 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a controller 31. The flowchart which shows a display processing procedure. The figure explaining the calculation method of the virtual image position for right eyes, and the virtual image position for left eyes. The figure which shows the virtual image at the time of looking at the vehicle front via the windshield 3. FIG. The flowchart which shows a display processing procedure. The figure explaining the calculation method of convergence distance. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a HUD device 5.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Virtual image display system, 3 ... Wind shield, 5 ... HUD apparatus, 7 ... Camera for viewpoint detection, 9 ... GPS receiver, 11 ... Vehicle speed sensor, 13 ... Direction sensor, 31 ... Controller, 33a ... Light source for right eye, 33b ... Light source for left eye, 35a ... Display element for right eye, 35b ... Display element for left eye, 37a ... Projection lens for right eye, 37b ... Projection lens for left eye, 39 ... Field lens, 41 ... Magnifying lens, 51 ... CPU, 53 ... ROM, 55 ... RAM, 57 ... database, 59 ... drawing RAM, 61 ... display controller, 63 ... input / output unit.

Claims (11)

The left eye is projected by projecting a display image composed of a left-eye image corresponding to the left eye of the observer and a right-eye image corresponding to the right eye of the observer toward a translucent reflecting member. An optical unit for forming and displaying a left-eye virtual image and a right-eye virtual image as a left-eye virtual image and a right-eye virtual image by the reflecting member, respectively, and an observer who visually recognizes the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image A virtual image display device comprising display control means for controlling the optical unit so that a convergence position of the optical unit coincides with a position away from a predetermined preset display distance from an observer,
When the display image is always provided information that should be always provided, the predetermined display distance is determined between the image plane on which the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image are formed and an observer. A first predetermined display distance setting means for setting an imaging distance as a distance;
A virtual image display device characterized by that. The virtual image display device is mounted on a vehicle,
The constantly provided information is information for displaying a meter indicating the state of the vehicle with a meter and a clock indicating a time.
The virtual image display device according to claim 1. The left eye is projected by projecting a display image composed of a left-eye image corresponding to the left eye of the observer and a right-eye image corresponding to the right eye of the observer toward a translucent reflecting member. An optical unit for forming and displaying a left-eye virtual image and a right-eye virtual image as a left-eye virtual image and a right-eye virtual image by the reflecting member, respectively, and an observer who visually recognizes the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image A virtual image display device comprising display control means for controlling the optical unit so that a convergence position of the optical unit coincides with a position away from a predetermined preset display distance from an observer,
First, the predetermined display distance is set to an imaging distance that is a distance between an imaging plane on which the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image are imaged, and then set in advance. A second predetermined display distance setting means for setting the first set distance;
A virtual image display device characterized by that. The second predetermined display distance setting means continuously changes the predetermined display distance from the imaging distance to the first set distance;
The virtual image display device according to claim 3. By projecting a display image composed of a left-eye image corresponding to the left eye of the observer and a right-eye image corresponding to the right eye of the observer toward the translucent reflecting member, the left eye An optical unit for forming and displaying a left-eye virtual image and a right-eye virtual image as a left-eye virtual image and a right-eye virtual image by the reflecting member, respectively, and an observer who visually recognizes the left-eye virtual image and the right-eye virtual image A virtual image display device comprising display control means for controlling the optical unit so that a convergence position of the optical unit coincides with a position away from a predetermined preset display distance from an observer,
Gaze detection means for detecting the gaze direction of each of the left and right eyes of the observer and obtaining the vergence position of the observer based on the detected gaze direction;
First, the predetermined display distance is set to a convergence distance that is a distance between the convergence position obtained by the line-of-sight detection means and the observer, and then set to a first set distance set in advance. 3 predetermined display distance setting means;
A virtual image display device comprising: The third predetermined display distance setting means continuously changes the predetermined display distance from the convergence distance to the first set distance;
The virtual image display device according to claim 5. The line-of-sight detection means detects the eyes direction by photographing both eyes of the observer and performing image recognition processing on the captured binocular images.
The virtual image display device according to claim 5, wherein: The display control means controls the optical unit so that a size of the display image changes according to the predetermined display distance;
The virtual image display device according to claim 3, wherein the virtual image display device is a virtual image display device. The display control means controls the optical unit so that the brightness of the display image changes according to the predetermined display distance.
The virtual image display device according to claim 3, wherein the virtual image display device is a virtual image display device. The optical unit is
A video projection unit for projecting the display video;
An image enlarging unit that is disposed between the image projecting unit and the reflecting member and expands the size of a display image projected from the image projecting unit;
The virtual image display device according to claim 1, comprising: The program for making a computer implement | achieve the function as said each means with which the virtual image display apparatus in any one of Claims 1-10 is provided.