JP4973582B2 - Visible laser beam irradiation system for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a visible light laser beam irradiation system for a vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a vehicle-mounted image display device that displays a map image, a technology in which light emitting elements are arranged at a plurality of locations around a display screen and light emitting elements at positions corresponding to directions to a destination viewed from a map on the display screen are emitted It has been known.
Please include the literature name.

  However, as described above, if the light emitting element is used to perform supplementary display on the display screen beyond the display screen, the range in which supplemental display is possible is limited.

  In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide supplemental display over a wider range than in the prior art in a technique for performing supplementary display on a display screen beyond the display screen.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a visible light laser beam irradiation system includes a laser irradiation device (3) for irradiating a vehicle interior of a vehicle with a visible light laser beam, and the visible light laser beam. And a control device (11) for controlling the irradiation mode. Then, the control device (11) displays the second image related to the first image (40, 43) displayed by the vehicle-mounted image display device (12, 14) that displays an image without using the visible light laser beam. Is displayed on a portion other than the displayable range of the in-vehicle image display device (12, 14), the irradiation mode of the visible light laser beam is controlled.

  As described above, the visible light laser beam is used to display the second image related to the first image beyond the displayable range of the in-vehicle image display device (12, 14). Since the irradiation position is realized only by changing the irradiation direction of the visible light laser beam, it is easy to perform supplementary display over a wider range than before in the technology for performing supplementary display on the display screen beyond the display screen. Become.

  In addition, as described in claim 2, the control device (11) uses the display content of the first image to perform the operation on the in-vehicle image display device (12), and the in-vehicle image display device (12). An image that is to be displayed as an image may be included in the second image.

  In this way, the user does not have to perform a specific operation (for example, a scroll operation or an operation of pressing a button in the menu image) on the in-vehicle image display device (12), and information obtained by the operation is not necessary. Can be confirmed together with the display of the current in-vehicle image display device (12).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control device (11) displays the image to be operated by the driver as the second image, so that the display position of the first image is higher than the display position of the first image. 2. The visible light laser beam irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein the second image is displayed by irradiating an instrument panel on a driver side with the visible light laser beam.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control device (11) uses, as the second image, a surrounding map image that is the same scale as the map displayed as the first image and represents the periphery of the map. 2. The second image is displayed by irradiating the visible light laser beam to an instrument panel closer to the passenger seat than the first image in response to the display. It is a visible light laser beam irradiation system.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the control device (11) displays an image of information related to POI in the map displayed as the first image as the second image. The visible light laser beam according to claim 1, wherein the second image is displayed by irradiating the instrument panel closer to the passenger seat than the first image with the visible light laser beam. Irradiation system.

  In addition, as described in claim 6, the control device (11) is configured as a second image based on the fact that the in-vehicle image display device (12) displays the map image as the first image. A map obtained by extending the map in one image to the outside may be displayed in the display area of the first image.

  In this way, by extending the map in the display screen of the vehicle-mounted image display device (12) and displaying it outside the display screen, the driver instructs the vehicle-mounted image display device (12) to change the map scale, scroll, etc. You can see a wider map without need.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the control device (11) includes the first image displayed by the in-vehicle image display device (12) including the POI, and the driver uses the in-vehicle image display device (12). An image including information related to POI (for example, detailed information of POI, a route to POI, a direction from the current vehicle position to POI) based on the fact that the POI is selected by operating the second image. May be displayed.

  As described above, information that is conventionally displayed within the displayable range of the in-vehicle image display device (12) based on the selection of POI (that is, information related to POI) is visible light outside the displayable range. Displayed by laser beam. Therefore, the display of information related to POI does not interfere with the display of the map by the in-vehicle image display device (12).

  In addition, as described in claim 8, the control device (11) is configured so that each of the in-vehicle image display device (12) displays the question to the driver as the first image. A plurality of option images that are one of the answer options may be displayed as the second image.

  In this way, it is not necessary for the in-vehicle image display device (12) to display options for answering questions to the driver in the in-vehicle image display device (12). Therefore, as a result of the vehicle navigation device 12 displaying the option image on the display screen, the option image does not interfere with other displays on the display screen.

  In this case, as described in claim 9, the control device (11) may receive an answer to the question by voice and pass the received answer to the in-vehicle image display device (12).

  By doing in this way, even if the image of the option which can be operated using the operation part 23 is not in a display screen, one of the options can be selected with an audio | voice.

  Alternatively, as described in claim 9, the control device (11) receives an answer to the question by touching any one of the plurality of option images by the driver, and the received answer is the vehicle-mounted image display device (12). You may come to pass.

  By doing in this way, the option image displayed by the laser irradiation device (3) seems to function like a button for the driver.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the control device (11), the in-vehicle image display device (12) displays one of a plurality of menu images related in a tree structure as a first image. In this case, the menu image of the next layer after the first image may be displayed as the second image.

  In this way, the user can grasp in advance how the menu image of the next layer is.

  In addition, as described in claim 12, the control device (11) displays, as the first image, the vehicle-mounted image display device (12) including a plurality of selectable images that can be individually selected by the driver. When the user tentatively selects one of the plurality of selectable images based on the user's provisional selection, the vehicle-mounted image display device (12) The image that will be displayed may be displayed as the second image.

  In this way, the user tentatively selects a desired one of the plurality of selectable images in the first image, and thereby the image when the selectable image is deterministically selected. You can know the display in advance.

  In addition, as described in claim 13, the control device (11) displays, as the first image, the vehicle-mounted image display device (12) including a plurality of selectable images that can be individually selected by the driver. The function information assigned to the one selectable image is displayed as the second image based on the user temporarily selecting one of the plurality of selectable images. It may be.

  With this configuration, the user provisionally selects a desired one of the plurality of selectable images in the first image, thereby obtaining information on the function assigned to the selectable image. You can know in advance.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis in the said and the claim shows the correspondence of the term described in the claim, and the concrete thing etc. which illustrate the said term described in embodiment mentioned later. .

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 schematically shows the interior of a vehicle compartment 1 in which a visible light laser beam irradiation system according to this embodiment is mounted, and FIG. 2 shows an electrical connection relationship of the visible light laser beam irradiation system.

  The visible light laser beam irradiation system includes a laser irradiation device 3, an indoor camera 5, a speaker 8, a microphone 9, a laser beam ECU 11, a vehicle navigation device 12, a meter ECU 14, a camera ECU 16, and communication between these devices 12, 14, 16. Including a communication line 17 for mediating.

  The laser irradiation device 3 that irradiates the visible light laser beam is mounted near the front end of the ceiling portion 2 of the passenger compartment 1, and on / off of irradiation of the visible light laser and irradiation according to control from the laser beam ECU 11. Change direction. As a mechanism for changing the irradiation direction, for example, there is a motor drive mechanism. Examples of the irradiation direction of the laser irradiation device 3 include the windshield 34, the upper surface of the instrument panel 7, the periphery of the display screen 40 of the vehicle navigation device 12, and the driver side front pillar 92.

  Moreover, the laser irradiation apparatus 3 can change the color of the visible light laser to irradiate. Specifically, the laser irradiation device 3 includes three light generation devices that can generate red, green, and blue visible light lasers, and the visible light of each color is controlled based on the color control from the laser beam ECU 11. The distribution of the amount of laser irradiation to the outside is changed.

  Each light generating device can represent not only one light spot but also a wide area (hereinafter referred to as a light area) composed of a plurality of light spots in the irradiation direction. Examples of the light region include graphics and characters. As described above, in order to display characters and figures in the direction of the light emitter 53 controlled by a motor or the like, the laser irradiation device 3 includes a well-known MEMS (micro electro mechanical system) resonant mirror, DMD ( A well-known apparatus for drawing an optical region, such as a digital micromirror device, may be used. As an apparatus using a MEMS resonant mirror, for example, there is Ecoscan (registered trademark) of Nippon Signal Co., Ltd. An apparatus using a digital micromirror device is, for example, a DLP (registered trademark) digital projector manufactured by Texas Instruments, USA.

  As described above, the laser irradiation device 3 can display an image of the commanded pattern and color in the commanded shape in the commanded region from the laser beam ECU 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a mirror 36 whose mirror surface is convex upward is provided near the center of the upper surface of the instrument panel 7. When the laser irradiation device 3 irradiates the windshield 34 with a visible light laser beam, the laser irradiation device 3 irradiates the mirror 36 with the visible light laser and applies the reflected visible light laser to the windshield 34. Since the mirror 36 is convex, an image of the visible light laser beam can be displayed at any position in the entire area of the windshield 34 by adjusting the irradiation position of the visible light laser on the mirror 36. . As a result of the irradiation of the windshield 34 by the laser irradiation device 3, it appears to the driver 32 that an image 39 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed at a position 38 outside the vehicle over the windshield 34.

  Further, when projecting an image on the instrument panel 7, the laser irradiation device 3 directly irradiates the instrument panel 7 with a visible light laser. Further, when displaying an image on the driver's seat side front pillar 92, the laser irradiation device 3 may directly irradiate the driver's seat side front pillar 92 with a visible light laser, or Similarly, the driver side front pillar 92 may be irradiated with a visible light laser beam via the mirror 36.

  The indoor camera 5 is mounted in the vicinity of the front end of the ceiling portion 2 of the passenger compartment 1 and repeatedly captures the periphery of the display screen 40 of the vehicle navigation device 12 and outputs an image of the captured result to the camera ECU 16. The camera ECU 16 detects the position of the finger of the driver by using a well-known image recognition technique for the captured image from the indoor camera 5 and outputs information on the detected position to the laser beam ECU 11.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle navigation device 12 includes a position detector 21, an image display device 22, an operation unit 23, a speaker 24, a map data acquisition unit 26, and a control circuit 27.

  Each of the position detectors 21 includes a well-known acceleration sensor, geomagnetic sensor, gyro sensor, vehicle speed sensor, GPS receiver, and other sensors (not shown). Information for specifying the position, orientation, and speed is output to the control circuit 27.

  The image display device 22 is a liquid crystal display that displays video based on the video signal output from the control circuit 27 to the user. Examples of the display image include a map centering on the current location.

  The operation unit 23 includes a plurality of mechanical switches provided in the vehicle navigation device 1 and an input device such as a touch panel provided on the display surface of the image display device 22. The user presses the mechanical switch and touches the touch panel. Is output to the control circuit 27.

  The map data acquisition unit 26 includes a nonvolatile storage medium such as a DVD, a CD, and an HDD, and a device that reads data (and writes data if possible) to the storage medium. The storage medium stores a program executed by the control circuit 27, map data for route guidance, and the like.

  The map data includes road data and POI (Point Of Interest) data. The road data includes link position information, type information, node position information, type information, information on connection relations between nodes and links, and the like. The POI data has a plurality of records for each POI (that is, points of facilities, natural objects, etc.), and each record includes name information, location information, land lot number information, detailed information (business hours) of the target POI. , Available service contents, etc.).

  A control circuit (corresponding to a computer) 27 is a microcomputer having a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an I / O, and the like. The CPU executes a program for the operation of the vehicle navigation device 1 read from the ROM or the map data acquisition unit 26, and reads information from the RAM, the ROM, and the map data acquisition unit 26 when executing the program. And, if possible, the information is written to the storage medium of the map data acquisition unit 26, and the position detector 21, the image display device 22, the operation unit 23, the speaker 24, and the traffic information receiver 15 Give and receive.

  Specific processing performed by the control circuit 27 executing the program includes current position specifying processing, map display processing, guidance route calculation processing, route guidance processing, air conditioner control processing, television display processing, hierarchical menu display processing, and the like. There is.

  The current position specifying process is a process for specifying the current position and direction of the vehicle based on a signal from the position detector 21 using a known technique such as map matching.

  The map display process is a process for causing the image display device 22 to display a map of a specific area such as the vicinity of the current position of the vehicle. At this time, information used for map display is acquired from the map data.

  The guidance route calculation process is a process of receiving an input of a destination by the user from the operation unit 23 and calculating an optimum guidance route from the current position to the destination.

  In the route guidance process, when the vehicle arrives before a guidance intersection such as a right-left turn intersection on the guidance route, a guidance voice instructing right turn, left turn, etc. is output to the speaker 24, and an enlarged view of the guidance intersection is displayed. This is a process of guiding the driving of the vehicle along the guidance route by being displayed on the image display device 22.

  The air conditioner control process is a process for controlling the setting of an air conditioner (not shown) (for example, switching between a target room temperature and an internal mode / outside air mode) in accordance with a driver operation on the operation unit 23.

  The TV display process is a process of receiving a TV broadcast signal of a channel corresponding to an operation of a driver (not shown) using a TV tuner (not shown) and displaying an image based on the received signal on the image display device 22.

  In the hierarchical menu display process, a plurality of menu images are hierarchically related to each other like a tree-structured node, and a plurality of buttons included in the menu image are displayed when one menu image is displayed on the image display device 22. When an icon (that is, a selectable image that can be selected by the driver) is definitely selected by the driver, the menu image assigned to the selected button icon is selected from the menu images in the next layer of the menu image. indicate.

  As an example of definitive selection of a button icon, a touch operation on the button icon using a touch panel and a mechanical switch (for example, a cursor key) are operated to temporarily select the button icon in the display screen 40. There is an operation of depressing the confirmation switch in a state of being focused (for example, focused).

  For example, in the hierarchical menu display process, the control circuit 27 first displays a function selection menu image as a menu image corresponding to the root of the tree structure. The function selection menu image includes button icons corresponding to the functions provided by the vehicle navigation device 12. The functions provided by the vehicle navigation device 12 include, for example, map display, guidance route calculation, route guidance, air conditioner control, and TV viewing.

  When the driver performs a definite selection operation on a specific button icon in the function selection menu image, the control circuit 27 displays a menu image (function selection menu) for detailed setting of the function corresponding to the button icon. Corresponding to an example of a menu image in the next layer of the image). Menu images for detailed settings include, for example, an image including a button icon group corresponding to each of a plurality of destination input methods, an image for receiving a target temperature setting input by a driver, an image for receiving a route guidance start command, and the like. There is.

  In these processes, the control circuit 27 transmits necessary information as will be described later to the laser beam ECU 11. In addition, the control circuit 27 transmits to the meter ECU 14 information on the bending direction (that is, right turn or left turn) of the guidance route at the intersection before the next intersection in the guidance route.

  Based on signals from various sensors (not shown) inside the vehicle, the meter ECU 14 acquires or calculates information on the state of the vehicle (for example, total travel distance, average fuel consumption, etc.), and uses the acquired or calculated information. And displayed on a meter 90 including a liquid crystal display. Further, each time the meter ECU 14 receives information on the bending direction at the next intersection from the control circuit 27 of the vehicle navigation device 12, the meter ECU 14 displays an arrow corresponding to the direction on the meter 90 (that is, turn-by-turn). Process). Further, the meter ECU 14 transmits the content of information displayed on the meter 90 to the laser beam ECU 11.

  The camera ECU 16 transmits the captured image received from the indoor camera 5 to the laser beam ECU 11.

  The laser beam ECU 11 turns on / off the irradiation of the visible light laser of the laser irradiation device 3, the irradiation direction, and the content of the image to be irradiated based on the above-mentioned signals from the vehicle navigation device 12, the meter ECU 14, and the camera ECU 16. The irradiation mode is controlled. The laser beam ECU 11 includes a RAM, a ROM, and a CPU. The CPU may execute a program stored in the ROM, thereby realizing an operation described later, or a dedicated device for realizing the operations described later. The circuit configuration may be as follows.

Further, the laser beam ECU 11 stores a direction / position correspondence table 11b. The direction / position correspondence table 11b has a plurality of records each corresponding to each location in the vehicle (corresponding to an example of a start point candidate and a target point candidate).
(1) Identifier of target location (2) The direction in which the laser irradiation device 3 should be directed to irradiate the target location with a visible light laser (directly or indirectly) is recorded. Here, as the identifier of the target portion, the name of the target portion (for example, the driver side front pillar 92, the windshield 34, the meter 90, the instrument panel 7) may be included. You may have the three-dimensional coordinate in the vehicle of a target location as a location identifier. Alternatively, the identifier of the target portion may be a combination of the name and coordinates of the target portion (for example, two-dimensional coordinates on the windshield 34, two-dimensional coordinates on the surface of the instrument panel 7).

  This direction / position correspondence table 11b is recorded in the laser beam ECU 11 in advance when the visible light laser beam irradiation system is installed in a vehicle or when the visible light laser beam irradiation system is manufactured.

  FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of processing repeatedly executed by the laser beam ECU 11. At each time of this processing, the laser beam ECU 11 waits for the start timing of the visible light laser irradiation (step 110), and when it is determined that it is the timing, subsequently determines the display method of the visible light laser (step 120). Further, it is determined whether or not a voice announcement is to be made in association with the determined display (step 130). If no voice announcement is made, the laser irradiation device 3 is irradiated with the visible light laser by the determined method (step 135).

  In the case of voice announcement, the laser beam is emitted by the determined method, and voice is output using the speaker 8 (step 140), and the driver voice of the voice response is acquired via the microphone 9 (step 140). 150), the acquired response information is transmitted to the vehicle navigation device 12 (step 160). A specific example of the operation of the laser beam ECU 11 will be described below.

(First example: intersection enlarged map display and turn-by-turn display)
The laser beam ECU 11 is based on the fact that the vehicle navigation device 12 displays an enlarged view of an intersection (corresponding to an example of the first image) on the image display device 22 in the route guidance process (or an enlarged display target intersection). In step 110, it is determined that the irradiation start timing has come.

  For this determination, the control circuit 27 is configured to transmit information to that effect to the laser beam ECU 11 when displaying an enlarged view of the intersection. Note that the control circuit 27 includes information indicating that the intersection enlarged map is displayed (hereinafter referred to as enlarged map display information), the bending direction, the position coordinates of the intersection to be bent, the current position coordinates of the own vehicle, Information such as the traveling direction and position coordinates of a predetermined position on the road that is to be run after turning (for example, a position 10 meters after entering the road) is included.

  When it is determined that it is the irradiation start timing based on the reception of the enlarged map display information transmitted from the control circuit 27 as described above, the laser beam ECU 11 determines the laser display method in step 120, and then in step 130 the audio is displayed. It is determined that there is no announcement, and in step 135, the laser irradiation apparatus 3 is controlled to irradiate the visible light laser.

  The laser display method employed in this case is a method of displaying an arrow image 41 (corresponding to an example of a second image) at the center position of the windshield 34 as shown in FIG. A dotted line 48 in FIG. 6 is a center line of the road that can be seen from the inside of the vehicle over the windshield 34.

  This arrow image 41 is an image of an arrow that faces the bending direction in the received enlarged map display information. Such an arrow image 41 is an image related to the intersection enlarged view in the display screen 40 in that it is the bending direction of the guidance route at the intersection enlarged in the display screen 40 of the image display device 22. It can be said.

  As described above, the laser beam ECU 11 is based on the fact that the vehicle navigation device 12 displays an enlarged view of the guidance intersection on the guidance route on the image display device 22, and the direction in which the guidance route bends in the enlarged view. Is displayed on the laser irradiation device 3. The display position is a portion other than the displayable range of the image display device 22 (that is, the display screen 40).

  In this way, the user can visually confirm in which direction the host vehicle should be bent by laser display, without having to look at the enlarged intersection image. And since this arrow image 41 is displayed on the windshield 34, it is not necessary to remove the line of sight from the front of the vehicle, and it is not necessary to largely change the focus of the eyes. Can be confirmed visually.

  Further, in the turn-by-turn process, the meter ECU 14 receives information about the bending direction of the guidance route at the next enlarged display target intersection from the control circuit 27, and displays an arrow image 43 indicating the bending direction on the meter 90 based on the received information. Display. Accordingly, such an arrow image 41 is related to the arrow image 43 in the meter 90 in that the arrow image 41 is an image that faces the same direction as the arrow image 43 by turn-by-turn (corresponding to an example of the first image). It can be said that it is an image. The display position by the laser irradiation device 3 is a part other than the displayable range of the meter 90.

  In this way, the user can visually confirm in which direction the host vehicle should be bent by laser display without looking at the arrow image 43 of the meter 90. In particular, since the arrow image 41 is displayed on the windshield, it is possible to determine in which direction the host vehicle should bend without removing the line of sight from the outside of the vehicle and without having to largely change the focus of the eyes. It can be confirmed visually.

  Note that the display position of the arrow image displayed by the laser irradiation device 3 does not necessarily have to be the center of the windshield 34. For example, an arrow image may be displayed at a position such as the arrow image 44 (corresponding to an example of the second image) in FIG. The display position of this arrow image is a position that overlaps the road 46 that is the turning point when viewed from the driver. In order to specify such a position on the windshield 34, the laser beam ECU 11 determines the current position coordinates of the own vehicle, the traveling direction of the own vehicle, and a predetermined position of the road on which the vehicle travels after bending in the enlarged map display information. Use position coordinates.

  Specifically, first, based on the current position of the host vehicle, the traveling direction, and the position coordinates of the predetermined position of the turn destination road, the position coordinates of the predetermined position (that is, the predetermined position) in the coordinate system fixed to the vehicle. Vehicle fixed coordinates). Then, a straight line from the vehicle fixed coordinate at the head position to the vehicle fixed coordinate at the predetermined position is calculated, and the vehicle fixed coordinate at the position where the straight line passes through the windshield 34 is specified. This specified penetration position is a position that overlaps with the road 46 at the turn as viewed from the driver. For such calculation, in the ROM of the laser beam ECU 11, the default value of the vehicle fixed coordinates of the head in the vehicle and the information of the vehicle fixed coordinates of the surface of the windshield 34 are recorded.

  Further, for example, the display position of the arrow image may be a position that overlaps the intersection of the enlarged map display target as viewed from the driver. In order to specify such a position on the windshield 34, the laser beam ECU 11 uses the current position coordinates of the own vehicle, the traveling direction of the own vehicle, and the position coordinates of the intersection in the enlarged map display information.

  Specifically, first, the vehicle fixed coordinates of the intersection are specified based on the current position of the host vehicle, the traveling direction, and the position coordinates of the intersection. Then, a straight line from the vehicle fixed coordinate at the head position to the vehicle fixed coordinate at the intersection is calculated, and the vehicle fixed coordinate at the position where the straight line passes through the windshield 34 is specified. This specified penetration position is a position overlapping the intersection as seen from the driver.

  As described above, the laser beam ECU 11 is configured such that the display position of the arrow image 44 is the position on the windshield 34 and the position in the line-of-sight direction from the driver of the vehicle to the road to bend. Also good.

  In this way, for example, at the time of a turn, two roads that turn in the same direction (see roads 46 and 47 in FIG. 6) are very close to each other, and it is difficult to know which road to turn at. In such a situation, the second image showing the direction of the turn is displayed on the same line of sight as the road where the turn is seen as seen from the driver, so that the driver can easily know which road to turn. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the laser beam ECU 11 causes the laser irradiation device 3 to display an arrow image 44 and also displays an image 45 (corresponding to an example of a second image) indicating the name of the road to be bent. ) May be displayed on the windshield 34 or the like.

  In this way, the driver can easily visually confirm the name of the road to be turned from now on.

(Second example: map display)
The laser beam ECU 11 determines in step 110 that the irradiation start timing has arrived, based on the fact that the vehicle navigation device 12 displays a map (excluding an enlarged intersection) on the image display device 22 in the map display process.

  For this determination, the control circuit 27 transmits information to that effect to the laser beam ECU 11 when the map is displayed. The control circuit 27 may include the map image data around the geographical range currently displayed on the map in the information indicating that the map is displayed (hereinafter referred to as map display information). Good. The scale of the map image included in the map display information is the same as the scale of the map image displayed on the image display device 22.

  When it is determined that it is the irradiation start timing based on the reception of the map display information transmitted from the control circuit 27 as described above, the laser beam ECU 11 determines the laser display method in step 120, and then in step 130, the voice announcement. In step 135, the laser irradiation device 3 is controlled to irradiate the visible light laser.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the laser display method employed in this case is a map image (as an example of the first image) in the display screen 40 on the instrument panel 7 around the display screen 40 of the image display device 22. This is a method of displaying a map image (corresponding to an example of a second image) extended by adjoining at the same scale. A map image 49 around the display screen 40 is included in the received map display information. Such a surrounding map image can be said to be an image related to the map in the display screen 40 in that the map in the display screen 40 of the image display device 22 is extended.

  As described above, the laser beam ECU 11 displays a map that extends the map image outside based on the fact that the vehicle navigation device 12 displays the map image, adjacent to the display area of the display screen 40. It is like that.

  Thus, by extending the map in the display screen of the vehicle navigation device 12 and displaying it outside the display screen, the driver does not need to instruct the vehicle navigation device 12 to change the map scale, scroll, etc. You can see a wide range of maps.

  When the laser beam ECU 11 displays the surrounding image 49 and the mechanical switch of the vehicle navigation device 12 is arranged around the display screen 40 of the image display device 22, the position of the laser beam ECU 11 is indicated by the laser irradiation device 3. May be excluded (that is, excluded from the target for displaying the map). This makes it easier for the driver to see the switch to be operated.

  Further, the laser beam ECU 11 uses the display contents of the display screen 40 to interactively display a map scrolling operation and a scale changing operation on the vehicle navigation device 12 so that the vehicle navigation device 12 displays them as an image. A map image is displayed around the display screen 40.

  In this way, the user does not need to perform a specific operation (that is, a scroll operation or a scale change operation) on the vehicle navigation device 12, and the information obtained by the operation is displayed as the current vehicle navigation device. This can be confirmed together with the display of the device 12.

(Third example: POI display)
The laser beam ECU 11 displays a map image (or an image for searching for POI) on the display screen 40 by the vehicle navigation device 12, the image includes the POI, and the driver uses the vehicle navigation device 12. Based on the fact that the POI is selected by operating the operation unit 23, it is determined in step 110 that the irradiation start timing has come.

  For this determination, the control circuit 27 transmits information to that effect to the laser beam ECU 11 based on detecting that the driver has selected the displayed POI. The control circuit 27 selects the POI image (corresponding to an example of the first image) displayed on the display screen 40 as information (hereinafter referred to as POI selection information). Information related to the POI is included. Examples of information related to the POI include, for example, detailed information on the POI in the map data, a map image including the entire travel route from the vehicle position to the POI, the current position coordinates of the host vehicle, and the traveling direction of the host vehicle. And position coordinates of the POI.

  When it is determined that it is the irradiation start timing based on the reception of the POI selection information transmitted from the control circuit 27 in this way, the laser beam ECU 11 determines the laser display method in step 120, and then in step 130, the voice announcement. In step 135, the laser irradiation device 3 is controlled to irradiate the visible light laser.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the laser display method employed in this case is the instrument panel 7 portion around the display screen 40 of the image display device 22 or the display screen 40 of the image display device 22 around the display screen 40. An image of information related to POI in the display screen 40 (corresponding to an example of a second image) is displayed on the windshield 34 around the screen.

  For example, as in the example of FIG. 8, an arrow 51 indicating the direction from the position of the host vehicle to the POI may be displayed on the instrument panel 7 on the right side of the display screen 40. The arrow 51 may be displayed as a whole at once, or may be displayed intermittently from the tail to the tip of the arrow 51. In the latter case, the light spot by the visible light laser appears to the driver so as to go in the direction of the POI while blinking. By performing such a display, the direction to the POI can be easily grasped.

  Further, for example, on the instrument panel 7 on the left side of the display screen 40, detailed information on the POI (specifically, a mark indicating that fishing is possible, a mark indicating that golf is possible, and a mark indicating that surfing is possible) Is displayed. The direction from the current position of the vehicle to the POI is specified based on the current position coordinates of the host vehicle, the traveling direction of the host vehicle, and the position coordinates of the POI in the received POI selection information. By performing such display, detailed information on the POI can be provided to the driver without disturbing the display on the display screen 40.

  Further, for example, a map image including the entire process of the guidance route from the vehicle position to the POI may be displayed on the windshield 34 on the upper side of the display screen 40. By performing such display, it is possible to provide useful information for the driver to determine whether or not to determine the POI as the destination.

  As described above, in the laser beam ECU 11, the vehicle navigation device 12 displays the map image on the display screen 40, the image includes the POI, and the driver operates the operation unit 23 of the vehicle navigation device 12. Based on the selection of the POI, an image including information related to the POI (for example, detailed information on the POI, a route to the POI, and a direction to the POI based on the map) is displayed around the display screen 40. It is supposed to be displayed.

  Thus, conventionally, POI related information displayed within the displayable range of the vehicle navigation device 12 (that is, within the range of the display screen 40) based on the selection of POI is visible outside the displayable range. Displayed by optical laser beam. Therefore, the display of information related to POI does not interfere with the display of a map or the like by the vehicle navigation device 12.

(Fourth example: Inquiry display)
Based on the fact that the vehicle navigation device 12 displays an image of a question to the driver (corresponding to an example of a first image) on the display screen 40, the laser beam ECU 11 has reached an irradiation start timing in step 110. It is determined that Here, the question image is, for example, an image of a text inquiring whether or not to start route guidance for the guidance route, and the like, so that the driver inputs information necessary for determining the operation content of the vehicle navigation device 12. It is an image of a prompting question.

  For this determination, the control circuit 27 transmits information to that effect to the laser beam ECU 11 based on the display of the question image to the driver on the display screen 40. Note that the control circuit 27 includes information indicating that a question is displayed on the display screen 40 (hereinafter referred to as question display information), information on an answer option for the question (for example, “Yes” or “No”). Is supposed to be included.

  When it is determined that it is the irradiation start timing based on the reception of the question display information transmitted from the control circuit 27 as described above, the laser beam ECU 11 determines a laser display method in step 120, and then in step 130, an audio announcement. In step 140, the laser irradiation device 3 is controlled to irradiate the visible light laser, and the speaker 8 is used to output a voice prompting an answer to the question. Here, the output voice may be a voice that reads out the question sentence.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the laser display method employed in this case corresponds to an image 56, 57 of answer options for the question on the instrument panel 7 around the display screen 40 (an example of a second image). ) Are listed and displayed. Such option images 56 and 57 can be said to be images related to the image on the display screen 40 in that they are options for answering the question displayed on the display screen 40 of the image display device 22.

  Subsequently, in step 150, the laser beam ECU 11 waits until a driver voice for replying the voice is acquired via the microphone 9. Then, by performing predetermined voice recognition on the driver voice, it is specified which of the answer options the voice corresponds to, and then the specified option is transmitted to the control circuit 27 in step 160. Then, the control circuit 27 operates according to the received option.

  Thus, based on the fact that the vehicle navigation device 12 displays a question to the driver, the laser beam ECU 11 displays a plurality of option images 56 and 57, each of which is one of the answer options for the question, It may be displayed around the display screen 40.

  In this way, it is not necessary for the vehicle navigation device 12 to display answer options for questions to the driver in the vehicle navigation device 12. Actually, in the example of FIG. 9, the control circuit 27 does not display the option button icon in the display screen 40.

  Therefore, as a result of the vehicle navigation device 12 displaying the option image in the display screen 40, the option image does not hide the original display in the display screen 40.

  The laser beam ECU 11 receives an answer to the question by voice, and passes the received answer to the vehicle navigation device 12. By doing in this way, even if there is no option image on the display screen 40 that can be operated using the operation unit 23, one of the options can be selected by voice. Also, it is possible to save the trouble of moving the hand by the driver.

  The laser beam ECU 11 does not accept the answer to the question by voice, but accepts it by touching any one of the plurality of option images 56 and 57 by the driver, and passes the accepted answer to the vehicle navigation device 12. It may be.

  For this purpose, the laser irradiation device 3 displays option images 56 and 57 within the photographing range of the indoor camera 5, and the laser beam ECU 11 uses a known image recognition technique based on the image output from the camera ECU 16. The position of the driver's finger is identified, and if the identified finger position is in the vicinity of one of the option images 56 and 57 (for example, a position less than 1 cm from either), the option image in the vicinity of the finger is displayed. Corresponding options may be passed to the vehicle navigation device 12 as an answer to the question. By doing so, the option images 56 and 57 displayed by the laser irradiation device 3 seem to function in the same manner as buttons for the driver.

(Fifth example: hierarchical menu display)
The laser beam ECU 11 causes the vehicle navigation device 12 to display a menu image (corresponding to an example of the first image) on the image display device 22 in the hierarchical menu display process, and the button icon in the menu image. On the basis of the provisional selection of the driver, it is determined in step 110 that the irradiation start timing has come.

  For this determination, the control circuit 27 tentatively selects information indicating that the menu image is displayed on the image display device 22 (hereinafter referred to as menu image information) and a button icon in the hierarchical menu display process. Information to the effect (hereinafter referred to as provisional selection information) is transmitted to the laser beam ECU 11. The control circuit 27 includes, as the menu image information, the arrangement of each button icon in the menu image, the menu image itself of the next layer assigned to each button icon, and detailed description information of the function of the menu image. Is supposed to be included. In addition, the control circuit 27 includes information indicating that one of the button icons is provisionally selected by the mechanical switch of the operation unit 23 and information specifying the provisionally selected button icon in the provisional selection information. It is like that.

  As a method of temporarily selecting a button icon by the driver, there is a method in which the driver brings a finger close to the button icon within a predetermined distance. The laser beam ECU 11 detects provisional selection by such a method as follows. That is, the laser beam ECU 11 specifies the position of the driver's finger using a known image recognition technique based on an image output from the camera ECU 16 (that is, a photographed image in the vicinity of the display screen 40 by the indoor camera 5). If the specified finger position is in the vicinity of any one of the button icons (for example, a position less than 1 cm from any one), it is determined that a provisional selection has been made for the button icon.

  When it is determined that it is the irradiation start timing based on the reception of the menu image information and the provisional selection information transmitted from the control circuit 27 (or the reception of the menu image information and the detection of the provisional selection), the laser beam ECU 11 In step 120, the laser display method is determined, and in step 130, it is determined that there is no voice announcement. In step 135, the laser irradiation device 3 is controlled to irradiate the visible light laser.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the laser display method employed in this case is assigned to a provisionally selected button icon 58 (for example, an air conditioning control button icon) on the instrument panel 7 around the display screen 40. This is a method of displaying a menu image of a subsequent layer (for example, a menu image including a button icon for air conditioning control). This next layer menu image corresponds to an example of a second image. Such a menu image in the next layer can be said to be an image related to the image in the display screen 40 in that it is an image in the next layer of the menu image in the display screen 40 of the image display device 22.

  Alternatively, the laser display method employed in this case is the function of the menu image assigned to the temporarily selected button icon on the instrument panel 7 portion (or the driver side front pillar 92 portion) around the display screen 40. It may be a method of displaying a detailed explanation image (for example, an explanation picture of what functions can be used in the next hierarchy) of (for example, an air conditioning control function). The detailed description image of the menu image in the next layer corresponds to an example of the second image. Such detailed description information of the menu image in the next layer is related to the image in the display screen 40 in that it is a description of the image in the next layer of the menu image in the display screen 40 of the image display device 22. It can be said that it is an image.

  In the explanation displayed on the driver side front pillar 92, the driver side front pillar 92 is farther from the driver than the display screen 40, so that the driver who is looking in front of the host vehicle moves the focus of the eyes. Time and effort is reduced.

  As described above, when the vehicle navigation device 12 displays one of a plurality of menu images associated with each other in a tree structure, the laser beam ECU 11 is the menu of the next layer after the first image. The image is displayed as a second image on the outside of the display screen 40 with a visible light laser. In this way, the user can grasp in advance how the menu image of the next layer is.

  Further, when the vehicle navigation device 12 displays an image including button icons (a plurality of selectable images that can be individually selected by the driver), the laser beam ECU 11 displays one of the plurality of button icons. Based on the user's provisional selection, an image that the vehicle navigation device 12 would display if the user definitely selected the one button icon is displayed outside the display screen 40 with visible light. It is designed to display with a laser.

  In this way, the user can tentatively select a desired one of the plurality of button icons in the image on the display screen 40 to display the image when the button icon is deterministically selected. Can be known in advance.

  Further, the laser beam ECU 11 indicates that when the vehicle navigation device 12 displays an image including a plurality of button icons on the display screen 40, the user tentatively selects one of the plurality of button icons. The detailed information of the function assigned to the one button icon is displayed on the outside of the display screen 40 with a visible light laser.

  With this configuration, the user provisionally selects a desired one of the plurality of selectable images in the first image, thereby obtaining information on the function assigned to the selectable image. You can know in advance.

  In addition, the laser beam ECU 11 uses the display contents on the display screen 40 to display an image that the vehicle navigation device 12 displays as an image when the user performs a confirmation operation on the vehicle navigation device 12. Is displayed outside by a visible light laser.

  By doing in this way, the user does not need to perform a specific operation (for example, an operation for definitely selecting a button icon in the menu image) to the vehicle navigation device 12, but obtains it by the operation. Information can be confirmed together with the current display of the vehicle navigation device 12.

(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, the scope of the present invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, The various form which can implement | achieve the function of each invention specific matter of this invention is included. It is.

  For example, the laser beam ECU 11 controls the laser irradiation device 3 based on the fact that the meter ECU 14 displays information on the traveling state of the vehicle (for example, the total traveling distance, the average fuel consumption, etc.) on the meter 90 and makes the visible The same information may be displayed on the driver side front pillar 92 using an optical laser. In this way, the driver can check information related to the traveling state of the vehicle by looking at the driver side front pillar 92 without having to look at the meter 90. Compared with the position of the meter 90, the driver side front pillar 92 has a smaller amount of line-of-sight movement of the driver looking in front of the vehicle and a smaller amount of change in the focal length of the eyes. In addition, information that does not necessarily need to be viewed frequently, such as the total distance traveled and the average fuel consumption, is displayed on the driver side front pillar 92 instead of the windshield 34, thereby obstructing the field of view ahead of the vehicle with less important information. It will not be done.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the vehicle navigation device 12 and the meter ECU 14 are illustrated as an in-vehicle image display device that displays an image without using a visible light laser beam, but without using a visible light laser beam. The in-vehicle image display device that displays an image is not limited to the above, and may be a head-up display, for example.

  Further, for example, in the fourth example, the control circuit 27 of the vehicle navigation device 12 does not display the question image on the display screen 40 of the image display device 22 and outputs the question only by sound. May be. By doing in this way, the possibility that the other display (for example, map display) in the display screen 40 will be disturbed decreases.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, each function realized by the control circuit 27 and the laser beam ECU 11 executing the program is hardware having those functions (for example, an FPGA capable of programming the circuit configuration). ) May be used.

1 is a diagram schematically showing the inside of a vehicle compartment 1 of a vehicle equipped with a visible light laser beam irradiation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the electrical connection relationship of a visible light laser beam irradiation system. It is a figure which shows the irradiation method of the visible light laser to the windshield 34 and the instrument panel 7. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle navigation device 12. FIG. It is a flowchart of the process which laser beam ECU11 performs. It is a figure which shows the display content of the laser irradiation apparatus 3 in a 1st example. It is a figure which shows the display content of the laser irradiation apparatus 3 in a 2nd example. It is a figure which shows the display content of the laser irradiation apparatus 3 in a 3rd example. It is a figure which shows the display content of the laser irradiation apparatus 3 in a 4th example. It is a figure which shows the display content of the laser irradiation apparatus 3 in a 5th example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Car compartment 3 Laser irradiation apparatus 5 Indoor camera 7 Instrument panel 8 Speaker 9 Microphone 11 Laser beam ECU
12 Vehicle navigation device 14 Meter ECU
16 Camera ECU
22 Image display device 27 Control circuit 34 Windshield 36 Mirror 40 Display screen 49 Surrounding map image 56 Choice image 90 Meter 92 Driver side front pillar

Claims (13)

A laser irradiation device (3) for irradiating a vehicle interior of a vehicle with a visible light laser beam;
A control device (11) for controlling the irradiation mode of the visible light laser beam by the laser irradiation device (3),
The control device (11) displays a second image related to the first image displayed on the vehicle-mounted image display device (12, 14) that displays an image without using a visible light laser beam as the vehicle-mounted image. The visible light is displayed on the instrument panel closer to the driver than the display position of the first image, depending on the type of the second image , in order to display on the part of the instrument panel outside the displayable range of the display device. The second image is displayed by irradiating a laser beam, or the second image is displayed by irradiating the visible light laser beam to an instrument panel closer to the passenger seat than the display position of the first image. A visible light laser beam irradiation system characterized by changing the above .   When the user performs an operation on the in-vehicle image display device (12) using the display content of the first image, the in-vehicle image display device (12) displays the image as an image. The visible light laser beam irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein the second image is included in the second image. The control device (11) displays the visible light laser on the instrument panel closer to the driver than the display position of the first image in response to displaying an image to be operated by the driver as the second image. The visible light laser beam irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein the second image is displayed by irradiation with a beam. The control device (11) displays the surrounding map image representing the periphery of the map as the second image with the same scale as the map displayed as the first image. 2. The visible light laser beam irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein the second image is displayed by irradiating the instrument panel closer to the passenger seat than the image with the visible light laser beam. 3. The control device (11) displays an image of information related to the POI in the map displayed as the first image as the second image, so that the assistant is more assistant than the first image. 2. The visible light laser beam irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein the second image is displayed by irradiating a seat side instrument panel with the visible light laser beam.   Based on the fact that the vehicle-mounted image display device (12) displays a map image as the first image, the control device (11) uses the map in the first image as the second image. The visible laser beam irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein a map extending outward is displayed in a display area of the first image.   In the control device (11), the first image displayed by the on-vehicle image display device (12) includes a POI, and the driver operates the on-vehicle image display device (12) to display the POI. The visible light laser beam irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein an image including information related to the POI is displayed as the second image based on the selection.   The control device (11) includes a plurality of options each corresponding to one of the answers to the question based on the vehicle image display device (12) displaying a question to the driver as the first image. The visible light laser beam irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein the option image is displayed as the second image.   The visible light laser beam irradiation system according to claim 8, wherein the control device (11) receives an answer to the question by voice and passes the received answer to the vehicle-mounted image display device (12).   The control device (11) receives an answer to the question by touching any one of the plurality of option images by the driver, and passes the accepted answer to the on-vehicle image display device (12). The visible light laser beam irradiation system according to claim 8.   When the vehicle-mounted image display device (12) displays one of a plurality of hierarchically structured menu images as the first image, the control device (11) is next to the first image. 2. The visible light laser beam irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein a menu image of a hierarchy is displayed as the second image.   When the vehicle-mounted image display device (12) displays an image including a plurality of selectable images individually selectable by the driver as the first image, the control device (11) Based on the user's provisional selection of one of the selected images, the image that the vehicle-mounted image display device (12) will display if the user definitely selects the one selectable image. Is displayed as the second image, The visible light laser beam irradiation system according to claim 1.   When the vehicle-mounted image display device (12) displays an image including a plurality of selectable images individually selectable by a driver as the first image, the control device (11) The information on the function assigned to the one selectable image is displayed as the second image based on the fact that the user tentatively selects one of the selected images. The visible light laser beam irradiation system according to 1.

Images