JP2011180351A - Head-up display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a good observation image to an observer, by adopting a holographic optical system in a head-up display apparatus in which it is possible to provide a stereoscopic video. <P>SOLUTION: The head-up display apparatus has: the holographic optical system 20 which is disposed facing an observation position for a right eye and an observation position for a left eye; a first projector section 10R which projects a video for the right eye to the holographic optical system 20; and a second projector section 10L which projects the video for the left eye to the holographic optical system 20. The holographic optical system 20 diffracts the video for the right eye projected by the first projector section 10R to form the observation image at the observation position for the right eye, and further diffracts the video for the left eye projected by the second projector section 10L to form the observation image at the observation position for the left eye. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a head-up display device that visually provides various types of information such as instrument information to a driver of an automobile or the like using a projection image by a projector device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a head-up display device that projects various information images such as instrument information formed by a liquid crystal display and map information in a navigation device on a front window in a moving body such as an automobile and transmits the information to a driver is known. It has been.

  An embodiment of a head-up display device will be briefly introduced with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which various configurations of the head-up display device are incorporated in an instrument panel. Video information such as vehicle instrument information and map information from the navigation device is output and displayed on the liquid crystal display panel. A backlight as a light source is installed on the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel. By irradiating the liquid crystal display panel from the back surface, an image formed on the liquid crystal display panel is irradiated onto a concave mirror as an optical system enlarging element. The image reflected and enlarged by the concave mirror is projected on the inside of the front window or a transmissive reflector provided on the front window.

  The operator can view the display image (virtual image) located in front of the front window at the same time as the scenery outside the vehicle. In addition, by setting the distance to the display image (distance L) as far as possible, the operator can check video information such as instrument information and map information with a small amount of movement of the focal position.

  FIG. 9 is a view showing the state from behind the vehicle driver's seat, in which various types of video information are displayed within a display range surrounded by a broken line in the front window, and the driver is provided with various types of information arranged in the instrument panel. It is possible to obtain various information by video while paying attention to driving the vehicle without dropping the line of sight to the instruments.

  As an example in which such a head-up display device is mounted on a vehicle, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose that signal light from a plurality of display means is applied to the left eye viewing range and the right eye viewing range, respectively. There is a disclosure that the image is formed and reflected on the inner surface of the windshield to provide a stereoscopic view or a good display image.

JP 2005-138668 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-302643 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-95481

  However, in the head-up display devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the observer observes the light due to the physical limitation of the optical system that reflects the irradiation light from the display device on the inner surface of the windshield. The observed image tends to be small, and when the imaging distance is set far, the observed image becomes even smaller and the visible range (the allowable range of observation positions that can be observed by the observer) becomes narrow. Arise.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a head-up display device according to the present invention includes a holographic optical system disposed opposite to an observation position, and a first projector that projects a right-eye image onto the holographic optical system. And a second projector unit that projects an image for the left eye on the holographic optical system, and the holographic optical system diffracts the image for the right eye projected by the first projector unit. Forming an observation image in the right eye region at the observation position, and diffracting an image for the left eye projected by the second projector unit to form an observation image in the left eye region at the observation position. It is said.

  Furthermore, in the head-up display device of the present invention, the holographic optical system is configured to diffract the right-eye image projected by the first projector unit in the direction of the right-eye region of the observation position. A graphic optical element and a second holographic optical element that diffracts the image for the left eye projected by the second projector unit in the direction of the left eye region of the observation position are stacked. It is characterized by.

  Furthermore, in the head-up display device of the present invention, the holographic optical system is a volume holographic optical element.

  Furthermore, in the head-up display device of the present invention, the holographic optical system has an optical magnification function.

  Furthermore, the head-up display device of the present invention further includes a third projector unit that projects a binocular image onto the holographic optical system, and the holographic optical system projects the third projector unit. Binocular images are diffracted and diffracted in the direction of the binocular region at the observation position.

  Furthermore, the head-up display device of the present invention is based on the detection result of the viewpoint position detection unit, and the image for the right eye projected by the first projector unit and the image for the left eye projected by the second projector unit. It is characterized by having a control section for switching video or not displaying at least one video.

  According to the present invention, the right eye image projected by the right eye projector unit is diffracted in the direction of the right eye region of the observation position, and the left eye image projected by the left eye projector unit is By adopting a holographic optical system that diffracts in the direction of the left eye region, it is possible to provide a good stereoscopic image with little crosstalk to the observer.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, a control unit that switches between a right-eye image projected by the first projector unit and a left-eye image projected by the second projector unit based on the detection result of the viewpoint position detection unit. With this, it is possible to provide various images while suppressing a sense of discomfort to the observer even when the position of the observer deviates from the expected position. In addition, by not displaying unnecessary images in the control unit, it is possible to suppress power consumption and prevent unnecessary projection images from being irradiated in the vehicle.

The figure which shows the head-up display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram showing a projector device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure for demonstrating the lens function by a holographic optical element. The schematic diagram which shows the apparatus structure which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the optical path of the head-up display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the optical path in the holographic optical system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the control structure which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the control flow which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure for demonstrating the control at the time of the position shift generation concerning embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the conventional head-up display apparatus. The figure which shows the mode of the image display in the vehicle interior by a head-up display apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a head-up display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a case where it is adopted in an automobile. Note that the head-up display device of the present invention is not limited to an automobile, and can be employed in a display device for a driver of various vehicles, a game machine, or a simulation device.

  A front window 21 of the automobile is arranged in the observation direction of the observer, and a holographic optical system 20 is stuck inside. The holographic optical system 20 is an optical member having a see-through (transparency) property that does not impair external light and having a diffraction function, and is created by recording an interference pattern of object light and reference light. In this embodiment, it functions as a combiner that superimposes the scenery outside the passenger compartment and the video information of the projector device 10 at the observation position.

  The projector device 10 (“projector unit” in the present invention) is a device that projects an image based on various types of input video information, and can use various methods such as a liquid crystal projector, a DLP projector, and an LCOS projector. It is. The image projected from the projector device 10 is diffracted by the holographic optical system 20 and is observed as a virtual image that forms an image far away at the observer's observation position. The observer, that is, the pilot, can visually recognize the scenery outside the passenger compartment and the video information from the projector device 10 without changing the line of sight. In the present embodiment, the imaging distance can be changed by changing the focal length of the projector device 10. As a result, the imaging distance is shortened when the vehicle ahead is near, and the imaging distance is increased when there is no vehicle ahead or far away. Make it visible.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a projector apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a laser is used as a light source, and a liquid crystal display element is used in an image forming unit that forms an image. The laser light source 11 is a light source device including a laser semiconductor 112, a diverging optical system 111, and the like, and the output light radiated from the laser semiconductor 112 is aligned in a predetermined irradiation cross-sectional shape by the diverging optical system 111. Output to the outside.

  The output light output from the laser light source 11 is adjusted to a necessary area as a backlight by the beam expander 12 and then irradiated to the back of the image forming unit 13. In the present embodiment, a liquid crystal display unit using a liquid crystal display element 131 is employed as the image forming unit 13. The output light of the laser light source 11 is adjusted by the diffusion plate 132 so that the intensity distribution is uniform, and then the image formed on the liquid crystal display element 131 is irradiated from behind and projected through the projection optical system 14. Form an image.

An observer observes this projection image through the holographic optical system 20. This is made possible by the polarization function of the holographic optical system 20, but by providing the holographic optical system 20 with a lens function (optical magnification function), it is possible to provide a large image to the observer. In addition, the projection optical system 14 in the projector device 10 can be downsized, and the projector device 10 itself can be downsized.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a holographic optical system having such a lens function. Since the holographic optical system 20 has high see-through properties, extraneous light passes through the holographic optical system 20 with almost no loss. On the other hand, incident light (reproduced light) emitted from the projector device 10 is diffracted in a predetermined direction by the holographic optical system 20. By manufacturing the holographic optical system 20 so that the diffracted light is diffracted toward the condensing point, a lens function (optical magnification function) can be provided.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the head-up display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an optical path diagram of the head-up display device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a right-eye projector device 10R and a left-eye projector device 10L are provided to enable stereoscopic viewing.

  The holographic optical system 20 is attached to the inner surface (attachment surface) of the front window 21 as described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the arrangement | positioning method of the holographic optical system 20 with respect to the windshield 21, in addition to sticking to an inner surface in this way, it sticks to the outer surface of the front window 21, or pinches | interposes between two transparent base materials etc. An appropriate method can be adopted. Further, the holographic optical system 20 may be disposed on a transparent base material provided separately from the front window 21 as well as the front window 21.

  The right-eye image emitted from the right-eye projector device 10R is incident on the holographic optical system 20 as incident light R, diffracted as diffracted light R, and the observation position planned by the observer sitting. The light enters the right eye region R. On the other hand, the left-eye image emitted from the left-eye projector device 10L is diffracted by the holographic optical system 20 in the same way as the right-eye image, and is positioned at the left of the observation position planned when the observer is seated. Incident into the eye region L.

  Since the holographic optical system 20 is an optical member having excellent angle selectivity, the right eye region R and the left eye region L at the observation position can be set to be severely separated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent crosstalk in which the video for the left (right) eye is mixed with the video for the right (left) eye, and it is possible to provide a clear stereoscopic video to the observer. In addition, when the holographic optical system 20 is provided with an optical magnification function, a large image can be provided to the observer, and the projection optical system 14 in each projector apparatus 10R, 10L can be miniaturized. Each projector device 10R, 10L itself can be downsized.

  Since each projector apparatus 10R, 10L can adjust the focal position independently, when there is a difference in the left and right visual acuity of the observer, the focal position of each projector apparatus 10R, 10L is set respectively. By adjusting, it is possible to experience such a stereoscopic effect even for such an observer.

  The holographic optical system according to the embodiment of the present invention is formed by stacking two holographic optical elements 20R and 20L. In the laminating method, two holographic optical elements 20R and 20L that are prepared in advance may be bonded together, or a material is applied on one holographic optical element and the other holographic optical element is applied. An element may be formed. A single holographic optical system in which a plurality of diffraction directions are recorded may be used.

  As shown in the optical path diagram of FIG. 5, the incident light R emitted from the right-eye projector device 10R is diffracted as diffracted light R by the right-eye holographic optical element 20R and can be visually recognized in the right-eye region R. A good image. On the other hand, the incident light L emitted from the projector device 10L for the left eye is diffracted as diffracted light L by the holographic optical element 20L for the right eye, and forms a visible image in the left eye region L.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic view of the holographic optical system 20 in the optical path diagram of FIG. In the figure, incident light R emitted from the right-eye projector device 10R generates diffracted light R that is diffracted in the direction of the right-eye region R by the right-eye holographic optical element 20R. On the other hand, the incident light L emitted from the left-eye projector device 10L generates diffracted light L that is diffracted in the direction of the left-eye region L by the left-eye holographic optical element 20L.

  In the present embodiment, since the right-eye video and the left-eye video are projected from different projector devices 10R and 10L, the brightness difference between the observation images is adjusted by adjusting the brightness of each projector device 10R and 10L as necessary. It is possible to easily cope with the correction.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the right-eye image projected by the right-eye projector device is diffracted in the direction of the right-eye region of the observation position, and the left-eye image projected by the left-eye projector device is By diffracting in the direction of the left eye region, it is possible to provide a good stereoscopic image with little crosstalk to the observer.

  Note that the holographic optical system is not limited to stacking right-eye and left-eye holographic optical elements as in the present embodiment, and images projected by the projector devices are displayed in the left-eye region and the right-eye. A volume type holographic optical element that diffracts the region in each direction may be used.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a control configuration of the head-up display device that enables such a stereoscopic view. In the present embodiment, a control unit 30, a projector configuration 10 including a right-eye projector device 10R and a left-eye projector device, and various sensors 40 are mainly configured.

  The control unit 30 includes a stereoscopic video processing unit 32, an image drawing engine 31, a focus controller 33, and a left / right focus information holding unit 34 as main components. The stereoscopic video processing unit 32 generates video information for the right eye and left eye based on the input video information, and delivers the video information to the image drawing engine 31. The stereoscopic video processing unit 32 performs various adjustment processes for controlling the projector configuration 10 such as a congestion adjustment process, a focus adjustment process, and a parallax adjustment process based on information set by the user or from various sensors 40. It is possible.

  Among them, the focus adjustment process is a process that enables adjustment of the focal lengths of the right-eye projector device 10R and the left-eye projector device 10L, and the focus adjustment process is performed based on the setting or information from the various sensors 40. The controller 33 is controlled to adjust the focal lengths of the projector apparatuses 10R and 10L. The adjusted focal length may be stored in the left and right focal point information holding unit 34 so that it can be read out for each observer, for example. Furthermore, the stored focus information may be automatically read out by associating it with the face of the observer photographed by the camera 41.

  The various sensors 40 include a camera 41 for detecting an observer's viewpoint position (eyeball position), a motion capture 42 for capturing the observer's movement (the video of the camera 41 may be used), and an observer. For example, a seat load distribution sensor 43 that estimates the viewpoint position of the observer based on the seating situation of the user can be considered.

  8 and 9 are embodiments using such a control structure of the head-up display device, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a control flow according to this embodiment. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the control at the time of position shift generation | occurrence | production in a form.

  In the head-up display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the holographic optical system 20 is disposed on a transparent substrate such as the front window 21, it is difficult to adjust the disposition position of the holographic optical system 20. If the observer's position deviates from the expected position, the observer may feel uncomfortable. Therefore, in the present embodiment, such a problem can be dealt with by switching the images projected by the projector apparatuses 10R and 10L. Furthermore, it is also possible to suppress the power consumption by hiding the images projected by the projector devices 10R and 10L.

  In the flow of FIG. 8, first, when the control of the present embodiment is started in S100, detection of the observer's viewpoint position, that is, each position of the right eye and the left eye is detected in S101 by various sensors 40 (present invention). The “viewpoint position detector” in FIG. Although an image captured by an observer using the camera 41 is mainly used, the viewpoint position detection accuracy may be increased by using a motion capture 42 or a seat load distribution sensor 43 as an auxiliary.

  When the viewpoint position of the observer detected in S101 is within the stereoscopic display possible range (Yes in S102), that is, in the state as shown in FIG. 9A, the right-eye projector device 10R. 3D display is performed by projecting the right-eye video and the left-eye projector device 10L onto the left-eye video (S103).

  On the other hand, when the left eye is located in the right eye region R based on the viewpoint position detected in S101 (Yes in S104), the image projected by the right eye projector device 10R is displayed for the left eye. Switching to video (S105). Thus, even when the position of the observer is shifted, the left eye image can be observed with respect to the left eye of the observer, so that the normal state as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the state changes to the state as shown in FIG. 9B, the right eye image does not jump into the left eye that has been observing the left eye image until then, and the viewer feels uncomfortable. Is possible.

  At this time, the left-eye projector device 10L may be hidden as shown in S106. By hiding the left-eye projector 10L that is not used for observation, it is possible to suppress power consumption and prevent an image that is not used from being projected into the passenger compartment.

  Then, when the right eye is located in the left eye region L as shown in FIG. 9C (Yes in S107), the image projected by the left-eye projector device 10L is switched to the right-eye image ( S108). Also in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained by hiding the right-eye projector device 10R.

  When it is determined that both eyes are not located in both the right eye region R and the left eye region L (No in S107), both the right eye projector device 10R and the left eye projector 10L are used. By hiding, it is possible to obtain the same effect as described above.

  By repeatedly performing the processing as described above (S112), it is possible to provide various images while suppressing discomfort to the observer even when the position of the observer deviates from the expected position. In addition, by not displaying unnecessary images, it is possible to reduce power consumption and prevent unnecessary projection images from being irradiated in the vehicle.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a head-up display device according to another embodiment. In the present embodiment, a binocular projector device 10C is newly provided, and the optical system 20 can open a projection image irradiated with the binocular projector device 10C in the binocular region C of the observer. . According to such an embodiment, the binocular projector device 10C simultaneously projects an image that is not stereoscopically viewed on the binocular region C, widens the width of the video presented to the observer, and enriches the stereoscopic effect. Is possible.

  Furthermore, the control unit determines whether to provide a stereoscopic image using the left-eye projector device 10R and the right-eye projector device 10L or to provide an image that is not subjected to stereoscopic display only by the binocular projector device 10C. It may be switchable.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the right-eye image projected by the right-eye projector unit is diffracted in the direction of the right-eye region at the observation position, and the left-eye image projected by the left-eye projector unit is observed. By adopting a holographic optical system that diffracts in the direction of the left eye region of the position, it is possible to provide a good stereoscopic image with little crosstalk to the observer.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and embodiments configured by appropriately combining the configurations of the respective embodiments also fall within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Projector apparatus, 10R ... Right eye projector apparatus, 10L ... Left eye projector apparatus, 10C ... Binocular projector apparatus, 11 ... Laser light source, 111 ... Divergence optical system, 112 ... Laser semiconductor, 12 ... Beam expander , 13 ... Image forming unit, 131 ... LCD, 132 ... Diffuser, 14 ... Projection optical system, 20 ... Holographic optical system, 20R ... Holographic optical element for right eye, 20L ... Holographic optical element for left eye, 20C Holographic optical element for binocular, 21 ... front window, 30 ... control unit, 31 ... image drawing engine, 32 ... stereoscopic image processing unit, 33 ... focus controller, 34 ... right and left focus information holding unit, 40 ... various sensors, 41 ... Camera, 42 ... Motion capture, 43 ... Seat load distribution sensor

Claims (6)

A holographic optical system disposed opposite to the observation position;
A first projector unit that projects a right-eye image onto the holographic optical system;
A second projector unit that projects an image for the left eye on the holographic optical system,
The holographic optical system diffracts the image for the right eye projected by the first projector unit, forms an observation image in the right eye region at the observation position, and projects the left image projected by the second projector unit. A head-up display device, wherein an eye image is diffracted to form an observation image in a left eye region of the observation position. The holographic optical system includes a first holographic optical element that diffracts an image for the right eye projected by the first projector unit in a direction of the right eye region of the observation position, and the second projector unit. 2. The head according to claim 1, wherein a second holographic optical element that diffracts the image for the left eye projected by the lens in the direction of the left eye region of the observation position is laminated. Up display device. The head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein the holographic optical system is a volume holographic optical element. The head-up display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the holographic optical system has an optical enlargement function. A third projector unit that projects a binocular image onto the holographic optical system;
5. The holographic optical system diffracts a binocular image projected by the third projector unit and diffracts it in the direction of the binocular region at the observation position. The head-up display device according to any one of the above. Based on the detection result of the viewpoint position detection unit, switching between the right-eye image projected by the first projector unit and the left-eye image projected by the second projector unit, or at least one of the images is performed. The head-up display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a control unit configured to be non-displayed.

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