Method for displaying information about a parked motor vehicle

Abstract

A method for displaying information about a parked motor vehicle (K), wherein the information is displayed on a display area (40) in the interior behind a window (10, 20, 30) of the parked motor vehicle (K) or on the window (10, 20, 30) itself, characterized in that the visibility of the display area (40) from outside the motor vehicle (K) is checked on the motor vehicle side and, if an impairment of visibility is detected due to a disturbance factor occurring in connection with the window (10, 20, 30), the disturbance factor is eliminated or at least its effect is mitigated, wherein, to check the existing visibility of the display area (40), the light transmission existing in front of the display area (40) is checked in the direction of incidence of light onto the window (10, 20, 30).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for displaying information about a parked motor vehicle having the features of the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Such a method is known from DE 10 2016 001 191 A1. Specifically, the method involves displaying one or more ID symbols on a display area that forms a portion of a windshield, depending on the vehicle's parking situation, such as highway driving or parking mode. For example, a parking meter with arrival time or a disabled person's ID card are displayed in a specific parking situation.

[0003] DE 10 2010 042 843 A1 describes a parking time assistance system with an electronic parking time control unit. In particular, a satellite data receiver is provided for providing location data to the electronic parking time control unit. Based on the location data, the electronic parking time control unit can automatically detect the vehicle's parking situation and display the parking time on a corresponding display.

[0004] DE 10 2010 033 012 A1 discloses a method for adjusting a display device of a motor vehicle, which can be read by a person outside the motor vehicle. In the method, an actual time is first determined at the time of the motor vehicle's transition from an operating state to a parked state. The actual time is rounded up for display purposes and displayed by the display device for as long as the motor vehicle remains parked.

[0005] DE 10 2008 003 219 A1 discloses a glass pane consisting of two individual panes, wherein the glass pane has a local heating field that can be heated by a heating element. The heating is intended to keep parts of the windshield free of fog, rain, and / or ice while driving. The area typically to be kept free is the area where rain sensors for automatically controlling windshield wipers or distance measuring sensors for automatically determining the distance to a vehicle ahead are located.

[0006] EP 1 605 729 A2 discloses an electrically heated window for a vehicle. On an upper side, in the region of a center line, the window has a demarcated area in which a viewing area and a mounting area are located. The viewing area belongs to an image generation device in the form of a camera, which is intended to monitor the surroundings of the vehicle. The mounting area is used to attach an interior mirror. The image generation device and the interior mirror can be mounted on the inside of the window in the demarcated area. In order to keep the window clean in the outside viewing area, the viewing area is located within the wiping area of ​​a windshield wiper. In addition, the demarcated area is heated by a heating element so that the demarcated area can be kept free of deposits or ice.

[0007] JP 2005-237 445 A discloses a gaming machine in which the contamination of a display panel is detected based on the measurement of illuminance by a sensor. If the illuminance does not reach a certain threshold, a brush is moved from a non-use position to a cleaning position in contact with the display panel, thus cleaning the display panel.

[0008] Finally, DE 10 2004 054 161 A1 describes the local heating of an infrared light detection area using electrical heating elements. This method is intended to reliably, easily, and quickly eliminate weather-related interference with the function of an infrared camera mounted on the windshield inside the vehicle.

[0009] Based on the aforementioned prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for displaying information about a parked motor vehicle, in which information about a parked motor vehicle to be displayed can be easily viewed by a person outside the motor vehicle if necessary.

[0010] This object is achieved by a method having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments or further developments of the method can be found in the dependent claims.

[0011] The invention is based on a method for displaying information about a parked motor vehicle, in which the information is displayed on a display area in the interior immediately behind a window of the parked motor vehicle or on the window itself.

[0012] The invention now proposes that, on the motor vehicle side, the visibility of the display area from outside the motor vehicle is checked and, if it is determined that the visibility is impaired by an interference factor occurring in connection with the windscreen, the interference factor is eliminated or at least mitigated in its effect.

[0013] A window-related disturbance can occur, for example, if the window is covered with snow, ice, or fog. It's also conceivable that the disturbance is caused by raindrops on the window.

[0014] The method according to the invention can now ensure that the information to be displayed about the parked motor vehicle is visible even in bad weather conditions.

[0015] In order to be able to check the visibility of the display area using simple means in a cost-effective manner, according to a further feature of the invention it is proposed that, in order to check the existing visibility of the display area, a light transmittance existing in front of the display area, viewed in the direction of light incidence on the pane, is checked.

[0016] In a further development of the invention, the light transmittance is tested using at least one light sensor. Light sensors are inexpensive and have proven their effectiveness.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive concept, the windscreen wipers of the motor vehicle can be switched on briefly to eliminate or mitigate the disturbance factor.

[0018] If a windscreen washer system is also switched on, the cleaning effect of the windscreen wipers and thus the elimination of the disturbance factor can be intensified.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that, to eliminate or mitigate the disturbing factor, an airflow is directed onto the pane exhibiting the disturbing factor, in particular onto a region of the pane exhibiting the disturbing factor. The airflow can be directed onto the pane, for example, via ventilation openings located directly behind the pane. In the case of a windshield, it is conceivable, for example, to use the existing ventilation openings of a defroster for this purpose.

[0020] Elimination or mitigation of the interference factor can be further intensified by heating at least a portion of the pane containing the interference factor. Heating can be achieved, for example, using heating wires integrated into the pane. The heating wires can also be located only locally in the display area for the information to be displayed. It is also conceivable to heat an air stream directed onto the pane for the purpose of eliminating the interference factor.

[0021] To save electrical energy, it is expediently proposed that the interference factor be eliminated or mitigated only when a person approaching from outside the vehicle is detected. The person can be detected using suitable sensors. The sensors can include, for example, proximity sensors and / or a camera.

[0022] To indicate a (still ongoing) parking permit, a parking start time and an expected end time can be displayed on the display area. The times can be displayed digitally, i.e., using numbers, and / or analogically, i.e., using a pointer similar to a virtual parking meter.

[0023] To further contribute to energy savings, it is conceivable that the group membership of the approaching person is recognized and the disturbance factor is only eliminated or mitigated if the person has been classified as belonging to the group "police" or "parking control person".

[0024] If the motor vehicle is electrically powered, for example, a battery-powered vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, it is useful for the display area to show an estimated remaining charging time and / or an estimated charging completion time when the vehicle's traction battery is being charged. This information, i.e., how long a vehicle still needs to charge at a charging station, can be very valuable for further charging planning by other drivers of electrically powered vehicles.

[0025] Such information is particularly easy to see when it is displayed on the windscreen of the vehicle.

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures and explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the figures. This also makes further advantages of the invention clear. The same reference numerals, even in different figures, refer to the same, comparable, or functionally identical components. Corresponding or comparable properties and advantages are achieved even if a repeated description or reference to them is not made. The figures are not, or at least not always, to scale. In some figures, proportions or distances may be exaggerated in order to emphasize features of an embodiment more clearly.

[0027] They show, schematically Fig. 1 an electrically driven motor vehicle which operates according to the method according to the invention, in a first embodiment, Fig. 2 a motor vehicle which operates according to the method according to the invention, in a second embodiment and Fig. 3 the display area for displaying information about the parked vehicle, in two versions of the method.

[0028] First, the Fig. 1. This figure shows an electrically driven motor vehicle K. The motor vehicle K has a windshield 10, a rear window 20, and side windows 30.

[0029] The windscreen 10 has a display area 40 which serves to display information when the motor vehicle K is in a parked state.

[0030] The information to be displayed is projected onto the display area 40 by means of a projection unit of a so-called head-up device (HUD) 54.

[0031] The technology of a head-up device is well known and therefore does not need to be explained in more detail here.

[0032] The head-up device 54 is integrated into an instrument panel 50, which is located directly below the windscreen 10.

[0033] The instrument panel 50 also contains ventilation openings 51, 52, and 53. These are the air outlets of defroster ducts (not shown in detail).

[0034] The motor vehicle K is driven by an electric motor 60, which draws its electrical energy from a rechargeable traction battery 70.

[0035] Windshield wipers 100 are also visible. The windshield wipers 100 are driven by an electric motor (not shown in detail). A windshield washer system is also present, which is also not shown in detail. Two light sensors 90 are located on or in the windshield 10, specifically in the area of ​​the display area 40. These light sensors 90 make it possible to check or test the light transmittance in front of the display area 40, as seen in the direction of light incidence onto the windshield.

[0036] If the motor vehicle K is parked, with the driver leaving the vehicle and locking it, the parking state of the motor vehicle K is detected by an evaluation and control device 111. This can be done, for example, by the electronically interrogated state of the ignition and / or by electronically interrogated signals from wheel sensors.

[0037] As a result of the parking state, the evaluation and control device 111 controls the head-up device 54 such that it projects information about the parked motor vehicle K onto the display area 40. The information then visible in the display area 40 can be, for example, information about the parking time or information about the charging state of the motor vehicle K, as will be explained later.

[0038] If, due to weather conditions, the visibility of the display area 40 is impaired from the outside, for example due to snow, ice, or simply due to fogging of the windshield 10, the resulting reduced light transmission in front of the display area is detected by the light sensors 90. The corresponding signals from the light sensors 90 are received and evaluated by the evaluation and control device 111, whereupon the latter initiates one or more measures to eliminate the interference factor caused by the weather or at least mitigate its effect.

[0039] For example, it is conceivable that the evaluation and control device 111 could briefly activate the electric motor driving the windshield wipers 100. In this way, a coating present on the windshield 10 in the area of ​​the display area 40 can be effectively removed with just a few wiping movements.

[0040] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the evaluation and control device 111 controls a fan motor (not shown in detail), by means of which air, preferably heated air from the ventilation openings 51 to 53, but at least from the ventilation opening 51, is directed in the direction of the front window 10 or in the direction of the display area 40.

[0041] This can, for example, accelerate defrosting of the windscreen 10 in the area of ​​the display area 40.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable for the evaluation and control device 111 to switch on a heating wire 11 integrated into the front panel 10, thus locally heating the front panel 10 in the display area 40. The heating wire 11 can, for example, extend in a meandering manner across the front panel 10 in the area of ​​the display area 40.

[0043] To prevent valuable electrical energy from being wasted, a surroundings camera 110 is provided at an exposed location on the motor vehicle K, for example, on the roof above the windshield 10. With the surroundings camera 110, it is possible to detect a person P approaching the motor vehicle K from a greater distance, for example, at a distance of 50 meters.

[0044] In this context, it is designed so that the previously described elimination of the interference factors impairing the visibility of the display area 40 only occurs when an approaching person P is detected.

[0045] Furthermore, the evaluation and control device 111 is equipped with a recognition logic that enables the identification of a person as belonging to a specific group. For example, if it is detected that person P belongs to the "police" or "parking control officer" group, only then is the aforementioned elimination of the interference factor initiated.

[0046] In addition, proximity sensors 80, for example in the form of ultrasonic sensors, are provided, with which it can be detected at a close distance from which side or from which angle a person P is approaching the motor vehicle K. Depending on this, the evaluation and control device 111 can control the head-up device 54 in such a way that the information is projected onto a display area that is as close as possible to the approaching person P.

[0047] In the Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of the motor vehicle K. In contrast to the previous exemplary embodiment, the display area 40 is not located directly on the windshield 10, but is integrated into the instrument panel 50. The display area 40 can be formed by a display, for example, an LCD display, or by a light-emitting diode matrix, although this list is not intended to be exhaustive.

[0048] Based on the Fig. 3, possible configurations of the display area 40 are briefly highlighted: Thus, when the motor vehicle K is currently parked, it is possible for a virtual parking meter 41 to be displayed on the display area 40, indicating the start of parking 42 in an analogous manner. Furthermore, an estimated end time 43 of parking is displayed in numerical form.

[0049] However, it may also be the case, for example, that the motor vehicle K has been parked or turned off for the purpose of charging. In this case, a graphic charge level indicator 44 with several charge level bars 45 can be displayed on the display area 40. The charge level can then be very easily read based on the number of illuminated charge level bars 45. The charge level bars 45 can, for example, be displayed flashing green during charging (five in the exemplary embodiment). In the charged state, i.e., when all charge level bars 45 are illuminated green, the charge level bars 45 can illuminate a continuous green.

[0050] In addition, it is useful to display a numerical charge level indicator 46, a charging power 47 and an estimated end of charging 48.

[0051] The respective state assumed by motor vehicle K, i.e., normal parking state or charging state, can be easily detected by the evaluation and control device 111 using suitable sensors. For example, it is conceivable that, when the motor vehicle is parked, a charging control unit (not shown in detail) sends a corresponding signal to the evaluation and control device 111 during a charging process. List of reference symbols 10 Windscreen 11 Heating wire 20 Rear window 30 side windows 40 display area 41 virtual parking meters 42 Parking start time 43 Estimated parking end time 44 graphic charge level display 45 charge level bars 46 numeric charge level indicator 47 charging power 48 estimated end of charging time 50 Instrument panel 51-53 Ventilation openings 54 HUD (Head-up Display) device 60 electric motor 70 Traction battery 80 proximity sensors 90 light sensors 100 windshield wipers 110 Surround camera 111 Evaluation and control device K Motor vehicle P Person

Claims

[1] Method for displaying information about a parked motor vehicle (K), wherein the information is displayed on a display area (40) in the interior behind a window (10, 20, 30) of the parked motor vehicle (K) or on the window (10, 20, 30) itself, characterized by that on the motor vehicle side, the visibility of the display area (40) from outside the motor vehicle (K) is checked and, if it is determined that the visibility is impaired by an interference factor occurring in connection with the window (10, 20, 30), the interference factor is eliminated or its effect is at least mitigated, wherein in order to check the existing visibility of the display area (40), the light transmittance in front of the display area (40) is checked as seen in the direction of light incidence on the window (10, 20, 30). [2] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the windscreen wipers (100) of the motor vehicle (K) are switched on briefly to eliminate or mitigate the disturbance factor. [3] Method according to claim 2 characterized by that a windscreen washer system is also switched on. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that, in order to eliminate or mitigate the disturbing factor, an air flow is directed onto the pane (10, 20, 30) having the disturbing factor, in particular onto an area of the pane (10, 20, 30) having the disturbing factor. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that in order to eliminate or mitigate the disturbing factor, at least one area of the disc (10, 20, 30) having the disturbing factor is heated. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the disturbance factor is only eliminated or mitigated when a person (P) approaching from outside the motor vehicle (K) is detected, wherein the detection of a person takes place by means of proximity sensors (80) and / or by means of a camera (110). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a parking start time (42) and an estimated parking end time (43) are displayed on the display area (40). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in the case of a charging process of a traction battery (70) of the motor vehicle (K), an estimated remaining charging time and / or an estimated end of charging time (48) are displayed on the display area (40). [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the display is shown on a windscreen (10) of the motor vehicle (K).

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