Device and method for displaying information in a vehicle

Abstract

Device for displaying information in a vehicle, in which information which can be determined via detection units can be displayed on a display unit (1) by means of spatially coded display elements, wherein at least one vehicle contour (10) or another suitable symbol can be displayed on the display unit (1), wherein the vehicle contour (10) is completely or partially surrounded by a plurality of display elements, wherein one or more display elements form at least one segment (2 to 9), wherein at least one vehicle-specific driver assistance and / or driver information system and / or at least one item of environmental information is spatially assigned to each segment (2 to 9).is characterized in that different driver assistance and / or driver information systems and / or at least one item of environmental information are assigned to the simultaneously displayable segments (2 to 9), and a status of the driver assistance and / or driver information systems and / or an item of environmental information can be displayed by showing and hiding the associated segment (2 to 9), in that this segment (2 to 9) can be shown when switched on and hidden or partially shown when switched off.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for displaying information in a vehicle, in which information which can be determined via detection units can be displayed in the correct position on a display unit by means of spatially coded display elements.

[0002] DE 103 54 641 A1 discloses a device for displaying driver assistance system information in a vehicle. Driver assistance system information, which can be determined via information means, from various driver assistance systems can be displayed on a display device using display elements. The display elements are arranged on the display device in a spatially coded manner, so that the information displayed by the display elements on the display device corresponds in position to the ranges and orientations of the information means of the driver assistance systems.

[0003] DE 198 04 263 A1 discloses a display device for visually indicating the failure of vehicle exterior lights, which device comprises warning fields symbolically assigned to the exterior lights on an outer contour of the vehicle.

[0004] DE 602 07 029 T2 discloses a camera-based assistance system for a vehicle for displaying other vehicles in the surrounding area as well as the relative distance to these vehicles.

[0005] DE 30 28 077 C2 discloses a display device designed to warn a moving vehicle of another vehicle traveling in the vicinity, i.e., behind or next to it. A vehicle contour depicting the vehicle is surrounded by several display elements, each of which displays the speed of other vehicles in the vicinity, as determined by an assistance system embodied as a radar device, and the distance to these vehicles.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing an improved device and an improved method for displaying information in a vehicle.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention with regard to the device by the features specified in claim 1 and with regard to the method by the features specified in claim 12. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] The invention relates to a device for displaying information in a vehicle, in which information ascertainable via detection units can be displayed, in particular in the correct position, on a display unit using spatially coded display elements. The vehicle or another suitable symbol can be displayed on the display unit, which is partially or completely surrounded by several display elements. For this purpose, one or more display elements form at least one segment, with each segment being spatially assigned at least one vehicle-specific driver assistance and / or driver information system and / or environmental information item.

[0009] In order to assign dangerous situations and information to the vehicle and / or the vehicle's surroundings, the segments are advantageously arranged in a spatially coded manner. The segments are designed as optical information signals, whereby a driver receives a directional indication as to the direction to which the recorded information refers, e.g., from which direction the information was recorded or by which recording unit it was recorded. The arrangement of the segments can, for example, be designed to be correctly positioned according to the ranges and / or orientations of recording units and the resulting detectable situations and information ahead, behind, and / or to the side, as well as any associated forward, backward, and sideways driving behavior.The information relating to the situation and / or driving behavior can also be shown on the display unit with direction and / or as a function of the distance or a change in distance from the vehicle.

[0010] For example, the segments associated with a lane-keeping assistance system are arranged laterally relative to the vehicle, represented, for example, as a silhouette or another suitable symbol. The current distance of the vehicle to the side lane markings can preferably be displayed at a suitable scale.

[0011] The segments can advantageously be displayed from the driver, vehicle, and / or system perspective. In one possible embodiment, for example, the names of the relevant driver assistance and / or driver information system can be assigned to the corresponding segment and displayed.

[0012] In one possible embodiment, the segments surround the displayed vehicle in a ring-like manner. Alternatively, the shape and / or position of the segments, for example, completely or partially surrounding the vehicle, can be variable. The shape or arrangement of all segments surrounding the vehicle can be either oval or square. The distance of the activated segments from the displayed vehicle can also be variably adjustable. For example, the segment is displayed on the display unit at a corresponding distance from the displayed vehicle depending on the distance of the detected current situation.

[0013] Furthermore, the display of the segments can be integrated into existing displays, such as a display of a parking assistance system.

[0014] By means of the device, visual warnings and information for a predeterminable time period can be shown on the display unit. This enables a vehicle driver to recognize the reason why, for example, a driver assistance system intervenes in the driving behavior of the vehicle, for example why the vehicle reaction was triggered and from which direction the danger came. Furthermore, a state, switching on and / or off and / or a change in state of one or more of the driver assistance systems and / or the driver information system and / or a piece of environmental information can be displayed by changing at least one property of the respective segment, e.g. by changing the position, size, color and / or visibility. For example, a status or state, e.g. “ON” or “OFF”, of a driver assistance system and / or driver information system and / or a piece of environmental information can be displayed by switching on or off.Hiding the associated segment(s) can be displayed using the device.

[0015] If a vehicle does not have a driver assistance system and / or driver information system and / or environmental information to which at least one segment is spatially assigned, in a further embodiment of the device this is not shown on the display unit or is shown in a modified form, e.g. as a semi-transparent segment or as a dashed segment compared to a segment shown in a solid line when the driver assistance system or the driver information system is present.

[0016] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, current traffic situations determined from information from the driver assistance and / or driver information system and / or the current vehicle behavior and / or different states of the driver assistance and / or driver information system and / or vehicle information itself can be displayed according to their criticality and / or their condition. For this purpose, each segment is assigned at least one color level. For example, a critical traffic situation and / or critical driving behavior and / or a condition, e.g., an error and / or switching on or off, of a driver assistance and / or driver information system is optically highlighted and can be output in a changeable form and / or property and / or parameter of the corresponding segment. For example, the segment associated with blind spot monitoring can be highlighted conically and / or in color, e.g.Red, and / or color-changing, e.g., with a color gradient from green to yellow, orange to red, can be used, in particular, to indicate a potentially dangerous situation in that area. This allows the information to be easily and reliably identified by the driver and thus communicated more effectively.

[0017] The spatially coded arrangement of the segments can be implemented on various display embodiments. For this purpose, the display is designed, for example, as a combination display unit. The combination display unit can be designed in a suitable form, e.g. as a screen, as a so-called head-up display and / or as an illuminated display, e.g. an LED display, or a combination of these, e.g. a screen with LEDs. In particular, the vehicle can be displayed in a partial area as a silhouette or as another suitable symbol. The display elements of the display unit are preferably designed as light-emitting diodes, with several light-emitting diodes forming a segment which is spatially coded and arranged in the correct position on the display unit.

[0018] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the display unit is designed as a head-up display. Using such a display unit, the information from the driver assistance system and / or the driver information system and / or the ambient information can be projected onto the windshield and thus positioned in the driver's field of vision, advantageously ensuring the driver's attention without having to change their direction of vision.

[0019] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to drawings.

[0020] Showing: Fig. 1 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of a representation of a vehicle with spatially coded segments completely surrounding it, Fig. 2 schematically shows another representation with a color-highlighted segment, Fig. 3 schematically shows another exemplary representation with a color-highlighted segment, Fig. 4 a possible alternative embodiment of highlighting a segment, Fig. 5 schematically shows a modified form or arrangement of a representation with spatially coded segments, and Fig. 6 schematically shows another modified form of representation.

[0021] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0022] In Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a representation of a device according to the invention for displaying information on a display unit 1 in a vehicle not shown in detail.

[0023] The information is determined, in particular, via detection units and / or sensors (not shown in detail) arranged on the vehicle. The sensors and / or detection units include, for example, distance sensors, radar sensors, an omnidirectional camera and / or CCD cameras, as well as transmitting and receiving units for vehicle-to-vehicle communication and / or other suitable devices and / or transmission means, such as a C2C connection, which detect and monitor a surrounding area, in particular a traffic situation in the surrounding area of the vehicle, or transmit information from the surrounding area.

[0024] Using the detection units, for example, the intrusion and / or presence of an object in the relevant surrounding area can be identified, as well as the distance of the identified object from the vehicle. The sensors and the detection units are advantageously part of a driver assistance and / or driver information system. Furthermore, it is possible to receive traffic-relevant information, such as additional environmental information, via a satellite-based navigation system and / or via communication channels in the vehicle.

[0025] According to the invention, the information determined via the detection units can be displayed on the display unit 1, in particular in the correct position, using spatially coded display elements. The arrangement of the display elements is displayed in the correct position according to the respective ranges and / or orientations of the detection units. This means that determined forward, rearward, and lateral traffic situations and current forward, rearward, and / or lateral driving behavior and information about this, including direction and / or depending on the distance from the driver's own vehicle, can be displayed on the display unit 1. The display unit 1 can also be formed from a combination of spatially coded and non-spatially coded display elements, wherein the information can be output partially in the correct position or partially in the correct position, respectively.

[0026] Conveniently, several display elements form at least one segment 2 to 9 of the display unit 1. At least one on-board driver assistance and / or driver information system and / or environmental information is spatially assigned to each segment 2 to 9. For this purpose, the spatially coded display elements, in particular segments 2 to 9, can be divided into information and / or driver assistance and / or driver information systems close to and remote from the vehicle.

[0027] For example, a vehicle contour 10 or another suitable sign, e.g., a symbol, image, or a current camera image can be graphically displayed in a subarea A of the display unit 1. The background color is typically black. Alternatively, the background color can be varied.

[0028] The display of segments 2 to 9 can also be integrated into existing displays in the vehicle, such as those of a parking assistance system. Segments 2 to 9 can be displayed movably, for example, to assist a parking maneuver and to indicate the respective distances to vehicles and / or obstacles bordering the parking space. Instead of a segment 2 to 9, a symbol, in particular a value or a status, can also be displayed. For example, a parameter of a road surface, e.g., a µ-value, can be displayed by a value display and / or a corresponding background color or by a corresponding color between the segments and the vehicle contour 10.

[0029] During operation of the device and thus of the display unit 1, a vehicle driver receives, in a simple manner by activating, in particular by displaying, individual or multiple segments 2 to 9, optical indication signals with directional information as to the direction in which the vehicle needs to be protected or the driving behavior needs to be supported, whereby the driver is informed or warned. The segments 2 to 9 can also only partially surround the vehicle contour 10. Furthermore, fewer or more segments 2 to 9 can surround the vehicle contour 10. The segments 2 to 9 can also be arranged in several rings around the vehicle contour 10.

[0030] Segments 2 to 9 can advantageously be displayed from the driver's perspective, the vehicle's perspective, and / or from the perspective of the driver assistance and / or driver information system. For this purpose, for example, system names, i.e., names of the driver assistance and / or driver information systems, can be displayed on an associated segment 2 to 9. Alternatively or additionally, properties, parameters of the driver assistance system(s) and / or driver information systems and / or information about them, as well as about the current traffic situation identified in the detected surrounding area, can be output in color, alphanumeric, graphic, and / or modifiable formats using appropriately controllable segments 2 to 9.

[0031] In one possible embodiment, the segments 2 to 9 that completely or partially surround the vehicle contour 10 form a ring shape that can be changed depending on the detected information and / or situations. For example, the shape and / or distance of segments 2 to 9 from the displayed vehicle contour 10 can be varied and output accordingly. Alternatively or in addition to the ring-shaped arrangement of segments 2 to 9 around the vehicle contour 10 (also called the vehicle silhouette), the shape can be oval, square, or circular segment-shaped, for example, corresponding to a shape of the vehicle contour 10.

[0032] Visual warnings and / or information can also be output over time using the displayable and adjustable segments 2 to 9. In particular, segments 2 to 9 can be displayed for a predefined time period, allowing the driver to determine when and, for example, why a vehicle reaction was triggered, from which direction the hazard came, and whether it has disappeared.

[0033] For example, a status and / or a property and / or a parameter of the driver assistance system(s), driver information system(s), or environmental information can be displayed based on the display and hiding of segments 2 to 9. For example, when the driver assistance system and / or driver information system is switched on, the associated segment(s) 2 to 9 are fully illuminated, for example, displayed flat.

[0034] If a system and / or information is not activated, the corresponding segment(s) 2 to 9 can be reduced (or partially) displayed so that, for example, only an outline or shadow of the respective segment(s) 2 to 9 is visible. The outline can be displayed, for example, as a solid or merely dashed line and / or a semi-transparent line.

[0035] In another possible embodiment, a bar graph (not shown in detail) can be displayed in subarea A. The bar graph lights up, for example, when the fuel level in the tank is too low, which can be detected by a fill level sensor located in the tank, which is part of a driver information system. The bar graph can advantageously be displayed spatially coded to the displayed vehicle contour 10. A value, e.g., a range or a μ-value of a road surface, can also be output.

[0036] Since at least one driver assistance and / or driver information system and / or environmental information item is assigned to each segment 2 to 9, and its function and / or properties can be displayed on the display unit 1 using the segments 2 to 9, the device according to the invention can be easily expanded to include additional driver assistance and / or driver information systems and / or additional information and / or properties thereof by adding further segments and / or subdividing the segments 2 to 9. For example, additional rings, half rings, and / or circular segments of additional segments can be output around the vehicle contour 10.

[0037] The display unit 1 is particularly preferably designed as a head-up display (not shown). The information obtained can be projected onto the windshield and is preferably positioned directly in the driver's field of vision. The display unit 1 can also be designed as another suitable screen unit, e.g., an LCD unit, in combination with display elements, such as LEDs.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows the display unit 1 with a color-highlighted segment 9. Segments 2 to 9 can also be assigned at least one color level. The status, a parameter, and / or a property of the driver assistance and / or driver information system(s), in particular the criticality, and / or environmental information and / or vehicle information can be visually displayed in color.

[0039] In particular, segments 2 to 9 can be highlighted in color or displayed in varying colors (= color gradients). For example, for color highlighting, segments 2 to 9 are displayed in green, yellow, and red. These, in keeping with the colors of traffic lights, symbolize different situations derived from the environmental information: "clear to go" or "no danger" (= gray, white, or green), "possible hazard" (= yellow), and "acute hazard" (= red). In one possible embodiment, the number of states and / or colors can be limited. By using the analogy to traffic lights and limiting them to three states or colors, the information transmitted by the display elements, in particular light-emitting diodes, can be quickly and intuitively grasped by the driver. A gray or semi-transparent segment 2 to 9 can also indicate the status or condition of the relevant driver assistance system orDriver information system, for example, whether it is on (e.g., white or green color) or off (e.g., gray color). Other or additional suitable colors can also be specified and used.

[0040] Furthermore, the shape and / or position of the outputtable, switchable, or activatable segments 2 to 9 can be changed. As an alternative to color-coding situations, the various states, properties, and parameters of the driver assistance and / or driver information systems can be highlighted graphically (e.g., changeable shape and / or position) and / or optically (e.g., changeable color tone) and / or acoustically (e.g., changeable sound signal). For this purpose, a segment 2 to 9 of a switched-on driver assistance and / or driver information system can be displayed in gray, white, or green, for example; a switched-off driver assistance and / or driver information system can be displayed in red, for example; and a faulty driver assistance and / or driver information system can be displayed in red and flashing, or in red with a changed shape.

[0041] In Fig. 3 shows the vehicle contour 10 with segments 2 to 9 completely surrounding it, with segment 5 being highlighted in color and indicating the direction in which a current situation is to be taken into account.

[0042] In Fig. 4, the color-highlighted segment 5 is also shown with a different shape. Segment 5 has been changed from a circular ring segment to a triangular shape. Segment 5 is assigned, for example, to a driver assistance system for blind spot monitoring. By illuminating and changing to the triangular shape of segment 5, the driver is alerted that a dangerous situation exists in the blind spot monitoring system on the left rear side of the vehicle, for example, due to an object entering this area, such as another vehicle approaching the driver's vehicle.

[0043] Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of a modified representation of the segments 2 to 9 of the display unit 1 that completely surround the vehicle.

[0044] Here, segments 3 and 7 arranged laterally to the vehicle are output and displayed in such a way that they represent, for example, lane support from a lane keeping assistance system. The laterally arranged segments 3 and 7 each represent a lane adjacent to the lane of the host vehicle. The lateral distance of the host vehicle from the adjacent lanes can be displayed at a suitable scale and by varying segments 3 and 7.

[0045] In Fig. 6 shows another possible representation of the display unit 1.

[0046] The driver assistance and / or driver information systems and / or environmental information and / or their information, parameters, and / or properties assigned to the side of the vehicle contour 10 are further subdivided and can be displayed by correspondingly additional segments 11 and 12. The displayed segments 11 and 12 represent, for example, a lane keeping assistance system or a fuel level indicator. List of reference symbols 1 display unit 2 segments 3 segments 4 segments 5 segments 6 segments 7 segments 8 segments 9 segments 10 Vehicle contour 11 segments 12 segments A Part of the display unit

Claims

[1] Device for displaying information in a vehicle, in which information which can be determined via detection units can be displayed on a display unit (1) by means of spatially coded display elements, wherein at least one vehicle contour (10) or another suitable symbol can be displayed on the display unit (1), wherein the vehicle contour (10) is completely or partially surrounded by a plurality of display elements, wherein one or more display elements form at least one segment (2 to 9), wherein at least one vehicle-specific driver assistance and / or driver information system and / or at least one item of environmental information is or is spatially assigned to each segment (2 to 9), characterized bythat different driver assistance and / or driver information systems and / or at least one item of environmental information are assigned to the simultaneously displayable segments (2 to 9), and a status of the driver assistance and / or driver information systems and / or an item of environmental information can be displayed by showing and hiding the associated segment (2 to 9), in that this segment (2 to 9) can be shown when switched on and hidden or partially shown when switched off. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the respective segment (2 to 9), in particular its shape, colour and / or position, can be displayed as a function of a detected distance and / or a detected change in distance. [3] Device according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized by that each segment (2 to 9) is assigned at least one color level. [4] Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat in the event of an error, a critical situation or a dangerous situation, the corresponding segment (2 to 9) can be displayed in red. [5] Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the segments (2 to 9) are arranged in a ring shape or in the shape of a circular segment in one or more rings or in one or more circular segments around the vehicle contour (10). [6] Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the shape, position and / or color of one or more segments (2 to 9) can be changed. [7] Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that information that can be displayed on the display unit (1) can be displayed for a predeterminable period of time. [8] Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the display elements are designed as light-emitting diodes. [9] Device according to claim 8, characterized bythat a predefined number of LEDs forms a segment (2 to 9). [10] Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that a partial area (A) of the display unit (1) is designed as a screen, in particular a liquid crystal screen. [11] Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that the display unit (1) is designed as a head-up display. [12] Method for displaying information in a vehicle, in which information which can be determined via detection units is displayed on a display unit (1) by means of spatially coded display elements, wherein a vehicle contour (10) or another suitable symbol is displayed on the display unit (1), wherein the vehicle contour (10) is completely or partially surrounded by several display elements, wherein at least one segment (2 to 9) is formed by means of one or more display elements, wherein at least one vehicle-specific driver assistance and / or driver information system and / or environmental information is or will be spatially assigned to each segment (2 to 9), characterized by , that different driver assistance and / or driver information systems and / or at least one piece of environmental information are assigned to the simultaneously displayable segments (2 to 9) and a status of the driver assistance and / or driver information systems and / or environmental information is displayed by showing and hiding the associated segment (2 to 9) by showing this segment (2 to 9) when switched on and hiding it or partially showing it when switched off.

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