Immersive display arrangement for a vehicle and operating procedures

Abstract

Display arrangement for a vehicle comprising a display screen and a transparent reflective disc for reflecting a display content shown by the display screen into the eye of an occupant of the vehicle seated in a seat of the vehicle, and method for operating a display arrangement of a vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a display arrangement for a vehicle, comprising a display screen and a transparent reflective disc for reflecting the display content shown on the screen into the eye of a vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle. The invention further relates to a method for operating a vehicle display arrangement.

[0002] Display arrangements of the type mentioned above, in various configurations, represent the state of the art. They can, for example, be part of a head-up display (HUD). In this case, the display screen can be invisibly positioned behind the vehicle's instrument panel. A lower section of the vehicle's windshield can provide the transparent reflective surface.

[0003] WO 2020 / 194056 A1 discloses a display arrangement based on the same principle. However, the display arrangement is attached to a helmet and comprises a transparent reflective disc that is pivotable relative to the helmet and positioned within the field of vision of a helmet wearer.

[0004] In contrast, US 2012 / 0154441 A1 discloses an alternative display arrangement with a transparent display screen that is pivotably mounted on the roof of a vehicle and positioned within the driver's field of vision.

[0005] From DE 10 2017 208 028 A1 a display arrangement is known in which the transparent reflective disc is formed in one or two parts and is pivotably held on a headrest of a seat of a vehicle.

[0006] DE 10 2019 105 855 A1 discloses a display arrangement with a curved projection surface that is fixed to the roof of a forklift truck and partially surrounds the head of the truck driver. A swiveling projector projects a display content onto the projection surface depending on the detected direction of the driver's gaze.

[0007] Virtual Reality (VR) glasses and Augmented Reality (AR) glasses are also known, which are worn directly on a nose during intended use and include an opaque or transparent display screen that is positioned in the field of vision of a wearer of the glasses.

[0008] While VR headsets, in particular, can provide the wearer with an immersive experience, they may find wearing them uncomfortable, especially over long periods of time. Furthermore, VR headsets completely isolate the wearer from their surroundings, which is particularly dangerous for a driver.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a display arrangement for a vehicle that enables a vehicle occupant to have an immersive experience in a consistently comfortable and safe manner. A further object of the invention is to provide a method for operating a display arrangement of a vehicle.

[0010] One subject of the invention is a display assembly for a vehicle, comprising a display screen and a transparent reflection plate for reflecting a display content displayed by the display screen into the eye of a vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle. Thanks to the transparent reflection plate, the occupant simultaneously perceives the reflected display content as a virtual image and a background of the display assembly. The background can comprise portions of the vehicle and the vehicle's surroundings.

[0011] According to the invention, the display arrangement comprises the seat and a movable frame fixed to the seat, which holds the transparent reflective disc and the display screen. The frame positions the transparent reflective disc within the occupant's field of vision. By means of the frame, the seat determines not only the position of the occupant relative to the seat, but also the position of the transparent reflective disc relative to the seat. In this way, the relative arrangement and orientation of the occupant and the transparent reflective disc are at least substantially constant. The occupant is relieved of the need to carry a device holding the transparent reflective disc, which results in lasting convenience for the occupant.

[0012] The frame can position the transparent reflective disc at a short distance from the occupant's eye, particularly both eyes. Furthermore, the transparent reflective disc can be curved, for example, according to a segment of a spherical shell. The shape and size of the transparent reflective disc, along with its distance from the occupant's eye, can combine to ensure that the transparent reflective disc occupies at least a substantial portion of the occupant's field of vision. Consequently, the display arrangement enables an immersive experience of the reflected display content.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the invention, the movable frame comprises a plurality of brackets which are pivotably mounted about the same axis from a rest position to a working position. The brackets are, for example, shaped as circular arc segments, particularly with slightly varying radii. In this case, the brackets extend in one plane when the frame is in the rest position. In the rest position, the frame does not obstruct the occupant when entering the vehicle and taking a seat.

[0014] When the occupant is positioned on the seat for boarding, the restraint bars can be pivoted so that some bars are positioned in front of the occupant's face. In the frame's operating position, adjacent bars are angularly spaced from each other. For example, with bars shaped like circular arc segments, this results in a frame shape that corresponds, at least substantially, to a section of a spherical shell, in particular a section larger than a hemisphere, and encloses the occupant's head.

[0015] The frame is preferably fixed to the headrest of the seat. A headrest adjustment typically corresponds to the height of the occupant's head, particularly the height of the occupant's eye. When the frame is fixed to the headrest, its position always follows the position of the headrest when the headrest is adjusted. This eliminates the need for an independent, i.e., additional, adjustment of the frame for occupants of different heights.

[0016] The transparent reflective disc can be arranged between two brackets and / or attached to a bracket. In the first case, the transparent reflective disc is designed to be flexibly deformable to accommodate the rest position of the frame. In the second case, the transparent reflective disc can be rigid.

[0017] Ideally, in the operating position of the movable frame, the transparent reflective screen covers the entire field of vision of a seated occupant of the vehicle. This maximizes the occupant's immersive experience.

[0018] In one embodiment, the movable frame comprises or consists of a metal. Metal is durable, stable, and easy to work with.

[0019] The transparent reflective sheet can comprise or consist of glass or a polymer. Glass is suitable for rigid transparent reflective sheets. Polymer is suitable for flexible, deformable transparent reflective sheets.

[0020] Advantageously, the transparent reflective disc includes a reflective layer and / or a holographic layer. The reflective layer has a higher reflection coefficient than the substrate of the transparent reflective disc. The holographic layer enables a three-dimensional display of three-dimensional content. For example, the holographic layer includes holographic optical elements (HOEs) that allow for three-dimensional visual perception of the displayed content with a natural optical focal length. The separation of content intended for the left eye and content intended for the right eye, required for three-dimensional visual perception, can be based on a phase shift and / or parallax of emitted light.

[0021] The display assembly may include a cover element mounted on the frame so as to be movable or pivotable, covering the transparent reflective disc. The cover element selectively masks the background of the reflective disc visible through the transparent reflective disc, thus isolating the occupant from the surroundings. Furthermore, the cover can enhance the occupant's immersion.

[0022] Furthermore, the brightness of the display screen can be reduced, which results in reduced consumption of electrical energy and, in particular, increases the range of an electrically powered vehicle.

[0023] This training is generally suitable for an occupant other than the driver of the vehicle, or, in the case of autonomous driving, also for the driver of the vehicle.

[0024] In one embodiment, the display arrangement comprises a gaze direction sensor, an ambient camera, and / or an interior camera. The gaze direction sensor can be configured as a camera and arranged to detect and provide the position and / or orientation of the head, the eye, and, in particular, the pupil of the eye, i.e., a point of view. The detected position allows the display content to be arranged on the screen in such a way that a virtual image of the reflected display content corresponds to the background (Augmented Reality, AR).For example, the display content may include directional arrows corresponding to a vehicle trajectory, information from a driver assistance system (DAS) of the vehicle, information from a navigation system of the vehicle, or designations of detected objects in the vehicle's environment, in particular other vehicles, lane markings, traffic signs, traffic lights, and infrastructure facilities such as petrol stations, workshops, restaurants, hotels, shops, and the like.

[0025] Images captured by the surrounding camera and / or the interior camera can be integrated into the display content, particularly in sections (mixed reality), for example, recognized body parts, especially arms and hands, of the occupant.

[0026] Another aspect of the invention is a method for operating a vehicle display arrangement, in which a computing device of a display arrangement, according to one embodiment of the invention, provides display content, the display screen of the display arrangement displays the provided content, and the transparent reflective screen of the display arrangement reflects the displayed content into the eye of a vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle. The occupant visually perceives the displayed content as a virtual image superimposed on a background visible through the transparent reflective screen. The computing device can also be referred to as a control unit, in particular as a picture generating unit (PGU) of the display arrangement.

[0027] According to the invention, the computing device arranges the display content on the screen depending on the position of the occupant's head and / or eye. In this way, virtual images generated by the display content correspond spatially with real images of the background. It is understood that the computing device can perform this step repeatedly and almost in real time. The display content then always follows the head and / or eye movement of the occupant, so that a correspondence between the virtual and real images is ensured at all times.

[0028] Preferably, a gaze direction sensor in the display arrangement and / or a sensor in the seat detects the head and / or eye, and the computing device determines the position based on the detected head and / or eye, and / or the computing device determines the position based on manual input from the occupant. The seat sensor can detect a seat setting, in particular a height, a tilt, and / or a longitudinal position of the seat. The detected seat setting can supplement the head or eye detected by the gaze direction sensor, resulting in higher accuracy of the determined position.

[0029] Manual input allows the occupant to individually adjust the display layout to their personal needs and preferences.

[0030] In one embodiment, the computing device adjusts the brightness of the displayed content depending on a certain transparency of the reflected content. The higher the brightness, the greater the transparency. In other words, low brightness corresponds to high transparency and high brightness to low transparency.

[0031] Advantageously, the computing device integrates a recognized section of an image captured and provided by an ambient camera of the display arrangement and / or an interior camera of the display arrangement into the provided display content, and the computing device arranges the recognized section in the provided display content depending on the specific position. The section can be recognized using an artificial neural network of the computing device or using a pattern recognition algorithm implemented by the computing device.

[0032] For example, a portion of the vehicle's surroundings that is obscured by an A-pillar of the vehicle and captured by the surround-view camera can be overlaid as non-transparent display content on the A-pillar visible through the transparent reflective panel, thereby virtually obscuring the A-pillar from the occupant's field of vision. Other non-limiting examples of this type include an instrument panel, a steering wheel rim, a hood, and a roof of the vehicle.

[0033] The computing device can be configured to allow or prohibit such overlays. In particular, the computing device can be designed to learn the occupant's preferences regarding integrated sections and the transparency of those sections. The computing device can also provide for such overlays depending on the vehicle's driving situation, for example, depending on the vehicle's speed.

[0034] A key advantage of the display arrangement according to the invention is that it allows a vehicle occupant to have an immersive experience in a permanently comfortable and safe manner.

[0035] The invention is schematically illustrated in the drawings with reference to one embodiment and is further described with reference to the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 in a side view a display arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 in a side view which in Fig. 1 shown display arrangement; Fig. 3 in a side view which in Fig. 1 shown display arrangement.

[0036] Fig. Figure 1 shows a display arrangement 2 according to an embodiment of the invention in a block diagram. The display arrangement 2 is intended for a vehicle 1 and comprises a seat 10 of the vehicle 1, a display screen 20, and a transparent reflective disc 21 for reflecting a display content shown by the display screen 20 into the eye 300 of an occupant 3 of the vehicle 1 seated on the seat 10. The transparent reflective disc 21 can comprise or consist of glass or a polymer. Advantageously, the transparent reflective disc 21 comprises a reflective and / or holographic layer 210.

[0037] The display arrangement 2 further comprises a movable frame 22, fixed to the seat 10 and holding the transparent reflector 21 and the display screen 20. The movable frame 22 comprises a plurality of brackets 220, which are pivotably mounted about the same axis from a rest position to a working position. The frame 22 is, in particular, fixed to a headrest 100 of the seat 10. Advantageously, the movable frame 22 comprises a metal or consists of a metal.

[0038] The transparent reflective disc 21 can be arranged between two brackets 220 and / or attached to a bracket 220. In the operating position of the movable frame 22, the transparent reflective disc 21 ideally extends over the entire field of vision of an occupant 3 seated in the vehicle 1.

[0039] Furthermore, the display arrangement 2 can include a cover element 23 which is slidably or pivotably mounted on the frame 22 to cover the transparent reflective disc 21.

[0040] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the Fig. 1. The display arrangement 2 may further include an ambient camera 25 and / or an interior camera 26. A computing device 27 is also advantageously part of the display arrangement 2.

[0041] Fig. Figure 3 shows a side view of the in Fig. 1. Display arrangement shown. 2. The display arrangement may further include a viewing direction sensor 24.

[0042] The display arrangement 2 is operated in a method according to an embodiment of the invention as follows.

[0043] The computing device 27 of the display arrangement 2 provides display content. The display screen 20 of the display arrangement 2 shows the provided display content. The transparent reflective disc 21 of the display arrangement 2 reflects the displayed display content into the eye 300 of an occupant 3 of the vehicle 1 seated on seat 10.

[0044] The computing device 27 arranges the display content on the display screen 20 depending on a specific position of the occupant's head 30 and / or eye 300. For this purpose, a gaze direction sensor 24 of the display arrangement 2 and / or a sensor 101 of the seat 10 can detect the head 30 and / or the eye 300, and the computing device 27 can determine the position based on the detected head 30 and / or eye 300. Alternatively or additionally, the computing device 27 can determine the position based on a manual input from the occupant 3.

[0045] In particular, the computing device 27 adjusts the brightness of the displayed content depending on a specific transparency of the reflected content. Furthermore, the computing device 27 can integrate a detected section of an image captured and provided by the ambient camera 25 of the display arrangement 2 and / or the interior camera 26 of the display arrangement 2 into the provided display content and arrange it within the provided display content depending on a specific position. REFERENCE MARK LIST: 1 vehicle 10 seats 100 headrest 101 Sensor 2 Display arrangement 20 Display screen 21 transparent reflective discs 210 reflective and / or holographic layer 22 frame 23 Cover element 24 gaze direction sensor 25 Surround camera 26 Interior camera 27 Calculating device 220 irons 3 occupants 30 heads 300 eye

Claims

[1] Display arrangement (2) for a vehicle (1), comprising a display screen (20), a transparent reflection plate (21) for reflecting a display content displayed by the display screen (20) into an eye (300) of an occupant (3) of the vehicle (1) arranged on a seat (10) of the vehicle (1), the seat (10) and a movable frame (22) fixed to the seat (10) and holding the transparent reflection plate (21) and the display screen (20), which frame comprises a plurality of brackets (220) which are pivotally mounted about the same axis from a rest position into a use position. [2] Display arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the frame (22) is fixed to a headrest (100) of the seat (10). [3] Display arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the transparent reflection plate (21) is arranged between two brackets (220) and / or is fastened to a bracket (220). [4] Display arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the transparent reflection plate (21) extends in the use position of the movable frame (22) over an entire field of vision of an occupant (3) of the vehicle (1) arranged on the seat (10). [5] Display arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the movable frame (22) comprises a metal or consists of a metal and / or the transparent reflection plate (21) comprises a glass or a polymer or consists of a glass or a polymer and / or the transparent reflection plate (21) comprises a reflective and / or holographic layer (210). [6] Display arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a cover element (23) mounted displaceably or pivotably on the frame (22) for covering the transparent reflection plate (21). [7] Display arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a viewing direction sensor (24), an ambient camera (25) and / or an interior camera (26). [8] Method for operating a display arrangement (2) of a vehicle (1), in which - a computing device (27) of a display arrangement (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7 provides a display content, the display screen (20) of the display arrangement (2) displays the provided display content and the transparent reflection plate (21) of the display arrangement (2) reflects the displayed display content into an eye (300) of an occupant (3) of the vehicle (1) arranged on the seat (10); - the computing device (27) arranges the display content on the display screen (20) depending on a specific position of a head (30) and / or an eye (300) of the occupant (3). [9] Method according to claim 8, wherein a viewing direction sensor (24) of the display arrangement (2) and / or a sensor (101) of the seat (10) detects the head (30) and / or the eye (300) and the computing device (27) determines the position depending on the detected head (30) and / or eye (300) and / or the computing device (27) determines the position depending on a manual input of the occupant (3). [10] Method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the computing device (27) adjusts a light intensity of the displayed display content depending on a specific transparency of the reflected display content and / or integrates a recognized section of an image captured and provided by an ambient camera (25) of the display arrangement (2) and / or an interior camera (26) of the display arrangement (2) into the provided display content and arranges it in the provided display content depending on the specific position.

Images