JP2016055756A - Head-up display device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To alter a position and a reduction scale of a virtual image to be displayed according to an eyeball position of an operator.SOLUTION: On the basis of a position of an eyeball 92 of an operator 90 which is estimated by an eyeball position estimation part 64a, a display pattern projection position adjustment part 66a adjusts a projection position of a distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) for generating a virtual image 60, and a display pattern generation part 68 adjusts a reduction scale of the distance marker 34 and displays the same on a display pattern projection part 72. The distance marker 34 projected from the display pattern projection part 72 is reflected on a front window glass 40 (light transmissive component), and is superimposed on a suitable position in the front of the operator 90, thereby displaying the virtual image 60 which can be visually recognized by the operator 90.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle head-up display device that superimposes necessary information in front of a driver.

  Nowadays, it is possible to project a display image on the front window glass of the vehicle, form a virtual image in front of the driver, and visually recognize the display image without diverting the line of sight from the front even during driving. Vehicle head-up display devices have been put into practical use.

  In such a vehicle head-up display device, the display position (superimposition position) of the virtual image displayed on the head-up display is changed according to the movement of the driver's face during driving (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-86831 A

  However, in the head-up display described in Patent Document 1, the display position of the virtual image can be adjusted according to the eyeball position of the driver, but at this time, until the size (scale) of the virtual image is adjusted. Did not go. However, if the display position of the virtual image is simply adjusted and the virtual image is superimposed on the foreground, if the driver's viewpoint position is different, there will be a shift between the position that is originally desired to be superimposed and the actual superimposed position. There was a risk of error in information transmission. For example, assuming that a distance marker representing the distance from the preceding vehicle is superimposed on the road surface, there is a possibility that the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle that is originally necessary cannot be obtained correctly unless the distance marker is superimposed at an appropriate position. there were.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and by displaying a virtual image of an appropriate scale at a display position according to the eyeball position (physique) of the driver, the present invention is based on the viewpoint position of the driver. The object is to eliminate the displacement of the superimposed position of the virtual image.

  In order to solve the above problems, a vehicle head-up display device according to the present invention includes a display pattern projection unit that is mounted on a vehicle and displays and projects a display pattern, and is projected from the display pattern projection unit. In a vehicle head-up display device that displays a virtual image by reflecting a displayed pattern with a translucent member, a distance measuring unit that measures a distance from the vehicle to a predetermined target, and an eyeball of a driver of the vehicle Estimated by the eyeball position estimation unit for estimating the position, the display pattern projection position adjustment unit for adjusting the projection position of the display pattern based on the eyeball position estimated by the eyeball position estimation unit, and the eyeball position estimation unit A display pattern generation unit that adjusts a scale of the display pattern based on the position of the eyeball, and the display pattern between the vehicle and the target Characterized by superimposing a.

  According to the vehicle head-up display device of the present invention, the above-described configuration adjusts the display position and scale of the virtual image according to the eyeball position (physique) of the driver. Even when fluctuates, a virtual image of an appropriate size can be displayed at an appropriate overlapping position, and necessary information can be reliably transmitted.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the instrument panel provided with the vehicle head-up display apparatus which concerns on Example 1 which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the head-up display apparatus for vehicles which concerns on Example 1 which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the change of a virtual image display position according to a driver's eyeball position, and (a) is a figure explaining typically a superimposed position of a virtual image in case a driver's eyeball is in a standard position. . (B) is a figure which shows an example of the superimposition position of a virtual image when a driver | operator's eyeball exists in a standard position. It is a figure explaining the change of the virtual image display position according to a driver | operator's eyeball position, (a) is a figure explaining typically the superimposition position of a virtual image when a driver | operator's eyeball exists in a high position. (B) is a figure which shows an example of the superimposition position of a virtual image when a driver | operator's eyeball exists in a high position. It is a figure explaining the change of the virtual image display position according to a driver | operator's eyeball position, (a) is a figure explaining typically the superimposition position of a virtual image in case a driver | operator's eyeball exists in a low position. (B) is a figure which shows an example of the superimposition position of a virtual image when a driver | operator's eyeball exists in a low position. It is a figure explaining the relationship between a driver | operator's eyeball position, the display position of a virtual image, and display size. (A) is a figure which illustrates typically the state where the virtual image of the appropriate scale was superimposed on the appropriate position judged by Example 1 when a driver's eyeball is in a high position. (B) is a figure which shows an example of the superimposition position of a virtual image when a driver | operator's eyeball exists in a high position. (A) is a figure which illustrates typically the state where the virtual image of the suitable scale was superimposed on the suitable position judged by Example 1 when a driver's eyeball is in a low position. (B) is a figure which shows an example of the superimposition position of a virtual image when a driver | operator's eyeball exists in a low position. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed in the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the head-up display apparatus for vehicles which concerns on Example 2 which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the content of the eyeball position estimation process performed in Example 2, (a) is a figure which shows a mode that the position of the reference | standard marker superimposed on the vehicle front is adjusted. (B) is a figure which shows the state which completed adjustment of the position of a reference marker. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed in the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows another example of the information superimposed on a road surface.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the vehicle head-up display device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic structure of a vehicle head-up display device 10a according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the overall configuration of the vehicle head-up display device 10a will be described with reference to FIG.
[Description of overall configuration]

  As shown in the longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 1, a front wall panel 1 and a front window glass 40 (translucent member) are provided in a front portion of a vehicle compartment of a vehicle 20 such as an automobile. An instrument panel 3 is provided below the front window glass 40 so as to cover the vehicle compartment front wall panel 1.

  Inside the instrument panel 3 is a vehicle body strength extending in the vehicle width direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 1) so as to be positioned on the rear side of the vehicle 20 (the right side of the plane of the drawing in FIG. 1). A member 4 is provided. A column bracket (not shown) for attaching the steering column 5 is provided below the vehicle body strength member 4.

  Inside the instrument panel 3 (on the upper side), air conditioning ducts 11 and 12, a harness 13 (a bundle of electric wires), an instrument device 14, and the like are further provided in order from the front side of the vehicle 20. The instrument panel 3 is provided with a meter hood 15 that covers an upper portion of the instrument device 14 as a single body or as a separate body. A column cover 16 is attached to a portion of the steering column 5 that protrudes from the instrument panel 3 toward the rear side of the vehicle 20. In addition, since the arrangement | positioning location of the component inside the instrument panel 3 changes with vehicles, the above-mentioned structure is the example.

  Here, the vehicle compartment front wall panel 1 is configured by a dash panel or the like that is provided below the front window glass 40 (translucent member) and partitions the vehicle compartment and the engine room. The vehicle body strength member 4 has a non-circular cross section (for example, a rectangular cross section) made of metal or light alloy. The air conditioning duct 11 is a duct (defroster duct) for blowing air for air conditioning to the front window glass 40 in order to prevent window fogging. The air conditioning duct 12 is a duct (ventilator duct) for blowing air for air conditioning toward the passenger.

  A vehicle head-up display device 10 a is attached to a gap between the air conditioning duct 11 and the harness 13 in the gap inside the instrument panel 3 configured as described above. The instrument panel 3 is cut out above the vehicle head-up display device 10a, and is emitted from the vehicle head-up display device 10a between the front window glass 40 (translucent member). An opening 29 through which the light beam 51 for forming a virtual image passes is formed.

  The vehicle head-up display device 10a includes a casing 22 that is installed inside the instrument panel 3 having the above-described configuration and that includes a display unit and an imaging optical system necessary for forming a virtual image, And a finisher cover 30 installed above the dustproof cover 27. The dust-proof cover 27 is provided with an infrared reflective coating, which prevents infrared rays (heat rays) incident on the dust-proof cover 27 from the outside of the vehicle 20 from entering the inside of the casing 22, and the temperature inside the casing 22. Prevent the rise.

  Next, the internal configuration of the casing 22 will be described. The casing 22 constituting the vehicle head-up display device 10a includes an image display unit 23a composed of a liquid crystal panel for displaying images and videos, and a plurality of LEDs that illuminate the image display unit 23a from the back. The illumination unit 23b, the optical path forming components 25 and 26 for reflecting the image displayed on the image display unit 23a along the arrow L, and projecting it in the direction of the windshield 40, and the above-described dustproof And a cover 27.

  The dust cover 27 guides the light that has passed through the optical path forming components 25 and 26 to the direction of the windshield 40 and directs the external light incident from the outside of the vehicle 20 in a direction that the driver cannot visually recognize. It is made of a transparent resin having a constant thickness, for example, a resin member such as polycarbonate, glass or the like. The dust cover 27 forms a concave surface in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 20 when viewed from the front window glass 40 side, and is described above in the left-right direction of the vehicle 20 (the direction orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 1). The concave surface forms a continuous cylindrical surface.

  The dustproof cover 27 is assembled at the upper edge of the casing 22 so as to close the exit of the light beam, which is emitted from the casing 22 to the outside and represented by the arrow L in FIG.

  The optical path forming components 25, 26 described above are reflecting mirrors (single or plural plane mirrors or convex mirrors) that guide the display pattern 18 (not shown in FIG. 1) displayed on the image display unit 23a toward the front window glass 40. (Optical path forming component 25) and a concave mirror (optical path forming component 26) The number and types of optical components forming the optical path forming components 25 and 26 are not limited to the above-described configuration. Rather, an optical component having an appropriately designed configuration is used.

  Here, the concave mirror (optical path forming component 26) is supported by a step motor 21. The step motor 21 rotates in accordance with an instruction from the motor drive unit 28, and the direction of the optical path forming component 26 is changed to an arrow M. Can be changed in direction. In accordance with the rotation of the step motor 21, the emission direction of the light beam 51 changes, and the imaging position of a virtual image 60 described later can be changed.

  The image display unit 23a generates a display image by scanning not only the liquid crystal panel but also the light emitted from the LED with a micromirror to generate a display image, or the light emitted from the laser light source. You may comprise by a laser system. However, when the DLP method or the laser method is used, a screen for projecting a display image is required in addition to the optical path forming components 25 and 26.

The light beam 51 emitted from the image display unit 23 a and passing through the opening 29 is reflected by the front window glass 40 (translucent member) and reflected as a reflected light beam 52 toward the eyeball 92 of the driver 90. When this reflected light beam 52 is extended to the outside of the front window glass 40, the point P ahead of the front window glass 40 by a predetermined distance (position of the imaging distance c from the eyeball 92 of the driver 90) when viewed from the driver 90. A display pattern 18 (not shown) displayed on the image display unit 23 a is formed as a virtual image 60 at a position including ₀ .
[Description of detailed configuration]

  Next, a detailed configuration of the vehicle head-up display device 10a will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the head-up display device 10 a for a vehicle has a front window glass 40 (translucent member) mounted on the vehicle 20 and a distance from the preceding vehicle toward the front window glass 40, for example. The display pattern projection unit 72 made of a liquid crystal panel for projecting the distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) representing the display pattern 18 and the display pattern 18 projected from the display pattern projection unit 72 are guided to the windshield 40, and the driver 90 A projection optical system 70 that forms a virtual image 60 in the front, a driver 90 riding in the vehicle 20, and a driver imaging that is installed toward the face of the driver 90 and images the face of the driver 90. Unit 62, an eyeball position estimation unit 64a that estimates the eyeball position of the driver 90 from images captured by the driver imaging unit 62, and an eyeball position estimation unit Based on the eyeball position of the driver 90 estimated at 4a, the display pattern projection position adjustment unit 66a that adjusts the projection position of the distance marker 34 (display pattern 18), and the driver 90 estimated by the eyeball position estimation unit 64a. Based on the position of the eyeball, the scale of the distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) is adjusted to generate the distance marker 34, and the distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle is measured. Laser, infrared, or ultrasonic wave And a distance measuring unit 69 having a distance measuring sensor using the like.

  The driver imaging unit 62 is embedded in the vicinity of the instrument device 14 (see FIG. 1) of the vehicle 20 so as to capture an area including the eye range of the driver 90, and drivers of various physiques. Even when 90 is seated in the driver's seat, the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 can be imaged.

  Further, the display pattern projection unit 72 includes, for example, the image display unit 23a and the illumination unit 23b described with reference to FIG.

  The projection optical system 70 includes, for example, the optical path forming components 25 and 26 described with reference to FIG.

Furthermore, the display pattern projection position adjustment unit 66a is configured by, for example, the step motor 21 and the motor drive unit 28 described with reference to FIG.
[Explanation of relationship between driver's eyeball position, virtual image display position, and display size]

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3 </ b> B, 3 </ b> C, and 4, it will be described that a difference occurs in the superimposed position and display size of the virtual image due to the difference in the height of the driver's eyeball.

  FIG. 3A (a) is a diagram schematically illustrating the superimposed position of the virtual image when the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 is at the standard position E1 (eyeball height L1). And FIG. 3A (b) is a figure which shows an example of the superimposition position of the virtual image at that time. FIG. 3B (a) is a diagram schematically illustrating the superimposed position of the virtual image when the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 is at a high position E2 (eyeball height L2). FIG. 3B (b) is a diagram illustrating an example of the superimposed position of the virtual image at that time. FIG. 3C (a) is a diagram schematically illustrating the superimposed position of the virtual image when the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 is at a low position E3 (eyeball height L3). FIG. 3C (b) is a diagram showing an example of the superimposed position of the virtual image at that time.

  As shown in FIG. 3A (b), a distance marker 34 representing the distance between the vehicle 20 and the preceding vehicle 32 is superimposed on the road surface ahead of the driver 90 to provide information to the driver 90. Yes.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3A (a), the distance marker 34 is displayed as a virtual image with a display size d at a display position (display height) h, and points A1 and B1 in front of the vehicle 20 are displayed. Is superimposed on the area between. In FIG. 3A (a), the upper end of the distance marker 34, that is, the point A1 on the far side is superimposed on the front side of the vehicle 20, at a distance a1 from the driver 90. As shown in FIG. 3A (b), the distance marker 34 is composed of a plurality of scales, and each scale indicates, for example, a position obtained by dividing between the points A1 and B1 at equal intervals. Further, on the left side of the distance marker 34, a numerical value representing the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle 32 measured by the distance measuring unit 69 is displayed.

  Here, in order to simplify the explanation, it is assumed that the point A1 is superimposed at a position that coincides with the rear end of the preceding vehicle 32, and the lower end of the distance marker 34, that is, the point B1 on the near side is the front of the vehicle 20. Suppose that it is superimposed on the position of the distance b1 from the driver 90. The scale corresponding to the point A1 on the far side of the distance marker 34 represents the distance between the vehicle 20 and the preceding vehicle 32.

  Next, when the position E2 of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 is higher than the position E1 of the eyeball 92 shown in FIG. 3A (a), the same display position (display height) as that in FIG. 3A (a). A case where the distance marker 34 is displayed as a virtual image with the same display size d as h is illustrated in FIGS. 3B (a) and 3 (b). As can be seen from FIGS. 3B (a) and 3 (b), the distance marker 34 is located at a position closer to the road surface (range from point A2 to point B2) than in the case shown in FIGS. 3A (a) and 3 (b). ). That is, the overlapping position of the distance marker 34 deviates from the position that should be originally overlapped. In the case of FIG. 3B (b), the distance marker 34 does not reach the preceding vehicle 32, and therefore the inter-vehicle distance cannot be read.

  Similarly, when the position E3 of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 is lower than the position E1 of the eyeball 92 shown in FIG. 3A (a), the same display position (display height) as that in FIG. 3A (a). A case where the distance marker 34 is displayed as a virtual image with the same display size d as h is illustrated in FIGS. As can be seen from FIGS. 3C (a) and 3 (b), the distance marker 34 is located farther on the road surface (range from point A3 to point B3 than in the case shown in FIGS. 3A (a) and 3 (b). ). That is, the superimposition position of the virtual image deviates from the position that should be superimposed, and in the case of FIG. 3C (b), the distance marker 34 is superimposed farther than the actual distance. Observed shorter than the actual inter-vehicle distance.

  Thus, when displaying the distance marker 34 superimposed on the road surface, the display position (display height) of the virtual image (distance marker 34) to be displayed according to the positions E1, E2, E3 of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90. ) H and display size d need to be adjusted appropriately.

  Next, a method for adjusting the display position of the distance marker 34 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 always shows the road surface even when the positions E1, E2, and E3 of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 change as shown in FIGS. 3A (a), 3B (a), and 3C (a). A method for setting the display positions (display heights) h1, h2, and h3 and display sizes d1, d2, and d3 of the distance marker 34 so that the distance marker 34 can be superimposed over the range from the upper point A1 to the point B1. It is a figure explaining.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the display positions (display heights) h2 and h3 of the distance marker 34 are the positions E2 and E3 of the eyeball 92 (height L2 and L3 of the eyeball 92), the imaging distance c, and the driver. If the distance b1 from the 90 eyeballs 92 to the point B1 is known, it can be obtained by (Expression 1) and (Expression 2).
h2 = {(b1-c) / b1} * L2 (Formula 1)
h3 = {(b1-c) / b1} * L3 (Formula 2)

  Here, the heights L2 and L3 of the eyeball 92 can be calculated based on the estimation result of the eyeball position estimation unit 64a.

  The imaging distance c is a known value because it is a design parameter of the vehicle head-up display device 10a.

  Further, the distance b1 from the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 to the point B1 is the distance from the tip of the vehicle 20 to the point B1 and the distance from the imaging position of the distance marker 34 to the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 (imaging distance). c) and the distance from the tip of the vehicle 20 to the imaging position of the distance marker 34 are both known and can be obtained by calculation. Therefore, the display positions (display heights) h2 and h3 of the distance marker 34 can be calculated by (Expression 1) and (Expression 2).

Further, the display sizes d2 and d3 of the virtual image (distance marker 34) can be obtained by (Expression 3) and (Expression 4).
d2 = [{(a1-c) / a1}-{(b1-c) / b1}] * L2 (Formula 3)
d3 = [{(a1-c) / a1}-{(b1-c) / b1}] * L3 (Formula 4)

  Here, the heights L2 and L3 of the eyeball 92 can be calculated based on the estimation result of the eyeball position estimation unit 64a. Since the variables a1, b1, and c described on the right side of (Expression 3) and (Expression 4) are all known, the display size of the distance marker 34 is determined by (Expression 3) and (Expression 4). d2 and d3 can be calculated.

When the display positions (display heights) h2 and h3 and the display sizes d2 and d3 of the distance marker 34 are determined, the display pattern 18 (non-display) to be displayed on the display pattern projection unit 72 to generate the distance marker 34 is determined. The display position in the display pattern projection unit 72 is uniquely determined. That is, the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 is displayed by displaying the distance markers 34 of the calculated display sizes d2 and d3 at the display positions (display heights) h2 and h3 determined by (Expression 1) to (Expression 4). The distance marker 34 can be reliably superimposed at an appropriate position according to the position.
[Explanation of driver's eye position estimation method]

  Next, a method for estimating the position of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 performed by the eyeball position estimation unit 64a will be described. There are various methods for estimating the eyeball position. Here, the position of the eyeball 92 is detected from the image including the face of the driver 90 imaged by the driver imaging unit 62. Based on the position of the eyeball 92, the height L1 of the eyeball described in FIG. 3A is estimated.

  The eyeball position can be detected by analyzing the image captured by the driver image capturing unit 62 using, for example, the symmetry of the face and the brightness distribution of the eyeball. Then, the vertical position of the detected left or right eyeball is obtained, and the height L1 of the eyeball is estimated. Alternatively, the vertical positions of the left and right eyeballs may be obtained, and the average value may be used as the eyeball height L1.

  Here, since the height L1 of the eyeball increases as the position of the eyeball in the image captured by the driver imaging unit 62 increases, the correspondence relationship is converted into data in advance through experiments, and the result is stored in the eyeball position estimation unit. 64a. The eyeball position can be estimated by referring to the height L1 of the eyeball corresponding to the detected eyeball position from the stored data.

In addition, depending on the driver 90, the seat of the vehicle 20 may be seated by adjusting the front / rear position of the seat and the angle of the backrest. Since the front-rear position and the backrest angle of the seat of the vehicle 20 can be detected by a sensor built in the seat, the driver 90 can be obtained by taking into account the front-rear position of the seat and the backrest angle thus detected. The estimation accuracy of the position of the eyeball 92 can be further improved.
[Description of Display Pattern Projection Position Determination Method and Adjustment Method]

  Next, a method for determining the projection position of the display pattern 18 based on the eyeball position of the driver 90 will be described using the distance marker 34 as an example.

  When the eyeball position estimation unit 64a estimates that the height of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 is L1, the road surface on which the distance marker 34 representing the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle 32 measured by the distance measurement unit 69 is superimposed. Since the upper near side position (point B1 in FIG. 4) is known, the display position (display height) h of the virtual image 60 representing the distance marker 34 to be displayed at the position of the imaging distance c is uniquely determined ( Specifically, according to (Formula 1) or (Formula 2) described above).

  In order to display the lowest point of the virtual image 60 (the point B1 closest to the vehicle 20 among the distance markers 34) at the position of the display position (display height) h thus determined, a display pattern is displayed. The direction of the optical path forming component 26 constituting the projection optical system 70 is changed by the projection position adjusting unit 66a.

Specifically, in response to an instruction from the display pattern projection position adjustment unit 66a, a marker representing the closest position of the distance marker 34 displayed on the image display unit 23a displays the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 and the point B1 on the road surface. The step motor 21 is rotated so as to be superimposed on the connecting line segment. Since the step motor 21 is driven by a predetermined pulse input from the motor drive unit 28 and the rotation angle per pulse is specified, if the initial position of the optical path forming component 26 is known, the initial position Therefore, the projection position of the distance marker 34 can be adjusted with certainty.
[Description of how to determine the scale of the display pattern]

  Next, a method for determining the scale of the distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) based on the eyeball position of the driver 90 will be described.

  As described above, when the position of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 is different, when the same distance marker 34 is superimposed, a deviation from the position to be actually superimposed occurs.

  Therefore, in order to superimpose the display pattern 18 (for example, the distance marker 34) at an appropriate position, it is necessary to adjust the vertical scale of the distance marker 34 according to the position of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 as described above. There is.

Hereinafter, a specific method for changing the scale of the distance marker 34 will be described. In FIG. 4, the display size d2 of the virtual image of the distance marker 34 to be displayed when the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 is at a position higher than the standard position, and the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 is more than the standard position. The display size d3 of the virtual image of the distance marker 34 to be displayed when the distance marker 34 is lower than the distance marker 34 having the display size d1 is displayed. Corrections need to be made according to (Expression 5) and (Expression 6).
d2 = (L2 / L1) * d1 (Formula 5)
d3 = (L3 / L1) * d1 (Formula 6)

  This indicates that the display size d1 of the distance marker 34 displayed when the eyeball 92 is at the standard position may be enlarged or reduced at a rate corresponding to the change in the height of the eyeball 92. The distance marker 34 needs to be enlarged and displayed in the vertical direction (vertical direction) as the position of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 is higher. The distance marker 34 is displayed as the position of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 is lower. It can be seen that 34 needs to be reduced and displayed in the vertical direction (vertical direction).

  The display pattern 18 (for example, the distance marker 34) may be generated by calculating the scale each time, but a plurality of display patterns 18 having different vertical scales are generated in advance and the display pattern generating unit 68 is generated. Each time the position of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 is estimated, the display pattern 18 corresponding to the variation rate of the height of the eyeball 92 from the standard position may be selected. Thus, by using the display pattern 18 as a selection formula, it is possible to quickly generate the display pattern 18 having an appropriate scale without performing complicated calculations.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B show examples in which the distance marker 34 formed by the display pattern 18 generated in this way is superimposed on an appropriate position.

  FIG. 5A (a) shows a case where the position E2 of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 is high (height L2 of the eyeball 92), and the distance marker 34 superimposed at this time is shown in FIG. 5A (b). Thus, when compared with FIG. 3B (b) in which the scale of the distance marker 34 and the superimposed position are not controlled, it can be seen that the distance marker 34 is superimposed at an appropriate position.

  FIG. 5B (a) shows a case where the position E3 of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 is low (height L3 of the eyeball 92). The distance marker 34 superimposed at this time is shown in FIG. 5B (b). As can be seen from FIG. 3C (b), in which the scale of the distance marker 34 and the superimposed position are not controlled, it is apparent that the distance marker 34 is superimposed at an appropriate position.

In the present embodiment, the scale of the distance marker 34 is uniformly changed according to only the positions E1, E2, and E3 of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90. However, this is also the position within the distance marker 34 ( The scale may be adjusted according to the distance from the vehicle 20). That is, the change rate of the scale interval constituting the distance marker is reduced as the position is farther from the vehicle 20, and the scale interval scale constituting the distance marker is closer to the vehicle 20. The rate of change may be increased. As a result, the scale drawn at equal intervals can be more accurately represented by the perspective transformation, which is observed more sparsely in the vicinity and densely in the distance.
[Description of Process Flow of First Embodiment]

  Next, the processing flow of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S100) The eyeball position estimation unit 64a performs an eyeball position estimation process. The specific contents of the processing are as described above.

  (Step S102) The display pattern projection position adjustment unit 66a performs a projection position determination process for the display pattern 18. The specific contents of the processing are as described above.

  (Step S104) The projection optical system 70 is adjusted based on the projection position determined by the display pattern projection position adjustment unit 66a. The specific adjustment method is as described above.

  (Step S106) The display pattern generator 68 generates the display pattern 18 with the scale adjusted. A specific generation method is as described above.

  (Step S108) The generated display pattern 18 is displayed and projected on the display pattern projection unit 72.

  Hereinafter, another embodiment of the vehicle head-up display device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the vehicle head-up display device 10b according to the embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle head-up display device 10b is mounted on the vehicle 20 and has the same overall configuration as the vehicle head-up display device 10a described with reference to FIG. First, the detailed configuration of the vehicle head-up display device 10b will be described with reference to FIG.
[Description of detailed configuration]

As shown in FIG. 7, the head-up display device 10 b for a vehicle has a front window glass 40 (translucent member) mounted on the vehicle 20 and a distance from the preceding vehicle toward the front window glass 40, for example. A display pattern projection unit 72 made of a liquid crystal panel for projecting a distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) representing the distance marker 34 and a distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) projected from the display pattern projection unit 72 are guided to the front window glass 40. The projection optical system 70 that forms the virtual image 60 in front of the driver 90, the driver 90 riding in the vehicle 20, and the driver 90 adjust the projection position of the distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) by themselves. Based on the adjustment result of the display pattern projection position adjustment unit 66b and the display pattern projection position adjustment unit 66b, the eyeball position of the driver 90 is determined. , And the scale of the distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) is determined based on the eyeball position of the driver 90 estimated by the eyeball position estimation unit 64b to determine the distance marker 34 (display pattern 18). The display pattern generation unit 68 for adjusting the scale of (), the display pattern storage unit 74 for storing the adjustment result of the display pattern projection position adjustment unit 66b and the scale of the distance marker 34 (display pattern 18), and the display pattern storage unit 74 A display pattern reproduction unit 76 that reads the stored adjustment result of the display pattern projection position adjustment unit 66b and the scale of the distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) and reproduces the display pattern 18 stored at the stored position; A distance measuring unit 69 that measures the distance between the vehicle and the vehicle.
[Explanation of driver's eye position estimation method]

  Next, a method for estimating the position of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 performed by the eyeball position estimation unit 64b will be described. There are various methods for estimating the eyeball position. Here, the driver 90 operates the display pattern projection position adjustment unit 66b by himself so as to match the reference marker 36 displayed as a virtual image to a predetermined position. Based on the result, the position of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 is estimated.

  Specific processing contents will be described with reference to FIG. That is, the driver 90 stops the vehicle 20 and looks at the virtual image of the reference marker 36 displayed forward, and moves the display position of the reference marker 36 in the direction of the arrow N as shown in FIG. By adjusting, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), it is made to coincide with the front end of the hood of the vehicle 20.

  When the state shown in FIG. 8B is reached, the reference marker 36 is displayed on a straight line connecting the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 and the tip of the hood of the vehicle 20. Here, since the imaging distance of the virtual image is known in advance, the height of the displayed reference marker 36 from the ground is uniquely obtained.

  Further, since the height of the bonnet tip of the vehicle 20 and the horizontal distance between the bonnet tip and the imaging position of the reference marker 36 are also known, a straight line connecting the display position of the reference marker 36 and the bonnet tip of the vehicle 20 is obtained. Determine uniquely. Then, the height of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 can be estimated as the height of the straight line at the position on the rear side of the vehicle 20 from the display position of the reference marker 36 by the imaging distance c.

Note that any of a method for determining the projection position and scale of the distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) based on the eyeball position of the driver 90 and a method for adjusting the projection position of the distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) Since this is the same as that described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
[Description of display pattern storage function]

  Next, the function of storing the generated distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) and its projection position will be described. It is inefficient to estimate the eyeball position of the driver 90 every time the ignition switch of the vehicle 20 is turned on. Therefore, the vehicle head-up display device 10b stores the projection position and scale of the distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) adjusted based on the eyeball position of the driver 90 estimated once in the display pattern storage unit 74. It has a function.

At this time, each data is stored in association with the driver 90. Note that the association between the data to be stored and the driver 90 is performed, for example, when the driver 90 assigns a unique number when storing. Thereby, even if it is a case where the driver | operator 90 changes, the projection position and scale of each distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) peculiar to each driver | operator can be memorize | stored for every driver | operator.
[Description of display pattern reproduction function]

  Next, a function of reading the stored projection position and scale of the distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) and reproducing the stored distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) will be described.

  The vehicle head-up display device 10b includes a display pattern reproduction unit 76 that reproduces the display pattern 18 stored at the stored position. From the display pattern storage unit 74 in response to an instruction from the driver 90, The stored data corresponding to the driver 90 is read out. At this time, the driver 90 can read out the data stored by the driver 90 by inputting a unique number corresponding to the driver 90.

The read data is sent to the display pattern projection position adjustment unit 66b to adjust the projection direction of the projection optical system 70. Further, the read data is sent to the display pattern generation unit 68, and the display pattern 18 of the distance marker 34 having a scale suitable for the driver 90 is generated. The display pattern 18 of the distance marker 34 reproduced in this way is projected from the display pattern projection unit 72 and superimposed on an appropriate position suitable for the driver 90.
[Description of Process Flow of Example 2]

  Next, the processing flow of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S200) It is determined whether or not the storage data of the display pattern 18 (for example, the distance marker 34) exists in the display pattern storage unit 74. If the stored data exists, the process proceeds to step S202. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S204.

  (Step S202) The storage data of the display pattern 18 is read from the display pattern storage unit 74. This reading is performed by the display pattern reproduction unit 76. For example, the storage data corresponding to the driver 90 is read by designating a unique number corresponding to the driver 90 that is input when the data is stored. .

  (Step S204) The eyeball position estimation unit 64b performs an eyeball position estimation process. The specific contents of the processing are as described above, and the eyeball position is estimated based on the result of the driver 90 himself matching the reference marker 36 displayed in the virtual image with a predetermined position.

  (Step S206) In the display pattern projection position adjustment unit 66b, a projection position determination process for the display pattern 18 is performed. The specific contents of the processing are as described above.

  (Step S208) The display pattern generation unit 68 determines the scale of the display pattern 18. The specific contents of the processing are as described above.

  (Step S210) The determined scale of the display pattern 18 and its projection position are stored in the display pattern storage unit 74. At this time, as described above, each data is stored in association with the driver 90.

  (Step S212) The projection optical system 70 is adjusted based on the projection position determined by the display pattern projection position adjustment unit 66b. The specific adjustment method is as described above.

  (Step S214) In the display pattern generation unit 68, the scale of the display pattern 18 is adjusted. The specific adjustment method is as described above.

  (Step S216) The generated display pattern 18 is displayed and projected on the display pattern projection unit 72.

  As described above, according to the vehicle head-up display device 10a according to the first embodiment, the display pattern projection position adjustment unit 66a is based on the position of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 estimated by the eyeball position estimation unit 64a. The projection position of the virtual image 60 representing the distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) corresponding to the inter-vehicle distance measured by the distance measuring unit 69 that measures the distance to the preceding vehicle 32 (predetermined target) is adjusted and displayed. The pattern generation unit 68 generates the display pattern 18 whose scale is adjusted according to the position of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 and displays the display pattern 18 on the display pattern projection unit 72. The display pattern 18 projected from the display pattern projection unit 72 is reflected by the front window glass 40 (translucent member) and superimposed between the vehicle 20 and the preceding vehicle 32 (predetermined target). In order to display the virtual image 60 that the driver 90 can visually recognize, even if the driver changes and the physique (eyeball position) changes, the superimposed image is displayed without shifting the superimposed position. be able to. Therefore, necessary information can be surely superimposed at an appropriate position, and necessary information can be reliably transmitted.

  In addition, according to the vehicle head-up display device 10a according to the first embodiment, the display pattern generation unit 68 moves the display pattern 18 (for example, the distance marker 34) in the vertical direction according to the position of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90. Since the scale is adjusted, even when the driver's physique (eyeball position) changes, the virtual image 60 having an appropriate scale is displayed, and the occurrence of a shift in the superimposed position of the virtual image 60 can be suppressed.

  Then, according to the vehicle head-up display device 10a according to the first embodiment, the display pattern generation unit 68 performs display according to the position of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 from among a plurality of display patterns prepared in advance. Since an appropriate display pattern to be displayed on the pattern projection unit 72 is selected, the virtual image 60 having an appropriate scale can be displayed without performing complicated calculations.

  Furthermore, according to the vehicle head-up display device 10b according to the second embodiment, the eyeball position estimation unit 64b displays the virtual image 60 generated by the reference marker 36 projected by the display pattern projection unit 72 in front of the driver 90. The position of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90 based on the adjustment result of the display pattern projection position adjustment unit 66b when the driver 90 adjusts the position by the display pattern projection position adjustment unit 66b to match the predetermined position. Therefore, the eyeball position of the driver 90 can be estimated easily and reliably without using a special device.

  Further, according to the vehicle head-up display device 10b according to the second embodiment, the display pattern storage unit 74 includes the projection position of the display pattern 18 determined by the display pattern projection position adjustment unit 66b and the display pattern generation unit 68. The determined display pattern 18 is stored for each driver, and the display pattern reproduction unit 76 corresponds to the driver 90 stored in the display pattern storage unit 74 in accordance with an instruction from the driver 90. Read the stored content and project the stored display pattern 18 to the projection position according to the stored content. Once stored, the virtual image of the appropriate scale can be displayed at the appropriate position with a simple operation. can do.

  In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the front window glass 40 of the vehicle 20 is used as the translucent member has been described. However, as the translucent member, in addition to the front window glass 40, the front window glass is used. A reflective panel (separate type combiner) having translucency provided separately from 40 may be used.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments, the distance marker 34 indicating the distance to the preceding vehicle 32 that is a predetermined target is described as an example of the display pattern 18 to be superimposed, but a specific example of the display pattern 18 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the present invention can also be applied to a route guidance marker 35 that represents a distance to an intersection that is a target. In this case, after adjusting the display position and scale of the route guidance marker 35 according to the distance to the intersection detected by the car navigation system according to the position of the eyeball 92 of the driver 90, By superimposing on the road surface, the route of the vehicle 20 can be accurately displayed.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments, the direction of the optical path forming component 26 constituting the projection optical system 70 is changed by the instruction of the display pattern projection position adjusting unit 66a, and the distance marker 34 (display pattern 18) is changed. Although the projection position is adjusted, the method for adjusting the projection position is not limited to changing the direction of the optical path forming component 26. In other words, the direction of the optical path forming component 25 may be changed.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the embodiments are only examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments. Needless to say, design changes and the like within a range not departing from the gist of the invention are included in the present invention.

10a Head-up display device 18 for vehicle Display pattern 20 Vehicle 34 Distance marker 40 Front window glass (translucent member)
60 Virtual Image 62 Driver Imaging Unit 64a Eyeball Position Estimation Unit 66a Display Pattern Projection Position Adjustment Unit 68 Display Pattern Generation Unit 70 Projection Optical System 72 Display Pattern Projection Unit 90 Driver 92 Eyeball

Claims (5)

A vehicle head-up that has a display pattern projection unit that is mounted on a vehicle and displays and projects a display pattern, and displays a virtual image by reflecting the display pattern projected from the display pattern projection unit with a translucent member. In the display device,
A distance measuring unit for measuring a distance from the vehicle to a predetermined target;
An eyeball position estimation unit for estimating the eyeball position of the driver of the vehicle;
A display pattern projection position adjustment unit that adjusts the projection position of the display pattern based on the eyeball position estimated by the eyeball position estimation unit;
A display pattern generation unit that adjusts the scale of the display pattern based on the eyeball position estimated by the eyeball position estimation unit, and superimposes the display pattern between the vehicle and the target A vehicle head-up display device.   The vehicle head-up display device according to claim 1, wherein the display pattern generation unit adjusts a vertical scale of the display pattern in accordance with a driver's eyeball position.   The said display pattern production | generation part selects the display pattern according to a driver | operator's eyeball position from the several display patterns prepared previously, The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Vehicle head-up display device.   The eyeball position estimating unit adjusts a display position of a virtual image generated by a reference marker projected by the display pattern projecting unit in front of the vehicle by the display pattern projecting position adjusting unit. 4. The vehicle head according to claim 1, wherein the driver's eyeball position is estimated based on a projected position of the reference marker when matched with a position. 5. Up display device. A display pattern storage unit that stores the projection position of the display pattern determined by the display pattern projection position adjustment unit and the display pattern generated by the display pattern generation unit for each driver;
A display pattern for reading the stored content corresponding to the driver stored in the display pattern storage unit and projecting the stored display pattern on the projection position corresponding to the stored content in accordance with the instruction of the driver 5. The vehicle head-up display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a reproduction unit.