JP2011218891A - Vehicle display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle display device for moving, in the case where highly important information is generated, the information to a position corresponding to a reference line of sight of a driver so as to display the information.SOLUTION: The device includes an image information generating unit for generating image information, and a head-up display for displaying the image information generated by the image information generating unit by projecting on a front glass of a vehicle. The device also includes a control unit for controlling a display position of the image information by discriminating the image information between first information 301, that is normal information, and second information 302, that is highly important, in which the first information 301 is controlled to be displayed at a first vertical position lower than the reference line of sight of the driver and the second information 302 is controlled to be displayed at a second vertical position approximately the same as the reference line of sight of the driver.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle display device that displays navigation information and the like for driving assistance in a front visual field region of a vehicle driver.

  Conventionally, there are navigation devices that support driving to a destination, and map information from a starting point or a current location to a destination, information on the current position of a vehicle, and the like are displayed on a display such as a liquid crystal panel provided in the vehicle. ing. In recent years, there is also a device that improves the driver's visibility by providing a head-up display (hereinafter referred to as HUD) that displays vehicle information such as navigation information and travel speed on the windshield of the vehicle. In addition, if there are obstacles around the vehicle by shooting the situation around the vehicle with multiple cameras or using radar installed in the vehicle, the obstacle that informs the driver that there is an obstacle Some vehicles have a detection device.

  In the vehicle display device provided with the HUD, since navigation information and vehicle information are displayed on the windshield, the displayed information and the actual scene may overlap, which may hinder driving. For this reason, navigation information is normally displayed at a low position on the windshield, that is, at a position lower than the position of the line of sight when the driver looks forward, so as not to hinder driving.

  If the information is displayed at a position shifted from the driver's line of sight, it will not be disturbed while driving, but it is important when displaying important information (such as information on obstacles ahead). Since the driver needs to move the line of sight to know the information, there is a possibility of causing a time delay until the driver recognizes the information, leading to an accident.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a visual information display device for a vehicle. In this example, the front is recognized based on the image taken by the camera, and the object recognized by the front recognition unit is displayed on the front window. Further, the user's (driver's) line of sight is photographed with a line-of-sight camera, and the display position is set at a position where the line of sight and the object are linked even when the user's line of sight moves. However, in the example of Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the configuration is complicated because an accessory such as a line-of-sight camera is required. Further, in the example of Patent Document 1, when driving while looking forward, information is always displayed at the position of the line of sight, so the display information may interfere with driving.

JP 2009-223659 A

  In a display device for a vehicle having a conventional HUD, navigation information is displayed at a position lower than the driver's line of sight on the windshield. Therefore, when highly urgent information is displayed, the driver knows the emergency information. Accompanies eye movement and causes a time lag before recognition. In addition, the example of Patent Document 1 has a problem that the configuration becomes complicated because an accessory such as a line-of-sight camera is required.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides a vehicle display capable of quickly recognizing important information by moving the display position to the driver's line-of-sight position when information highly important to the driver is generated. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  The vehicle display device of the present invention includes an image information generation unit that generates image information, a head-up display that projects and displays the image information generated by the image information generation unit on a windshield of the vehicle, and the image information A first height position lower than the driver's reference line of sight is determined by determining whether the first information is normal or second information having high importance and controlling the display position of the image information. And a control unit that controls to display the second information at a second height position that substantially matches the reference line of sight of the driver.

  According to the vehicle display device of the present invention, normal image information can be displayed at a position where it does not hinder driving and a real scene can be preferentially watched. When important information is displayed, Since the information is shifted and displayed, the driver can be notified without delay.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a vehicle display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lineblock diagram showing HUD (head up display) in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the display position of the display information in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows a driver | operator's eyes | visual_axis and display position in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the state which projected display information on the windshield. Explanatory drawing which shows the state which projected the display information on the windshield at the time of night driving | running | working. Explanatory drawing which shows another state which projected display information on the windshield at the time of night driving.

  Hereinafter, a display device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a vehicle display device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the vehicle display device 10 includes a system control unit 11, a vehicle information acquisition unit 12, a navigation information generation unit 13, an antenna 14, an information reception unit 15, and an obstacle detection unit 16. The navigation information generation unit 13, the information reception unit 15, and the obstacle detection unit 16 are connected to the system control unit 11. In addition, an operation unit 17, an image information generation unit 18, and a control signal generation unit 19 are connected to the system control unit 11.

  The system control unit 11 controls the operation of the vehicle display device 10 and is a computer system including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.

  The vehicle information acquisition unit 12 includes a vehicle speed sensor, a gyro sensor, and the like that detect the vehicle speed and inclination of the host vehicle, and includes vehicle speed information, information on the traveling direction (forward, back, right / left turn), brake information, get. Also, information on travel time and travel distance since the engine was started, on / off information on headlamps, beam position (upper beam, low beam) information on headlamps, etc. are acquired and input to system control unit 11 To do.

  The navigation information generation unit 13 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like via an in-vehicle LAN, and a GPS reception unit that detects the current position of the host vehicle, a map database that stores map data, and a route to the destination A search unit for searching is included. The GPS receiver is connected to the antenna 14, receives a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite by the antenna 14, and acquires current position information of the vehicle based on the received signal. The navigation information generation unit 13 generates navigation information for guiding the progress of the vehicle (for example, information obtained by superimposing the current position of the vehicle on a two-dimensional map for route guidance).

  The information receiving unit 15 includes a radio receiver, a television receiver, a data communication device, and the like. For example, when receiving emergency information such as earthquake, tsunami, tornado information, the system control unit 11 To tell. Since the emergency information includes special information different from the general broadcast signal, it can be recognized that the emergency information has been received. The information receiving unit 15 may be a receiver dedicated to emergency broadcasting.

  The obstacle detection unit 16, for example, mounts a plurality of cameras on the vehicle, captures images around the vehicle, analyzes the captured images, identifies obstacles (such as animals) on the road, and When there is, it is displayed on the display unit 30 (described later) to notify the driver. Alternatively, if there is a vehicle that approaches rapidly from the rear, it is notified that there is an obstacle.

  In addition to the method of photographing the surroundings with a camera, the obstacle detection unit 16 may be one that attaches a plurality of ultrasonic sensors or radars to the vehicle and detects obstacles around the vehicle. That is, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic sensor to the surroundings of the vehicle, and when there is an obstacle, the ultrasonic wave reflected by the obstacle is received by the sensor to check the presence or absence of the obstacle. The driver may be notified when approaching.

  The operation unit 17 detects an input from an operation button (not shown) provided on the vehicle. By an operation of the driver, an instruction to turn on / off a navigation display, information on a departure place and a destination, etc. input. The operation unit 17 may be a touch panel type that touches the display.

  The navigation information generating unit 13, the information receiving unit 15, and the obstacle detecting unit 16 constitute information providing means, and the image information generating unit 18 uses the information provided from the information providing means to obtain image information. Is supplied to the display device 20 (described later). Further, the image information generation unit 18 provides image information having a high degree of importance based on the provided information (for example, navigation information with urgency, etc.) when information to be urgently notified to the driver is provided from the information providing unit. Emergency information, obstacle information, etc.) are supplied to the display device 20.

  The control signal generation unit 19 determines the type of image information to be displayed on the display unit 30, determines the headlamp on / off signal from the vehicle information acquisition unit 12, and the position information of the headlamp to determine image information. A position control signal for switching the display position is generated and supplied to the display device 20.

  Next, the configuration of the display device 20 will be described. In the following description, an example in which a head-up display (HUD) is used as the display device 20 will be described. The HUD is a projector arranged at a position corresponding to the driver's seat on the dashboard of the vehicle, for example, and projects an image on the windshield in front of the driver's seat.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the display device 20 (HUD). In FIG. 2, the HUD 20 includes a light flux generation unit 21, an irradiation lens 22, and an optical lens 23 that controls the irradiation range. The irradiation lens 22 and the optical lens 23 constitute an optical box 24, and the focus and magnification can be controlled. Furthermore, a mirror 25 for controlling the irradiation position, a lens 26 for enlarging the image, and a drive unit 27 for controlling the angle of the mirror 25 are included.

  The light beam generation unit 21 is supplied with the image information from the image information generation unit 10, and the light beam generation unit 21 outputs a light beam for displaying the image information. The light beam is irradiated onto the mirror 25 via the irradiation lens 22 and the optical lens 23. The light beam reflected by the mirror 25 is magnified by the magnifying lens 26 and projected onto the windshield FG (display unit 30) of the vehicle. The optical box 24, the mirror 25, and the magnifying lens 26 constitute a projection optical system.

  The display range of the projected image can be controlled by the optical lens 22, and the irradiation position can be controlled by adjusting the angle of the mirror 25. The drive unit 27 is driven by the position control signal from the control signal generation unit 19 and adjusts the angle of the mirror 25 to change the display position of the display information.

  In the vehicle display device of the present invention, navigation information is displayed on the display unit 30 along a route from an arbitrary departure point to a destination for a vehicle driver. In addition, the situation around the vehicle is monitored to determine the presence or absence of an obstacle, and when there is an obstacle, the detection result of the obstacle is displayed. When emergency information (for example, earthquake, tsunami, tornado information) is received, the presence / absence of emergency information is displayed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the display position of the display information. The display unit 30 is substituted by the windshield FG in front of the driver's seat, and projects the image 301 from the HUD 20 onto the windshield FG in front of the driver's seat. A display unit 31 such as an LCD display can be arranged at the center of the dashboard of the vehicle, and various information can be displayed on the display unit 31.

  In the present embodiment, the normal image information 301 is placed at a position below the windshield FG, that is, a position below the driver's reference line of sight (view) so that the actual scene can be watched preferentially during driving. Project and display. Further, the image information 302 having high importance is characterized in that it is displayed by moving to a position overlapping the driver's reference line of sight.

  For example, normal image information 301 that has little trouble even if the visual recognition is delayed, such as vehicle information (speed, rotational speed, etc.) and navigation information, is basically displayed below the windshield FG. The image information 302 with high importance is displayed at a slightly higher position than the normal display position, and is shifted to a position overlapping the driver's reference line of sight.

  As the image information 302 with high importance, for example, there is emergency information when an emergency broadcast is received by the information receiving unit 15. When the emergency broadcast is received, the image information generation unit 18 generates a message such as “Emergency information has been received”, for example. If the information receiving unit 15 receives an emergency broadcast and the information such as “earthquake”, “tsunami”, “tornado”, etc. can be identified from the received information, a specific example such as “an earthquake has occurred” A message or a symbol indicating “earthquake”, “tsunami”, or “tornado” may be generated.

  Further, as the image information 302 having high importance, the information on the obstacle from the obstacle detection unit 16 also corresponds. For example, when an obstacle is detected in front of the vehicle by the obstacle detection unit 16, the image information generation unit 18 generates a message such as “discovery of obstacle”. Also, emergency information is generated when the surroundings are photographed by a plurality of cameras and a dangerous state in which another vehicle is present on the side of the vehicle is observed when the lane is changed. Alternatively, a highly important warning message from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), for example, a message such as engine trouble may be generated using the in-vehicle LAN.

  When image information 302 with high importance is generated in this way, the image information 302 is displayed at a slightly higher position than the normal display position, and is shifted to a position overlapping the driver's line of sight. Since the image information 302 with high importance is an image that requires urgency, it may be referred to as the urgent information 302 in the following description.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a driver's reference line of sight. The driver D usually looks forward in the traveling direction as indicated by an arrow Z1. Although the line of sight may instantaneously move left and right or up and down during driving, the gazing line during traveling is used as a reference line of sight because the front in the traveling direction is basically watched during driving. Accordingly, the normal image information 301 is displayed on the line of sight Z2 shifted to a position lower than the reference line of sight Z1 by the angle α. On the other hand, the emergency information 302 is displayed on the driver's reference line of sight Z1. FIG. 4 schematically shows that the normal image information 301 is displayed on the line of sight Z2, and the emergency information 302 is displayed on the line of sight Z1.

  The reference line of sight during driving varies somewhat depending on the height and posture of the driver, but is slightly closer to the inside as viewed from the driver's seat and at a height near the center of the windshield FG. Further, the position where the emergency information 302 is displayed need not be completely coincident with the line of sight during driving, and may be visible to the driver. Therefore, the display position of the emergency information 302 may be preset assuming an approximate line-of-sight direction. .

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of display information viewed from the driver. In FIG. 5, the normal image information 301 is displayed on the lower side of the windshield as indicated by the height position H1. Further, since the line of sight during driving faces slightly inward when viewed from the driver's seat, the horizontal display center position of the image information 301 is displayed at a position Y1 shifted a predetermined distance slightly inward from the front Y0 of the driver's seat. The

  On the other hand, the emergency information 302 is displayed at a position shifted to the center of the windshield as indicated by the height position H2 shifted in the direction of arrow A, and is displayed at a position that substantially overlaps the driver's reference line of sight. At this time, the horizontal position Y1 does not change. When displaying the emergency information 302, the normal image information 301 is not displayed.

  Whether or not the information is urgent can be determined from an information source or the like. For example, when the information receiving unit 15 receives an emergency broadcast, when the obstacle detecting unit 16 detects an obstacle, or when receiving a warning message from an ECU connected to the in-vehicle LAN, the system control unit 11 It is determined that the emergency information 302 is displayed instead of the normal image information 301.

  Further, the system control unit 11 controls the control signal generation unit 19 when it is determined to be urgent. A position control signal is output from the control signal generation unit 19 and the drive unit 27 is driven by the position control signal. As a result, the angle of the mirror 25 is changed by a predetermined angle, and the display position is shifted to the height position H2 at the center of the windshield FG.

  When the emergency information 302 is displayed in this way, the driver can quickly view without delay, so stop the vehicle while driving, and check the detailed situation on the radio etc. when receiving an emergency broadcast Can do. Further, when an obstacle is detected, it is possible to avoid a collision with the obstacle by confirming the situation ahead. Alternatively, when an abnormality occurs in the vehicle, the vehicle can be quickly stopped.

  Since the focus of the image information may be blurred when the display position is shifted, the drive unit 27 controls the optical box 24 and adjusts so that the focus is properly adjusted. Further, when the size of the image information changes by shifting the display position, the display magnification may be adjusted to display the same size. The focus and display magnification are controlled to preset adjustment values so as to be optimal when the display position is shifted.

  In addition, after the emergency information 302 is displayed, the driving view is hindered in the state as it is, so that after a predetermined time has passed, under the control of the system control unit 11, the original position (the same as the normal image information 301) is displayed. It is better to switch to (display position). In order to display the normal image information 301 after the emergency information 302 is displayed, the user may operate the operation unit 17 to switch the display. However, under the control of the system control unit 11, the predetermined information may be displayed. After the time elapses, the display may be switched to the normal image information 301 display.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the normal image information 301 is displayed, it can be displayed at a position that does not hinder driving and the actual scene can be preferentially watched. Moreover, when displaying the emergency information 302, since it shifts and displays on a driver | operator's eyes | visual_axis, a driver | operator can be notified of a condition without a delay.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the above embodiment, the daytime traveling has been described, but the second embodiment relates to the control of the display position of the display information during nighttime traveling. That is, in the second embodiment, the display position of the emergency information 302 is switched according to the lighting state of the headlamp of the vehicle and the beam position (upper beam or low beam) of the headlamp.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of display information during night driving viewed from the driver. Whether the vehicle is traveling at night or during daytime can be determined based on the lighting information of the headlight from the vehicle information acquisition unit 12, and the system control unit 11 is in the case where the headlamp is on. Is judged to be during night driving. The display position of emergency information is switched according to the beam position of the headlamp (upper beam or low beam).

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the beam position of the headlamp is a low beam, and normal image information 301 is displayed on the lower side of the windshield as indicated by the height position H1. Further, since the line of sight during driving faces slightly inward when viewed from the driver's seat, the image information 301 is displayed at a position Y1 shifted slightly inward from the front Y0 of the driver's seat.

  On the other hand, the emergency information 302 is displayed at a position shifted to the center of the windshield as indicated by a height position H3 shifted in the direction of arrow A. At this time, the emergency information 302 is displayed slightly below the display height H2 during daytime running. When traveling at night, the field of view deteriorates, and the area illuminated by the headlamp moves slightly downward. Therefore, the emergency information 302 is also shifted and displayed at a height position H3 below H2. As a result, it is displayed at a position that substantially overlaps the driver's reference line of sight.

  FIG. 7 shows a state where the beam position of the headlamp is an upper beam. The normal image information 301 is displayed on the lower side of the windshield as indicated by the height position H1. The image information 301 is displayed at a position Y1 shifted slightly inward from the front Y0 of the driver's seat.

  On the other hand, the emergency information 302 is shifted in the direction of arrow A and displayed at a position shifted to the center of the windshield as indicated by the height position H4. At this time, the emergency information 302 is displayed slightly above the display height H2 during daytime travel. If the upper beam is used during night driving, the area illuminated by the headlamp moves upward, so that the emergency information 302 is also shifted to the height position H4 above H2 and displayed accordingly. As a result, it is displayed at a position that substantially overlaps the driver's reference line of sight.

  In addition, after displaying the emergency information 302, since the driving view is hindered in the state as it is, the original position (the same display as the normal image information 301) is controlled under the control of the system control unit 11 after a predetermined time has passed. Switch to (Position).

  In order to display the normal image information 301 after the emergency information 302 is displayed, the user may operate the operation unit 17 to switch the display. However, under the control of the system control unit 11, the predetermined information may be displayed. The normal image information 301 may be displayed after the time elapses.

  As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the emergency information 302 is displayed on the driver by controlling the display height position of the emergency information 302 corresponding to the irradiation area of the headlamp and the reference line of sight of the driver. Since it is displayed on the reference line of sight, the driver can be notified without delay. Further, when displaying the normal image information 301, the actual scene can be preferentially watched by displaying it at a position where it does not hinder driving.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, normal image information and emergency information include various information in addition to the examples described above. Also, the HUD 20 can employ various configurations other than the configuration of FIG. Furthermore, although the method of adjusting the angle of the mirror has been described as an example of shifting the position of the display information, it may be shifted by other methods, or the position of the display information may be shifted by image processing. Modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Display apparatus 11 for vehicles ... System control part 12 ... Vehicle information acquisition part 13 ... Navigation information generation part 14 ... Antenna 15 ... Information reception part 16 ... Obstacle detection part 17 ... Operation part 18 ... Image information generation part 19 ... Control Signal generator 20 ... display device (head-up display)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Light beam production | generation part 22 ... Irradiation lens 23 ... Optical lens 24 ... Optical box 25 ... Mirror 26 ... Magnification lens 27 ... Drive part 30 ... Display part

Claims (7)

An image information generation unit for generating image information;
A head-up display that projects and displays the image information generated by the image information generation unit on a windshield of a vehicle;
Whether the image information is normal first information or highly important second information is determined to control the display position of the image information, and the first information is lower than the reference line of sight of the driver. A control unit that controls to display the second information at a second height position that substantially matches the reference line of sight of the driver;
A vehicle display device characterized by comprising: The vehicle includes an information providing unit including at least one of an obstacle detection unit, a reception unit capable of receiving emergency information, and a navigation information generation unit,
The image information generation unit supplies image information representing the second information to the head-up display when information to be urgently notified to the driver is provided from the information providing unit. The vehicle display device according to claim 1. The head-up display includes a light beam generation unit that generates a light beam based on image information from the image information generation unit, and a projection optical system that reflects the light beam by a mirror and projects the light onto the windshield,
The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls a display position of the image information by controlling a reflection angle by the mirror.   The control unit performs control so that the second image information is displayed at the second height position and, after a predetermined time has elapsed, is shifted to the first height position and displayed. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein:   The control unit displays the first image information at the first height position after a predetermined time has elapsed after the second image information is displayed at the second height position. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is controlled. A vehicle information acquisition unit for acquiring vehicle information;
The control unit controls a display position of the image information by an on / off signal of a headlamp of the vehicle, and the first information is transmitted to the first height regardless of whether the headlamp is on or off. When the headlamp is on, the display height position of the second information is controlled corresponding to the irradiation area of the headlamp and the driver's reference line of sight. The vehicle display device according to claim 1.   The vehicle display device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit changes a display height position of the second information according to information on a beam position of a headlight of the vehicle.

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