JP6925947B2 - In-vehicle system and display control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an in-vehicle system including a head-up display.

As an in-vehicle system equipped with a head-up display, a fixedly defined virtual image of the first image is displayed at a position relatively close to the user in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and a position relatively far from the user in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. There is known an in-vehicle system provided with a head-up display that displays a virtual image of a second image and has a variable distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle to the virtual image of the second image (for example, Patent Document 1). 2, 2).

Here, in this in-vehicle system, the virtual image of the first image is displayed diagonally downward when viewed from the user by using the head-up display, and the virtual image of the first image is displayed in the direction above the virtual image of the first image when viewed from the user. A virtual image of the image is displayed.

Further, in this in-vehicle system, an image showing the vehicle speed or the like is used as the first image, and an image of a figure calling attention to the preceding vehicle or an image of an arrow indicating the direction of course change is used as the second image. I am using it.

Then, in this in-vehicle system, when an image of a figure that calls attention to the preceding vehicle is used as the second image, it is visually recognized that the image exists at the position of the preceding vehicle by using the head-up display. When the virtual image of the second image is displayed and the image of the arrow indicating the course change direction is used as the second image, it is visually recognized that the image exists at the intersection where the course change is made by using the head-up display. As shown above, the virtual image of the second image is displayed.

JP-A-2015-200700 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-034945

According to the in-vehicle system equipped with the head-up display described above, when an image of a figure calling attention to the preceding vehicle or an image of an arrow indicating the direction of course change is used as the second image, the image up to the preceding vehicle is used. The distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from the user to the virtual image of the second image changes with the change of the distance and the distance to the intersection where the course is changed.

Therefore, the difference in the distance from the user in the front-rear direction of the vehicle to the virtual image of the first image and the virtual image of the second image displayed at a fixedly determined position dynamically changes.
Then, when the difference in the distance between the virtual image of the first image and the virtual image of the second image in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from the user becomes large, when switching the virtual image visually recognized from the virtual image of one image to the virtual image of the other image. In addition, since the user needs to change the focal distance of the eye significantly, the visibility of both virtual images is reduced.

On the other hand, such deterioration of visibility also makes the distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle to the virtual image of the first image variable, and the distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle to the virtual image of the second image is linked to the change. If the distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle to the virtual image of the first image is also changed so that the difference in the distance between the virtual image of the first image and the virtual image of the second image in the front-rear direction of the vehicle does not change significantly. Can be prevented.

However, in this way, since the first image is displayed diagonally downward when viewed from the user, when the distance from the user in the front-rear direction of the vehicle to the virtual image of the first image becomes large, the first image is displayed. A virtual image of the image appears partially or entirely under the road surface, resulting in an unnatural display.

Therefore, in the present invention, the virtual image of the first image is displayed diagonally downward when viewed from the user by using a head-up display, and the virtual image of the second image is placed above the virtual image of the first image. In an in-vehicle system that displays the virtual image of the first image and the virtual image of the second image while changing the distance to the second image in the front-rear direction, the virtual image of the first image and the virtual image of the second image are displayed in an easy-to-see manner, and the first image is displayed unnaturally. The challenge is to prevent the occurrence of.

In order to achieve the above problems, the present invention provides an in-vehicle system mounted on an automobile with a head-up display and a control device for controlling the display of the head-up display. Here, the head-up display displays a first virtual image, which is a virtual image of the first image, in front of the front window of the automobile, in the front-rear direction of the automobile from the front window up to the first virtual image. The first virtual image display unit, which is a distance, and the second virtual image, which is a virtual image of the second image, are displayed in front of the front window of the automobile, up to the second virtual image. A second image in which the second virtual image display distance, which is the distance from the front window in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the second virtual image display direction, which is the vertical direction of the second virtual image as seen by the user of the vehicle, are variable. It is equipped with a virtual image display unit. Further, the control device displays the first virtual image display control unit for changing the first virtual image display distance and the first virtual image display distance within a range smaller than the first virtual image display distance. It is provided with a second virtual image display control unit that changes so that the larger the distance, the larger the distance. Then, when the second imaginary image display distance is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the second imaginary image display control unit sets the second imaginary image display direction of the first imaginary image as seen by the user of the automobile. The second imaginary image display is set to the standard display direction, which is a direction that is downward from the first imaginary image display direction, which is a vertical direction, and is a predetermined direction that is diagonally forward and downward when viewed from the user. When the distance exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the second imaginary image display direction is changed to a direction that faces upward from the standard display direction when viewed from the user.

Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an in-vehicle system mounted on an automobile with a head-up display and a control device for controlling the display of the head-up display. Here, the head-up display displays a first virtual image, which is a virtual image of the first image, in front of the front window of the automobile, in the front-rear direction of the automobile from the front window up to the first virtual image. The first virtual image display unit, which is a distance, and the second virtual image, which is a virtual image of the second image, are displayed in front of the front window of the automobile, up to the second virtual image. A second image in which the second virtual image display distance, which is the distance from the front window in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the second virtual image display direction, which is the vertical direction of the second virtual image as seen by the user of the vehicle, are variable. It is equipped with a virtual image display unit. Further, the control device displays the first virtual image display control unit for changing the first virtual image display distance and the first virtual image display distance within a range smaller than the first virtual image display distance. A second virtual image display that changes the value of the difference between the distance and the second virtual image display distance or the value of the ratio of the second virtual image display distance to the first virtual image display distance so as to be within a predetermined range. It has a control unit. Then, when the second imaginary image display distance is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the second imaginary image display control unit sets the second imaginary image display direction of the first imaginary image as seen by the user of the automobile. The second imaginary image display is set to the standard display direction, which is a direction that is downward from the first imaginary image display direction, which is a vertical direction, and is a predetermined direction that is diagonally forward and downward when viewed from the user. When the distance exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the second imaginary image display direction is changed to a direction that faces upward from the standard display direction when viewed from the user.

Here, in these in-vehicle systems, the threshold value is the lower end of the second virtual image when the second virtual image is displayed in the standard display direction with the threshold value as the second virtual image display distance. It is preferable that the position is a maximum value that does not become a position under the road surface, or a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined margin from the maximum value.

More specifically, in the second virtual image display control unit, for example, when the second virtual image display distance exceeds the threshold value, these in-vehicle systems set the second virtual image display direction. The larger the second virtual image display distance is, the more upward the direction is changed when viewed from the user.

Alternatively, when the second virtual image is displayed in the standard display direction with the threshold as the second virtual image display distance, the position of the lower end of the second virtual image does not become the position below the road surface. When the maximum value or a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined margin from the maximum value, these in-vehicle systems are more specifically described, for example, the second virtual image display control unit displays the second virtual image. When the distance exceeds the threshold value, the second virtual image display direction is determined from the lowest direction in which the position of the lower end of the second virtual image does not become the position below the road surface, or the lowermost direction. It is configured to change in the direction facing upward.

Further, in these in-vehicle systems, the second image virtual image display unit has a variable direction of the left and right sides of the second virtual image as seen by the user of the automobile, and the second virtual image display control unit has the second virtual image display unit. When the two virtual image display distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, the left and right directions of the second virtual image as seen by the user are centered on the left and right of the front window of the automobile on the second image virtual image display unit. The second virtual image is displayed so as to pass through the above, and when the second virtual image display distance exceeds the threshold value, the second image virtual image display unit displays the second virtual image as seen by the user. The second virtual image may be displayed so that the left and right directions of the virtual image pass through either the left end or the right end of the front window of the automobile.

Further, in the above-mentioned in-vehicle system, the in-vehicle system is provided with another vehicle detection unit for detecting another vehicle in front of the vehicle, and the first virtual image display control unit displays the second image to call attention to the other vehicle. As an image, the first virtual image display distance may be changed so that the second virtual image is displayed at the position of the other vehicle detected by the other vehicle detection unit.

Further, in the above-mentioned in-vehicle system, the in-vehicle system is provided with a front intersection detection unit for detecting an intersection in front of the vehicle, and the first virtual image display control unit detects the second image by the front intersection detection unit. As an image showing the course of the automobile at the intersection in front of the automobile, the first virtual image display distance is changed so that the second virtual image is displayed at the position of the detected intersection in front of the automobile. May be good.

According to the in-vehicle system as described above, the second virtual image display distance of the second virtual image is increased as the first virtual image display distance is larger within a range smaller than the first virtual image display distance. The value of the difference between the first virtual image display distance and the second virtual image display distance within a range smaller than the first virtual image display distance, or the second value with respect to the first virtual image display distance. The value of the ratio of the virtual image display distance is changed so as to be within a predetermined range. Therefore, even if the first virtual image display distance of the first virtual image is increased, the difference between the first virtual image display distance of the first virtual image and the second virtual image display distance of the second virtual image is suppressed from becoming large. Therefore, when the user switches the virtual image to be visually recognized between the first virtual image and the second virtual image, the display of the first virtual image and the second virtual image that is easy for the user to see without requiring a large change in the focal length of the eye is displayed. It can be carried out.

Further, according to the in-vehicle system as described above, when the second virtual image display distance exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the second virtual image display direction is changed from the standard display direction when viewed from the user. Since it can be changed in the upward direction, the second virtual image is partially or wholly displayed below the road surface when the second virtual image display distance is increased. It becomes possible to suppress the occurrence of unnatural display.

As described above, according to the present invention, the virtual image of the first image is displayed diagonally downward when viewed from the user by using the head-up display, and the virtual image of the second image is the virtual image of the first image. In an in-vehicle system that displays the virtual image of the first image and the virtual image of the second image in an easy-to-see manner in an in-vehicle system that displays the virtual image of the vehicle to the second image while changing the distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the first image is displayed. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of unnatural display of.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the in-vehicle system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display mode of the head-up display which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display mode of the head-up display which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display example of the head-up display which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the near-image virtual image display position calculation process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the threshold value used in the near image virtual image display position calculation process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display example of the head-up display which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the near-image display control processing which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other display example of the head-up display which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the in-vehicle system according to the present embodiment.
The in-vehicle system is a system installed in an automobile, and as shown in the figure, the in-vehicle system includes a head-up display 1, various peripheral devices 2 such as a navigation device, a broadcast receiver, a storage device, a disk drive, and an input device. It is provided with a peripheral monitoring system 3 for detecting a preceding vehicle in front of the own vehicle, a state monitoring system 4 for monitoring various states of the vehicle such as the vehicle speed of the vehicle, and a control device 5 for controlling each part.

The head-up display 1 projects an image from below onto the front window in front of the driver's seat, thereby displaying a virtual image of the image in front of the front window to the user in the driver's seat.
Here, the head-up display 1 according to the present embodiment can display virtual images of the two images in front of the automobile as shown in FIG. 2a.
Further, the virtual image 21 of the first image of the virtual images of the two images is displayed at a position closer to the front window of the automobile in the front-rear direction of the automobile than the virtual image 22 of the second image.
In the following, for convenience, such a first image is referred to as a "near image", a virtual image of the first image is referred to as a "near image virtual image", a second image is referred to as a "far image", and a virtual image of the second image is referred to as a virtual image of the second image. The explanation will be given by calling it a "distant image virtual image".

By the way, the display position of the near image virtual image 21 is a position diagonally downward when viewed from the driver's seat user, and the display position of the far image virtual image 22 is from the direction of the near image virtual image 21 when viewed from the driver's seat user. Is also in the upward position.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the head-up display 1 has a distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from the front window of the near image virtual image 21 and a front-rear direction of the vehicle from the front window of the far image virtual image 22. This is a head-up display 1 in which the distance is independently variable.

Here, the distance from the front window to the virtual image in the front-rear direction of the automobile will be referred to as a "display distance" and will be described below.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 2b and 2c, the head-up display 1 is a head-up display 1 whose direction as seen from the user in the driver's seat of the near image virtual image 21 can be changed up and down.
Here, the head-up display 1 that displays such a near image virtual image 21 and a distant image virtual image 22 with a variable display distance is, for example, a combination of two head-up display devices having a variable display distance. Can be configured. Alternatively, it can also be configured by projecting the image to be projected onto the front window through different optical systems having a variable display distance for each area.

Further, the head-up display 1 whose direction as viewed from the driver's seat user of the near image virtual image 21 can be changed up and down is a case where the head-up display 1 is configured by combining two head-up display devices having a variable display distance. Provides a mechanism for changing the tilt of the head-up display device in the head-up display device that projects a near image, or makes the projection direction of the near image variable in the head-up display device that projects a near image. It can be configured by incorporating an optical system or the like.

Further, the head-up display 1 whose direction as viewed from the driver's seat user of the near image virtual image 21 can be changed up and down is a near image when the projected image is projected onto the front window through different optical systems for each region. It can be configured by incorporating an optical system that changes the projection direction of the near image into the optical system that projects the image.

Alternatively, the head-up display 1 whose direction as viewed from the driver's seat user of the near-image virtual image 21 can be changed up and down has a range of 300 in which the head-up display 1 can display the near-image virtual image 21 as shown in FIG. 3a. The vertical size is set to a size larger than the vertical size of the near image virtual image 21 to be actually displayed, and as shown in FIGS. 3b and 3c, the portion of the range 300 used for displaying the near image virtual image 21. Can also be configured by changing.

In such a configuration, the control device 5 controls the display of the near image virtual image 21 and the display of the far image virtual image 22 as follows.
First, control of the display of the distant image virtual image 22 will be described.
The control device 5 sets the display position of the distant image virtual image 22 to the position of the rear end of the preceding vehicle detected by the peripheral monitoring system 3, and as shown in FIG. 4a1, a figure calling attention to the preceding vehicle 400 is distant. As an image, the distant image virtual image 22 is displayed on the head-up display 1 at the set display position.

FIG. 4a1 shows a case where a figure having a shape in which "]" is tilted 90 degrees clockwise is used as a figure calling attention to the preceding vehicle 400, and the control device 5 is a distant image which is a virtual image of this figure. The head-up display 1 displays a virtual image of the figure having a direction, a display distance, and a size so that the virtual image 22 covers the lower left and right of the lower portion of the preceding vehicle 400 but is visible to the user in the driver's seat.

As described above, the distant image virtual image 22 displays the distant image virtual image 22 covering the lower part of the preceding vehicle 400 on the lower left and right so that the user in the driver's seat can visually recognize the distant image virtual image 22 up to the preceding vehicle 400. When the distance in the front-rear direction of the own vehicle changes, the direction and size of the distant image virtual image 22 also change as shown in FIGS. 4a1 and 4a2.

Note that FIG. 4a1 shows the display of the distant image virtual image 22 when the distance of the own vehicle to the preceding vehicle 400 in the front-rear direction is relatively small, as shown in FIG. 4a2, and FIG. 4b1 shows the display of the distant image virtual image 22. In addition, the display of the distant image virtual image 22 when the distance in the front-rear direction of the own vehicle to the preceding vehicle 400 is relatively large is shown.

Further, when the distance to the preceding vehicle 400 changes, the display distance fL of the distant image virtual image 22 also changes as shown in FIGS. 4a2 and 4a2.
That is, as shown in FIGS. 4a2 and 4b2, when the distance in the front-rear direction of the own vehicle to the preceding vehicle 400 is small, the display distance fL of the distant image virtual image 22 becomes small, and the front-rear direction of the own vehicle up to the preceding vehicle 400 When the distance is large, the display distance fL of the distant image virtual image 22 becomes large.

The control of the display of the distant image virtual image 22 performed by the control device 5 has been described above.
Next, the control of the display of the near image virtual image 21 performed by the control device 5 will be described.
The control device 5 uses an image representing the vehicle speed of the automobile detected by the condition monitoring system 4 as a near image, and as shown in FIGS. 4a1 and 4a2, as a near image virtual image 21 as viewed from the user in the driver's seat. A virtual image showing the vehicle speed of the car is displayed diagonally forward and downward.

Here, if the control device 5 starts displaying the distant image imaginary image 22 with the vertical direction of the near image imaginary image 21 as seen from the user in the driver's seat as the display direction of the near image imaginary image 21, it will be described in detail later. The near image imaginary image display position calculation process described above is performed to calculate the display distance and display direction of the near image imaginary image 21, and the near image imaginary image 21 is displayed in the calculated display distance and display direction. During the period in which the imaginary image 22 is displayed, every time the display distance fL of the distant image imaginary image 22 is changed, the near image imaginary image display position calculation process is performed to recalculate the display distance and display direction of the near image imaginary image 21. , The process of changing the displayed distance and the display direction of the near image virtual image 21 in the calculated display distance and the display direction is performed.
The left and right directions of the near image virtual image 21 as seen by the user in the driver's seat are fixed.

Hereinafter, the above-mentioned near image virtual image display position calculation process will be described.
FIG. 5 shows a procedure for calculating the near image virtual image display position.
As shown in the figure, the control device 5 first acquires the display distance fL of the current far image virtual image 22 in the near image virtual image display position calculation process (step 502).
Then, as a function that gives F (x) a positive constant or a positive number according to x, the distance fL-F (fL) obtained by subtracting F (fL) from the display distance fL of the distant image virtual image 22 is brought close. Calculated as the display distance nL of the square image virtual image 21 (step 504).

Here, the function F (x) is determined so that the display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21 represented by fL-F (fL) increases as the display distance fL of the far image virtual image 22 increases.
However, the function F (x) is the difference between the display distance fL of the far image virtual image 22 and the display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21, or the display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21 with respect to the display distance fL of the far image virtual image 22. The ratio may be set so as to be a value within a predetermined range regardless of the display distance fL of the distant image virtual image 22.

Here, by calculating the display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21 in step 504, as shown in FIGS. 4a2 and 4b2, the display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21 has a large display distance fL of the far image virtual image 22. The difference between the display distance fL of the far image virtual image 22 and the display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21 may increase by the same amount as the increase amount of the display distance fL of the far image virtual image 22. It is deterred.

Next, it is examined whether or not the display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21 calculated in step 504 is larger than the threshold value Th (step 506).
Here, the threshold value Th is predetermined as follows.
That is, when the standard display direction Anrml of the near image virtual image 21 is set and the near image virtual image 21 is displayed in the standard display direction Anrml, the lower end of the near image virtual image 21 comes into contact with the road surface in front of the vehicle. , The display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21 or the distance obtained by subtracting a predetermined margin from the display distance nL is set as the threshold value Th.

That is, when the standard display direction Anrml is set as shown in FIG. 6a, when the display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21 becomes larger as shown in FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d, the near image becomes closer. The position in the height direction in which the square image virtual image 21 is displayed is a lower position, and when the display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21 is larger than a certain value, the near image virtual image 21 is displayed as shown in FIGS. Is displayed partially or entirely below the road surface.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6b, when the standard display direction Anrml is set for the threshold value Th, the height of the lower end of the near image virtual image 21 is the height of the road surface. Display distance nL, or the distance obtained by subtracting a predetermined margin from the display distance nL (display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21 in which the height of the lower end of the near image virtual image 21 is slightly above the road surface) To set.

Now, returning to FIG. 5, when the display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21 calculated in step 504 is not larger than the threshold value Th (step 506), the standard display direction Anrml is set to the display direction of the near image virtual image 21. It is calculated as nA (step 508), and the near image virtual image display position calculation process is completed.

On the other hand, when the display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21 calculated in step 504 is larger than the threshold value Th (step 506), the function G (x) is displayed and the near image virtual image 21 is displayed at the display distance x. Occasionally, G (nL) is calculated as the display direction nA of the near image virtual image 21 as a function that gives the display direction of the height of the road surface by the height of the lower end of the near image virtual image 21 (step 510). However, the function G (x) has a display direction in which the height of the lower end of the near image virtual image 21 is slightly higher than the road surface when the near image virtual image 21 is displayed at the display distance x, that is, near. It may be a function that gives a display direction in which the height of the lower end of the square image virtual image 21 is slightly upward from the display direction in which the height of the road surface is set.

That is, in step 510, when the near image virtual image 21 is displayed at the display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21 calculated in step 504, the height of the lower end of the near image virtual image 21 is the height of the road surface. Alternatively, the display direction that is slightly above the road surface is calculated as the display direction nA of the near image virtual image 21.

Then, the near image virtual image display position calculation process is completed.
According to the near image virtual image display position calculation process as described above, when the display distance fL of the far image virtual image 22 increases, the display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21 also increases, and the display distance fL of the far image virtual image 22 increases. It is suppressed that the difference between the display distance fL of the far image virtual image 22 and the display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21 becomes large by the increase. Therefore, when the user switches the virtual image to be visually recognized between the far image virtual image 22 and the near image virtual image 21, it is not necessary to significantly change the focal length of the eye, and the user can easily see the far image virtual image 22 and the near image. The image virtual image 21 can be displayed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7a1, the display direction nA of the near image virtual image 21 is set to the standard display direction Anrml while the display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21 is small. As shown in FIG. 7a2, the near image virtual image 21 is visually recognized at a position above the road surface in the direction diagonally downward forward when viewed from the user in the driver's seat.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7b1, if the display direction nA is set to the standard display direction Anrml, the near image virtual image 21 is partially or wholly displayed below the road surface. When the display distance nL of 21 becomes large, the display direction nA of the near image virtual image 21 is the direction in which the near image virtual image 21 is displayed at a position higher than the road surface as shown in the figure. As shown in FIG. 7b2, the near image virtual image 21 is visually recognized at a position above the road surface in a slightly upward direction as compared with the case of FIG. 7a2.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent an unnatural display in which the near image virtual image 21 is partially or wholly displayed below the road surface.
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.
By the way, in the near image virtual image display position calculation process in the above embodiment, in step 506, the threshold value Th for determining the magnitude of the near image virtual image 21 with the display distance nL is set as a fixed value. , The threshold value Th may be calculated according to the inclination of the road surface in front of the vehicle.

That is, the information on the inclination of the road surface at each point of each road is stored in the in-vehicle system in advance, and the information on the inclination and the current position and the current traveling direction calculated by the navigation device provided as the peripheral device 2 are used. When the inclination of the road surface in front of the vehicle is calculated and the near image virtual image 21 is displayed in the standard display direction Anrml as shown in FIG. 8a, the lower end of the near image virtual image 21 comes into contact with the road surface in front of the vehicle. The display distance nL of the near image virtual image 21 is calculated by considering the inclination of the road surface in front of the vehicle, and the calculated display distance nL or the distance obtained by subtracting a predetermined margin from the display distance nL is calculated. Set it as the threshold value Th.

Further, in step 510 of the near image virtual image display position calculation process, as shown in FIG. 8b, the height of the lower end of the near image virtual image 21 calculated in consideration of the inclination of the road surface in front of the vehicle is the height of the road surface. The height or the display direction slightly above the road surface is calculated as the display direction nA of the near image virtual image 21.

Further, in the above embodiment, step 510 of the near image virtual image display position calculation process is calculated as the display direction nA of the near image virtual image 21 in the direction toward the upper part of the front window when viewed from the user in the driver's seat. May be good.

By doing so, if the display direction nA is set to the standard display direction Anrml, the near image virtual image 21 is partially or wholly displayed below the road surface. When the display distance nL of the Can be displayed.

Further, in the above embodiment, step 510 of the near image virtual image display position calculation process is a process of setting the horizontal display mode, and during the period in which the horizontal display mode is set in the control device 5, FIG. 9b shows. As shown, in step 510, the direction toward the left and right edges of the front window when viewed from the user in the driver's seat, upward by a predetermined angle from the standard display direction Anrml, and in the vertical direction toward the center of the front window. The head-up display 1 may be controlled to display the near image virtual image 21 at the set display distance nL. In this case, the horizontal display mode is canceled in step 508.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the image showing the vehicle speed is used as the near image and the figure that calls attention to the preceding vehicle is used as the far image has been described, but in the present embodiment, other figures and images are used as near. It can be similarly applied to the case where it is used as an image or a distant image and the distant image is displayed while changing the display distance fL of the distant image.

That is, for example, when an intersection in front of an automobile is detected and an image of an arrow indicating the path of the detected intersection in front of the automobile is displayed as a distant image at the position of the detected intersection in front of the automobile, or another image as a distant image. The present embodiment can be similarly applied when the display distance fL of the distant image virtual image 22 is changed according to the vehicle speed of the automobile.

1 ... Head-up display, 2 ... Peripheral device, 3 ... Peripheral monitoring system, 4 ... Condition monitoring system, 5 ... Control device, 21 ... Near image virtual image, 22 ... Far image virtual image, 400 ... Leading vehicle.

Claims (11)

It is an in-vehicle system installed in automobiles.
Head-up display and
It has a control device for controlling the display of the head-up display.
The head-up display is
The first virtual image display distance, which is the distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from the front window to the first virtual image, which displays the first virtual image which is a virtual image of the first image, is displayed in front of the front window of the vehicle. Variable first image virtual image display unit,
A second virtual image display distance, which is a distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from the front window to the second virtual image, which displays the second virtual image, which is a virtual image of the second image, in front of the front window of the vehicle. A second image virtual image display unit having a variable second virtual image display direction, which is a vertical direction of the second virtual image as seen by the user of the automobile.
The control device is
The first virtual image display control unit that changes the first virtual image display distance,
It has a second virtual image display control unit that changes the second virtual image display distance so as to increase as the first virtual image display distance increases within a range smaller than the first virtual image display distance.
The second virtual image display control unit is
When the second imaginary image display distance is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the second imaginary image display direction is the first imaginary image display direction which is the vertical direction of the first imaginary image as seen by the user of the automobile. Set to the standard display direction, which is a predetermined direction that is diagonally downward in the forward direction when viewed from the user.
When the second virtual image display distance exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the second virtual image display direction is changed to a direction that faces upward from the standard display direction when viewed from the user. In-vehicle system featuring. It is an in-vehicle system installed in automobiles.
Head-up display and
It has a control device for controlling the display of the head-up display.
The head-up display is
The first virtual image display distance, which is the distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from the front window to the first virtual image, which displays the first virtual image which is a virtual image of the first image, is displayed in front of the front window of the vehicle. Variable first image virtual image display unit,
A second virtual image display distance, which is a distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from the front window to the second virtual image, which displays the second virtual image, which is a virtual image of the second image, in front of the front window of the vehicle. A second image virtual image display unit having a variable second virtual image display direction, which is a vertical direction of the second virtual image as seen by the user of the automobile.
The control device is
The first virtual image display control unit that changes the first virtual image display distance,
Within the range where the second virtual image display distance is smaller than the first virtual image display distance, the value of the difference between the first virtual image display distance and the second virtual image display distance, or the value with respect to the first virtual image display distance. It has a second virtual image display control unit that changes the value of the ratio of the second virtual image display distance so that it is within a predetermined range.
The second virtual image display control unit is
When the second imaginary image display distance is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the second imaginary image display direction is the first imaginary image display direction which is the vertical direction of the first imaginary image as seen by the user of the automobile. Set to the standard display direction, which is a predetermined direction that is diagonally downward in the forward direction when viewed from the user.
When the second virtual image display distance exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the second virtual image display direction is changed to a direction that faces upward from the standard display direction when viewed from the user. In-vehicle system featuring. The in-vehicle system according to claim 1 or 2.
The threshold value is the maximum value at which the position of the lower end of the second virtual image does not become the position under the road surface when the second virtual image is displayed in the standard display direction with the threshold value as the second virtual image display distance. Alternatively, an in-vehicle system characterized in that the value is obtained by subtracting a predetermined margin from the maximum value. The in-vehicle system according to claim 1, 2 or 3.
When the second virtual image display distance exceeds the threshold value, the second virtual image display control unit views the second virtual image display direction from the user as the second virtual image display distance is larger. An in-vehicle system characterized by changing in a direction that points upward. The in-vehicle system according to claim 3.
When the second virtual image display distance exceeds the threshold value, the second virtual image display control unit does not set the position of the lower end of the second virtual image to the position below the road surface in the second virtual image display direction. An in-vehicle system characterized in that the vehicle changes from the lowest direction or the direction upward from the lowermost direction by a predetermined angle. The in-vehicle system according to claim 1, 2 or 3.
The second image virtual image display unit has a variable left-right direction of the second virtual image as seen by the user of the automobile.
The second virtual image display control unit is
When the second virtual image display distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, the left and right directions of the second virtual image as seen by the user on the second image virtual image display unit are the left and right directions of the front window of the automobile. The second virtual image is displayed so as to pass through the center of the
When the second virtual image display distance exceeds the threshold value, the left and right directions of the second virtual image as seen by the user on the second image virtual image display unit are on the left side of the front window of the automobile. An in-vehicle system characterized in that the second virtual image is displayed so as to pass through either an end portion or a right end portion. The in-vehicle system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.
It has another vehicle detection unit that detects other vehicles in front of the vehicle.
The first virtual image display control unit uses the first image as an image to call attention to the other vehicle, and displays the first virtual image at the position of the other vehicle detected by the other vehicle detection unit. 1 An in-vehicle system characterized by changing the virtual image display distance. The in-vehicle system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.
It has a front intersection detection unit that detects the intersection in front of the car,
Wherein the first virtual image display control unit, the first image, as an image representing the path of the vehicle in the forward intersection detection unit is an intersection of an automobile ahead detected, the position of the vehicle ahead of the intersection where the detected, the An in-vehicle system characterized in that the first virtual image display distance is changed so that the first virtual image is displayed. A display control method for controlling the display of the head-up display in an in-vehicle system mounted on an automobile equipped with a head-up display.
The head-up display is
The first virtual image display distance, which is the distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from the front window to the first virtual image, which displays the first virtual image which is a virtual image of the first image, is displayed in front of the front window of the vehicle. Variable first image virtual image display unit,
A second virtual image display distance, which is a distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from the front window to the second virtual image, which displays the second virtual image, which is a virtual image of the second image, in front of the front window of the vehicle. A second image virtual image display unit having a variable second virtual image display direction, which is a vertical direction of the second virtual image as seen by the user of the automobile.
The display control method is
A first virtual image display control step in which the in-vehicle system changes the first virtual image display distance,
The in-vehicle system changes the second imaginary image display distance so as to increase as the first imaginary image display distance increases within a range smaller than the first imaginary image display distance, and the second imaginary image display distance increases. When it is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the direction in which the second imaginary image display direction is downward from the first imaginary image display direction, which is the vertical direction of the first imaginary image as seen by the user of the automobile. The second imaginary image display is set to the standard display direction, which is a predetermined direction that is diagonally forward and downward when viewed from the user, and the second imaginary image display distance exceeds a predetermined threshold value. A display control method comprising a second imaginary image display control step that changes the direction in a direction that is upward from the standard display direction when viewed from the user. A display control method for controlling the display of the head-up display in an in-vehicle system mounted on an automobile equipped with a head-up display.
The head-up display is
The first virtual image display distance, which is the distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from the front window to the first virtual image, which displays the first virtual image which is a virtual image of the first image, is displayed in front of the front window of the vehicle. Variable first image virtual image display unit,
A second virtual image display distance, which is a distance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle from the front window to the second virtual image, which displays the second virtual image, which is a virtual image of the second image, in front of the front window of the vehicle. A second image virtual image display unit having a variable second virtual image display direction, which is a vertical direction of the second virtual image as seen by the user of the automobile.
The display control method is
A first virtual image display control step in which the in-vehicle system changes the first virtual image display distance,
The in-vehicle system sets the second imaginary image display distance to a value of the difference between the first imaginary image display distance and the second imaginary image display distance within a range smaller than the first imaginary image display distance, or the first imaginary image. When the value of the ratio of the second imaginary image display distance to the display distance is changed so as to be within a predetermined range and the second imaginary image display distance is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the second The imaginary image display direction is a direction that is downward from the first imaginary image display direction, which is the vertical direction of the first imaginary image as seen by the user of the automobile, and is diagonally forward and downward as seen by the user. When the standard display direction, which is a predetermined direction, is set and the second imaginary image display distance exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the second imaginary image display direction is set to be larger than the standard display direction when viewed from the user. A display control method comprising a second imaginary image display control step that changes the direction toward an upward direction. The display control method according to claim 9 or 10.
The threshold value is the maximum value at which the position of the lower end of the second virtual image does not become the position under the road surface when the second virtual image is displayed in the standard display direction with the threshold value as the second virtual image display distance. Alternatively, a display control method characterized in that the value is obtained by subtracting a predetermined margin from the maximum value.

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