WO2014097404A1 - Head-up display, control method, program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

A head-up display (2) is provided with a light source (54), a combiner (5), a drive unit (6), and a control unit (55). The light source (54) emits light that constitutes a display image. The combiner (5) is positioned so as to reflect the light to cause a driver to visually confirm the display image such that the display image overlaps with a view in front of a vehicle (Ve) in an open state, and so as to cause the driver to visually confirm the view in front of the vehicle (Ve) more easily in a closed state than at the position in the open state. The control unit (55) causes the light source (54) to stop the emission of the light that constitutes the display image and causes the drive unit (6) to close the combiner (5) when causing a viewer not to visually confirm the display image.

Description

Head-up display, control method, program, and storage medium

The present invention relates to a technology for displaying an image of guidance information so as to overlap a landscape seen in front of a moving body.

Conventionally, a technique for stopping route guidance according to the driving state is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, it is determined whether or not the traveling road is a familiar road based on the past number of times of the own vehicle on the traveling road, and route guidance is performed in the case of a familiar road. No navigation device is disclosed.

JP 2006-313085 A

The navigation device described in Patent Document 1 can prevent unnecessary guidance information from being displayed. On the other hand, in the case of a head-up display that irradiates light to the combiner, the combiner overlaps with the driver's field of view even when no display is performed, and becomes unnecessary when the driver visually recognizes the front landscape.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a head-up display capable of improving the visibility to a front landscape when no display is performed. And

The invention described in claim is a head-up display mounted on a moving body, a light source unit that emits light constituting a display image, and a landscape in front of the moving body that reflects the light in an open state. A combiner that allows the observer to visually recognize the display image so as to overlap, and that takes a position that makes it easier for the observer to visually recognize a front landscape of the moving body compared to a position in the open state in the closed state; Driving means for opening and closing the light source unit, and control means for controlling the light source unit and the driving means, and the control means displays the display image on the light source unit when the observer does not visually recognize the display image. The emission of the constituent light is stopped, and the combiner is closed by the driving means.

According to another aspect of the invention, the light source unit that is mounted on the moving body and emits light constituting a display image, and the display that reflects the light in an open state and overlaps the front scenery of the moving body. A combiner that allows an observer to visually recognize an image, and takes a position that makes it easier for the observer to visually recognize a front landscape of the moving body as compared to a position in the open state in a closed state; and a drive unit that opens and closes the combiner A control method executed by a head-up display comprising: a control step of controlling the light source unit and the driving means, wherein the control step does not allow the observer to visually recognize the display image; The light source unit stops emission of light constituting the display image, and the drive means closes the combiner.

According to another aspect of the invention, the light source unit that is mounted on the moving body and emits light constituting a display image, and the display that reflects the light in an open state and overlaps the front scenery of the moving body. A combiner that allows an observer to visually recognize an image, and takes a position that makes it easier for the observer to visually recognize a front landscape of the moving body as compared to a position in the open state in a closed state; and a drive unit that opens and closes the combiner A program executed by a computer mounted on a head-up display, the computer causing the computer to function as control means for controlling the light source unit and the drive means, and the control means for observing the display image The light source unit stops emission of the light constituting the display image, and the driving means causes the combiner to Characterized in that to close.

1 shows a schematic configuration of a display system according to first and second embodiments. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a navigation device. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a head-up display. The schematic structure of a light source unit is shown. The flowchart which shows the display process of the guidance image which concerns on 1st Example is shown. (A) shows an example in which a guide image is displayed on a combiner with normal luminance. (B) shows an example in which a guide image is displayed on the combiner with a luminance lower than the normal luminance. An example in which the guide image is displayed on the combiner with the brightness of the guide route image lowered is shown. The side view of the head-up display which concerns on 2nd Example is shown. (A) shows a side view of the head-up display with the combiner open. (B) shows a side view of the head-up display with the combiner closed. 7 is a flowchart illustrating guide image display processing according to a second embodiment. It is a graph which shows the luminance change of a guidance image. The schematic block diagram of the display system which concerns on a modification is shown.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the head-up display is mounted on a moving body, and a light source unit that emits light constituting a display image; and the light that reflects the light in an open state. A combiner that allows the observer to visually recognize the display image so as to overlap with a forward landscape, and takes a position that makes the forward landscape of the moving body more easily visible to the observer compared to the position in the open state in the closed state; Drive means for opening and closing the combiner; and control means for controlling the light source unit and the drive means, wherein the control means displays the display on the light source unit when the display image is not visually recognized by an observer. The emission of light constituting the image is stopped, and the combiner is closed by the driving means.

The head-up display includes a light source unit, a combiner, driving means, and control means. The light source unit emits light constituting the display image. The combiner reflects the light in the open state so that the viewer visually recognizes the display image so as to overlap the front landscape of the moving body, and compares the position in the open state with the observer in the closed state. Take a position that makes it easier to see. The control means causes the light source unit to stop emitting light constituting the display image and causes the driving means to close the combiner when the observer does not visually recognize the display image. As a result, the head-up display can move the combiner to a position where the observer can easily see the front scenery when the display is not performed, and can improve the driver's visibility into the front scenery.

In one aspect of the head-up display, the head-up display includes an acquisition unit that acquires a route to a destination, and the control unit is configured such that when the observer does not need to visually check guidance information regarding the route, The light source unit stops emission of light constituting the display image, and the driving unit closes the combiner. In this manner, the head-up display moves the combiner to a position where the observer can easily see the front scenery when the observer does not need route guidance information, thereby improving the driver's visibility into the front scenery. Can be made.

In another aspect of the head-up display, the control means displays the display image on the light source unit when a distance from the current position of the moving body to a next guide point on the route is a predetermined value or more. The emission of the constituent light is stopped, and the combiner is closed by the driving means. According to this aspect, the head-up display moves the combiner to a position where it is easy for the observer to visually recognize the front landscape when there is a distance to the next guidance point and the necessity of recognizing the guidance information is low. Visibility can be suitably improved.

In another aspect of the head-up display, a vibration detection unit that detects a vibration of the moving body is provided, and the control unit detects the vibration when the vibration detection unit detects a vibration of a predetermined magnitude or more. The unit stops the emission of the light constituting the display image, and the drive means closes the combiner. In this aspect, the head-up display stops displaying the guidance image and closes the combiner when the guidance image cannot be clearly visually recognized due to vibration. As a result, the head-up display can suppress the driver's eye fatigue and reduce power consumption due to unnecessary display of the guidance image.

In another aspect of the head-up display, the control unit configures the display image on the light source unit when it is estimated that there is back light of a predetermined light amount or more incident from the front side of the observer. The emission of light is stopped, and the combiner is closed by the driving means. In this aspect, when the guide image cannot be clearly visually recognized due to backlight, the display of the guide image is preferably stopped and the combiner is closed. As a result, the head-up display can suppress the driver's eye fatigue and reduce power consumption due to unnecessary display of the guidance image.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a light source unit that is mounted on a moving body and emits light constituting a display image, and the light is reflected in the open state so as to overlap a front landscape of the moving body. A drive that opens and closes the combiner, and causes the observer to visually recognize the display image, and takes a position that makes the front view of the moving body more visible to the observer compared to the position in the open state in the closed state. And a control process for controlling the light source unit and the drive means, and the control process is performed when the observer does not visually recognize the display image. The light source unit stops emission of light constituting the display image, and the driving unit closes the combiner. By performing this control method, the head-up display moves the combiner to a position where it is easy for the observer to visually recognize the front landscape when display is not performed, thereby improving the visibility of the driver to the front landscape. Can do.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a light source unit that is mounted on a moving body and emits light constituting a display image, and the light is reflected in the open state so as to overlap a front landscape of the moving body. A drive that opens and closes the combiner, and causes the observer to visually recognize the display image, and takes a position that makes the front view of the moving body more visible to the observer compared to the position in the open state in the closed state. A program executed by a computer mounted on a head-up display comprising: a control unit configured to cause the computer to function as a control unit that controls the light source unit and the driving unit; When the observer does not visually recognize the light, the light source unit stops the emission of the light constituting the display image, and the driving means causes the converter to To close the Na. By executing this program, the computer can move the combiner to a position where it is easy for the observer to visually recognize the front scenery when the display is not performed, thereby improving the visibility of the driver to the front scenery. Preferably, the program is stored in a storage medium.

Hereinafter, preferred first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, “rotation” includes the case where the transition direction can be both clockwise and counterclockwise, and also includes the case where the movable range (angle) is limited.

<First embodiment>
[System configuration]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a display system 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the display system 100 is mounted on a vehicle Ve, and includes a navigation device 1 and a head-up display 2. Instead of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the head-up display 2 may incorporate a function corresponding to the navigation device 1.

The navigation device 1 has a function of performing route guidance from the departure point to the destination. The navigation device 1 can be a mobile phone such as a stationary navigation device installed in the vehicle Ve, a PND (Portable Navigation Device), or a smartphone.

The head-up display 2 generates an image (also referred to as “guidance image”) that displays map information including the current position, route guidance information, travel speed, and other guidance information for assisting driving, and the guidance image is displayed on the driver. This is a device that allows a user to visually recognize a virtual image from the eye position (eye point). Various information used for navigation processing such as the position of the vehicle Ve, the traveling speed of the vehicle Ve, map information, and facility data is supplied to the head-up display 2 from the navigation device 1. Thus, the head-up display 2 functions as a “display device”.

If the navigation device 1 is a mobile phone such as a smartphone, the navigation device 1 may be held by a cradle or the like. In this case, the navigation device 1 may exchange information with the head-up display 2 via a cradle or the like.

[Configuration of navigation device]
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the navigation device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation device 1 includes a self-supporting positioning device 10, a GPS receiver 18, a system controller 20, a disk drive 31, a data storage unit 36, a communication interface 37, a communication device 38, an interface 39, and a display unit 40. A voice output unit 50 and an input device 60.

The self-supporting positioning device 10 includes an acceleration sensor 11, an angular velocity sensor 12, and a distance sensor 13. The acceleration sensor 11 is made of, for example, a piezoelectric element, detects the acceleration of the vehicle Ve, and outputs acceleration data. The angular velocity sensor 12 is composed of, for example, a vibrating gyroscope, detects the angular velocity of the vehicle Ve when the direction of the vehicle Ve is changed, and outputs angular velocity data and relative azimuth data. The distance sensor 13 measures a vehicle speed pulse composed of a pulse signal generated with the rotation of the wheel of the vehicle Ve.

The GPS receiver 18 receives radio waves 19 carrying downlink data including positioning data from a plurality of GPS satellites. The positioning data is used to detect the absolute position (also referred to as “current position”) of the vehicle Ve from latitude and longitude information.

The system controller 20 includes an interface 21, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 22, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 24, and controls the entire navigation device 1.

The interface 21 performs an interface operation with the acceleration sensor 11, the angular velocity sensor 12, the distance sensor 13, and the GPS receiver 18. From these, vehicle speed pulses, acceleration data, relative azimuth data, angular velocity data, GPS positioning data, absolute azimuth data, and the like are input to the system controller 20. The CPU 22 controls the entire system controller 20. The ROM 23 includes a nonvolatile memory (not shown) in which a control program for controlling the system controller 20 is stored. The RAM 24 stores various data such as route data preset by the user via the input device 60 so as to be readable, and provides a working area to the CPU 22.

A system controller 20, a disk drive 31 such as a CD-ROM drive or a DVD-ROM drive, a data storage unit 36, a communication interface 37, a display unit 40, an audio output unit 50 and an input device 60 are mutually connected via a bus line 30. It is connected to the.

The disk drive 31 reads and outputs content data such as music data and video data from a disk 33 such as a CD or DVD under the control of the system controller 20. The disk drive 31 may be either a CD-ROM drive or a DVD-ROM drive, or may be a CD and DVD compatible drive.

The data storage unit 36 is configured by, for example, an HDD or the like, and stores various data used for navigation processing such as map data. The map data includes road data represented by links corresponding to roads and nodes corresponding to road connecting portions (intersections), facility information about each facility, and the like.

The communication device 38 is composed of, for example, an FM tuner, a beacon receiver, a mobile phone, a dedicated communication card, and the like, and via a communication interface 37, traffic jams distributed from a VICS (registered trademark, Vehicle Information Communication System) center Receive road traffic information such as traffic information and other information. Further, the communication device 38 performs navigation processing such as information on the guide route determined by the system controller 20, information on the current position acquired from the GPS receiver 18, information such as vehicle speed pulses acquired from the autonomous positioning device 10, and map data. Various information to be used is transmitted to the head-up display 2.

The display unit 40 displays various display data on a display device such as a display under the control of the system controller 20. Specifically, the system controller 20 reads map data from the data storage unit 36. The display unit 40 displays the map data read from the data storage unit 36 by the system controller 20 on the display screen. The display unit 40 includes a graphic controller 41 that controls the entire display unit 40 based on control data sent from the CPU 22 via the bus line 30 and a memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM), and can display image information that can be displayed immediately. A buffer memory 42 that temporarily stores, a display control unit 43 that controls display of a display 44 such as a liquid crystal or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) based on image data output from the graphic controller 41, and a display 44 are provided. . The display 44 functions as an image display unit, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display device having a diagonal size of about 5 to 10 inches and is mounted near the front panel in the vehicle.

The audio output unit 50 performs D / A (Digital to Analog) conversion of audio digital data sent from the CD-ROM drive 31, DVD-ROM 32, RAM 24, or the like via the bus line 30 under the control of the system controller 20. A D / A converter 51 to perform, an amplifier (AMP) 52 that amplifies the audio analog signal output from the D / A converter 51, and a speaker 53 that converts the amplified audio analog signal into sound and outputs the sound into the vehicle. It is prepared for.

The input device 60 includes keys, switches, buttons, a remote controller, a voice input device, and the like for inputting various commands and data. The input device 60 is disposed around the front panel and the display 44 of the main body of the in-vehicle electronic system mounted in the vehicle. When the display 44 is a touch panel system, the touch panel provided on the display screen of the display 44 also functions as the input device 60.

[Configuration of head-up display]
FIG. 3 schematically shows a state in which the head-up display according to the first embodiment is installed in the vehicle interior. FIG. 3 is a side view of the driver's seat of the vehicle, and the driver is sitting on the seat in the passenger compartment. Above the driver's head is a roof (sheet metal) 27 that forms the outer frame of the vehicle, and below that is a ceiling 28 that is the interior of the passenger compartment. In front of the driver, there is a windshield 25 and a sun visor 29 of the vehicle. In FIG. 1, the sun visor 29 is fixed in a state of being opposed to the ceiling 28 (also referred to as “storage state”).

The head-up display 2 is installed diagonally upward in front of the driver. The head-up display 2 mainly includes a main body portion 4 in which the light source unit 3 is accommodated, a combiner 5, a reflection portion 7, a support portion 8, and a clip portion 9.

The light source unit 3 accommodated in the main body unit 4 emits light constituting an intermediate image indicating information to be visually recognized by the observer toward the reflecting unit 7. A specific configuration of the light source unit 3 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The combiner 5 projects the light constituting the intermediate image generated by the reflecting unit 7 and partially reflects the projected light to the driver's eye point “Pe”, thereby giving the virtual image “Iv” to the observer. An optical member to be visually recognized. Note that the tip of the arrow in the virtual image Iv indicates the upward direction. The support 8 extends from the main body 4 toward the windshield 25 and supports the combiner 5. The support portion 8 is, for example, a pair of arms, and one end is attached to each side surface of the main body portion 4, and the combiner 5 is sandwiched by the other end.

The reflection unit 7 is a reflective optical member that generates an intermediate image, and functions as an exit pupil expander (EPE). For example, the reflection unit 7 is formed with a microlens array in which a plurality of microlenses are arranged on a surface on which light from the light source unit 3 is incident, and a reflection surface is formed on a surface opposite to the microlens array. Is done.

The clip portion 9 is attached to the upper surface of the main body portion 4 facing the ceiling 28, and the main body portion 4 is attached to the sun visor 29 with the sun visor 29 sandwiched therebetween. The clip portion 9 is a plate-like elastic body that is curved in a substantially J shape, and has an elastic force that biases the sun visor 29 in the direction of nipping.

[Configuration of light source unit]
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the light source unit 3. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the light source unit 3 includes a light source 54, a control unit 55, and a communication unit 56.

The light source 54 includes, for example, red, blue, and green laser light sources, and emits light (also referred to as “display light”) that constitutes a display image to be irradiated to the combiner 5 based on the control of the control unit 55. . The light source 54 and the combiner 5 function as “display means”.

The communication unit 56 receives various information used for the navigation processing from the navigation device 1 based on the control of the control unit 55. For example, the communication unit 56 receives guide route information from the navigation device 1 when a destination is set. Further, the communication unit 56 receives information on the current position measured by the GPS receiver 18 from the navigation device 1 at predetermined intervals.

The control unit 55 includes a CPU, a ROM that stores a control program executed by the CPU, data, and the like, and a RAM that sequentially reads and writes various data as a work memory when the CPU operates. Control. For example, the control unit 55 causes the light source 54 to emit light constituting the guide image based on the information on the guide route received from the navigation device 1, so that the guide image is superimposed on the driver's forward scenery. To display. At this time, the control unit 55 changes the brightness of the guidance image based on the distance to the branch point (also referred to as “guidance point”) on the road where the course should be changed, such as an intersection that turns right or left. This will be described in detail in the [Guidance image display method] section. In this manner, the control unit 55 functions as a “display control unit” and a computer that executes the program.

[Guidance image display method]
Next, a route image display method executed by the control unit 55 will be described. Schematically, when the distance from the current position to the guide point is a predetermined distance or more, the control unit 55 lowers the brightness of the guide image below the normal brightness. Thereby, the control part 55 implement | achieves a driver | operator's fatigue | exhaustion suppression, the improvement of the visibility to a front scenery, suppression of power consumption, etc.

Hereinafter, the distance from the current position to the guidance point where the vehicle Ve passes next is referred to as “guidance point distance Ltag”, and the above-mentioned predetermined distance that is the threshold value of the guidance point distance Ltag is also referred to as “threshold value Lth”.

(1) Process Flow FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a guide image display process executed by the control unit 55. The control unit 55 repeatedly executes the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 every time a destination is set.

First, the control unit 55 acquires information on the guide route to the destination determined by the route search process from the navigation device 1 (step S101). Specifically, first, when a destination is input from the input device 60, the system controller 20 of the navigation device 1 performs a route search process from the current position measured by the GPS receiver 18 to the destination, and provides guidance. A route that is a candidate for the route is displayed on the display unit 40. Then, the system controller 20 sets the route selected by the input to the input device 60 by the user as the guide route that the vehicle Ve is scheduled to travel, and transmits information on the guide route to the head-up display 2 by the communication device 38. . And the control part 55 receives the information of the above-mentioned guidance route via the communication part 56. FIG.

Next, the control unit 55 determines whether or not the guide point distance Ltag is smaller than the threshold value Lth (step S102). Here, the threshold value Lth is a threshold value for determining whether or not the guidance point distance Ltag is highly necessary for the driver to visually recognize the guidance image. Stored in memory.

Here, a method for calculating the guide point distance Ltag will be described. First, the control unit 55 recognizes a guide point on the next guide route to be passed based on the current position information and the guide route information acquired from the navigation device 1 by the communication unit 56. Then, the control unit 55 calculates a distance along the guide route from the current position to the next guide point as the guide point distance Ltag. Instead of the above example, the control unit 55 may receive the guidance point distance Ltag calculated by the system controller 20 of the navigation device 1 from the communication unit 56.

When the guidance point distance Ltag is less than the threshold value Lth (step S102; Yes), the control unit 55 displays the guidance image with the luminance set as the normal luminance (also referred to as “normal luminance Bn”). (Step S103). Here, the normal luminance Bn may be a predetermined luminance, and when there is a user setting related to the luminance, the normal luminance Bn indicates the luminance reflecting the user setting. Thus, the control part 55 can make a user visually recognize the guidance image which the head-up display 2 displays suitably, when a user needs to visually recognize a guidance image.

On the other hand, when the guidance point distance Ltag is greater than or equal to the threshold value Lth (step S102; No), the control unit 55 determines whether or not the vehicle Ve is stopped (step S104). In this case, for example, the control unit 55 receives information on the vehicle speed pulse detected by the distance sensor 13 from the navigation device 1 to recognize the traveling speed of the vehicle Ve and determines whether or not the vehicle Ve is stopped.

And when the vehicle Ve is stopped (step S104; Yes), the control part 55 displays a guidance image by normal brightness | luminance Bn (step S103). In general, even when a guidance image is displayed while the vehicle Ve is stopped, there is no influence on the driving of the driver, and the driver may desire to check the travel route when the vehicle is stopped. Considering the above, the control unit 55 displays the guidance image with the normal luminance Bn when the vehicle Ve is stopped, regardless of the guidance point distance Ltag.

On the other hand, when the vehicle Ve is not stopped (step S104; No), the control unit 55 lowers the luminance of at least a part of the guide image from the normal luminance Bn used in step S103 (step S105). In this case, the control unit 55 sets the brightness of the guide image to a brightness (also referred to as “view priority brightness Bv”) that allows the driver to sufficiently view the scenery overlapping the guide image. The visual field priority luminance Bv is lower than the normal luminance Bn, and is determined in advance based on, for example, experiments and stored in the memory of the control unit 55.

Thus, in step S105, the control unit 55 determines that priority should be given to securing the driver's visual field over display of the guidance image because there is a sufficient distance to the next guidance point. Is made inconspicuous. Thereby, since the display of the guidance image becomes thin, the driver can preferably visually recognize the scenery even if the scenery overlaps with the display area on the combiner 5. Further, in this case, when the light source 54 is a laser light source, the control unit 55 can suppress glare of an image to be displayed, and can suppress power consumption by driving the light source 54 with low output. The life of the light source 54 can be increased. A display example of the guidance image in step S105 will be described later in the section “(2) Display example”.

Next, after executing step S103 or step S105, the control unit 55 determines whether or not the destination has been reached (step S106). And when it is judged that the control part 55 arrived at the destination (step S106; Yes), since it is not necessary to display a guidance image, the process of a flowchart is complete | finished. On the other hand, when it has not arrived at the destination (step S106; No), the control part 55 returns a process to step S102.

(2) Display Example Next, a specific example of guide image display processing will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, as an example, it is assumed that the threshold value Lth is set to 300 m.

FIG. 6A shows an example in which the control unit 55 displays the guide image on the combiner 9 with the normal brightness Bn in step S103 of FIG. In the example of FIG. 6A, it is assumed that the vehicle Ve turns left at an intersection 70 that is 50 meters ahead.

In FIG. 6A, the control unit 55 displays each guide image with normal brightness Bn because the guide point distance Ltag corresponding to the distance from the current position to the intersection 70 is 50 m which is less than the threshold value Lth. Specifically, the control unit 55 displays, as a guide image, a guide route image 90 that shows a guide route, a guide point information image 91 that displays information on the next guide point, and an estimated arrival time at the destination. The arrival time information image 92 is displayed on the combiner 5 with the normal luminance Bn.

Thus, when the distance to the next guide point is short, the control unit 55 sets the brightness of the guide image to the normal brightness Bn that can be clearly seen by the driver. Thereby, the control part 55 can make a driver | operator recognize clearly the advancing direction in the next guidance point, and can prevent advancing in the wrong direction.

FIG. 6B shows an example in which the control unit 55 displays the guide image on the combiner 9 with a luminance lower than the normal luminance Bn in step S105 of FIG. In the example of FIG. 6B, it is assumed that the vehicle Ve turns left at an intersection 3 km ahead.

In FIG. 6 (B), since the guide point distance Ltag is 3 km which is equal to or greater than the threshold value Lth, the control unit 55 displays each guide image with a view priority brightness Bv lower than the normal brightness Bn. Specifically, the control unit 55 displays the guidance route image 90, the guidance point information image 91, and the arrival time information image 92 on the combiner 5 with the visual field priority luminance Bv. As described above, when the distance to the next guide point is long, the control unit 55 sets the brightness of the guide image to the field-of-view priority brightness Bv through which the driver can view the landscape through the guide image. Thereby, the control part 55 can suppress a driver | operator's eyes fatigue by the visual recognition of a guidance image, and can suppress blocking a driver | operator's visual field unnecessarily by a guidance image.

FIG. 7 shows an example in which the luminance of a part of the guide image is displayed with the view priority luminance Bv lower than the normal luminance Bn. In the example of FIG. 7, the control unit 55 sets the luminance of the guide point information image 91 and the arrival time information image 92 to the normal luminance Bn, and sets the luminance of the guide route image 90 to the view priority luminance Bv that is lower than the normal luminance Bn. It is set. As described above, the control unit 55 reduces only the brightness of the guide route image 90 that has relatively little information and a relatively large display area when the next guide point is far away. Also by this, the control part 55 can improve the visibility with respect to a front scenery suitably while suppressing a driver | operator's eyes fatigue.

As described above, the head-up display 2 according to the first embodiment is mounted on the vehicle Ve, and the control unit 55 of the head-up display 2 causes the light source 54 to emit display light, so that the vehicle Ve is in front of the vehicle Ve. A guide image is displayed on the combiner 5 so as to overlap the visible scenery. At this time, when the guidance point distance Ltag is equal to or greater than the threshold value Lth, the control unit 55 sets the luminance of the guidance image to the visual field priority luminance Bv lower than the normal luminance Bn used when the guidance point distance Ltag is less than the threshold value Lth. Set. Thereby, the head-up display 2 can suitably realize suppression of driver's eye fatigue, improvement of visibility with respect to the front scenery, suppression of power consumption in the light source 54, and extension of the life of the light source 54. .

<Second embodiment>
In the second embodiment, the head-up display 2 can fold the combiner 5 with respect to the main body 4, and fold the combiner 5 and emit light from the light source 54 when the guide point distance Ltag is equal to or greater than the threshold value Lth. Process to stop. Thereby, the head-up display 2 allows the driver to visually recognize the front scenery suitably when the driver does not need to visually recognize the guidance image.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the head-up display 2 according to the second embodiment. The head-up display 2 according to the second embodiment includes a drive unit 6 that rotates the support unit 8 in the directions of arrows 77 and 78. The drive unit 6 includes a motor serving as power for rotating the support unit 8, and rotates the support unit 8 about the end of the support unit 8 attached to the main body unit 4 as a rotation axis. As a result, the drive unit 6 guides the combiner 5 in a state where the combiner 5 is folded with respect to the main body unit 4 (also referred to as a “closed state”) and a state facing the driver, and is superimposed on the front landscape. Switching between a state in which an image is visually recognized by the driver (also referred to as an “open state”). The drive unit 6 is electrically connected to the control unit 55 of the light source unit 3 and switches the state of the combiner 5 based on a control signal transmitted from the control unit 55.

FIG. 9A shows a side view of the head-up display 2 when the combiner 5 is in an open state. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the guidance point distance Ltag is less than the threshold value Lth, the control unit 55 opens the combiner 5 and causes the light source 54 to emit light constituting the display image, thereby allowing the driver to Makes the virtual image Iv visible. At this time, when the combiner 5 is in the closed state until immediately before, the control unit 55 transmits a predetermined control signal to the drive unit 6 to rotate the support unit 8 toward the windshield 25 by the drive unit 6. Let Thereby, the control part 55 makes the combiner 5 transfer from the closed state to the open state shown to FIG. 9 (A).

FIG. 9 (B) shows a side view of the head-up display 2 with the combiner 5 closed. As shown in FIG. 9B, when the guidance point distance Ltag is equal to or greater than the threshold value Lth, the control unit 55 closes the combiner 5 and does not cause the light source 54 to emit light constituting the display image. At this time, when the combiner 5 is in the open state until just before, the control unit 55 transmits the predetermined control signal to the drive unit 6 to rotate the support unit 8 to the driver side by the drive unit 6. . Thereby, the control part 55 makes the combiner 5 transfer from an open state to a closed state. In the state of FIG. 9B, the combiner 5 and the support part 8 are folded with respect to the main body part 4, so that the driver can preferably visually recognize the front scenery without going through the combiner 5. .

Next, control executed by the control unit 55 in the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing guide image display processing executed by the control unit 55. The control unit 55 repeatedly executes the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 every time the destination is set.

First, the control unit 55 acquires information on the guide route determined by the route search process from the navigation device 1 as in step S101 of FIG. 5 (step S201). Next, the control part 55 acquires the open / closed state of the combiner 5 (step S202). For example, the control unit 55 recognizes the open / closed state of the combiner 5 based on the detection value of a sensor that detects the position of the combiner 5 and / or the support unit 8. In another example, the control unit 55 is provided on the side surface of the main body unit 4, and based on the output of the switch that is pressed by the support unit 8 when the combiner 5 is in the open state or the closed state, Recognizes the open / closed state.

Next, the control unit 55 determines whether or not the guide point distance Ltag is smaller than the threshold value Lth (step S203). When the guidance point distance Ltag is smaller than the threshold Lth (step S203; Yes), the combiner 5 is opened and display light is emitted from the light source 54 (step S204). In this case, when the control unit 55 recognizes that the combiner 5 is open in step S202, the control unit 55 causes the light source 54 to emit display light without controlling the drive unit 6. On the other hand, when the control unit 55 recognizes that the combiner 5 is in the closed state in step S <b> 202, the drive unit 6 rotates the support unit 8 to open the combiner 5, and then the display is displayed on the light source 54. Light is emitted. As described above, the control unit 55 suitably guides the driver via the combiner 5 when the vehicle Ve is approaching the guide point to such an extent that it is determined that the necessity of visually recognizing the guide image to the user is high. An image can be visually recognized.

On the other hand, when the guidance point distance Ltag is equal to or greater than the threshold value Lth (step S203; No), the control unit 55 closes the combiner 5 and stops emitting the display light from the light source 54 (step S205). In this case, when the control unit 55 recognizes that the combiner 5 is open in step S202, the control unit 55 stops the emission of display light from the light source 54 and rotates the support unit 8 by the driving unit 6. The combiner 5 is shifted to the closed state. On the other hand, when the control unit 55 recognizes that the combiner 5 is in the closed state in step S202, the control unit 55 does not drive the drive unit 6 and continues the emission stop of the display light of the light source 54. As described above, the control unit 55 folds the combiner 5 and the support unit 8 into the main body 4 in the case of the guide point distance Ltag that is determined to be less necessary for the user to visually recognize the guide image. The front scenery can be suitably viewed. Moreover, the control part 55 can suppress unnecessary power consumption suitably by stopping the light source 54. FIG.

Next, after executing step S204 or step S205, the control unit 55 determines whether or not the destination has been reached (step S206). And when it is judged that the control part 55 arrived at the destination (step S206; Yes), since it is not necessary to display a guidance image, the process of a flowchart is complete | finished. On the other hand, when it has not arrived at the destination (step S206; No), the control part 55 returns a process to step S202.

As in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the control unit 55 determines whether or not the vehicle Ve is stopped. If the vehicle Ve is stopped, the process of step S <b> 204 is performed regardless of the guidance point distance Ltag. May be executed to display a guide image. Thereby, the control part 55 can make a driver | operator check suitably the guidance route etc. which should be drive | worked from now on at the time of a stop with low necessity of visually recognizing a front scenery clearly.

As described above, the head-up display 2 according to the second embodiment includes the light source 54, the combiner 5, the drive unit 6, and the control unit 55. The light source 54 emits light constituting a display image. The combiner 5 causes the driver to visually recognize the display image so as to reflect light in the open state and overlap the front landscape of the vehicle Ve, and visually recognize the front landscape of the vehicle Ve compared to the position in the open state in the closed state. Take a position that makes it easier to do. Then, when the display image is not visually recognized by the observer, the control unit 55 causes the light source 54 to stop emitting light constituting the display image and causes the drive unit 6 to close the combiner 5. Thereby, the head-up display 2 can move the combiner 5 to a position where the observer can easily see the front scenery when the display is not performed, thereby improving the visibility of the driver.

<Modification>
Hereinafter, modified examples suitable for the first and second embodiments will be described. The following modifications may be applied to these embodiments in any combination.

(Modification 1)
In the flowchart of FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, the control unit 55 fixes the luminance of all or part of the guide image to the visual field priority luminance Bv lower than the normal luminance Bn in step S105. Instead, the control unit 55 may periodically lower the luminance of all or part of the guide image below the normal luminance Bn during the period of executing step S105.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the luminance change of the guide image during the period in which step S105 of FIG. 5 is executed. In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis indicates the time during which step S105 is executed, and the vertical axis indicates the brightness of the guide image.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the modification, the control unit 55 periodically changes the brightness of the guide image during the period in which step S105 is executed. In FIG. 11, the control unit 55 gradually changes the luminance of the guide image from the normal luminance Bn to the visual field priority luminance Bv, and then gradually changes from the visual field priority luminance Bv to the normal luminance Bn. That is, the control unit 55 gradually changes the brightness of the guide image between the normal brightness Bn and the view priority brightness Bv.

As described above, the control unit 55 gradually and gradually decreases and increases the brightness of the guide image during the period of executing step S105. Thereby, a driver | operator can be made to visually recognize a guidance image as needed. In this case, since the brightness of the guide image gradually changes, the driver can feel a change in the brightness of the guide image without paying attention to the guide image. By gazing, the guide image can be suitably viewed.

(Modification 2)
In the first example, the control unit 55 may allow the user to specify the target of the guide image for lowering the brightness in step S105 of FIG. For example, the control unit 55 is based on the input to the input device 60 of the navigation device 1 or the input to the operation unit (not shown) provided in the main body unit 4 and the guide route image 90 and the guide point information shown in FIGS. From the image 91 and the arrival time information image 92, an image for reducing the luminance is designated. And the control part 55 sets the brightness | luminance of the designated image to the visual field priority brightness | luminance Bv, when the guidance point distance Ltag is more than the threshold value Lth.

(Modification 3)
In the description of the flowchart of FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, when the control unit 55 determines in step S104 that the vehicle Ve is stopped, the control image is displayed with the normal luminance Bn regardless of the guide point distance Ltag. . Instead, the control unit 55 may display the guidance image with the normal luminance Bn regardless of the guidance point distance Ltag when it is determined that the vehicle Ve is below the predetermined speed. The predetermined speed in this case is determined on the basis of experiments or the like, for example, at a speed where the need for clearly viewing the front landscape or a speed at which immediate stop is possible, and is stored in the memory of the control unit 55.

Similarly, also in the second embodiment, when the control unit 55 determines that the vehicle Ve is below a predetermined speed, the combiner 5 is opened and the display light is emitted to the light source 54 regardless of the guide point distance Ltag. You may let them.

(Modification 4)
The configuration of the display system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an example, and the configuration of the display system 100 to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a display system 100A according to this modification. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the display system 100 </ b> A includes a server device 300 that is connected to the head-up display 2 via a network 200 and performs route search processing instead of the navigation device 1.

In this configuration, the head-up display 2 includes an input unit and a GPS receiver (not shown). When the input unit detects an input related to the destination, the information on the destination is detected by the GPS receiver. The information is transmitted to the server apparatus 300 together with the information. The server device 300 performs route search processing based on the received current position information and destination information, and transmits the guide route information determined by the route search processing to the head-up display 2. Then, the head-up display 2 executes the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 10 to perform the guide image display process as in the first or second embodiment.

In addition to the configuration of FIG. 12, the display system 100A may include the navigation device 1. In this case, the navigation device 1 transmits the destination information input by the input device 60 and the current position information detected by the GPS receiver 18 to the server device 300, and the route search processing result from the server device 300. As a guide route information. Thereafter, as in the first and second embodiments, the navigation device 1 transmits information on the guide route to the head-up display 2, and the head-up display 2 executes the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. The guide image display process is performed.

In yet another configuration example, the display system 100 may include only the head-up display 2. In this case, the head-up display 2 includes a GPS receiver necessary for navigation processing, an input unit, map data, and the like, and further executes route search processing based on user input.

(Modification 5)
In the first embodiment, the control unit 55 of the head-up display 2 executes the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, but instead, the system controller 20 of the navigation device 1 executes the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. May be.

In this case, after executing the route search process in step S101, the system controller 20 performs a comparison process of the guide point distance Ltag and the threshold value Lth in step S102 or / and a stop determination process of the vehicle Ve in step S104. When executing step S103, the system controller 20 transmits an instruction signal indicating that the guide image should be displayed with the normal brightness Bn to the control unit 55, and when executing step S105, the system controller 20 An instruction signal for decreasing the luminance of part or all of the luminance is transmitted to the control unit 55. Then, the control unit 55 controls the light source 54 according to the received instruction signal. Also according to this aspect, the head-up display 2 can suitably adjust the brightness of the guide image as in the first embodiment.

Similarly, the system controller 20 may execute part of the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 in the second embodiment. In this case, after executing the route search process in step S201, the system controller 20 determines in step S203 whether the guide point distance Ltag is equal to or less than the threshold value Lth. If the guidance point distance Ltag is less than the threshold value Lth, the system controller 20 transmits an instruction signal indicating that the combiner 5 should be opened to emit display light to the control unit 55, and the guidance point distance Ltag is equal to the threshold value Lth. In the above case, the combiner 5 is closed and an instruction signal indicating that emission of display light should be stopped is transmitted to the control unit 55. And the control part 55 controls the drive part 6 and the light source 54 according to the received instruction signal.

(Modification 6)
In the first embodiment, the head-up display 2 has the combiner 5 and makes the driver visually recognize the virtual image Iv based on the emitted light of the light source unit 3 reflected by the combiner 5. However, the configuration to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to this. Instead of this, the head-up display 2 may not have the combiner 5 and may allow the driver to visually recognize the virtual image Iv based on the emitted light of the light source unit 3 reflected by the windshield 25.

Further, in the first embodiment, the position of the light source unit 3 is not limited to the case where it is installed on the ceiling 28. Instead of this, the light source unit 3 may be installed inside the dashboard. In this case, the dashboard is provided with an opening for allowing light to pass through the combiner 5 or the windshield 25.

(Modification 7)
In the first and second embodiments, the control unit 55 recognizes a branch point on the road to be changed, such as an intersection that turns right or left, as a guide point. In addition to this, or instead of this, the control unit 55 may recognize, as a guide point, a point that is preferable for driving to be recognized by the driver without turning right or left.

For example, the control unit 55 may further recognize a branch point (entrance) to a service area or a parking area as a guide point while the vehicle Ve is traveling on an expressway. In this case, when the control unit 55 approaches the service area or the parking area within a predetermined distance (for example, 500 m), the control unit 55 executes step S105 in FIG. 5 or step S204 in FIG. 10 to approach the service area or the parking area. A guidance image indicating that the user is present is displayed. Thereby, the control part 55 can make a driver | operator recognize suitably the fact that it approaches a service area or a parking area. In another example, when the controller 55 recognizes an accident or a traffic jam occurrence point (section) on the guidance route based on the VICS information acquired by the navigation device 1, the accident or the traffic jam occurrence point (section). May be recognized as a guide point.

(Modification 8)
In addition to the processing of the second embodiment, the control unit 55, when detecting a vibration of a predetermined magnitude or more based on the detection signal of the vibration detection sensor, depends on the guide point distance Ltag, the traveling speed of the vehicle Ve, and the like. Instead, the combiner 5 may be closed to stop emission of the display light. The predetermined magnitude is determined in advance based on experiments or the like, for example, to the magnitude of vibration that makes it difficult for the driver to visually recognize the guidance image. Further, the vibration detection sensor is provided, for example, in the main body 4 or the vehicle interior, and is electrically connected to the control unit 55.

Generally, when traveling on a road where vibrations increase when traveling, such as an unpaved road, the combiner 5 swings with respect to the eye point Pe, and thus it is difficult for the driver to visually recognize the guidance image. Therefore, the control unit 55 determines that the display of the guide image is unnecessary when there is vibration to the extent that the driver cannot visually recognize the guide image, and closes the combiner 5 to stop the emission of the display light. . Thereby, the control part 55 can stop the display of an unnecessary guidance image, and can improve the visibility with respect to a driver | operator's front scenery.

Similarly, in the first embodiment, when vibration of a predetermined level or more occurs, the control unit 55 sets the brightness of the guide image to the view priority brightness regardless of the guide point distance Ltag or the traveling speed of the vehicle Ve. You may set to Bv.

(Modification 9)
In addition to the processing of the second embodiment, the control unit 55 closes the combiner 5 and emits display light when the control unit 55 determines that the guide image is difficult to see due to the backlight inserted from the front side of the driver. You may stop.

For example, the control unit 55 refers to a database of the sun position at each date and time stored in advance in the memory, and the vehicle is based on the current date and time, the current position detected by the GPS receiver 18, and the output value of the angular velocity sensor 12. Based on the direction, it is determined whether or not the sun exists at a position where direct sunlight enters from the windshield 25. In addition, when the sun is present at a position where direct sunlight is inserted from the windshield 25, the control unit 55 determines that the detected value of the light amount of an illuminance sensor (not shown) provided on the windshield 25, the combiner 5, etc. It is determined whether or not the amount of light is determined to be greater than or equal to that determined to be inserted. And when the control part 55 detects the light quantity more than the light quantity judged that the direct sunlight is inserted from the illumination intensity sensor, it judges that it is in the state where it is hard to see a guidance image with the direct sunlight which is a backlight, and the combiner 5 is used. The display light emission is stopped in the closed state.

In another example, the control unit 55 obtains a captured image from a camera whose imaging range is a range including the windshield 25, and has a pixel having luminance equal to or higher than a predetermined luminance from the range of the windshield 25 displayed in the captured image. May be determined to be backlit.

Similarly, in the first embodiment, when the control unit 55 determines that the guide image is difficult to see due to the backlight inserted from the front side of the driver, the control unit 55 sets the brightness of the guide image to the field-of-view priority brightness Bv. May be.

(Modification 10)
Instead of or in addition to the flowchart of FIG. 10 of the second embodiment, the control unit 55 may determine whether to open or close the combiner 5 based on timing determined in advance by the user. For example, if the input to the input device 60 or the input to the operation unit (not shown) provided in the main body unit 4 is an input for closing the combiner 5, the control unit 55 performs the combiner according to the input. 5 is changed to a closed state, and emission of display light by the light source 54 is stopped. Similarly, when there is an input indicating that the combiner 5 is in the open state, the control unit 55 causes the combiner 5 to transition to the open state in accordance with the input and causes the light source 54 to emit display light.

In the first and second embodiments, the control unit 55 may set the threshold value Lth based on a user input. Thereby, the control part 55 can set the timing which lowers | hangs the brightness | luminance of a guidance image or stops the display of a guidance image by making the combiner 5 into a closed state according to each user's liking.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation apparatus 2 Head-up display 3 Light source unit 4 Main body part 5 Combiner 6 Drive part 8 Support part 25 Windshield 100, 100A Display system 200 Network 300 Server apparatus

Claims (8)

A head-up display mounted on a moving body,
A light source unit that emits light constituting a display image;
The display image is viewed by an observer so that the light is reflected in the open state and overlaps with the front landscape of the mobile body, and the front landscape of the mobile body is compared with the position in the open state in the closed state. A combiner that takes a position that is easy for the observer to visually recognize;
Drive means for opening and closing the combiner;
Control means for controlling the light source unit and the driving means;
With
The control means causes the light source unit to stop emitting light constituting the display image and cause the driving means to close the combiner when the observer does not visually recognize the display image. Up display. It has an acquisition means to acquire a route to the destination,
The control means causes the light source unit to stop emitting light constituting the display image and cause the driving means to close the combiner when the observer does not need to visually recognize the guidance information regarding the route. The head-up display according to claim 1. The control means causes the light source unit to stop emitting light constituting the display image when the distance from the current position of the moving body to the next guide point on the route is a predetermined value or more, and the driving 3. The head-up display according to claim 2, wherein means is made to close the combiner. Comprising vibration detecting means for detecting vibration of the moving body,
The control unit causes the light source unit to stop emitting light constituting the display image and cause the driving unit to close the combiner when the vibration detection unit detects vibration of a predetermined magnitude or more. The head-up display according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The control unit causes the light source unit to stop emitting light constituting the display image when the back light of a predetermined amount or more incident from the front side of the observer is estimated, and causes the driving unit to The head-up display according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the combiner is closed. Mounted on mobile objects,
A light source unit that emits light constituting a display image;
The display image is viewed by an observer so that the light is reflected in the open state and overlaps with the front landscape of the mobile body, and the front landscape of the mobile body is compared with the position in the open state in the closed state. A combiner that takes a position that is easy for the observer to visually recognize;
A control method executed by a head-up display including a driving unit that opens and closes the combiner,
A control step of controlling the light source unit and the driving means;
The control step includes causing the light source unit to stop emitting light constituting the display image and causing the driving unit to close the combiner when the observer does not visually recognize the display image. Method. Mounted on mobile objects,
A light source unit that emits light constituting a display image;
The display image is viewed by an observer so that the light is reflected in the open state and overlaps with the front landscape of the mobile body, and the front landscape of the mobile body is compared with the position in the open state in the closed state. A combiner that takes a position that is easy for the observer to visually recognize;
Drive means for opening and closing the combiner;
A program executed by a computer mounted on a head-up display comprising:
Causing the computer to function as control means for controlling the light source unit and the drive means;
The control means causes the light source unit to stop emitting light constituting the display image and cause the driving means to close the combiner when the observer does not visually recognize the display image. . A storage medium storing the program according to claim 7.

Images