JP4655030B2 - Image display device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display device.

JP 2005-352177 A Japanese Patent No. 338859

  Conventionally, there has been known a method called α blend in which a plurality of image data are mixed at a predetermined mixing ratio and displayed on a display screen in a superimposed manner (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). For example, if the background image data is A, the overlay data is B, and the mixing ratio is α (0 <α <1), the blend image data C is displayed as C = A × (1−α) + B × α. These calculation processes are performed on a pixel-by-pixel basis. In the case of a color image, this processing is performed for each of RGB.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, for example, a meter image 101 referred to by the driver during driving is displayed on the screen at all times, and a meter image 101 is displayed when a warning image 102 is displayed as a warning. Something that lowers the brightness has been developed. When the brightness of the meter image 101 decreases, the warning image 102 is easily noticeable, so that the driver can easily notice the warning.

  In order to realize this meter, for example, the following method can be considered. That is, the meter image 101 and the warning image 102 are prepared as one image layer 100, the light control layer 103 in which only the portion of the warning image 102 is made the transparent region 104 is prepared separately, and the warning image 102 is displayed in the warning display state. In this case, the image layer 100 and the light control layer 103 are α blended. In this way, it is possible to reduce the brightness of the meter image 101 only.

  However, meter design may change from time to time for vehicle design reasons. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the position of the warning image 102 may be changed. In this case, it is necessary to change the position of the transparent region 104 of the light control layer 103. That is, when the design of the image layer 100 is changed, the dimming layer 103 also needs to be changed. Therefore, there has been a demand for an image display device that does not need to change the light control layer even when the design of the image layer is changed.

  The problem of the present invention is that the main image and the auxiliary image are displayed on the display screen, and the luminance can be changed only for the main image, and the dimming layer is changed even when the design of the image layer is changed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image display device that does not need to be performed.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

In order to solve the above problems, an image display device according to the present invention provides:
Based on the image pixel data on the image layer, a dimming active area that displays an image on a display area that is partitioned on the output screen of the display device, and in which the pixel setting value is uniformly set within the area, A dimming layer provided to include the dimming target image area on the image layer is provided separately from the image layer, and the pixel setting value of the dimming target image area and the pixel setting value of the dimming active area are set as desired. An image display device capable of displaying a dimming target image while dimming by mixing and outputting the mixture at a mixing ratio determined according to the dimming degree,
The image layer is
A main image layer on which a figure of the main image to be dimmed is placed,
A portion that is arranged to be superimposed on the main image layer as an upper layer and that includes the auxiliary image figure that is not subject to dimming, and that includes the auxiliary image in a form that does not interfere with visual recognition of the main image The region is separated into an opaque region that cannot be seen through the main image layer, and the remaining region is separated into an auxiliary image layer that is defined as a transparent region through which the main image layer can be seen through,
The dimming layer is disposed at least below the auxiliary image layer, and the dimming active area is defined as a fixed area that collectively includes the opaque area of the auxiliary image layer and at least the main image forming area of the main image layer. It is characterized by being made.

  According to the above invention, the image layer is separated into the main image layer and the auxiliary image layer. In the auxiliary image layer, the area for displaying the auxiliary image is an opaque area, and the remaining area is a transparent area. The light control layer is determined so as to collectively include the opaque region of the auxiliary image layer and the main image formation region of the main image layer. Therefore, even when the design of the image layer (main image layer and auxiliary image layer) is changed, it is not necessary to change the light control layer.

  For example, the entire area of the dimming layer can be defined as the dimming active area. In this way, no matter how the image layer is changed, there is no need to change the light control layer. In addition, the light control layer can be arranged between the auxiliary image layer and the main image layer.

  In this case, a dimming setting input unit and a mixing ratio variable setting unit that variably sets the mixing ratio of the dimming layer according to the setting state of the dimming setting input unit can be provided. In this way, the user can adjust the luminance of the main image.

  It is desirable that the opaque area on the auxiliary image layer and the main image forming area on the main image layer are determined so as not to overlap each other. In this way, the auxiliary image and the main image do not overlap each other, so that it is easy to see.

  Furthermore, it is preferable to set the background region of the auxiliary image in the opaque region and the background region of the main image in the main image layer to the same pixel color. As a result, there is no boundary between the background of the auxiliary image and the main image, and these can be displayed together.

  Specifically, the image display device of the present invention is used by being arranged at a position facing the driver's seat of the vehicle, and displays a meter image referred to when the vehicle is driven as a main image. Further, the auxiliary image can be a warning image for displaying a warning of the vehicle state to the user. Furthermore, when the warning image is in a warning display state, a warning brightness automatic adjustment means for automatically adjusting the mixture ratio of the dimming layer so that the brightness of the main image becomes darker than when the warning display is canceled. It is good to have a configuration provided. In this way, when the warning image is in a warning display state, the brightness of the main image (meter image) becomes dark, so that the driver can easily notice the warning.

  On the other hand, the auxiliary image may include a night vision image captured by a night vision camera mounted on the vehicle. If the brightness of the main image (meter image) becomes dark when the night vision photographed image is displayed, the driver can easily notice the night vision photographed image.

The present invention also provides a display state in which the first display state in which the auxiliary image is not dimmable and the second display state in which the auxiliary image is adjusted in luminance by the dimming layer in conjunction with the main image are switchable. It may be provided with a switching means. According to this structure, a 1st display state and a 2nd display state can be freely switched by a user's intention.

Specifically, the display state switching means can switch between the first display state and the second display state by switching the vertical relationship between the light control layer and the auxiliary image layer. In this way, it is possible to switch between the first display state and the second display state without performing particularly complicated calculation processing.

  Further, according to the present invention, the dimming active area is formed corresponding to the opaque area of the auxiliary image layer, the background area of the dimming active area is set to be transparent, and the pixel setting value is set only for the auxiliary image layer. An auxiliary dimming layer that can be mixed can also be provided. In this way, the luminance of the auxiliary image can be adjusted separately from the main image.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1A is an example of a display screen of the image display apparatus 1. FIG. 2 shows an example of layers (main image layer 2a, dimming layer 3, auxiliary image layer 2b) used for displaying the display screen. As shown in FIG. 2, the present invention has three layers. That is, the main image layer 2a in FIG. 2A is composed of only the meter image 5 (tachometer and speed meter), and the light control layer 3 in FIG. ing. Further, the auxiliary image layer 2b in FIG. 2C is composed of only the auxiliary image (warning image) 6. By subjecting the main image layer 2a and the light control layer 3 to α blending at a predetermined mixing ratio, the main image 5 can be adjusted to a luminance according to the mixing ratio. In the auxiliary image layer 2 b, the auxiliary image 6 is an opaque region 7, and the remaining region is a transparent region 8, which is arranged on the upper layers of the main image layer 2 a and the light control layer 3. The dimmed main image 5 can be seen through the transparent region 8. When the auxiliary image (warning image) 6 is in a warning display state, the luminance of the main image 5 is reduced by automatically adjusting the above-described mixing ratio. This makes it easier for the driver to notice the warning image 6.

  The warning image 6 is provided with a plurality of indicators such as seat belt not worn, battery exhaustion, door unlock, gasoline exhaustion, and the like, and necessary ones are selected and lit. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, in the case of running out of gasoline, the running out indicator 6a is selectively lit and the remaining auxiliary image 6 is not lit. More specifically, the background of the main image 5 is black, and the auxiliary image 6 that is not lit is also displayed in black so that the boundary between these images cannot be seen. Further, as shown in FIG. 1C, the gasoline exhaust indicator 6a may be lit brightly, and the remaining auxiliary image 6 may be displayed a little darker.

  An example of the image before and after the light control is shown in FIG. FIG. 12A shows a state before the auxiliary image 6 is displayed with a warning, and FIG. 12B shows a state after the warning is displayed. As shown in the figure, the main image 5 is displayed brightly before the auxiliary image 6 is displayed as a warning, and the brightness of the main image 5 is reduced after the warning is displayed (after the gasoline out indicator 6a is displayed as a warning). Thereby, the warning display is easily noticeable.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the image layer 2 is separated into the main image layer 2a and the auxiliary image layer 2b, and only the main image layer 2a is α-blended by the light control layer 3, and the light control is performed. The made main image 5 can be seen through the transparent area 8 of the auxiliary image layer 2b. With such a configuration, even when it is necessary to change the design of the image layer 2 (the design of the meter as the main image 5 and the arrangement position of the auxiliary image 6), it is not necessary to change the dimming layer 3 at all. Therefore, the burden on the engineer who sets these layers 2 and 3 is significantly reduced.

  This will be described in more detail. The image display device 1 of the present invention displays an image on a display area partitioned on the output screen 4 (see FIG. 1) of the display device 108 based on the image pixel data on the image layer 2 (2a, 2b). In addition, a dimming active area A1 (the entire surface of FIG. 2B) in which pixel setting values are uniformly set within the area is provided so as to include the dimming target image area A2 on the image layer 2. The light control layer 3 is provided separately from the image layer 2. Then, the pixel setting value of the dimming target image area A2 and the pixel setting value of the dimming active area A1 are mixed and output at a mixing ratio determined in accordance with a desired dimming degree, so that the dimming target image is obtained. 5 can be displayed while dimming.

  In addition, the image layer 2 is arranged as an upper layer with respect to the main image layer 2a on which the figure of the main image (meter image) 5 to be dimmed is arranged, and is not dimmed. The auxiliary image (warning image) 6 is arranged, and a partial area determined so as to include the auxiliary image 6 in a form that does not interfere with the visual recognition of the main image 5 is opaque so that the main image layer 2a cannot be seen through. The remaining area is separated into an auxiliary image layer 2b defined as a transparent area 8 through which the main image layer 2a can be seen.

  The dimming layer 3 is disposed at least below the auxiliary image layer 2b, and the dimming active area A1 includes the opaque area 7 of the auxiliary image layer 2b and the formation area A2 of at least the main image 5 of the main image layer 2a. Is defined as a fixed region that collectively includes

  1 and 2, the entire area of the light control layer 3 is defined as the light control active area A1. In this way, no matter how the design of the image layer 2 (the main image layer 2a and the auxiliary image layer 2b) is changed, it is not necessary to change the light control layer 3.

  The opaque area 7 on the auxiliary image layer 2b and the formation area of the main image 5 on the main image layer 2a are determined so as not to overlap each other. In this way, the auxiliary image 6 and the main image 5 do not overlap each other, so that the image is easy to see.

  1 and 2, the background area A3 of the auxiliary image 6 in the opaque area 7 and the background area A4 of the main image 5 in the main image layer 2a are set to the same pixel color. As a result, the boundary between the auxiliary image 6 and the background of the main image 5 is eliminated, and these can be displayed together.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of warning indicators are assembled to form an auxiliary image 6, and this auxiliary image 6 is arranged at the outer peripheral edge of the auxiliary image layer 2b. .

  FIG. 10A shows the positional relationship of each layer. As shown in the figure, the main image layer 2a, the light control layer 3, and the auxiliary image layer 2b are arranged in this order, and an image is displayed. Since the main image layer 2a and the light control layer 3 are α-blended, the order of these may be reversed, and for example, they may be arranged as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, the image display device 1 is arranged and used at a position facing the driver's seat of the vehicle, and displays a meter image referred to when the vehicle is driven as a main image 5.

  Next, a block diagram of the image display apparatus 1 is shown in FIG. As illustrated, the image display device 1 includes a display control unit 200, a drawing LSI 107, a display device 108, and a liquid crystal backlight 309. The body ECU 300 is connected to various sensors such as a vehicle speed sensor 301, an engine speed sensor 302, a water temperature sensor 303, a fuel remaining amount sensor 304, a calendar clock 305, a gear position detection unit 306, and the like. Information to be transmitted is transmitted to the display control unit 200 through the communication bus 127. For example, when the fuel remaining amount sensor 304 detects that the gasoline remaining amount is low, the indicator 6a (see FIGS. 1B and 1C) is controlled to be lit.

  The display control unit 200 is configured as a normal computer, and includes a CPU 281, a RAM 283, a ROM 282, an I / O 280, an I / F 126, and a bus line 288 that connects them. The ROM 282 stores a control program 282a, and the CPU 281 reads out and executes the control program 282a, whereby the mixing ratio variable setting means and the warning brightness automatic adjusting means of the present invention are realized. Further, a display state changeover switch 285, a night vision camera 284, a rheostat 286, and a knob (dimming setting input unit) 287 are connected to the display control unit 200, respectively. In addition, the relationship between the rotational position of the knob (dimming setting input unit) 286 and the above-described mixing ratio is stored in the ROM 282.

  A cross-sectional view of the image display device 1 is shown in FIG. As shown in the drawing, a liquid crystal panel (display device) 108, a liquid crystal backlight 309, and a hardware substrate (display control unit) 200 are housed in a housing 150 in a state where they are stacked in this order. On the other hand, a meter hood 160 is provided at a portion facing the driver's seat of the instrument panel of the automobile, and the casing 150 is mounted in a recess formed by the meter hood 160. The liquid crystal panel 108 is positioned on the front side viewed from the driver, and the front side thereof is covered with a cover lens 170.

  Next, the operation of the control program 282a will be described below using the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, the meter image 5 is displayed on the main image layer 2a based on input information from the vehicle speed sensor 301 and the engine speed sensor. Next, the process proceeds to S2, and the rotational position of the knob (dimming setting input unit) 287 of the rheostat 286 is detected. Thereafter, the display control unit 200 reads and determines the mixing ratio α corresponding to the rotational position of the knob 287 from the ROM 282 (S3). Next, the drawing LSI 107 mixes the main image layer 2a and the light control layer 3 at the mixing ratio α and displays the mixture on the display device 108 (S4). In the present embodiment, the light control layer 3 is black, and is set to be black when the mixing ratio α is 1, and transparent when it is 0.

  On the other hand, in S5, it is determined whether or not to display the warning image 6 based on signals from various warning sensors 303, 304, 306, and the like. If it is determined Yes, the warning image 6 is displayed on the auxiliary image layer 2b (S6). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S6 ', and the main image layer 2a and the light control layer 3 are overlapped by using a predetermined α' (predetermined to satisfy 0 ≦ α <α '≦ 1). As a result, the main image 5 is displayed darker than before the warning image 6 is displayed. Therefore, the warning image 6 looks relatively bright and is easily noticeable. More specifically, when the image data of the main image layer 2a is A and the image data of the light control layer 3 is B, the image data C after light control is C = A × (1−α ′) + B × α ′. Is calculated and displayed.

  It is determined whether or not the warning has disappeared after S6 '(S7). If Yes, the warning image 6 is erased in the auxiliary image layer 2b (S8). Next, it is determined whether or not the rotational position of the knob (dimming setting input unit) 287 has changed according to a signal from the rheostat 286 (S9). If Yes, the process returns to S2. If it is determined No in S5, the process proceeds to S9. If No in S9, the process returns to S5.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the auxiliary image 6 may include a night vision photographed image 9 by a night vision camera 284 (see FIG. 3) mounted on the vehicle. 6 and 7, the night vision photographed image 9 is displayed on the auxiliary image layer 2b. Further, when the night vision photographed image 9 is displayed, the brightness of the main image 5 (meter image) can be reduced. An example of the image before and after the light control is shown in FIG. 13A is before the night vision photographed image 9 is displayed, and FIG. 13B is after the night vision photographed image 9 is displayed. Thus, before displaying the night vision photographed image 9 (FIG. 13A), the main image 5 is displayed brightly, and after the night vision photographed image 9 is displayed (FIG. 13B), the main image 5 is displayed. The brightness is darkened. This makes it easier for the driver to notice the night vision photographed image.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the first display state in which the auxiliary image 6 is not dimmed and the auxiliary image 6 is adjusted in luminance by the dimming layer 3 in conjunction with the main image 5. A display state changeover switch 285 is provided to switch between the two display states. FIG. 8 shows a flowchart when the display state changeover switch 285 is used. In this flowchart, S1 to S9 in FIG. 5 are represented as a first display state S11, and a second display state in which the brightness of the auxiliary image 6 is adjusted in conjunction with the main image 5 is represented as S12. As shown in the figure, in step S10, it is determined whether or not the display state changeover switch 285 is set to the first display state. If YES is determined here, the process proceeds to S11 to enter the first display state. On the other hand, if NO is determined, the process proceeds to S12, and the second display state is set. According to this configuration, the user can freely switch between the first display state and the second display state.

  In the display control unit 200, the first display state and the second display state can be switched by switching the vertical relationship between the light control layer 3 and the auxiliary image layer 2b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the dimming active area A5 is formed corresponding to the opaque area 7 of the auxiliary image layer 2b (see FIG. 2C), and the background area 10 of the dimming active area A5 is transparent. It is possible to provide an auxiliary dimming layer 3a that is set and can be mixed only with the auxiliary image layer 2b. In this way, the luminance of the auxiliary image 6 can be adjusted separately from the main image 5.

  In this case, the positional relationship between the layers is as shown in FIG. That is, the main image layer 2a, the light control layer 3, the auxiliary image layer 2b, and the auxiliary light control layer 3a are arranged in this order. Then, the main image layer 2a and the dimming layer 3 are α-blended, and the auxiliary image layer 2b and the auxiliary dimming layer 3a are α-blended. As shown in FIG. 11B, the light control layer 3, the main image layer 2a, the auxiliary light control layer 3a, and the auxiliary image layer 2b may be arranged in this order.

An example of the display screen of an image display apparatus. (A) Example of main image layer (B) dimming layer (C) auxiliary image layer. The block diagram of an image display apparatus. Sectional drawing of an image display apparatus. An example of a flowchart. An example of a night vision image. The example of (A) main image layer (B) light control layer (C) auxiliary image layer in the case of including a night vision photographed image as an auxiliary image. The flowchart in the case of switching a 1st display state and a 2nd display state. An example of an auxiliary dimming layer. The figure for demonstrating the positional relationship of a main image layer, a light control layer, and an auxiliary image layer. The figure for demonstrating the positional relationship of a main image layer, a light control layer, an auxiliary image layer, and an auxiliary light control layer. (A) Example of screen before dimming (B) after dimming. (A) Example of screen before dimming (B) after dimming. Conventional example. Conventional example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image display apparatus 2 Image layer 2a Main image layer 2b Auxiliary image layer 3 Light control layer 4 Output screen 5 Main image 6 Auxiliary image 7 Opaque area 8 Transparent area A1 Light control active area A2 Light control object image area A3 Background area A4 Background area of main image 5

Claims (10)

Based on the image pixel data on the image layer, a dimming active area that displays an image on a display area that is partitioned on the output screen of the display device, and in which the pixel setting value is uniformly set within the area, A dimming layer provided so as to include the dimming target image region on the image layer is provided separately from the image layer, and a pixel setting value of the dimming target image region and a pixel setting value of the dimming active region Are mixed at a mixing ratio determined according to a desired degree of dimming and output, thereby allowing the dimming target image to be displayed while dimming,
The image layer is
A main image layer on which a figure of the main image to be dimmed is placed,
It is arranged to be superimposed on the main image layer as an upper layer and to include a figure of an auxiliary image that is not subject to dimming, and to include the auxiliary image in a form that does not interfere with visual recognition of the main image. The partial area is an opaque area that cannot be seen through the main image layer, and the remaining area is separated into an auxiliary image layer that is defined as a transparent area that can be seen through the main image layer,
The dimming layer is disposed at least below the auxiliary image layer, and the dimming active area collectively includes the opaque area of the auxiliary image layer and at least the main image forming area of the main image layer. An image display device characterized in that the image display device is defined as a fixed region to be included.   The image display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a dimming setting input unit; and a mixture ratio variable setting unit that variably sets the mixing ratio of the dimming layer according to a setting state of the dimming setting input unit.   The image display device according to claim 1, wherein an entire area of the dimming layer is defined as the dimming active area.   4. The image display according to claim 1, wherein the opaque region on the auxiliary image layer and the formation region of the main image on the main image layer are determined so as not to overlap each other. 5. apparatus.   The image display device according to claim 4, wherein a background area of the auxiliary image in the opaque area and a background area of the main image in the main image layer are set to the same pixel color.   The image according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the meter image is arranged and used at a position facing a driver's seat of a vehicle, and displays a meter image referred to when the vehicle is driven as the main image. Display device.   The image display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the auxiliary image is a warning image for displaying a warning of the state of the vehicle to a user.   When the warning image is in a warning display state, the warning brightness auto-adjustment automatically adjusts the mixing ratio of the light control layer so that the brightness of the main image becomes darker than when the warning display is canceled The image display device according to claim 7, further comprising an adjusting unit.   9. The image display device according to claim 6, wherein the auxiliary image includes a night vision image captured by a night vision camera mounted on the vehicle.   The dimming active area is formed corresponding to the opaque area of the auxiliary image layer, the background area of the dimming active area is set to be transparent, and the pixel setting values are mixed only for the auxiliary image layer. The image display apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary dimming layer that is enabled.