Head-up display device for a vehicle and display method

Abstract

The present application relates to a head-up display device and a display method for a vehicle. A head-up display (HUD) device for a vehicle includes a sensor for detecting a front object of the vehicle, a controller for selecting any one of display regions preset based on a driver's line of sight as a target region for displaying HUD information according to an overlapping position and an overlapping degree between the display regions and the front object, and determining a virtual image formation position of the HUD information and a graphic pattern for displaying the virtual image according to a relative position of the target region in the display regions, a HUD generator for generating the HUD information according to the determined graphic pattern, and a HUD adjuster for adjusting an image formation distance of the HUD information according to the virtual image formation position.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0039324, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on March 26, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a head-up display device and method for use in a vehicle. Background Technology

[0004] A head-up display (HUD) device for vehicles can display the vehicle's current status, traffic conditions, direction, speed, and other comprehensive information about the vehicle.

[0005] In recent years, research has been underway on augmented reality (AR) by combining real objects seen through a windshield with virtual images using a head-up display device. AR is a technology that overlays three-dimensional virtual objects onto real objects seen by the user; it is also known as mixed reality (MR).

[0006] In such head-up display devices, the position where the virtual image is displayed (or the position where the virtual image is formed) is physically fixed within a specific range. Therefore, existing HUD devices can only display HUD information of target objects within this specific range, and cannot display HUD information because they cannot match target objects outside this specific range.

[0007] The information disclosed in the background section above is provided to help understand the context of this disclosure and should not be construed as an admission that such information constitutes any part of the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, this disclosure can provide a head-up display (HUD) device and method for vehicles to improve usability and marketability by adaptively displaying HUD information at multiple image forming distances.

[0009] Furthermore, this disclosure can provide a HUD device and method for vehicles that improves usability and merchantability by changing the position of the HUD information display, and a method for displaying HUD information based on information about external conditions relative to objects in front.

[0010] In an aspect, the disclosure provides a head-up display (HUD) device for a vehicle, including: a sensor configured to detect a front object of the vehicle; a controller configured to select any one of display regions preset based on a driver's line of sight as a target region for displaying HUD information according to an overlapping position and an overlapping degree between the display regions and the front object, and determine a virtual image formation position of the HUD information and a graphic pattern for displaying the virtual image according to a relative position of the target region in the display regions; a HUD generator configured to generate the HUD information according to the determined graphic pattern; and a HUD adjuster configured to adjust an image formation distance of the HUD information according to the virtual image formation position.

[0011] The sensor can sense a distance and an angle between the vehicle and the front object, and can output the sensed information as external situation information, and the controller can calculate the overlapping position and the overlapping degree of the display regions and the front object based on the external situation information.

[0012] The display regions can be configured as isosceles trapezoids having a pair of opposite sides of the same length, a short side, and a long side, the short side can be located at a first distance from a windshield of the vehicle, the long side can be located at a second distance from the windshield of the vehicle, and the first distance can be shorter than the second distance.

[0013] The display regions can include a first display region defined by a first guide line corresponding to a first image formation distance of the HUD information, a second display region defined by a second guide line corresponding to a second image formation distance of the HUD information, and a third display region defined by a third guide line corresponding to a third image formation distance of the HUD information, the first image formation distance can be greater than the second image formation distance, and the second image formation distance can be greater than the third image formation distance. A first distance between the first display region and the windshield of the vehicle can be greater than a second distance between the second display region and the windshield of the vehicle, and the second distance can be greater than a third distance between the third display region and the windshield of the vehicle.

[0014] The controller can calculate an overlapping ratio between each of the first display region and the second display region and a specific position of the front object based on the external situation information.

[0015] When the overlap ratio of the first display area with the specific position of the front object is equal to or greater than a preset ratio (%), the controller can select the first display area as a target area and determine the graphic pattern as a first pattern based on augmented reality (AR); when the overlap ratio of the second display area with the specific position of the front object is equal to or greater than the preset ratio, the controller can select the second display area as the target area and can determine the graphic pattern as the first pattern; and when the overlap ratio of the second display area with the specific position of the front object is less than the preset ratio, the controller can select the third display area as the target area and can determine the graphic pattern as a second pattern irrelevant to AR.

[0016] The preset ratio can be any one in a range of 20% to 100%.

[0017] In the first pattern, the display position of the HUD information in the first display area or the second display area can be changed along with the moving front object to match the front object; and in the second pattern, the display position of the HUD information is fixed at a specific position in the third display area regardless of the position of the moving front object.

[0018] The HUD device can further include an internal memory configured to classify the HUD information according to each category according to the HUD event, wherein the controller can determine the category to which the HUD information belongs in the internal memory, can calculate the overlap ratio only for displaying some categories, and can omit the operation of calculating the overlap ratio for displaying the remaining categories.

[0019] The controller can perform control to display any one of the first display area to the third display area according to whether the first HUD information belonging to the first category matches the display area with the overlap ratio, can perform control to display any one of the first display area to the third display area according to whether the second HUD information belonging to the second category matches the display area with the overlap ratio, and can perform control to display the third HUD information belonging to the third category only in the third display area regardless of the overlap ratio.

[0020] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a head-up display (HUD) display method for a vehicle, including: detecting a front object of the vehicle and generating external situation information; calculating an overlap position and an overlap degree between a display area preset based on a driver's line of sight and the front object based on the external situation information; selecting any one of the display areas as a target area to display HUD information according to the overlap position and the overlap degree, and determining a virtual image formation position of the HUD information and a graphic pattern to display the virtual image according to the relative position of the target area in the display area; generating the HUD information according to the determined graphic pattern; and adjusting an image formation distance of the HUD information according to the virtual image formation position. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings (which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application) illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the optimal projection distance and matching area of ​​HUD information in a head-up display (HUD) device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the principle of adjusting the image forming distance of HUD information in a HUD device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 3A and Figure 3B This is a diagram illustrating an example of dividing a display area for displaying HUD information in a HUD device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a comparative example of the present invention, illustrating the phenomenon that some HUD information items are truncated and cannot be displayed due to the environment ahead (road conditions and the movement of objects ahead).

[0026] Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a HUD device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a HUD device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 7 This is an illustration of an example of controlling the display position and graphic mode of HUD information in a vehicle's HUD device by recognizing the foreground environment, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 8 It means relative to Figure 7 Examples of scenarios 1 and 2 showing HUD information; and

[0030] Figure 9 It shows relative to Figure 7 Case 3 shows an example diagram of HUD information. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the application will be shown. The application may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the concept of the application to those skilled in the art.

[0032] The shapes, sizes, proportions, numbers, and the like disclosed in the accompanying drawings for describing various embodiments of the present disclosure are merely exemplary, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The same reference numerals always refer to the same elements. Throughout the specification, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. As used herein, the terms "include", "have", "comprise", and the like are intended to mean that there can be added other parts. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0033] Elements in various embodiments of the present disclosure will be interpreted to include an error margin, even if there is no explicit statement.

[0034] With respect to the following description of the present disclosure, when describing positional relationships, unless the term "immediately" or "directly" is explicitly used, terms such as "element A on element B", "element A above element B", "element A below element B", and "element A beside element B", another element C can be arranged between elements A and B.

[0035] With respect to the following description of the present disclosure, when describing elements, terms such as "first" and "second" are used, but these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, as used herein, a first element can be a second element within the technical idea of the present disclosure.

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an optimal projection distance and a matching area of HUD information in a head-up display (HUD) device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Referring to Figure 1A HUD device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can display additional information (content) that is difficult to see in a real space as a virtual image of a HUD, and view the object in the actual space and the HUD content as additional information of the object simultaneously and clearly by matching an image forming distance (or focal length) of the virtual image of the HUD with a focal point of an actual object (natural landscape, road / building structure, vehicle, pedestrian, etc.) in front of the windshield, and synthesizing the virtual image with the real object using an augmented reality (AR) technique, while matching the image forming distance (or focal length) of the virtual image of the HUD with the focal point of the actual object in front of the windshield.

[0039] Augmented reality (AR) is a field of virtual reality, and is a computer graphics scheme that synthesizes a virtual object with a real world so that the virtual object looks like an object that exists in an original environment. Virtual reality is directed to a virtual object in a virtual space, and AR is to synthesize a virtual object on the basis of a real world to view additional information that is difficult to see in reality.

[0040] An AR HUD content needs to be able to express an actual distance sense and have a small focusing stress. General HUD content is displayed at a fixed position in front of a driver, and a focal point of the AR HUD content needs to be adjusted according to a position of an object in front. Figure 1 An image projection distance (X m) is a distance set to minimize unfamiliarity in a focal point even when a virtual image and an object in front are viewed simultaneously. When the image projection distance (X m) is used, it is possible to easily reduce a size and manufacturing cost of an AR HUD device.

[0041] Figure 1 An eyebox can be a virtual area formed for viewing a HUD image, and can display a HUD content at an appropriate position according to a difference in a horizontal line of sight of a driver. The eyebox can be differently configured in a plurality of stages in consideration of the horizontal line of sight of the driver.

[0042] Figure 1 A matching area can be determined according to a shape and size of an eyebox, an image projection distance X, a heading angle a ° of a driver, and a line of sight of the driver. The matching area can be a display area of a HUD content. When a target object exists in the matching area, the HUD content can be displayed, and when the target object exists outside the matching area, the HUD content can not be displayed.

[0043] When a target vehicle travels, Figure 1The sensor of the HUD device in the above-described embodiment can detect an external situation of an object in front. The sensor can include a camera and a radar sensor and can detect a driving situation around the target vehicle through information about the external situation detected by the camera and the radar sensor. In general, the camera and the radar for detecting the driving situation can be disposed toward a front side of the target vehicle and can be installed at the same position or different positions. Here, the camera can photograph an image of a road in front of the vehicle. The camera can employ a charge-coupled device (CCD), a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-based image sensor, or the like. The radar can emit electromagnetic waves in front of the vehicle and can receive a signal reflected from an object in front of the vehicle to identify the object in front of the vehicle. The radar can employ an array antenna or the like.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, the camera and the radar are described as examples of the sensor, but the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any component can be included in the sensor as long as the component (e.g., an infrared sensor or a LiDAR sensor) is capable of detecting a driving situation around the target vehicle.

[0045] The driving situation detected by the sensor can include information about a vehicle in front and information about a crossroad in a direction. Here, the information about the vehicle in front can include a center portion of the vehicle in front, an upper limit of the vehicle in front, a distance and an angle from the vehicle in front, a width of the vehicle in front, or the like.

[0046] Figure 1 The controller of the HUD device in the above-described embodiment can differently determine a position and a method for displaying the HUD information based on the information about the external situation, particularly a distance and an angle from the vehicle in front, and thus can form distance display HUD information according to a plurality of images, thereby improving usability and marketability of the device.

[0047] The controller of the HUD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can be a processor (e.g., a computer, a microprocessor, a CPU, an ASIC, a circuit, a logic circuit, or the like). Each controller can be implemented by a non-transitory memory (storing, for example, a program, a software instruction rendering algorithm, or the like, which controls operations of various components of the vehicle when executed) and a processor configured to execute the program, the software instruction rendering algorithm, or the like. Here, the memory and the processor can be implemented as separate semiconductor circuits. Alternatively, the memory and the processor can be implemented as a single integrated semiconductor circuit. The processor can include one or more processors.

[0048] When the front object is located at a distance equal to or greater than a preset distance, the controller can determine the graphic mode as an AR mode (or a first mode) suitable for forming an image at a long distance, and can perform control to display the HUD information in a long distance area (a target area corresponding to the respective position of the front object) of the display area. In contrast, when the front object position is located at a distance less than the preset distance, the controller can determine the graphic mode as a general mode (or a second mode) suitable for forming an image at a short distance, and can perform control to display the HUD information in a short distance area (a target area corresponding to the respective position of the front object) of the display area.

[0049] To this end, the controller can calculate the overlapping position and the overlapping degree between the display area and the front object based on the distance and the angle between the vehicle and the front object detected by the sensor. The controller can select any one area of the display area as a target area for displaying the HUD information according to the overlapping position and the overlapping degree between the display area and the front object, and can determine the virtual image formation position of the HUD information and the graphic mode for displaying the virtual image according to the relative position of the target area in the display area.

[0050] In response to the HUD event, the HUD information can be classified and stored for each category. In this case, the controller can determine the category to which the HUD information belongs and can change the control order for setting the display position of the HUD information according to the category. In other words, the controller can calculate the overlapping ratio between the display area and the front object only for displaying some categories, and can omit the operation of calculating the overlapping ratio in order to display other categories.

[0051] When an event such as a forward collision warning (FCW) or an intelligent cruise control (SCC) occurs, the controller can detect a content display position according to the external situation information (i.e., the distance and the angle from the front vehicle, the width of the front vehicle, the center portion of the front vehicle, etc.) detected by the sensor, considering the GUI characteristics of the content to be displayed.

[0052] When the FCW event occurs, the controller can detect at least one of the center portion of the front vehicle, the upper portion of the front vehicle, and the area between the target vehicle and the front vehicle as the content display position. When the SCC event occurs, the controller can detect the width of the front vehicle or the area between the target vehicle and the front vehicle as the content display position.

[0053] Figure 1The HUD generator can be embodied as an image processing circuit (e.g., a processor) for generating and processing a virtual image. The HUD generator can generate HUD information according to a graphic mode (AR mode or general mode) determined by the controller. The HUD information (content) can include various contents according to preset events. For example, the content output when the SCC event occurs can include information about the speed of the target vehicle, the interval from the vehicle in front, and a request to secure a distance.

[0054] Figure 1 The HUD adjuster can adjust the image formation distance of the HUD information according to the virtual image formation position of the HUD information determined by the controller. The HUD adjuster can adjust the image formation distance (or virtual image formation distance) of the image output by the HUD generator, and then can project the image onto the windshield under the control of the controller. The HUD adjuster can include a combination of at least some of at least one mirror, a convex lens, and a concave mirror, but is not limited thereto.

[0055] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a principle of adjusting an image formation distance of HUD information by a head-up display (HUD) device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] Referring to Figure 2 In the HUD device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the HUD adjuster 2 can adjust the image formation distance of the HUD image 3 input from the HUD generator 1, and then can project the image onto the windshield 4 serving as a combiner. The HUD adjuster 2 can adjust the image formation distance of the HUD image 3 under the control of the controller, and can project the HUD image 3 onto the windshield 4 by magnification and reflection of the HUD image 3. The driver 5 can see a virtual image 6 formed outside the windshield 4, and in this case, the virtual image 6 can be located at the adjusted image formation distance. The virtual image 6 can include HUD content based on the AR mode or HUD content based on the general mode.

[0057] Figure 3A and Figure 3B FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of dividing a display area for displaying HUD information in a HUD device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] In the HUD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, as Figure 3A and Figure 3BAs shown, the display region preset based on the driver's line of sight can be configured to have an isosceles trapezoidal shape having a short side, a long side, and a pair of opposite sides having the same length. In the display region, the short side can be located at a first distance from the vehicle windshield, and the long side can be located at a second distance from the vehicle windshield. In this case, the first distance can be shorter than the second distance.

[0059] The display region can be divided into a plurality of display regions AR1, AR2, and AR3 by a plurality of different guide lines G1, G2, and G3 having different image forming distances.

[0060] For example, the display region can include a first display region AR1 defined by a first guide line G1 corresponding to a first image forming distance of the HUD information, a second display region AR2 defined by a second guide line G2 corresponding to a second image forming distance of the HUD information, and a third display region AR3 defined by a third guide line G3 corresponding to a third image forming distance of the HUD information. In this case, the first image forming distance can be longer than the second image forming distance, and the second image forming distance can be longer than the third image forming distance. A first distance D1 between the first display region and the vehicle windshield can be greater than a second distance D2 between the second display region and the vehicle windshield, and the second distance can be greater than a third distance D3 between the third display region and the vehicle windshield.

[0061] As shown, the third display region AR3 can be provided as a display region located between the second guide line G2 and the third guide line G3, or as shown, the display region can also be provided as being located between the third guide line G3 and the vehicle. Figure 3A Figure 3B

[0062] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a phenomenon in which some of the HUD information items are truncated and cannot be displayed due to the front environment (road conditions and movement of the front object) as a comparative example of the present application.

[0063] Referring to Figure 4 When the number of the HUD content items to be matched with the front vehicle is 5, depending on the front environment of the front vehicle, all or some of the HUD content items can be displayed or can not be displayed.

[0064] In the case of (A) of Figure 4 , because all of the HUD content items are located within the display region, the HUD content items can be normally displayed. In the case of (B) of Figure 4 , because some of the HUD content items are located outside the display region, a phenomenon in which some of the HUD content items cannot be displayed (a phenomenon in which some of the HUD content items are truncated) can occur. In the case of (C) of Figure 4 ​​In case of (C) of FIG. 1, since all of the HUD content items are located outside the display region, a phenomenon that all of the HUD content items cannot be displayed can occur.

[0065] In contrast, by determining the display position of the HUD image according to the overlap ratio between the display region and the front object, and selecting the optimal graphic mode (AR mode or general mode) and adjusting the image formation distance of the HUD image according to the determined display position, the HUD device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can prevent (or minimize) a phenomenon that some of the content items are truncated as shown in (B) of FIG. 1 or a phenomenon that the content items cannot be displayed as shown in (B) of FIG. 2. Figure 4 Figure 4

[0066] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a HUD device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a HUD device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] Referring to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the HUD device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can include a sensor 10, a controller 20, a HUD generator 30, and a HUD adjuster 40.

[0068] The sensor 10, the HUD generator 30, and the HUD adjuster 40 can be substantially the same as described with reference to Figure 1 .

[0069] The controller 20 can calculate the overlap position and the overlap degree between the display region and the front object based on the external situation information detected by the sensor 10, and can control the HUD generator 30 and the HUD adjuster 40 according to the calculation result.

[0070] The controller 20 can include an internal memory 21, a content selector 22, a matching rate calculator 23, and an image formation distance controller 24.

[0071] The internal memory 21 can store the HUD information classified for each category according to the HUD event. For example, when the HUD event is smart cruise control (SCC), the first HUD information belonging to the first category can be a distance bar of the SCC vehicle, the second HUD information belonging to the second category can be a vehicle speed setting value, and the third HUD information belonging to the third category can be a phone or media notification pop-up window.

[0072] Upon receiving the HUD event, the content selector 22 can determine the category to which the corresponding HUD information in the internal memory belongs (S20, S21, and S22).​​

[0073] The matching rate calculator 23 can calculate the overlap ratio between the display region and the front object based on the distance and the angle to the front object acquired by the sensor 10 (S30, S40, and S50). The overlap ratio can be defined as the overlapping area between the display region and the front object / the area of the display region) x 100 (%). The matching rate calculator 23 can calculate the overlap ratio only for displaying some categories, and can omit the operation of calculating the overlap ratio in order to display other categories. For example, as shown in Figure 6 , the matching rate calculator 23 can calculate the overlap ratio (S40 and S60) only for displaying the first HUD information belonging to the first category CTG1 and the second HUD information belonging to the second category CTG2 (S40 and S60) and can omit the operation of calculating the overlap ratio in order to display the third HUD information belonging to the third category CTG3.

[0074] When the overlap ratio between the first display region AR1 (refer to Figure 3A and Figure 3B ) and the specific position (e.g., the rear bumper line) of the front object is equal to or greater than A%, the matching rate calculator 23 can select the first display region AR1 as the target region and can determine the graphic mode as the first mode based on augmented reality (AR) (i.e., the AR mode) (S40 and S50). In this case, the first display region AR1 can be a virtual image forming position of the corresponding HUD information.

[0075] When the overlap ratio between the second display region AR2 (refer to Figure 3A and Figure 3B ) and the specific position of the front object is equal to or greater than A%, the matching rate calculator 23 can select the second display region AR2 as the target region and can determine the graphic mode as the first mode (S60 and S70). In this case, the second display region AR2 can be a virtual image forming position of the corresponding HUD information.

[0076] When the overlap ratio between the second display region AR2 and the specific position of the front object is less than A%, the matching rate calculator 23 can select the third display region AR3 (refer to Figure 3A and Figure 3B ) as the target region and can determine the graphic mode as the second mode not related to AR (i.e., the general mode) (S80). In this case, the third display region AR3 can be a virtual image forming position of the corresponding HUD information.

[0077] Here, A% can be a reference overlap ratio and can be any one of 20% to 100%. The reference overlap ratio can be preset to any one of 20% to 100% depending on design specifications, use purposes, etc.

[0078] In the case of the first mode, the display position of the HUD information can be changed to match the moving front object (performing a tracking operation) according to the front object within the first display area AR1 or the second display area AR2. In contrast, in the case of the second mode, the display position of the HUD information can be fixed at a specific position within the third display area AR3 regardless of the front object (not performing a tracking operation).

[0079] The matching rate calculator 23 can perform control to display the first HUD information belonging to the first category CTG1 in any one of the first to third display areas AR1, AR2, and AR3 according to whether the first HUD information is matched with the display area at an overlap ratio, can perform control to display the second HUD information belonging to the second category CTG2 in any one of the second display area AR2 and the third display area AR3 according to whether the second HUD information is matched with the display area at an overlap ratio, and can perform control to display the third HUD information belonging to the third category CTG3 only in the third display area AR3 regardless of the overlap ratio.

[0080] The image formation distance controller 24 can adjust the image formation distance of the HUD information according to the virtual image formation position of the corresponding HUD information by controlling the hardware operation of the HUD adjuster 40.

[0081] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of controlling the display position and graphic pattern of the HUD information by recognizing the front environment in the HUD device of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying the HUD information for Figure 7 cases 1 and 2. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying the HUD information for Figure 7 case 3.

[0082] Figure 7 An example in which the SCC inter-vehicle distance bar is matched for each case during the SCC event is illustrated.

[0083] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the controller 20 can calculate the matching rate (or overlap ratio) only for the first area a and the second area b as targets, and when the condition is satisfied, can display the SCC inter-vehicle distance bar in the AR mode in the first area a or the second area b. In contrast, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, when the condition is not satisfied as a result of the calculation of the matching rate, the controller 20 can prevent (or minimize) the phenomenon in which certain content items are cut off or content items cannot be seen as intended by displaying the SCC inter-vehicle distance bar in the general mode in the third area c. Figure 8 Figure 9 As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the controller 20 can calculate the matching rate (or overlap ratio) only for the first area a and the second area b as targets, and when the condition is satisfied, can display the SCC inter-vehicle distance bar in the AR mode in the first area a or the second area b. In contrast, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, when the condition is not satisfied as a result of the calculation of the matching rate, the controller 20 can prevent (or minimize) the phenomenon in which certain content items are cut off or content items cannot be seen as intended by displaying the SCC inter-vehicle distance bar in the general mode in the third area c. Figure 4 ​The phenomenon shown is displayed.

[0084] The controller 20 can receive information about the angle of the front object (e.g., the front vehicle) from the sensor 10, and the information about the angle can include information about the longitudinal / lateral coordinates of the specific position (e.g., the rear bumper line) of the front object. For example, the controller 20 can receive the coordinates of the center point of the rear bumper line of the front vehicle using the center of the front bumper of the target vehicle as the origin. The direction of the front vehicle can be set based on the angle formed by connecting the target vehicle and the front vehicle into a straight line. The controller 20 can select the overlapping portion between the rear bumper line of the front vehicle and the display region as the target region.

[0085] In Figure 7 Case 1, the matching rate between the rear bumper line of the front vehicle and the first region a is 100%, so the controller 20 can display the SCC inter-vehicle distance bar in the first region a in the AR mode (see Figure 8 ).

[0086] In Figure 7 Case 2, the rear bumper line of the front vehicle and the first region a do not overlap, so the SCC inter-vehicle distance bar can not be displayed in the first region a. In this case, the matching rate between the rear bumper line of the front vehicle and the second region b is equal to or greater than 50% as the reference value, so the controller 20 can display the SCC inter-vehicle distance bar in the second region b in the AR mode (see Figure 8 ).

[0087] In Figure 7 Case 3, the rear bumper line of the front vehicle and the first region a do not overlap, so the SCC inter-vehicle distance bar can not be displayed in the first region a. The matching rate between the rear bumper line of the front vehicle and the second region b is less than 50% of the reference value, so the SCC inter-vehicle distance bar can not be displayed in the second region b. The controller 20 can display the SCC inter-vehicle distance bar in the third region c in the general mode (see Figure 9 ).

[0088] As described above, the HUD information can be adaptively displayed at a plurality of image forming distances to improve the usability and marketability of the vehicle for the HUD device.

[0089] According to the present embodiment, the usability and marketability of the HUD device for the vehicle can be improved by changing the display position and method of the HUD information based on the external situation information of the front object.

[0090] According to the present embodiment, the HUD information can be adaptively displayed at a plurality of image forming distances to improve the usability and marketability of the HUD device for the vehicle.

[0091] According to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the usability and marketability of the HUD device for a vehicle by changing the display position and method of the HUD information based on the external situation information of the front object.

[0092] Those skilled in the art will understand that the effects achievable by the present disclosure are not limited to what has been particularly described hereinabove and that other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the detailed description.

[0093] As apparent to those skilled in the art, various modifications and changes can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the application. Therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the above particular disclosure, but is to be afforded the full scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A head-up display apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a sensor configured to detect a front object of the vehicle; a controller configured to select any one of display areas, which are preset based on a driver's line of sight, as a target area in which to display head-up display information, according to an overlapping position and an overlapping degree between the display areas and the front object, and determine a virtual image formation position of the head-up display information and a graphic pattern for displaying a virtual image, according to a relative position of the target area in the display areas, wherein the display areas include a first display area defined by a first guide line corresponding to a first image formation distance of the head-up display information, a second display area defined by a second guide line corresponding to a second image formation distance of the head-up display information, and a third display area defined by a third guide line corresponding to a third image formation distance of the head-up display information, the first image formation distance being greater than the second image formation distance, and the second image formation distance being greater than the third image formation distance, and a first distance between the first display area and a windshield of the vehicle is greater than a second distance between the second display area and the windshield of the vehicle, and the second distance is greater than a third distance between the third display area and the windshield of the vehicle, and wherein: when an overlapping ratio of the first display area to a specific position of the front object is equal to or greater than a preset ratio, the controller selects the first display area as the target area, and determines the graphic pattern as a first pattern based on augmented reality; when the overlapping ratio of the second display area to the specific position of the front object is equal to or greater than the preset ratio, the controller selects the second display area as the target area, and determines the graphic pattern as the first pattern; and when the overlapping ratio of each of the first display area and the second display area to the specific position of the front object is less than the preset ratio, the controller selects the third display area as the target area, and determines the graphic pattern as a second pattern irrelevant to the augmented reality, a head-up display generator configured to generate the head-up display information according to the determined graphic pattern; and a head-up display adjuster configured to adjust an image formation distance of the head-up display information according to the virtual image formation position. 2.The head-up display apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the sensor senses a distance and an angle between the vehicle and the front object, and outputs sensing information as external situation information, and the controller calculates the overlapping position and the overlapping degree of the display areas to the front object based on the external situation information. 3.The head-up display apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the display areas are configured as an isosceles trapezoid having a short side, a long side, and a pair of opposite sides of the same length, the short side is located at a first distance from a windshield of the vehicle, the long side is located at a second distance from the windshield of the vehicle, and the first distance is shorter than the second distance.

4. The head-up display device of claim 1, wherein, The controller calculates an overlap ratio between each of the first display area and the second display area and a specific position of the front object based on external situation information.

5. The head-up display device of claim 1, wherein, The preset ratio is any one in a range of 20% to 100%. 6.The head-up display device of claim 1, wherein: in the first mode, a display position of the head-up display information in the first display area or the second display area changes along the moving front object to match the display position of the front object; and in the second mode, the display position of the head-up display information is fixed at a specific position in the third display area regardless of the position of the moving front object. 7.The head-up display device of claim 1, further comprising: an internal memory configured to classify each category of the head-up display information according to a head-up display event, wherein the controller determines the category to which the head-up display information belongs in the internal memory, calculates the overlap ratio only for a display sub-category, and omits the operation of calculating the overlap ratio for a display remaining category.

8. The head-up display device of claim 7, wherein, The controller performs control to display any one of the first display area to the third display area according to whether first head-up display information belonging to a first category is matched with a display area at the overlap ratio, performs control to display any one of the first display area to the third display area according to whether second head-up display information belonging to a second category is matched with a display area at the overlap ratio, and performs control to display third head-up display information belonging to a third category only in the third display area regardless of the overlap ratio. 9.A head-up display display method for a vehicle, the method comprising: detecting a front object of the vehicle and generating external situation information; calculating an overlap position and an overlap degree between a display area preset based on a driver's line of sight and the front object based on the external situation information; selecting any one of the display areas as a target area for displaying head-up display information according to the overlap position and the overlap degree, and determining a virtual image formation position of the head-up display information and a graphic pattern for displaying a virtual image according to a relative position of the target area in the display area, wherein the display area includes a first display area defined by a first guide line corresponding to a first image formation distance of the head-up display information, a second display area defined by a second guide line corresponding to a second image formation distance of the head-up display information, and a third display area defined by a third guide line corresponding to a third image formation distance of the head-up display information, the first image formation distance being greater than the second image formation distance, and the second image formation distance being greater than the third image formation distance, and a first distance between the first display area and a windshield of the vehicle being greater than a second distance between the second display area and the windshield of the vehicle, and the second distance being greater than a third distance between the third display area and the windshield of the vehicle, and wherein: when an overlap ratio of the first display area with a specific position of the front object is equal to or greater than a preset ratio, the first display area is selected as the target area, and the graphic mode is determined as a first mode based on augmented reality; when the overlap ratio of the second display area with the specific position of the front object is equal to or greater than the preset ratio, the second display area is selected as the target area, and the graphic mode is determined as the first mode; and when the overlap ratio of each of the first display area and the second display area with the specific position of the front object is less than the preset ratio, the third display area is selected as the target area, and the graphic mode is determined as a second mode irrelevant to the augmented reality, generating the head-up display information according to the determined graphic mode; and adjusting an image formation distance of the head-up display information according to the virtual image formation position.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The external situation information includes a distance and an angle between the vehicle and the front object.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein: the display area is configured as an isosceles trapezoid having a short side, a long side, and a pair of opposite sides of the same length, the short side is located at a first distance from a windshield of the vehicle, the long side is located at a second distance from the windshield of the vehicle, and the first distance is shorter than the second distance.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein, The calculating includes calculating an overlap ratio between each of the first display area and the second display area and a specific position of the front object.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein, The preset ratio is any one in a range of 20% to 100%.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein: in the first mode, a display position of the head-up display information in the first display area or the second display area changes along the moving front object to match the front object; and in the second mode, the display position of the head-up display information is fixed at a specific position in the third display area regardless of a position of the moving front object.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising: an internal memory configured to classify the head-up display information of each category according to a head-up display event; determining a category in the internal memory to which the head-up display information belongs; and as a result of the determination, calculating the overlap ratio only for displaying a partial category, and omitting an operation of calculating the overlap ratio for displaying a remaining category.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, as a result of the determination, the calculating and the omitting include: performing control to display any one of the first display area to the third display area according to whether first head-up display information belonging to a first category matches with a display area with the overlap ratio; performing control to display any one of the first display area to the third display area according to whether second head-up display information belonging to a second category matches with a display area with the overlap ratio; and performing control to display third head-up display information belonging to a third category only in the third display area regardless of the overlap ratio.

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