Windscreen display for a vehicle and control procedure for it

Abstract

Windscreen display (HUD) for a vehicle, which features: an aspherical mirror designed to reflect a HUD image onto a windshield; an image generation unit (120) configured to project the HUD image directly onto the aspherical mirror; and a control unit (110) configured to calculate a display height of the HUD image to be shown on the windshield based on eye-level information from a driver and to control the image generation unit (120) to output the HUD image at a position and in an area corresponding to the calculated display height, wherein the eye-level information is entered directly by the driver via an information input unit or an information setting unit, an external eye-level detector automatically detects and enters the eye-level information, or the control unit reads eye-level information stored in an internal memory for each driver, wherein the control unit (20, 110) is configured to determine an active area of ​​the image generation unit (10, 120) for outputting an image in an available output area based on the calculated display height, wherein the control unit (20, 110) is further configured to only turn on pixels of the image generation unit (10, 120) in the active area, so that by determining the active area of ​​the image generation unit (10, 120) the HUD image is displayed at the calculated display height on the windshield.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a windscreen display or head-up display (HUD) for a vehicle and a control method therefor, and in particular relates to a HUD for a vehicle that displays HUD information on a windscreen of the vehicle, while the height of a viewing area is set by software.

[0002] More recently, HUDs have gained greater attention among users after vehicles with a HUD installed in them were launched.

[0003] A Head-Up Display (HUD) is a device that provides vehicle driving information or operational information, such as navigation information, within an area that does not differ from the area directly in front of the driver or the driver's primary field of vision while operating the vehicle. Originally, HUDs were developed to provide flight information to pilots during flight, in a state where the HUD was mounted on a civilian or combat aircraft. This principle was adapted for vehicles to develop the HUD for vehicles.

[0004] For example, let's assume that a driver needs two seconds to check the instrument panel and then look at the road when the vehicle is traveling at approximately 100 km / h. In this case, the vehicle travels approximately 55 meters during this time. Therefore, the possibility of an accident is always present. Head-up display (HUD) technology was developed for vehicles as one method to reduce this risk.

[0005] The HUD displays information from the instrument panel (speed, mileage, or RPM) or navigation information on the windshield, directly in the driver's primary field of vision. Because the driver can then see important operating or route information for the vehicle without taking their eyes off the road while driving, the HUD enables safer driving.

[0006] The HUD must have a function to adjust the display height of the HUD information according to the driver's eye level.

[0007] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, a conventional HUD reflects HUD information projected by a PGU (Picture Graphics Unit) via an aspherical mirror and displays the HUD information on the windshield. The HUD adjusts the reflection angle of the aspherical mirror by rotating it using a motor connected to the aspherical mirror, thereby adjusting the display height of the HUD information shown on the windshield.

[0008] However, since the windshield is aspherical, a vehicle's actual HUD reflects the HUD information through an aspherical mirror that corresponds to the aspherical shape (i.e., a curved surface) of a windshield, as is the case for all types of vehicles, and displays the HUD information on the windshield. However, if the display height of the HUD information on the windshield changes, for example, if the display height of the HUD information becomes greater than a reference position, distortion of up to approximately 30% can occur due to the aspherical nature of the windshield.

[0009] The prior art relating to the present invention is disclosed in Korean patent number 10-0928262, published on November 17, 2009, entitled “Display Device”.

[0010] US 2003 / 0142041 A1 discloses a windshield display with an aspherical mirror, image generation unit, and control unit. Specifically, it describes the detection of a driver's facial features to, for example, identify the driver and then authorize certain vehicle conditions or access to specific areas of the vehicle. That is, if the driver is not recognized as a specific driver, access to the glove compartment or trunk, for example, will be denied. US 2009 / 0153 962 A1 and US 2014 / 0268294 A1 describe different MEMS display devices or parts thereof. US 2006 / 0203351 A1 describes another HUD for a vehicle. This device uses an aspherical mirror to compensate for distortion. In another HUD, described in JP2008-151992A, several light-emitting diodes are projected onto a curved mirror via an adjustable micromirror system, which can be pivoted around a horizontal axis.In the HUD described in JP2003-107391A, a mirror can also be pivoted around a horizontal axis to change the height of the display on the windshield. OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The object of the invention is to improve a windscreen display (HUD) and related control methods. This object is achieved by a HUD with the features of claim 1, or by a control method with the features of claim 7. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a HUD for a vehicle that displays HUD information on a windshield of the vehicle, while the height of a viewing area (the driver's field of vision) is adjusted by software without using a drive motor for a physical aspherical lens, and relates to a control method for this.

[0013] In one embodiment, a HUD for a vehicle may comprise: an aspherical mirror configured to reflect a HUD image onto a windscreen; an image generation unit (PGU) configured to project the HUD image directly onto the aspherical mirror; and a control unit configured to calculate a display height of the HUD image to be shown on the windscreen based on eye-level information from a driver, and to control the PGU to output the HUD image at a position and area corresponding to the calculated display height.

[0014] The control unit can invert or swap the left and right sides of the HUD image that is to be output by the PGU.

[0015] The HUD may also include one or more mirrors for reflecting the HUD image output by the PGU onto the aspherical mirror.

[0016] Depending on the driver's eye level, the control unit can rotate the HUD image based on any axis so that the HUD image appears to be in the horizontal direction.

[0017] The display height of the HUD image to be shown on the windshield, and the area and position information corresponding to the display height, can be stored in an internal memory in the form of a lookup table.

[0018] The HUD may further include: one or more eye-level information input units; an information setting unit configured to adjust the display height of the HUD image; and one or more information input units configured in AVN (audio, video and navigation) equipment within the vehicle.

[0019] Eye level information can be entered directly by the driver via an information input unit or information setting unit, an eye level detector can automatically capture and enter the eye level information, or the control unit can read eye level information stored in an internal memory for each driver.

[0020] The PGU can have a transparent MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) display device.

[0021] The control unit can control the turning on / off of pixels of a transparent MEMS display device included in the PGU, or it can control the opening / closing of the pixel shutters based on the display area and position information of the HUD image to be displayed on the windshield by the PGU.

[0022] The control unit can control the brightness of the HUD image by adjusting the shutter apertures of pixels of a transparent MEMS display device included in the PGU.

[0023] In a further embodiment, a control method for a HUD for a vehicle may comprise: receiving, in a control unit, eye-level information from a driver; calculating a display height of a HUD image to be displayed on a windshield in the control unit; and controlling, by means of the control unit, a HUD to output the HUD image at a position and in an area corresponding to the calculated display height on the windshield.

[0024] The PGU can be configured to project the HUD image directly onto an aspherical mirror of the HUD.

[0025] When controlling the PGU to output the HUD image, if the PGU is configured to project the HUD image directly onto an aspherical mirror of the HUD, the control unit can swap the left and right sides of the HUD image to be output by the PGU.

[0026] When controlling the PGU to output the HUD image, the control unit can rotate the HUD image based on any axis according to the driver's eye level, so that the HUD image appears to be in the horizontal direction.

[0027] The display height of the HUD image to be displayed on the windshield, and the area or region and position information corresponding to the display height, can be stored in an internal memory in the form of a lookup table.

[0028] When receiving the driver's eye level information, the control unit can directly receive the eye level information from the driver via an information input unit or information setting unit, or an external eye level detector can automatically capture and input the eye level information, or the control unit can read eye level information stored in an internal memory for each driver.

[0029] The PGU can have a transparent MEMS display device.

[0030] When controlling the PGU to output the HUD image, the control unit can control the turning on / off of pixels of a transparent MEMS display device contained in the PGU, or it can control the opening / closing of the pixel shutters based on the display area and position information of the HUD image to be projected onto the windscreen by the PGU.

[0031] When controlling the PGU to output the HUD image, the control unit can control the brightness of the HUD image by adjusting the shutter apertures of pixels of a transparent MEMS display device contained in the PGU.

[0032] In a further embodiment, a HUD for a vehicle may comprise: an image output unit configured to output an image to be projected onto a windshield; an aspherical mirror configured to reflect the image output by the image output unit onto the windshield; and a control unit configured to determine the projection position of content to be projected onto the windshield, to determine an active area for outputting an image in an available output area for the image output unit based on the determined projection position, and to control the image output unit based on the determined active area.

[0033] In a further embodiment, a control method for a display device may comprise: determining, by a control unit, the projection position of content to be projected onto a front window; determining, by the control unit, an active area for outputting an image in an available output area based on the determined projection position; and outputting, by the control unit, an image based on the determined active area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a view describing a setup that adjusts the display height of HUD information by rotating an aspherical mirror in a conventional HUD. Fig. Figure 2 is a view showing a schematic setup of a HUD for a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 3 is a view showing a schematic setup of another HUD for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 4 is a flowchart describing a control method of a HUD according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 5 is a view describing a control method for a PUG (image generation unit) of the HUD according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 6 is a view describing a method for adjusting the display height of HUD information to be displayed on a windshield in the HUD according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 7 is a view showing a schematic setup of a HUD for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 8 is a view describing a method for setting a projection position of content displayed on a windscreen by the HUD for a vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 9 is a view describing the shape of an image projected by the HUD according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 10 is a view describing a control method for reducing brightness in an image output unit in the HUD according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 11 is a flowchart describing a control procedure for a HUD according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SPECIAL EXECUTION FORMS

[0034] Embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are not exactly to scale and may be exaggerated with respect to line thickness or component sizes for the purposes of description and clarity. Furthermore, the terms used herein are defined with consideration for the functions of the invention and may be modified according to the custom or intention of users or operators. Therefore, the definitions of the terms should be understood in accordance with the entire disclosure given herein. First embodiment

[0035] Fig. Figure 2 is a view showing a schematic structure of a windscreen display or head-up display (HUD) for a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the HUD for a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention can comprise a control unit 110, a drive unit 120 for an image generation unit (PGU), and a PGU 130.

[0037] The control unit 110 can generate an image to be projected onto a windshield at the driver's eye level, with the image containing HUD information. The control unit 110 then calculates a display area and a position (or coordinates) of the HUD image to be projected onto the windshield.

[0038] Depending on the driver's eye level, the control unit 110 can rotate the HUD image to be projected onto the windshield based on a single axis (for example, the X-axis).

[0039] For example, if the driver's eye level is high, the display height of the HUD information projected onto the windshield can be low. This allows the background area (e.g., the road below the horizon) where the HUD information can be displayed to be expanded compared to the reference height (e.g., an intermediate height). Conversely, if the driver's eye level is low, the display height of the HUD information projected onto the windshield can be high. Therefore, the background area (e.g., the road below the horizon) where the HUD information can be displayed to be reduced compared to the reference height.Therefore, depending on the size of the background area (e.g., the road), the control unit 110 can adjust the HUD image projected onto the windshield based on a single axis (e.g., the X-axis) and display the HUD image in a virtual reality format. This means that if the driver's eye level is low, the control unit 110 can significantly adjust the rotation angle of the HUD image to display a more natural-looking image. The rotation angle can be set so that the HUD image appears to be horizontal.

[0040] To generate a HUD image to be projected onto the windshield, the control unit 110 can receive HUD information from electronic devices inside the vehicle, such as a navigation system, instrument panel, multimedia device, and the like.

[0041] The HUD information can identify information to be projected onto the windshield by the HUD, and the HUD image to be projected onto the windshield can comprise a composite image containing one or more individual HUD information items.

[0042] The PGU control unit 120 can control the switching on / off of pixels that form the HUD 130 based on a display area or display surface and position (or coordinate) information of a HUD image to be projected onto the windshield by the PGU 130, i.e., an image with HUD information, whereby this is done by controlling the control unit 110, or it controls the opening / closing of the shutters of the respective pixels (see Fig. 5).

[0043] This can, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the HUD according to the first embodiment of the present invention reflects the HUD image projected by the PGU 130 onto the aspherical mirror by means of a falling mirror, and the HUD image reflected by the aspherical mirror can be displayed on the windshield. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2, the HUD image can be displayed on the windshield. Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the PGU 130 directly projects a HUD image onto the aspherical mirror in such a way that the HUD image reflected by the aspherical mirror can be displayed on the windshield.

[0044] If in Fig. 3. However, since the HUD image projected by the PGU 130 is only reflected once by the aspherical mirror and projected onto the windshield, the left and right sides of the HUD image are reversed. Therefore, the left and right sides of the image projected by the PGU 130 must be reversed beforehand. Thus, the control unit 110 can control the PGU 130 so that it outputs an image in which left and right are reversed.

[0045] The display height of the HUD information (or HUD image), which corresponds to the driver's eye level, and the PGU area and coordinate information, which correspond to the display height of the HUD information (or HUD image), can be pre-stored in the form of a lookup table in an internal memory (not shown).

[0046] Furthermore, the driver's eye level information can be entered directly by the driver, or it can be automatically detected and entered by an eye level detector (not shown) that has one or more sensors (for example, an infrared sensor and a camera sensor). Alternatively, the driver does not enter the eye level information but adjusts their eye level while personally viewing the display height of the HUD information (or the HUD image).

[0047] Therefore, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the HUD can further comprise an information input unit (for example, a switch or a button) or an adjustment unit (for example, a switch or a button for adjusting the display height of the HUD information). The information input unit and the adjustment unit are not shown. Alternatively, eye-level information for each driver or information for adjusting the display height of the HUD information can be entered by one or more information input units, including AVN (audio, video, navigation) devices within the vehicle, or an information output unit with an input function (for example, a touchscreen).

[0048] The PGU 130 can feature a MEMS (transparent micro-electro-mechanical system) display or an LCD. The maximum brightness of the transparent MEMS can be significantly improved compared to other display devices (such as LCDs) and can provide high resolution. Therefore, the transparent MEMS can represent a field of view corresponding to the size of the entire front panel (full field of view). Since the field of view is defined to be the same size as the entire front panel, the control unit 110 can adjust the HUD information to a desired size and display the HUD image at a desired position on the front panel using software. Furthermore, the transparent MEMS can convert RGB colors into a single pixel according to a time-sequence method using a mechanical shutter mechanism. This allows the transparent MEMS to be reduced in size.

[0049] In the present embodiment, it is described that the PGU control unit 120 controls the switching on / off of the respective pixels that form the PGU 130 or controls the opening / closing of the shutters of the respective pixels. In practice, however, the control unit 110 can perform the function of the PGU control unit 120.

[0050] Fig. Figure 4 is a flowchart describing a control method of a HUD according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 110 can receive the eye level information of a driver in step S101.

[0052] Eye level information can be entered directly by the driver, or it can be automatically detected and entered by the eye level detector (not shown). Alternatively, the eye level information stored in the internal memory (not shown) for each driver can be read and entered.

[0053] Control unit 110 can calculate the display height of the HUD information (or the HUD image) according to the driver's eye level information in step S102. The display height can indicate the height at which the HUD information is to be displayed on the windshield.

[0054] For example, control unit 110 can calculate the display height of the HUD information based on the driver's eye level, using a lookup table or a predefined equation. The display height can specify the height at which the HUD information is to be displayed on the windshield.

[0055] Once the display height of the HUD information, i.e., the display height of the HUD information to be displayed on the windshield, has been calculated, the control unit 110 can calculate an active area of ​​the PGU according to the calculated display height of the HUD information and the position of the active area of ​​the PGU in step S130 (see Fig. 5).

[0056] For example, if the display height of the HUD information (or the HUD image) is small, the control unit 110 can calculate the active area of ​​the PGU and the position of the active area of ​​the PGU such that the HUD information can be displayed at a lower part of the full field of view, as shown in Fig. 6A is shown. For example, if the display height of the HUD information (or the HUD image) is large or high, the control unit 110 can calculate the active area of ​​the PGU and the position of the active area of ​​the PGU such that the HUD information can be displayed in the upper part of the full field of view, as shown in Fig. 6C is shown. Furthermore, if the display height of the HUD information (or the HUD image) is an intermediate value (or equal to the reference line), then the control unit 110 can calculate the active area of ​​the PGU and the position of the active area of ​​the PGU such that the HUD information can be displayed in the intermediate area of ​​the full field of view, as shown in Fig. 6B is shown.

[0057] Once the active area of ​​the PGU and the position of the active area of ​​the PGU, corresponding to the display height of the HUD information (or HUD image), have been calculated, the control unit 110 only turns on pixels corresponding to the active area of ​​the PGU and the position of the active area of ​​the PGU, as occurs in step S104.

[0058] This means that the control unit 110, if necessary, only opens the shutters of the pixels corresponding to the active area of ​​the PGU and its position. When the shutters of the pixels corresponding to the active area of ​​the PGU are open, as described previously, the HUD information is projected only onto the corresponding area where the shutters are open. In other words, the control unit 110 can divide the entire display area of ​​the PGU 130 (i.e., the entire display area onto which the HUD information can be projected) and output the HUD information (or the HUD image) only through a sub-area corresponding to the active area of ​​the PGU. Within the entire display area of ​​the PGU 130, all pixels corresponding to an inactive area can be turned off to reduce power consumption.

[0059] The control unit 110 can adjust the brightness by controlling the shutter opening of the PGU 130. An opening or aperture of 100% indicates open, and an aperture of 0% indicates closed.

[0060] It should be noted that, to minimize brightness loss in each pixel of the PGU 130, the shutter and the TFT layer (reflective part) can be coated with a reflective mirror. This allows a reflectivity of 90% or more to be achieved.

[0061] Furthermore, the control unit 110 can set the HUD information (the HUD image) to a size corresponding to the active area or surface of the PGU 130, and can project the HUD information (or the HUD image) in step S105.

[0062] Thus, the HUD information (or HUD image) can be displayed at a position on the windshield that corresponds to the driver's eye level.

[0063] According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the HUD and its control method can display HUD information on the vehicle's windshield by adjusting the height of the viewing area via software according to the driver's eye level, without the need for a physical drive motor for an aspherical lens. Furthermore, despite the adjustable display height of the HUD information on the windshield, the HUD and its control method prevent distortion. Additionally, the number of mirrors required to reflect the HUD information can be reduced, and edge-illuminated backlighting can be used. Thus, the volume and weight of the HUD module can be reduced. Second embodiment

[0064] Fig. Figure 7 is a view showing a schematic setup of a HUD for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 8 is a view describing a method for setting a projection position of content displayed on a windscreen by the HUD for a vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 9 is a view describing the shape of an image projected by the HUD according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 10 is a view describing a control method for reducing brightness in an image output unit in the HUD according to the second embodiment of the present invention. With reference to Fig. Sections 7 to 10 now describe the HUD for a vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the HUD for a vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention can comprise an image output unit 10 and a control unit 20.

[0066] The image output unit 10 can output an image to be projected onto a windshield according to the control unit 20. That is, the control unit 20 can control the image output unit 10 so that it outputs an image projected within the driver's field of vision. Furthermore, the image output by the image output unit 10 can be reflected by means of an aspherical mirror and projected onto the windshield.

[0067] The HUD may also include one or more mirrors for reflecting an image output by the image output unit 10 onto the aspherical mirror.

[0068] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the image output unit 10 can switch the 10 pixels that make up the image output unit 10 on and off based on the display area and the position information of an image to be displayed on the front panel, according to the control unit 20. The image output unit 10 can have an LCD (liquid crystal display) arrangement, and each pixel can have an LED (light-emitting diode). In this case, the LEDs can be arranged in multiple rows and can be edge-emitting LEDs that emit light towards the center, reflect the light through a light guide panel, and emit the reflected light forward. Furthermore, each RGB (red-green-blue) segment of the LCD arrangement can form a single pixel.

[0069] The control unit 20 can determine the position of content to be projected onto the windshield. The projection position can be entered directly by a driver via an information input unit or information setting unit, or it can be entered automatically based on an eye level detected by an external eye level detector (not shown), or a projection position for each driver can be stored in advance in a memory unit (not shown) and retrieved by the control unit 20.

[0070] Thus, according to an eye level suitable for the most comfortable field of vision for the driver, the control unit 20 can generate an image to be projected onto the windshield and can calculate the display area and the position of the image to be projected onto the windshield.

[0071] For example, in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the display height of the information shown on the windscreen can be lowered when the driver's eye level is high (Height: low), and can be raised when the driver's eye level is low (Height: high).

[0072] The control unit 20 can receive information from electronic devices (such as the navigation system, instrument panel, and multimedia system) in the vehicle to generate an image to be projected onto the windshield. This information can identify data to be projected onto the windshield by the HUD, and the image to be projected onto the windshield for all types of vehicles can be a composite image containing one or more individual pieces of information.

[0073] The control unit 20 can determine an active area for outputting an image within an available output area for the image output unit 10 based on the determined projection position. Subsequently, the control unit 20 can control the image output unit 10 based on the determined active area. The available output area for the image output unit 10 can refer to the full field of vision formed within a driver's field of view, and the control unit 20 can determine an active area within the image of the full field of vision.

[0074] Once the active area for image output has been determined, the control unit 20 can control the image output unit 10 so that it outputs an image only in the active area. For example, in Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the control unit can switch on 20 pixels corresponding to the active area and can switch off pixels that are not included in the active area. The active area can refer to an output area of ​​the image output unit 10, which corresponds to an actual display area of ​​the image to be projected onto the front window.

[0075] The control unit 20 can determine the active area based on a lookup table stored in the memory unit (not shown).

[0076] This can, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the HUD according to the second embodiment of the present invention reflects an image projected by the image output unit 10 onto the aspherical mirror through a fixed mirror such that the image reflected by the aspherical mirror can be displayed on the windshield. Alternatively, the image output unit 10 can project an image directly onto the aspherical mirror so that the image reflected by the aspherical mirror can be displayed on the windshield.

[0077] The projection position of content corresponding to a driver's eye level, and the active area and coordinate information of the image output unit 10 corresponding to the projection position, can be stored in advance in the form of a lookup table in the storage unit (not shown).

[0078] The projection position information can be entered directly by a driver, or it can be entered automatically based on an eye level detected by the eye level detector (not shown), which contains one or more sensors (for example, an infrared sensor and a camera sensor), or a driver does not enter the projection position information but manually sets the projection position information by personally checking the display height.

[0079] Thus, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the HUD can further comprise an information input unit (for example, a switch or a button) or an information setting unit for adjusting the display height (for example, a switch or a button). The information input unit and the setting unit are not shown. Alternatively, information about the projection position or setting information for the display height can be entered for each driver via one or more information input units, including an AVN (audio, video, navigation) device within the vehicle, or by means of an information output unit that has an input function (for example, a touch-sensitive screen).

[0080] As previously described, in the HUD for a vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a drive motor for a physical aspherical lens is not used when content is projected onto the windshield. Therefore, screen distortion does not occur in an image displayed on the windshield.

[0081] Furthermore, the HUD can control the active area of ​​the display device so that the field of view is shown, while the height of the field of view is adjusted by software, thereby improving the contrast ratio of an output image.

[0082] Furthermore, the HUD can provide a high-quality image because the contrast ratio is improved and no image loss occurs due to distortion correction.

[0083] Furthermore, since the eye level adjustment function can be replaced by a screen splitting function, the HUD can quickly adjust the height of the field of view, thereby improving comfort.

[0084] Furthermore, the assembly process can be simplified, and the weight and cost of the product can be reduced.

[0085] Fig. Figure 11 is a flowchart describing a control procedure of a HUD according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 11, the control unit 20 can calculate the projection position of content to be projected onto the windshield in step S10. The projection position can be entered directly by a driver via an information input unit or information setting unit, or it can be entered automatically based on an eye level detected by an external eye level detector (not shown), or a projection position for each driver, stored in the memory unit (not shown), can be read and entered. The projection position can be calculated using a lookup table stored in the memory unit (not shown) or by a predefined equation.

[0087] Once the projection position of the content has been calculated in step S10, the control unit 20 can calculate an active area for the image output unit 10 corresponding to the projection position of the content in step S20. The control unit 20 can determine an active area for outputting an image within the available output area for the image output unit 10 based on the projection position determined in step S10. Subsequently, the control unit 20 can control the image output unit 10 based on the determined active area. The available output area for the image output unit 10 can represent the full field of view formed within a driver's field of vision, and the control unit 20 can determine an active area within the image of the full field of view. Furthermore, the control unit 20 can determine the active area based on the lookup table stored in the memory unit (not shown).

[0088] Once the active area of ​​the image output unit 10 has been determined in step S20, the control unit 20 can activate 20 pixels corresponding to the active area in step S30. This means that the control unit 20 can control the image output unit 10 to output an image only within the active area. The control unit can also deactivate 20 pixels that are not within the active area. The active area can refer to an output area of ​​the image output unit that corresponds to the actual display area of ​​the image to be projected onto the windshield.

[0089] Due to the control in step S30, the control unit 20 can project the image onto the windshield in step S40.

[0090] As previously described, in the HUD control method according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a drive motor for a physical aspherical lens is not used when content is projected onto the windshield. Thus, screen distortion may not occur in an image displayed on the windshield.

[0091] Furthermore, the control method can control the active area of ​​the display device so that the field of view is displayed, while the height of the field of view is adjusted by software, thereby improving the contrast ratio of an output image.

[0092] Furthermore, the control method can provide a high-quality image because the contrast ratio is improved and no image loss is caused by distortion correction.

[0093] Furthermore, since the eye level adjustment function can be replaced by the screen splitting function of the device, the control procedure can quickly adjust the height of the field of view, thereby improving comfort.

[0094] Furthermore, the assembly process can be simplified, and the weight and cost of the product can be reduced.

[0095] Although preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed for illustrative purposes, the person skilled in the art recognizes that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible without deviating from the scope and basic idea of ​​the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] Windscreen display, HUD, for a vehicle, which includes: an aspherical mirror designed to reflect a HUD image onto a windshield; an image generation unit (120) configured to project the HUD image directly onto the aspherical mirror; and a control unit (110) configured to calculate a display height of the HUD image to be shown on the windshield based on eye-level information from a driver and to control the image generation unit (120) to output the HUD image at a position and in an area corresponding to the calculated display height, wherein the eye-level information is entered directly by the driver via an information input unit or an information setting unit, an external eye-level detector automatically detects and enters the eye-level information, or the control unit reads eye-level information stored in an internal memory for each driver, wherein the control unit (20, 110) is configured to determine an active area of ​​the image generation unit (10, 120) for outputting an image in an available output area based on the calculated display height, wherein the control unit (20, 110) is further configured to only turn on pixels of the image generation unit (10, 120) in the active area, so that by determining the active area of ​​the image generation unit (10, 120) the HUD image is displayed at the calculated display height on the windshield. [2] The windscreen display according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) rotates the HUD image on the basis of any axis according to the driver's eye level, so that the HUD image appears to be lying in the horizontal direction. [3] The windscreen display according to claim 1, wherein the display height of the HUD image to be displayed on the windscreen and the area and position information corresponding to the display height are stored in an internal memory in the form of a lookup table. [4] The windshield display according to claim 1, which further comprises: one or more eye-level information input units; an information setting unit designed to adjust the display height of the HUD image; and one or more information input units, which are integrated into audio, video and navigation systems within the vehicle. [5] The windscreen display according to claim 1, wherein the image generation unit comprises a transparent micro-electro-mechanical system display device, MEMS display device, or an LCD. [6] The windscreen display according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) controls the switching on / off of pixels of a transparent MEMS display device included in the image generation unit or the opening / closing of the shutters of the pixels based on the area and position information of the HUD image to be projected onto the windscreen by the image generation unit, wherein the control unit controls the brightness of the HUD image by adjusting shutter openings of pixels of a transparent MEMS display device included in the image generation unit. [7] Control procedure for a windscreen display, HUD, for a vehicle, comprising the following steps: Receiving (S101) eye-level information from a driver by a control unit (110); Calculating (S102) the display height of a HUD image to be displayed on a windshield by the control unit (110); and Control, by the control unit (20, 110), an image generation unit (10, 120) such that the latter outputs the HUD image at a position and in an area corresponding to the calculated display height on the windshield, wherein, when receiving the eye level information, the control unit (20) receives the eye level information directly from a driver via an information input unit or an information setting unit, an external eye level detector automatically detects and inputs the eye level information, or the control unit retrieves the eye level information for each driver from an internal memory unit, wherein the control unit (20, 110) determines an active area of ​​the image generation unit (10, 120) for outputting an image in an available output area based on the calculated display height (S130), wherein the control unit (20, 110) furthermore only switches on pixels of the image generation unit (10, 120) in the active area, so that by determining the active area of ​​the image generation unit (10, 120) the HUD image is displayed at the calculated display height on the windshield. [8] The control method according to claim 7, wherein, in controlling the image generation unit (10, 120) for outputting the HUD image, the control unit rotates the HUD image on the basis of an arbitrary axis according to the eye level of the driver such that the HUD image appears to be lying in the horizontal direction. [9] The control method according to claim 7, wherein the display height of the HUD image to be displayed on the windscreen and the area and position information corresponding to the display height are stored in an internal memory in the form of a lookup table. [10] The control method according to claim 7, wherein the image generation unit comprises a transparent MEMS display device. [11] The control method according to claim 7, wherein in controlling the image generation unit (10, 120) to output the HUD image the control unit controls the switching on / off of pixels of a transparent MEMS display device contained in the image generation unit (10, 120), or the opening / closing of the shutters of the pixels based on the area and position information of the HUD image to be projected onto the windscreen by the image generation unit (10, 120), wherein the control unit controls the brightness of the HUD image by adjusting the shutter apertures of pixels of a transparent MEMS display device contained in the image generation unit (10, 120).

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