JP5018497B2 - Vehicle planning support device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle planning support apparatus that evaluates the habitability and visibility of a vehicle using a virtual image.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle planning support apparatus that displays a virtual image on a flat screen and evaluates habitability and visibility is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, the user selects an evaluation mode, depth-oriented display is performed in the visibility evaluation mode, and texture-oriented display is performed in the design evaluation mode.
JP 2004-299472 A

  However, since the conventional vehicle planning support apparatus originally displays a three-dimensional one on a flat screen, the evaluation accuracy is limited.

  On the other hand, when evaluating with a two-lens evaluation virtual image, the evaluation virtual screen is displayed on a plurality of flat display surfaces that are three-dimensionally arranged so as to surround the evaluator. If there is a joint portion that connects the display surfaces in the evaluation area, the evaluator is distracted by the joint portion and loses a sense of distance. As described above, there is a problem that a so-called miniature garden effect occurs and evaluation cannot be performed with high accuracy.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a virtual image in a vehicle planning support apparatus that evaluates the habitability and visibility of a vehicle using a two-eye evaluation virtual image. In other words, the evaluation is performed with high accuracy by reducing the size and distance errors between the actual object and the actual object.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, when a seam portion that connects the display surfaces exists in the evaluation region, the seam portion is excluded from the evaluation region.

  Specifically, the first invention is directed to a vehicle planning support apparatus that evaluates the habitability and visibility of a vehicle using a twin-lens evaluation virtual image.

And, the vehicle planning support device is
Virtual image display means having a plurality of flat display surfaces arranged three-dimensionally so as to surround the evaluator, and displaying the evaluation virtual screen on the plurality of display surfaces;
Evaluation area estimation means for estimating the evaluator's evaluation area from the evaluator's head rotation angle and moving position;
Seam removal means for removing the seam from the evaluation area when a seam that connects the display surfaces exists in the evaluation area.

  That is, when the virtual image display means displays the evaluation virtual screen on a plurality of flat display surfaces surrounding the evaluator, if there is a joint portion that connects the display surfaces to the evaluation area viewed by the evaluator, Those who are distracted by the joints lose a sense of distance (the so-called miniature garden effect) and cannot accurately evaluate. However, according to the above configuration, the seam portion is excluded from the evaluation region by the seam eliminating means, so that the evaluator does not lose a sense of distance.

In the second invention, in the first invention,
The seam removing means moves the evaluation object to a position away from the seam when the seam is present in the evaluation area, displays the evaluation virtual image, and also evaluates the position of the evaluator. The virtual image is configured to move in accordance with the movement of the virtual image.

  According to the above configuration, even if the evaluation object is moved to a position away from the joint portion and displayed, the evaluator's position itself moves accordingly. The virtual screen is projected without losing a sense of distance.

In the third invention, in any one of the first to second inventions,
The black texture display colors displayed on the plurality of display surfaces are configured to be displayed with higher brightness than actual colors.

  That is, when displaying the evaluation virtual screen on a plurality of flat display surfaces surrounding the evaluator, it is necessary to set the brightness of the display data low in order to suppress reflection of images between the display surfaces. Black colors that are often used have low display contrast, making it difficult to perceive distance (depth). However, according to the above configuration, since the black texture display color displayed on the plurality of display surfaces is displayed with higher brightness than the actual color, the display contrast becomes high, and the evaluator can easily grasp the sense of distance. .

In a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions,
Estimating the position of the evaluator's retina from the head rotation angle and moving position,
The viewpoint origin is set so that the display position of the virtual image is imaged on the retina.

  In other words, when the viewpoint origin is set at the position between the eyebrows as in the conventional virtual screen for twin-lens evaluation, when the head is moved, the stereoscopic image that should not actually move appears to move, giving a sense of discomfort. There was a problem to feel. However, according to the above configuration, when the binocular evaluation virtual screen is viewed, the viewpoint origin is moved so as to form an image on the retina, so that the stereoscopic image appears to move even if the head is moved. There is little discomfort, and the size and distance of the virtual image looks the same as the real one.

In a fifth invention, in any one of the first to fourth inventions,
The CAD data for creating the virtual image is collected by setting the viewpoint position of the CAD data behind the actual viewpoint position, and is displayed based on the actual viewpoint position when displayed on the plurality of display surfaces. To be displayed on the screen.

  According to the above configuration, the CAD data for creating the virtual image is collected by shifting the viewpoint position of the CAD data backward to expand the image range, thereby expanding the data display range, and the evaluation virtual image on the display surface When displaying, by returning the viewpoint position, it is possible to evaluate an image appearing on the display surface in a wide range.

In a sixth invention, in any one of the first to fifth inventions,
The CAD data for creating the virtual image is collected at a higher density than the actual density by narrowing the perspective angle of view, and the virtual image for evaluation is displayed on the plurality of displays using the CAD data. It is configured to be displayed on the screen.

  According to the above configuration, when creating a virtual image, the perspective angle of the CAD data to be used is narrowed to increase the density, and the CAD data is joined to increase display accuracy and prevent distortion. The

In a seventh invention, in any one of the first to sixth inventions,
The virtual image display means is configured to convert the road sign or the display on the road surface into a thickness equal to or greater than a predetermined value and display it.

  In other words, since the road sign or the display on the road surface has almost no actual thickness, it may appear or disappear on the display surface and cause flickering. According to the above configuration, the road image is displayed by the virtual image display means. Since the sign or the display on the road surface is displayed thicker than the actual thickness, flickering is prevented.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when there is a seam portion that connects display surfaces to each other in the evaluation region, the seam portion is excluded from the evaluation region. Thus, it is possible to accurately evaluate the comfort and visibility of the vehicle by reducing the size and distance errors.

  According to the second invention, the evaluation virtual screen similar to the real thing loses a sense of distance by moving the evaluation object to a position away from the joint portion and moving the position of the evaluator. Since it is projected without any problem, the habitability and visibility of the vehicle can be accurately evaluated.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the black texture display color displayed on the plurality of display surfaces is displayed with high luminance, so that the display contrast is increased and the sense of distance can be easily grasped. The habitability and visibility can be accurately evaluated.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the viewpoint origin is set so that the display position of the virtual image is formed on the retina, thereby preventing the uncomfortable feeling when the head is moved, and the comfort and visibility of the vehicle. Can be accurately evaluated.

According to the fifth aspect , CAD data for creating a virtual image is collected by setting it behind the actual viewpoint position, and displayed on the screen so as to correspond to the actual viewpoint position when displayed on the display surface. By doing so, the image range that can be displayed can be expanded and effective evaluation can be performed.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the perspective angle of the CAD data is narrowed to be higher than the actual density, the CAD data is collected and the virtual image is created, thereby improving the display accuracy. Detailed visibility evaluation can be performed on signs and the like.

According to the seventh aspect , since the display on the road sign or the road surface is displayed thicker than the actual thickness, flickering can be prevented and visibility can be improved. Visibility can be accurately evaluated.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an outline of the configuration of a vehicle planning support apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle planning support apparatus 1 evaluates the habitability and visibility of a vehicle with a two-lens evaluation virtual image. It has become a thing. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle planning support apparatus 1 displays a virtual image for evaluation three-dimensionally using binocular parallax.

  The vehicle planning support apparatus 1 includes an operation terminal 2 (PC), a master unit 3, a data storage unit 4, and two slave units of an image control unit 5 and a shutter timing control unit 6. The data storage unit 4 stores virtual space data such as a vehicle shape formed by 3D-CAD (not shown) and a scenery outside the vehicle (virtual environment data) created from an actually captured image. The master unit 3 is configured by a CPU or the like in the operation terminal 2, and is configured to perform vehicle model image creation and virtual space image data creation processing.

  As will be described in detail later, CAD data for creating a virtual image stored in the data storage unit 4 is collected by setting it behind the actual viewpoint position as shown in FIG. When displayed on the surface 8, as shown in FIG. 4, the screen is displayed based on the actual viewpoint position. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the road sign or the display 21 on the road surface in the virtual space image data stored in the data storage unit 4 is converted into a thickness of a predetermined value or more and displayed. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the CAD data for creating the virtual image is collected at a higher density than the actual density by narrowing the perspective angle of view (β2 → β1) and displayed as an image. .

  The vehicle planning support apparatus 1 includes a plurality of flat display surfaces 8 that are three-dimensionally arranged so as to surround the evaluator 50. In the present embodiment, four rectangular display surfaces 8 on the front, left, right, and upper sides are installed in a cubic shape. Projectors 9 are respectively arranged on the side of each display surface 8 opposite to the evaluator 50. Each projector 9 is sent from the image control unit 5 so that the right-eye image and the left-eye image are alternately switched at high speed, and the right-eye image and the left-eye image are alternately displayed at high speed on the corresponding display surface 8. It is switched and displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the black texture display color displayed on the plurality of display surfaces 8 is configured to be displayed with higher brightness than the actual color (shown in FIG. 6A). ing.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the evaluator 50 wears liquid crystal shutter glasses 10. When the right eye image is displayed on the liquid crystal shutter glasses 10 so as to synchronize with the right eye image and the left eye image displayed on the display surface 8, the shutter timing control unit 6 performs only the right eye and the left eye. When the image is displayed, it is instructed to switch the shutter so that only the left eye can be seen. Thereby, different images reach the left and right eyes of the evaluator 50, and a virtual image for evaluation with a three-dimensional effect is obtained. The shutter timing control unit 6, the display surface 8, the projector 9, and the liquid crystal shutter glasses 10 constitute virtual image display means for displaying an evaluation virtual screen.

  The liquid crystal shutter glasses 10 are provided with a plurality (for example, four in this embodiment) of position display members 11 for measuring the head rotation angle and movement position of the evaluator 50. Further, for example, two head photographing cameras 12 are arranged behind the evaluator 50. From the coordinates of the position display member 11 photographed by the head photographing camera 12, the head rotation angle and movement position of the evaluator 50 are measured, and the evaluation area of the evaluator 50 is estimated based on the data. It has become. These position display member 11 and head photographing camera 12 constitute an evaluation area estimation means.

  Further, the position of the retina 50a of the evaluator 50 is estimated from the head rotation angle and the moving position, and the center of the eyeball is displayed as the viewpoint origin O so that the display position of the virtual image is formed on the retina 50a. It is configured.

  The vehicle planning support apparatus 1 includes a seam removing unit that excludes the seam 15 from the evaluation area A when the seam 15 (shown in FIG. 2) that connects the display surfaces 8 to each other exists in the evaluation area A. Yes.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the seam eliminating means, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, when the seam portion 15 exists in the evaluation area A where the sun visor 51 to be evaluated is displayed, as shown in FIG. 9. The sun visor 51 is moved to a position away from the joint portion 15 and displayed, and the position of the evaluator 50 is moved in accordance with the movement of the evaluation virtual image. The master unit 3 and the image control unit 5 constitute seam eliminating means.

-Operation-
Next, the operation of the vehicle planning support apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 10, first, in step S01, a perspective angle of view is set by the operation terminal 2. At this time, the CAD data for creating the virtual image stored in the data storage unit 4 is higher than the actual density by narrowing the perspective angle of view from β2 to β1, as shown in FIG. Densified data is collected and displayed as an image. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), when the steering wheel 20 becomes CAD data of 400 dots when β2, the steering wheel 20 image becomes rough or distorted when displayed on the display surface 8. However, if it is narrowed to β1, it becomes CAD data of 800 dots, and when displayed on the display surface 8, the image of the steering wheel 20 does not become rough or distorted. This is effective when a detailed visibility examination such as a sign is performed in a single-direction visibility evaluation such as a forward visibility.

  Next, in step S02, the master unit 3 performs estimation processing of the evaluator 50's head position, line-of-sight direction, and line-of-sight origin. Specifically, the head rotation angle and movement position of the evaluator 50 are measured from the coordinates of the position display member 11 photographed by the head photographing camera 12, and the evaluation area of the evaluator 50 is based on the data. The position of the retina 50a is estimated, and the center of the eyeball is set as the viewpoint origin O. In this way, when the binocular evaluation virtual screen is viewed, the viewpoint origin O is moved so as to form an image on the retina 50a, so that the stereoscopic image does not appear to move even if the head is moved. In addition, there is little discomfort, and the error between the size and distance of the virtual image and the actual object is reduced.

  Next, in step S03, the master unit 3 performs a process of collecting vehicle unit data (3D-CAD data) and virtual environment data corresponding to the perspective angle of view β1. When displayed on a plurality of display surfaces 8, it is displayed on the screen based on the actual viewpoint position.

  Next, in step S04, the master unit 3 performs a conversion process on the collected image data. Specifically, for CAD data for creating a virtual image, first, as indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 3, for example, the viewpoint position of the CAD data is shifted by 1000 mm behind the actual viewpoint position. This greatly expands the data collection area from P1 to P2. Reference numeral 52 denotes a virtual vehicle.

  Further, the master unit 3 converts the black texture display color displayed on the plurality of display surfaces 8 so as to be displayed with higher brightness than the actual color. That is, when displaying the evaluation virtual screen on the plurality of flat display surfaces 8 surrounding the evaluator 50, it is necessary to set the brightness of the display data low in order to suppress the reflection of the images between the display surfaces 8. In particular, a black color has a low display contrast and makes it difficult to recognize a sense of distance (depth sense). However, as shown in FIG. 6B, by displaying the black texture display color displayed on the plurality of display surfaces 8 with higher brightness than the actual color (shown in FIG. 6A), The display contrast is increased, and the evaluator 50 can easily grasp the sense of distance.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, the road sign or the display 21 on the road surface in the virtual space image data stored in the data storage unit 4 is converted to a thickness equal to or greater than a predetermined value h. That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, the road sign or the display 21 on the road surface has almost no actual thickness, and thus appears or disappears on the display surface 8, causing flickering. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, the road sign or the display 21 on the road surface is displayed thicker than the actual thickness (at height h), and flickering is prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the evaluation evaluation virtual screen is displayed on a plurality of flat display surfaces 8 surrounding the evaluator 50, the display surfaces 8 are connected to the evaluation area A viewed by the evaluator 50. When the seam portion 15 exists, the master unit 3 converts the seam portion 15 so as to be excluded from the evaluation area A. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the image display position is moved upward to display the sun visor 51 away from the joint portion 15, and the position of the evaluator 50 is adjusted according to the movement of the evaluation virtual image. The height is moved upward by automatically increasing the height.

  Next, in step S05, image display processing is performed. Specifically, the image control unit 5 transmits the corresponding converted right-eye image data and left-eye image data to each projector 9 so as to alternately switch at high speed. Then, the right-eye and left-eye images are alternately displayed at high speed on the display surface 8. On the other hand, when the right-eye image is displayed on the liquid crystal shutter glasses 10 so as to synchronize with the right-eye and left-eye images displayed on the display surface 8, the shutter timing control unit 6 displays only the right eye and the left eye. When the image is displayed, it is instructed to switch the shutter so that only the left eye can be seen. Thereby, different images reach the left and right eyes of the evaluator 50, and a virtual image for evaluation with a three-dimensional effect is obtained.

  At this time, the image control unit 5 displays the CAD data collected by shifting the viewpoint position by 1000 mm and returns the viewpoint position by 1000 mm. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the evaluation range of the side field of view from the front of the evaluator 50 is widened.

  Furthermore, the image control unit 5 moves the evaluation target to a position away from the joint portion 15 and displays the evaluation target. As a result, a virtual screen for evaluation similar to the real thing is projected on the eyes of the evaluator 50 without losing a sense of distance.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the distance error between the front end 51a of the sun visor and the rear end 51b of the sun visor when the seam portion 15 is in the evaluation region A causes the seam portion 15 to be shifted from the evaluation region A. As a result, as shown in FIG.

-Effect of the embodiment-
Therefore, according to the vehicle planning support apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the joint portion 15 that connects the display surfaces 8 to each other exists in the evaluation area A, the evaluation target is moved to a position away from the joint portion 15. By moving the position of the evaluator 50, the same evaluation virtual screen as the real image is displayed without losing a sense of distance, and thus the evaluator 50 can perform highly accurate evaluation.

  In addition, since the black texture display color displayed on the plurality of display surfaces 8 is displayed with high brightness, the display contrast is increased, the sense of distance can be easily grasped, and the evaluation can be performed with high accuracy. .

  In addition, since the viewpoint origin O is set so that the display position of the virtual image is imaged by the retina 50a, it is possible to prevent a sense of incongruity when the head is moved and perform evaluation with high accuracy. Further, CAD data for creating a virtual image is collected by setting it behind the actual viewpoint position and displayed on the display surface 8 so as to correspond to the actual viewpoint position when displayed on the display surface 8. Thus, effective evaluation can be performed by enlarging the displayable image range.

  In addition, by reducing the perspective angle of the CAD data so that it is higher than the actual density and collecting the CAD data and creating a virtual image, the display accuracy is improved and the signs are detailed. Visibility evaluation can be performed.

  Furthermore, the display 21 on the road sign or the road surface is displayed to be thicker than the actual thickness, thereby preventing flickering and improving visibility, so that the evaluator 50 can perform an accurate evaluation. it can.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention may be configured as follows with respect to the above embodiment.

  That is, in the said embodiment, although the said seam exclusion means shall consist of the master part 3 and the image control part 5, the translucent cross section which covers the seam part 15 consists of the L-shaped member 60 which is L-shaped. It is good. In other words, if a plurality of flat display surfaces 8 are three-dimensionally arranged so as to surround the evaluator 50, it is inevitable that a gap is generated in the joint portion 15. Light leaks from the gap and the evaluator 50 gives a sense of distance. It is known to lose. However, as shown in FIG. 14, by providing the translucent L-shaped member 60, the light leaking from the gap is softened, so the evaluator 50 does not lose a sense of distance. For this reason, it is possible to accurately evaluate the comfort and visibility of the vehicle by reducing the size and distance errors between the virtual image and the real object with a very simple configuration.

  In addition, the above embodiment is an essentially preferable illustration, Comprising: It does not intend restrict | limiting the range of this invention, its application thing, or a use.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the apparatus structure of the plan support apparatus for vehicles. It is a perspective view which shows the virtual screen for evaluation shown on the some display surface. It is a top view shown about one process of collecting CAD data for virtual image creation. It is a top view shown about another process of collecting CAD data for virtual image creation. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating a mode that the display on a road sign or a road surface is converted into thickness more than a predetermined value, and (a) shows before conversion and (b) shows after conversion. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating a mode that the black-colored texture display color displayed on a some display surface is displayed with high luminance, (a) shows before conversion, (b) shows after conversion. It is a side view which shows the evaluator's head. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that a seam part exists in an evaluation area | region. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which an evaluation target is moved to a position away from a joint and displayed. It is a flowchart which shows the image process of a virtual image for value. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that CAD data is collected by narrowing a perspective angle of view, (a) shows a state where an image displayed on a CAD display is shown on a display surface, and (b) is a perspective angle of view. Changes in the data collection area due to. It is a graph which shows the evaluation error when there exists a seam part in an evaluation field. It is a graph which shows the evaluation error when a seam part is excluded from the evaluation region. It is a schematic diagram which shows the L-shaped member concerning other embodiment.

1 Vehicle planning support device 3 Master unit (seam removal means)
5 Image controller (Seam removal means)
6 Shutter timing control unit (virtual image display means)
8 Display surface (virtual image display means)
9 Projector (virtual image display means)
10 LCD shutter glasses (virtual image display means)
11 Position display member (evaluation area estimation means)
12 Head photography camera (Evaluation area estimation means)
15 Seam portion 21 Display on road surface 50 Evaluator 50a Retina 51 Sun visor (evaluation target)
60 L-shaped member (seam removal means)

Claims (7)

A vehicle planning support device that evaluates the habitability and visibility of a vehicle with a two-view virtual image for evaluation,
Virtual image display means having a plurality of flat display surfaces arranged three-dimensionally so as to surround the evaluator, and displaying the evaluation virtual screen on the plurality of display surfaces;
Evaluation area estimation means for estimating the evaluator's evaluation area from the evaluator's head rotation angle and moving position;
A vehicle planning support apparatus, comprising: a seam removing unit that removes the seam from the evaluation area when a seam that connects the display surfaces exists in the evaluation area. The vehicle planning support device according to claim 1,
The seam removing means moves the evaluation object to a position away from the seam when the seam is present in the evaluation area, displays the evaluation virtual image, and also evaluates the position of the evaluator. A vehicle planning support apparatus configured to move in accordance with the movement of the virtual image for use. In the vehicle plan support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2 ,
The vehicle planning support apparatus, wherein the black texture display color displayed on the plurality of display surfaces is displayed with higher brightness than an actual color. In the vehicle plan support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
Estimating the position of the evaluator's retina from the head rotation angle and moving position,
A vehicular planning support apparatus, wherein the viewpoint origin is set so that the display position of the virtual image is imaged on the retina. In the vehicle plan support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The CAD data for creating the virtual image is collected by setting the viewpoint position of the CAD data behind the actual viewpoint position, and is displayed based on the actual viewpoint position when displayed on the plurality of display surfaces. A vehicle planning support apparatus characterized by being displayed on the screen. In the vehicle plan support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The CAD data for creating the virtual image is collected at a higher density than the actual density by narrowing the perspective angle of view, and the virtual image for evaluation is displayed on the plurality of displays using the CAD data. A vehicle planning support apparatus characterized by being displayed on a surface. In the vehicle plan support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
The vehicular planning support apparatus, wherein the virtual image display means is configured to display a road sign or a display on a road surface after converting the display to a thickness of a predetermined value or more.