JP7609685B2 - Vehicle display device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a display device for a vehicle.

There is a conventional technology for displaying stereoscopic images. Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle user interface device that displays content as a background image on a background image display and displays the content on a stereoscopic image display, thereby displaying a stereoscopic image superimposed on the background image between the half mirror and the background image display.

JP 2020-42449 A

There is still room for improvement in creating a sense of depth. For example, in Patent Document 1, the image on the background image display and the image on the stereoscopic image display are independent, making it difficult to create a unified image. It would be preferable to be able to create a sense of depth using a unified image.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a vehicle display device that can create a sense of depth through a unified image.

The vehicle display device of the present invention is equipped with an image display device mounted on a vehicle and having a first display mechanism and a second display mechanism, and a control unit that controls the image display device, the first display mechanism displays a first image at a first position in the line of sight as seen from the eye point of the vehicle, the second display mechanism displays a second image overlapping the first image at a second position in the line of sight, the control unit displays an information image indicating information in either the first image or the second image, and displays a pattern image that creates a sense of depth in both the first image and the second image, the pattern image includes a first pattern image displayed in a first region of the first image by the first display mechanism and a second pattern image displayed in a second region of the second image by the second display mechanism, the first region and the second region are regions that overlap when seen from the eye point, and the first pattern image and the second pattern image are similar to each other but not identical.

The vehicle display device according to the present invention displays a first image and a second image overlapping the first image. The control unit causes an information image showing information to be displayed in either the first image or the second image, and causes a pattern image that creates a sense of depth to be displayed in both the first image and the second image. The pattern images include a first pattern image that is displayed in a first area of the first image by the first display mechanism, and a second pattern image that is displayed in a second area of the second image by the second display mechanism. The first area and the second area are areas that overlap when viewed from the eye point. The first pattern image and the second pattern image are similar to each other, but are not identical. The vehicle display device according to the present invention has the effect of creating a sense of depth with a unified pattern image.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a display device for a vehicle according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first image according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second image according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first pattern image and a second pattern image according to a first modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a pattern image according to a first modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a pattern image according to a first modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first pattern image and a second pattern image according to a second modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a pattern image according to a second modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a pattern image according to a second modified example of the embodiment.

Below, a vehicle display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiment include those that a person skilled in the art would easily imagine or that are substantially the same.

[Embodiment]
An embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. The embodiment relates to a display device for a vehicle. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the display device for a vehicle according to the embodiment, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a first image of the embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a second image of the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle display device 1 of the embodiment has an image display device 20 and a control unit 4. The vehicle display device 1 is a display device mounted on a vehicle 100. The illustrated vehicle display device 1 is a meter device disposed on an instrument panel 101. The vehicle display device 1 is disposed in a position forward of the eye point EP of the vehicle 100 and visible from the eye point EP. The eye point EP is a position that is predetermined as the position of the driver's eyes. The eye point EP is also a position inside the eye box of the vehicle 100.

The image display device 20 has a first display mechanism 2 and a second display mechanism 3. The control unit 4 has a control circuit that controls the first display mechanism 2 and the second display mechanism 3. The control unit 4 controls the display content by the first display mechanism 2 and the display content by the second display mechanism 3. The control unit 4 includes, for example, a generation unit that generates an image. The generation unit generates a first image 5A, which is an image to be displayed by the first display mechanism 2, and a second image 5B, which is an image to be displayed by the second display mechanism 3.

The illustrated first display mechanism 2 is a liquid crystal display device such as a TFT-LCD (Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display). The first display mechanism 2 has a display surface 2a that faces the eye point EP. In other words, the driver sees a real image displayed on the display surface 2a of the first display mechanism 2.

The illustrated second display mechanism 3 has a display device 31 and a combiner 32. The display device 31 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device such as a TFT-LCD. The display device 31 has a display surface 31a that displays an image. The display surface 31a is disposed above the combiner 32 and faces downward. The combiner 32 is configured to transmit a portion of the incident light and reflect another portion of the incident light.

The combiner 32 has a reflecting surface 32a. The reflecting surface 32a faces the display surface 31a of the display device 31 and is inclined relative to the display surface 31a. The reflecting surface 32a reflects a portion of the display light incident from the display device 31 toward the eye point EP. The second display mechanism 3 displays a virtual image VI by the display light reflected by the display surface 31a. The driver visually recognizes the virtual image VI that is formed at a position forward of the combiner 32. The combiner 32 also transmits at least a portion of the display light incident from the first display mechanism 2 toward the eye point EP. The driver visually recognizes the real image on the display surface 2a by the display light that has transmitted through the combiner 32.

In the illustrated vehicle display device 1, the imaging position of the virtual image VI is a position in front of the display surface 2a of the first display mechanism 2. That is, in the line of sight VD, the position of the real image displayed by the first display mechanism 2 and the position of the virtual image VI displayed by the second display mechanism 3 are different. The first display mechanism 2 displays the first image 5A, which is a real image, at a first position in the line of sight VD as seen from the eye point EP. The second display mechanism 3 displays the second image 5B, which is a virtual image VI, at a second position in the line of sight VD. The display light 60 includes the display light of the first image 5A and the display light of the second image 5B. That is, the driver sees the first image 5A and the second image 5B, which overlap each other, through the display light 60. The vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment can create a three-dimensional effect and a sense of depth through the first image 5A and the second image 5B, as described below.

Figure 2 shows an example of a first image 5A displayed by the first display mechanism 2. Figure 3 shows an example of a second image 5B displayed by the second display mechanism 3. The second image 5B is an image that is formed at a position farther away from the eye point EP than the first image 5A. In other words, the first image 5A is displayed relatively closer, and the second image 5B is displayed relatively further back. The image display device 20 is configured, for example, so that the entire first image 5A and the entire second image 5B overlap.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the control unit 4 displays the pattern image 10 in both the first image 5A and the second image 5B. The pattern image 10 is an image that creates a sense of depth and three-dimensionality. The pattern image 10 includes a first pattern image 11 displayed in the first image 5A and a second pattern image 12 displayed in the second image 5B. The first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 are displayed so as to overlap when viewed from the eye point EP. The first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 are similar to each other but are not identical. The first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 are, for example, images based on a common motif. The vehicle display device 1 can make the driver feel a sense of depth and three-dimensionality by overlapping and displaying the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 that are similar to each other.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the control unit 4 causes the first display mechanism 2 and the second display mechanism 3 to display the menu icon group 6. The menu icon group 6 is displayed at the right end of the first image 5A and the second image 5B. The menu icon group 6 has a first icon 6A, a second icon 6B, a third icon 6C, a fourth icon 6D, and a fifth icon 6E.

Each icon 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E is an information image that shows information to the passenger. More specifically, the menu icon group 6 displays the currently active menu. The icon corresponding to the selected menu is displayed in the first image 5A, and the icon corresponding to the unselected menu is displayed in the second image 5B. In other words, of the icons in the menu icon group 6, the icon corresponding to the active menu is displayed in the foreground.

2 and 3, the third icon 6C corresponding to the active menu is displayed in the first image 5A and is not displayed in the second image 5B. Meanwhile, the inactive first icon 6A, second icon 6B, fourth icon 6D, and fifth icon 6E are displayed in the second image 5B and are not displayed in the first image 5A. The vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment improves the visibility of the icons 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E by displaying each of the icons 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E in either the first image 5A or the second image 5B.

As a comparative example, consider a case where the active third icon 6C is displayed on both the first image 5A and the second image 5B. In this case, when the driver's eye position changes, parallax causes a misalignment between the third icon 6C displayed on the first image 5A and the third icon 6C displayed on the second image 5B, reducing visibility. In contrast, the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment can improve the visibility of the icons 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E and appropriately display information to the driver.

Details of the pattern image 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the first pattern image 11 is displayed in the first area 51 of the first image 5A. In this embodiment, the first area 51 has an upper first area 51U and a lower first area 51D. The upper first area 51U is an area located at the upper part of the first image 5A in the image vertical direction GH. The lower first area 51D is an area located at the lower part of the first image 5A in the image vertical direction GH. The first pattern image 11 includes an upper image 11U and a lower image 11D. The upper image 11U is displayed in the upper first area 51U. The lower image 11D is displayed in the lower first area 51D.

The upper image 11U is an image that mimics the water surface as seen from underwater. The upper image 11U depicts waves on the water surface and light shining into the water from the water surface. The shape of the illustrated upper image 11U is roughly an inverted triangle. The width of the upper image 11U in the image horizontal direction GW narrows as it moves downward along the image vertical direction GH. In other words, the shape of the upper image 11U is such that the center of the image horizontal direction GW bulges downward.

The upper image 11U has a gradation of light and dark and a gradation of color. The gradation of the upper image 11U expresses the shape of the waves on the surface of the water and the light shining into the water. The illustrated upper image 11U has a gradation that gradually gets darker toward the bottom in the vertical direction GH of the image. The illustrated upper image 11U also has a gradation that gets darker from the center toward the ends in the horizontal direction GW of the image. Each wave and ray of light also has a gradation, and the edges are blurred.

The lower image 11D is an image that imitates the bottom of a body of water or the bottom of the ocean. The lower image 11D represents the bottom of a body of water or the bottom of the ocean illuminated by light shining into the water. The shape of the illustrated lower image 11D is approximately triangular. The width of the lower image 11D in the image horizontal direction GW narrows as it moves upward along the image vertical direction GH.

The lower image 11D has a light-dark gradation and a color gradation. The gradation of the lower image 11D represents the flickering of light caused by waves on the surface of water. The example lower image 11D has a gradation that gradually becomes darker toward the top in the vertical direction GH of the image. The example lower image 11D also has a gradation that gradually becomes darker from the center toward the ends in the horizontal direction GW of the image. The lower image 11D also has a gradation that blurs the edges.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second pattern image 12 is displayed in the second region 52 of the second image 5B. The second region 52 has an upper second region 52U and a lower second region 52D. The upper second region 52U is a region located at the upper part of the image vertical direction GH in the second image 5B. The upper second region 52U overlaps with the upper first region 51U when viewed from the eye point EP. The lower second region 52D is a region located at the lower part of the image vertical direction GH in the second image 5B. The lower second region 52D overlaps with the lower first region 51D when viewed from the eye point EP.

The second pattern image 12 includes an upper image 12U and a lower image 12D. The upper image 12U is displayed in the upper second area 52U. The upper image 12U is displayed overlapping the upper image 11U of the first image 5A. The lower image 12D is displayed in the lower second area 52D. The lower image 12D is displayed overlapping the lower image 11D of the first image 5A.

The upper image 12U is an image that mimics the surface of the water as seen from underwater. The upper image 12U expresses waves on the water surface and light shining into the water from the water surface. The shape of the upper image 12U shown in the example is roughly an inverted triangle.

The upper image 12U has a light-dark gradation and a color gradation. The gradation of the upper image 12U expresses the shape of the waves on the water surface and the light shining into the water. The illustrated upper image 12U has a gradation that gradually gets darker toward the bottom in the vertical direction GH of the image. The illustrated upper image 12U also has a gradation that gets darker from the center toward the ends in the horizontal direction GW of the image. Each wave and ray of light also has a gradation, and the edges are blurred.

The upper image 12U is an image that is similar to the upper image 11U of the first image 5A, but is not identical to the upper image 11U. The upper images 11U and 12U are based on a common motif, but are different from each other. That is, the upper images 11U and 12U differ in at least one of shape, color, brightness, and position so that they do not match when viewed from any position within the eye box of the vehicle 100.

In this embodiment, the upper image 11U mainly represents the water surface in front of the eye point EP, and the upper image 12U mainly represents the water surface in the back of the eye point EP. Furthermore, the upper image 11U is positioned so that it overlaps with the upper end of the upper image 12U no matter where you view it from within the eye box. Therefore, the upper images 11U and 12U overlap each other no matter where you view it from within the eye box, forming a three-dimensional image with a sense of depth.

Both upper image 11U and upper image 12U have a gradation of alternating light and dark. However, the light and dark patterns in upper image 11U and upper image 12U each have a moderate amount of irregularity. This means that when upper image 11U and upper image 12U overlap, they do not completely match. Upper image 11U and upper image 12U work together to form a gradation of light and dark and colors that gives a sense of depth. Furthermore, this gradation of light and dark and colors changes in various ways depending on the position of the eyes. Thus, upper images 11U, 12U can effectively create a sense of depth.

The control unit 4 displays the relatively bright parts of the upper image 11U and the relatively bright parts of the upper image 12U in an overlapping manner. This improves the continuity and unity between the upper images 11U and 12U, and improves the sense of depth when viewed from eye point EP. The control unit 4 displays the relatively dark parts of the upper image 11U and the relatively dark parts of the upper image 12U in an overlapping manner. This improves the continuity and unity between the upper images 11U and 12U, and improves the sense of depth when viewed from eye point EP.

The lower image 12D of the second pattern image 12 is an image that imitates the bottom of a body of water or the bottom of the ocean. The lower image 12D represents the bottom of a body of water or the bottom of the ocean illuminated by light shining into the water. The shape of the illustrated lower image 12D is approximately triangular. The width of the lower image 12D in the image horizontal direction GW narrows as it moves upward along the image vertical direction GH.

The lower image 12D has a light-dark gradation and a color gradation. The gradation of the lower image 12D represents the flickering of light caused by waves on the surface of water. The example lower image 12D has a gradation that gradually becomes darker toward the top in the vertical direction GH of the image. The example lower image 12D also has a gradation that gradually becomes darker from the center toward the ends in the horizontal direction GW of the image. The lower image 12D also has a gradation that blurs the edges.

The lower image 12D is an image that is similar to the lower image 11D of the first image 5A, but is not identical to the lower image 11D. The lower images 11D and 12D are based on a common motif, but are different from each other. That is, the lower images 11D and 12D differ in at least one of shape, color, brightness, and position so that they do not match when viewed from any position within the eyebox of the vehicle 100.

In this embodiment, lower image 11D mainly represents the bottom surface on the near side as viewed from eyepoint EP, and lower image 12D mainly represents the bottom surface on the far side as viewed from eyepoint EP. Furthermore, lower image 11D is positioned so that it overlaps with the bottom end of lower image 12D no matter where you view it from within the eyebox. Therefore, lower images 11D and 12D overlap each other no matter where you view it from within the eyebox, forming a three-dimensional image with a sense of depth.

Both lower image 11D and lower image 12D have a gradation of alternating light and dark. However, the light and dark patterns in lower image 11D and lower image 12D each have a moderate amount of irregularity. This means that when lower image 11D and lower image 12D overlap, they do not completely match. Lower image 11D and lower image 12D work together to form a gradation of light and dark and colors that gives a sense of depth. Furthermore, this gradation of light and dark and colors changes depending on the position of the eyes. Therefore, lower image 11D and lower image 12D can effectively create a sense of depth.

The control unit 4 displays the relatively bright parts of the lower image 11D and the relatively bright parts of the lower image 12D in an overlapping manner. This improves the continuity and unity between the lower image 11D and the lower image 12D, and improves the sense of depth when viewed from eye point EP. The control unit 4 displays the relatively dark parts of the lower image 11D and the relatively dark parts of the lower image 12D in an overlapping manner. This improves the continuity and unity between the lower image 11D and the lower image 12D, and improves the sense of depth when viewed from eye point EP.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper image 12U and the lower image 12D each have a shape that converges toward the vanishing point. Furthermore, the upper image 12U and the lower image 12D each have a gradation that gradually becomes darker toward the vanishing point. Therefore, the pattern image 10 of this embodiment can effectively create a sense of depth.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the control unit 4 causes the first display mechanism 2 and the second display mechanism 3 to display the pattern selection icon group 7. The pattern selection icon group 7 is displayed at the left end of the first image 5A and the second image 5B. The pattern selection icon group 7 has a first icon 7A, a second icon 7B, a third icon 7C, a fourth icon 7D, and a fifth icon 7E.

Each icon 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E is an information image that shows information to the passenger. The pattern selection icon group 7 displays the currently selected background pattern. The icon corresponding to the selected pattern is displayed in the first image 5A, and the icons corresponding to unselected patterns are displayed in the second image 5B. As shown in FIG. 2, the third icon 7C corresponding to the selected pattern is displayed only in the first image 5A. On the other hand, the icons 7A, 7B, 7D, and 7E corresponding to unselected patterns are displayed only in the second image 5B.

As described above, the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment has an image display device 20 and a control unit 4. The image display device 20 is mounted on the vehicle 100 and has a first display mechanism 2 and a second display mechanism 3. The control unit 4 controls the image display device 20. The first display mechanism 2 displays a first image 5A at a first position in the line of sight VD as seen from the eye point EP of the vehicle 100. The second display mechanism 3 displays a second image 5B overlapping the first image 5A at a second position in the line of sight VD.

The control unit 4 causes an information image showing information to be displayed in either the first image 5A or the second image 5B. The control unit 4 causes a pattern image 10 that creates a sense of depth to be displayed in both the first image 5A and the second image 5B. The pattern image 10 includes a first pattern image 11 and a second pattern image 12. The first pattern image 11 is an image that is displayed in the first area 51 of the first image 5A by the first display mechanism 2. The second pattern image 12 is an image that is displayed in the second area 52 of the second image 5B by the second display mechanism 3.

The first area 51 and the second area 52 are areas that overlap when viewed from the eye point EP. The first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 are images that are similar to each other but are not identical. The vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment displays the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12, which are similar to each other, at different positions in the line of sight direction VD and overlapping each other, thereby creating a sense of depth with a unified image.

When the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 are the same image, they may completely overlap or may appear misaligned depending on the eye position. This results in an uncomfortable feeling for the passenger. In contrast, with the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment, the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 are similar but different from each other, making it less likely that the passenger will feel uncomfortable.

The first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 of this embodiment are both images with a gradation of light and dark. The control unit 4 displays the relatively bright parts of the first pattern image 11 and the relatively bright parts of the second pattern image 12 in an overlapping manner. Thus, the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment can improve the sense of unity and depth of the pattern image 10.

The motifs of the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 are not limited to the exemplified motifs. The first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 may be, for example, an image of a spiral pattern or an image that resembles a nebula.

The information image showing the information is not limited to the image of the menu icon group 6 or the image of the pattern selection icon group 7. The information image may be, for example, an image of a meter, an image showing the driving speed, an image of a system check, an image of a shift position, an image of a mileage, an image of an odometer, an image of a cruising range, a navigation image, a warning image, an image of a road sign, etc.

The information image may be displayed superimposed on the pattern image 10. For example, the information image is displayed superimposed on a relatively dark portion of the pattern image 10. In this case, the gradation of the pattern image 10 is set so as to ensure the visibility of the information image.

The first display mechanism 2 and the display device 31 are not limited to liquid crystal display devices. The first display mechanism 2 and the display device 31 may be, for example, a device that generates an image on a transparent screen using laser light.

In this embodiment, the first pattern image 11 is a real image and the second pattern image 12 is a virtual image, but conversely, the first pattern image 11 may be a virtual image and the second pattern image 12 may be a real image. Both the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 may be virtual images, or both the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 may be real images. The vehicle display device 1 may display three or more images in a superimposed manner. In this case, it is desirable for the vehicle display device 1 to have a third display mechanism that displays a real image or a virtual image. The control unit 4 displays the third image by the third display mechanism. The third image is an image that includes a third pattern image that overlaps the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12.

[First Modification of the Embodiment]
A first modified example of the embodiment will be described below. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a first pattern image and a second pattern image according to the first modified example of the embodiment, and Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrams showing pattern images according to the first modified example of the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 according to the first modified example of the embodiment are textures having multiple light streaks. The first pattern image 11 is displayed in a first area 51 of the first image 5A. The second pattern image 12 is displayed in a second area 52 of the second image 5B. The first area 51 and the second area 52 are areas that overlap when viewed from the eye point EP. In the first modified example, the entire first area 51 and the entire second area 52 may overlap. Note that information images such as the menu icon group 6 and the pattern selection icon group 7 are also displayed in the first image 5A and the second image 5B.

The multiple light streaks extend along the horizontal direction GW of the image and intersect with each other. The light streaks are each curved in a wave-like shape. In other words, the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 are similar images, with multiple streaks that meander and intersect as their motif. As will be described below, the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 are not identical images. The first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 differ in at least one of shape, color, brightness, and position, so that they do not match from any position in the eyebox.

In the first pattern image 11, many light streaks intersect at the center of the image in the horizontal direction GW. In the second pattern image 12, multiple light streaks intersect at various points. That is, the intersection points of the light streaks are offset in the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12. The amount of offset of the intersection points is set, for example, so that the intersection points do not overlap no matter where you view it from within the eyebox.

The control unit 4 displays a relatively bright portion of the first pattern image 11 and a relatively bright portion of the second pattern image 12 in an overlapping manner. The bright portion of the first pattern image 11 is the center portion in the image horizontal direction GW. The bright portion of the second pattern image 12 is the center portion in the image horizontal direction GW. The bright portions of the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 are displayed in an overlapping manner, thereby improving the sense of depth when viewed from the eye point EP. The control unit 4 displays a relatively dark portion of the first pattern image 11 and a relatively dark portion of the second pattern image 12 in an overlapping manner. For example, the control unit 4 displays an end portion of the first pattern image 11 in the image horizontal direction GW and an end portion of the second pattern image 12 in the image horizontal direction GW in an overlapping manner. The dark portions of the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 are displayed in an overlapping manner, thereby improving the sense of depth when viewed from the eye point EP.

The first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 are displayed so as to overlap each other. The center position of the illustrated second pattern image 12 is shifted from the center position of the first pattern image 11 in the image vertical direction GH. For example, the center position of the second pattern image 12 is set to a position closer to the vanishing point relative to the center position of the first pattern image 11. As an example, when the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 are displayed at the bottom in the image vertical direction GH, the second pattern image 12 is positioned shifted upward relative to the first pattern image 11.

The first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 have a light-dark gradation and a color gradation. The light streaks of the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 have a gradation that becomes darker from the center to the ends in the horizontal direction GW of the image. Also, each light streak has a gradation that is brightest at the center line in the vertical direction GH of the image. In other words, the light streak has a gradation that blurs the edges. In the illustrated pattern image 10, the first pattern image 11 is overall brighter than the second pattern image 12. This difference in brightness can accentuate the sense of depth in the pattern image 10.

5 shows the composite image 5 as viewed from the first eye position in the eye box. The composite image 5 is an image obtained by superimposing the first image 5A and the second image 5B. The pattern image 10 is an image obtained by superimposing the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12. The pattern image 10 is an image with a sense of depth that is configured by superimposing the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 on each other. FIG. 6 shows the composite image 5 as viewed from the second eye position in the eye box. The second eye position is, for example, a position shifted in the vehicle width direction from the first eye position. As is clear from FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 cooperate to form a unified pattern regardless of the position in the eye box from which they are viewed. In addition, the gradation of light and shade and colors in the pattern image 10 changes depending on the position of the eye. Therefore, the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 of the first modified example can effectively create a sense of depth and three-dimensionality.

[Second Modification of the Embodiment]
A second modified example of the embodiment will be described below. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a first pattern image and a second pattern image according to the second modified example of the embodiment, and Figs. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing pattern images according to the second modified example of the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 according to the second modified example of the embodiment are images having a plurality of element images 8. The plurality of element images 8 have a common shape and are arranged in a dispersed manner. For example, in the first pattern image 11, the plurality of element images 8 are arranged in a dispersed manner in the first area 51. In the second pattern image 12, the plurality of element images 8 are arranged in a dispersed manner in the second area 52. The first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 are similar in that they are composed of element images 8 having a common shape. Note that information images such as a menu icon group 6 and a pattern selection icon group 7 are also displayed in the first image 5A and the second image 5B.

The illustrated element images 8 are images that mimic snowflakes. Each element image 8 has a circular shape and a common size. The element images 8 of the first pattern image 11 are, for example, disposed in a dispersed manner so as not to overlap with each other. The element images 8 of the second pattern image 12 are, for example, disposed in a dispersed manner so as not to overlap with each other. The element images 8 of the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 have an element image 8U located on the upper side of the image vertical direction GH, and an element image 8D located on the lower side of the image vertical direction GH.

The first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 have a light-dark gradation. For example, the control unit 4 causes the element image 8U located at the top of the first pattern image 11 to be displayed relatively bright, and the element image 8D located at the bottom to be displayed relatively dark. For example, the control unit 4 causes the element image 8U located at the top of the second pattern image 12 to be displayed relatively bright, and the element image 8D located at the bottom to be displayed relatively dark. The control unit 4 may gradually darken the element images 8 as they move downward in the vertical direction GH of the image.

At least some of the element images 8 have a gradation inside the element image 8. The element image 8 has a gradation that becomes darker from the top to the bottom in the vertical direction GH of the image. This gradation creates a sense of depth and three-dimensionality in each element image 8. A gradation may also be applied to the edge of the element image 8. In this case, it is preferable that the gradation of the edge becomes darker as it moves away from the center of the element image 8. The gradation of the edge blurs the edge of the element image 8.

The first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 differ in at least one of shape, color, brightness, and position so that they do not match no matter where you look in the eyebox. In the following description, element image 8 of first pattern image 11 may be referred to as "first element image 81." Also, element image 8 of second pattern image 12 may be referred to as "second element image 82."

Figure 8 shows the composite image 5 as viewed from the first eye position. As shown in Figure 8, the first element image 81 and the second element image 82 are arranged so that they are recognized as separate images from each other. That is, the center position of the first element image 81 is sufficiently far from the center position of the second element image 82 so that the first element image 81 and the second element image 82 are not mistaken for the same element image 8. For example, the distance from the center position of the first element image 81 to the center position of the second element image 82 is greater than the length of the radius of the element image 8.

Figure 9 shows the composite image 5 when viewed from the second eye position. As shown in Figure 9, the first element image 81 and the second element image 82 are arranged so that they are recognized as separate images from each other. The same is true when viewed from other eye positions within the eye box, where the first element image 81 and the second element image 82 are arranged so that they are not recognized as the same image. Therefore, from any position within the eye box, the first element image 81 and the second element image 82 are recognized as separate images from each other. In other words, the first pattern image 11 is an image that is not identical to the second pattern image 12, and does not completely overlap with the second pattern image 12.

As is clear from Figures 8 and 9, the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 work together to form a unified pattern regardless of the position in the eyebox from which they are viewed. Furthermore, the gradation of light and shade and color in the pattern image 10 changes depending on the position of the eye. Therefore, the first pattern image 11 and the second pattern image 12 of the second modified example can effectively create a sense of depth and three-dimensionality.

As described above, in the second modified embodiment, the first pattern image 11 is an image including a plurality of element images 8 having a common shape. The plurality of element images 8 are distributed and arranged in the first area 51. The second pattern image 12 is an image including a plurality of element images 8, and the plurality of element images 8 are distributed and arranged in the second area 52. The pattern image 10 of the second modified embodiment can create a sense of depth by providing a unified image.

In the second modified example, the multiple element images 8 include element images 8 that are displayed relatively brightly and element images 8 that are displayed relatively darkly. The pattern image 10 of the second modified example can create a sense of depth by using the difference in brightness between the multiple element images 8.

In the second modified example, the control unit 4 displays the element image 8U located at the top of the image in the vertical direction GH relatively brightly, and displays the element image 8L located at the bottom of the image in the vertical direction GH relatively darkly. The control unit 4 of the second modified example creates a sense of depth by the distribution of light and dark in the image vertical direction GH.

In the second variant, one element image 8 may have a gradation of light and dark. Such a gradation enhances the sense of depth.

The control unit 4 may move the element image 8 from top to bottom in the image vertical direction GH. In this case, the trajectory of the element image 8 may imitate, for example, the trajectory of falling snow.

The element image 8 is not limited to an image that imitates snow. The element image 8 may be an image that imitates raindrops, an image that imitates the petals of a cherry blossom or the like, an image that imitates leaves, and the like. The element image 8 may be a streak of light or a geometric pattern such as a straight line, a curve, or a polygon. The control unit 4 may perform an effect in which the element image 8 appears to move in the depth direction. For example, the control unit 4 may change the size, position, shape, etc. of the element image 8 to make it appear as if the element image 8 is approaching the eye point EP.

The contents disclosed in the above embodiments and variations can be implemented in any suitable combination.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle display device 2 First display mechanism 3 Second display mechanism 4 Control unit 5: Composite image 5A: First image 5B: Second image 6: Menu icon group 6A: First icon 6B: Second icon 6C: Third icon 6D: Fourth icon 6E: Fifth icon 7: Pattern selection icon group 7A: First icon 7B: Second icon 7C: Third icon 7D: Fourth icon 7E: Fifth icon 8: Element image 8D: Element image located on the lower side 8U: Element image located on the upper side 10 Pattern image 11: First pattern image 11U: Upper image 11D: Lower image 12: Second pattern image 12U: Upper image 12D: Lower image 20 Image display device 31: Display device 31a: Display surface 32: Combiner 32a: Reflecting surface 51: First area, 51U: upper first region, 51D: lower first region, 52: second region, 52U: upper second region, 52D: lower second region, 60: display light, 81: first elemental image, 82: second elemental image, 100: vehicle, 101: instrument panel, EP: eye point, VD: line of sight direction, GW: image horizontal direction, GH: image vertical direction

Claims (4)

an image display device mounted on a vehicle and having a first display mechanism and a second display mechanism;
A control unit for controlling the image display device;
Equipped with
the first display mechanism displays a first image at a first position in a line of sight direction as seen from an eye point of the vehicle;
the second display mechanism displays a second image overlapping the first image at a second position in the line of sight;
the control unit causes an information image indicating information to be displayed on either the first image or the second image, and causes a pattern image producing a sense of depth to be displayed on both the first image and the second image;
the pattern image includes a first pattern image displayed in a first area of the first image by the first display mechanism, and a second pattern image displayed in a second area of the second image by the second display mechanism,
the first region and the second region are regions that overlap when viewed from the eye point,
the first pattern image and the second pattern image are similar to each other but not identical to each other;
the first pattern image is an image including a plurality of element images having a common shape, and the plurality of element images are distributed and disposed in the first region;
The second pattern image is an image including a plurality of the element images, and the plurality of the element images are distributed and arranged in the second region.
A display device for a vehicle. The display device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of element images include the element image displayed relatively brightly and the element image displayed relatively darkly. The display device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit displays the element images located at an upper side in a vertical direction of the image relatively brightly and displays the element images located at a lower side in a vertical direction of the image relatively darkly. The display device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein one of the elemental images has a gradation of light and dark.

Images