Head-up display system with extended display functionality

Abstract

A head-up display system for a motor vehicle is described, comprising a display unit with a display surface, a detection device, and a projection device. The display unit can be moved by a user into a use position or into a position different from the use position. The detection device is designed to detect whether the display unit is in the use position or in the position different from the use position. The head-up display system is designed to operate the projection device in a first mode if the display unit is not in the use position and to operate the projection device in a second mode if the display unit is in the use position.In the first mode, the projection device functions as a projection device for a head-up display. The projection device is configured to project first display information into the user's eye via a reflection on a combiner surface in the first mode, such that the first display information is displayed to the user as a virtual image. In the second mode, the projection device is configured to project second display information as a real image onto the display surface of the display unit.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a head-up display system for a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a head-up display system in a motor vehicle.

[0002] In everyday situations such as parking a vehicle in designated areas, it is necessary to display information about the vehicle's status, in this case the arrival time, in a visible manner for communication with the surrounding area. Common methods for this example include parking discs or parking tickets. Other means include pieces of paper with written notes, digital devices such as digital parking discs, the use of apps such as digital parking tickets, or similar. Current solutions have various problems: Parking discs must be set manually. Parking tickets must be printed. Digital parking tickets do not transmit the information visibly to the surrounding area and must be specially read.

[0003] The object of the invention is to facilitate the display of externally visible display information in a motor vehicle.

[0004] The stated object is achieved by a head-up display system for a motor vehicle, which has a display unit with a display surface, a detection device, and a projection device. The display unit can be brought by a user into a use position or into a position different from the use position. The detection device is designed to detect whether the display unit is in the use position or in the position different from the use position. The head-up display system is designed to operate the projection device in a first mode if the display unit is not in the use position, and to operate the projection device in a second mode if the display unit is in the use position.In the first mode, the projection device functions as a projection device for a head-up display. The projection device is configured to project first display information into the user's eye via a reflection on a combiner surface in the first mode, such that the first display information is displayed to the user as a virtual image. In the second mode, the projection device is configured to project second display information as a real image onto the display surface of the display unit.

[0005] The head-up display system according to embodiments of the invention comprises a detection device configured to detect whether the display unit is in the use position or in a position different therefrom. If the detection device detects that the display unit is not in the use position, the head-up display system is operated in the first mode, and the projection device functions as a projection device for the head-up display. If, however, the detection device detects that the display unit is in the use position, the projection device is operated in the second mode. In the second mode, the projection device can project second display information as a real image onto the display surface of the display unit.

[0006] The head-up display system according to embodiments of the invention can be configured to automatically detect whether the display unit is in the use position or in the position different from the use position and, depending thereon, to switch the mode in which the projection device is operated. For example, if the user moves the display unit into the use position, the head-up display system can automatically switch from the first to the second mode. If the user then moves the display unit into a position different from the use position, the head-up display system can automatically switch back from the second mode to the first mode. This simplifies the operation of the head-up display system. For example, the user moves the display unit to the desired position, and the head-up display system can automatically adapt.

[0007] In the second mode of the head-up display system, secondary display information can be projected onto the display unit as a real image. The presentation of secondary display information on the display unit makes it possible to present information such as parking information, vehicle status information, access and parking authorizations, etc., in electronic form. This eliminates the need for paper documents, parking discs, parking tickets, etc.

[0008] According to embodiments of the present invention, the projection device fulfills a dual function. On the one hand, it can function as a projection device for a head-up display; on the other hand, it serves to project second display information onto the display unit when the latter is in its use position. Using the projection device for two different purposes reduces the structural complexity and enables a space-saving and cost-effective solution.

[0009] The invention further relates to a method for operating a head-up display system in a motor vehicle. The head-up display system comprises a display unit with a display surface, wherein the display unit can be moved by a user into a use position or into a position different from the use position, and a projection device.The method comprises detecting whether the display unit is in the use position or in a position different from the use position, and operating the projection device in a first mode if the display unit is not in the use position, wherein the projection device acts as a projection device for a head-up display in the first mode and projects first display information into an eye of the user via a reflection on a combiner surface such that the first display information is displayed to the user as a virtual image. Furthermore, the method comprises operating the projection device in a second mode if the display unit is in the use position, wherein the projection device projects second display information as a real image onto the display surface of the display unit in the second mode.

[0010] Advantageous training and further developments, which can be used individually or in combination with one another, are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0011] The display unit preferably comprises a diffusely scattering disc that serves as a display surface, wherein the projection device is designed to project second display information onto the display surface of the display unit in the second mode such that it can be recognized from outside the motor vehicle. In the second mode, a real image is projected onto the display surface of the display unit. The diffusely scattering display surface scatters the light in different directions, so that the second display information projected onto the display surface can be recognized from outside the motor vehicle, preferably as a brightly illuminated surface.

[0012] It is advantageous if the second display information projected onto the display surface of the display unit in the second mode comprises information on the vehicle status and / or parking information, in particular the display of a parking disc. In parking zones with time-limited parking, for example, it may be necessary to display the arrival time clearly. The second display information can comprise information on the vehicle status. In addition, the second display information can comprise parking information such as the arrival time, but also parking authorizations. The arrival time can be displayed, for example, using a parking disc. The displayed parking information can preferably be entered or selected via the driver assistance system of the motor vehicle.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the display unit is designed to be inserted into a holder in the motor vehicle, with the display unit inserted into the holder being in the use position. The holder determines the use position of the display unit.

[0014] Preferably, the display unit is designed as a displaceably mounted or foldable display unit that can be displaced or folded into a use position and into a position different from the use position. If the display unit is designed as a displaceably mounted or foldable display unit, defined positions are assigned to both the use position and the position different from the use position. This prevents the display unit from being located somewhere in the vehicle interior and from being lost.

[0015] Further preferably, the display unit is designed as an electrically movable display unit that can be electrically moved into a use position and into a position different from the use position. In this way, the position of the display unit can be controlled, for example, via the driver assistance system.

[0016] It is advantageous if the display unit, in a position different from the use position, also serves as a dust cover for covering parts of the head-up display system, in particular the projection device. In this way, the display unit fulfills an additional purpose in its position different from the display position.

[0017] Preferably, the detection device comprises at least one sensor configured to detect whether the display unit is in the use position or in a position different from the use position. The at least one sensor may comprise, for example, a mechanical sensor, an optical sensor, an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, etc.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the display unit and the recognition device each comprise an NFC unit, wherein the recognition device is configured to use NFC to detect whether the display unit is in the use position or in a position different from the use position. Near Field Communication (NFC) is an international transmission standard for the contactless exchange of data via electromagnetic induction over short distances of, for example, a few centimeters.

[0019] It is advantageous if the display unit comprises an RFID chip and the detection device comprises an RFID device, wherein the detection device is designed to detect, using RFID, whether the display unit is in the use position or in a position different from the use position. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) refers to a technology for transmitter-receiver systems for the automatic and contactless identification and localization of objects and living beings using radio waves.

[0020] Further advantageous embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, to which the invention is not, however, limited.

[0021] It shows schematically: Fig. 1 shows a passenger compartment with a head-up display system and a display unit. Fig. 2 shows a movable display unit which can be moved by the user into a use position and a storage position. Fig. 3 shows a pivoting display unit which can be moved by the user into a use position and a storage position. Fig. 4 shows the use of the projection device in the first mode as a projection device for a head-up display.

[0022] In the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, like reference numerals denote like or comparable components.

[0023] In Fig. 1 shows the interior of a vehicle as seen from the outside through the windshield 2. In Fig. 1 shows a front storage compartment 4, a steering wheel 6, and a driver's seat 8. A passenger seat 10 and a sun visor 12 are also shown. The vehicle is equipped with a head-up display system, the cover 14 of which can be seen in the front storage compartment 4. A holder 16, in which a display unit 18 can be detachably held, can be attached to the inside of the windshield 2. Alternatively, the display unit 18 could also be arranged behind the windshield 2 without a holder and is visible from the outside. The display unit 18 has a display surface 20 made of diffusely scattering material, for example made of diffusely scattering glass such as frosted glass or plastic, which can serve as a projection surface for displaying display information.

[0024] In the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 1, the display unit 18 is in the use position when inserted into the holder 16. When the display unit 18 is in the use position, display information can be projected onto the display surface 20 of the display unit 18, for example, information about the vehicle status and / or parking information. The display information projected onto the display surface 20 is visible from the outside through the windshield 2. The user can remove the display unit 18 from the holder 16 and move it to another position, for example, into a stowed position.

[0025] The vehicle's head-up display system is equipped with a detection device designed to detect whether the display unit 18 is in the use position or not. The display unit 18 can, for example, be equipped with an NFC (Near Field Communication) unit 22. The detection device of the head-up display system can also be equipped with a corresponding NFC transceiver unit designed to detect whether the NFC unit 22 is located at the location corresponding to the use position or not. To detect whether the display unit 18 is in the use position or not, the display unit 18 could, for example, be equipped with an RFID chip. In this case, the detection device could be designed to detect whether the RFID chip is located at the location corresponding to the use position or not.As a further alternative, the detection device of the head-up display system could be equipped with suitable sensors designed to detect whether the display unit 18 is in the use position or not. The sensors may include, for example, mechanical switches, optical sensors, capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, etc.

[0026] Depending on whether the display unit 18 is in the use position or not, the projection device of the head-up display system is operated in two different modes. If the detection device detects that the display unit 18 is not in the use position, the projection device of the head-up display system is operated in a first mode, wherein the projection device functions as a projection device for the head-up display in the first mode. First display information is projected into the driver's eye via a reflection on a combiner surface, so that the first display information is displayed to the driver as a virtual image. This first display information is displayed to the driver by the head-up display system in a display plane that can be arranged, for example, a few meters in front of the front end of the motor vehicle.The first information displayed may, for example, be information about the current traffic situation, such as the distance to other vehicles, the current speed of the vehicle, navigation information provided by the navigation system, etc.

[0027] If, however, the detection device of the head-up display system detects that the display unit 18 is in the use position, the projection device of the head-up display system is operated in a second mode. In this second mode, the projection device projects second display information as a real image onto the display surface 20 of the display unit 18. In the example of Fig. 2, for example, parking information such as "Parked 14:23" and the charge level are projected onto the display surface 20. For parking in parking zones with time restrictions, it is necessary to display the arrival time clearly. Parking information such as the arrival time can be displayed electronically using the display unit 18. Preferably, a graphic representation of a parking disc indicating the arrival time can be projected onto the display unit 18. The second display information can be captured or selected by the user, for example, via the driver assistance system.

[0028] In Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment in which the display unit 18 is slidably mounted in the storage compartment 4. If the user wants to use the head-up display and does not need the display unit 18, the display unit 18 is in the stowed position 24 shown in dashed lines. If the user needs the display unit 18, for example to display parking information, the display unit 18 can be pulled out of the storage compartment 4 according to the arrow 26 and brought into the use position 28. For example, the display unit 18 can be moved selectively into the stowed position 24 and into the use position 28 by means of a motor. The motor can be controlled, for example, via the driver assistance system. The detection device 30 detects the position of the display unit 18. Depending on this, the projection device is operated either in the first or in the second mode.

[0029] Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment in which the display unit 18 is mounted in a foldable manner. The user can move the display unit 18, as indicated by arrow 36, either into the stowed position 32 (shown in dashed lines) or into the use position 34. In the stowed position 32, the display unit 18 can serve as a dust cover for the head-up display. The detection device 30 detects whether the display unit 18 is in the stowed position 32 or in the use position 34. Depending on this, the projection device is operated in the first or second mode.

[0030] Fig. Figure 4 shows a head-up display system having a projection device 38. In the first mode, the beam path of which is Fig. 4, the projection device 38 functions as the projection device of the head-up display. The projection device 38 comprises a light source 40 and a display 42, for example an LCD display, through which the light cone 44 emitted by the light source 40 shines. Initial display information that is to be shown to the user via the head-up display is impressed on the light cone 44 by the display 42. The light cone 44 is reflected at the deflecting mirror 46 and then strikes the movably mounted concave mirror 48, which is preferably designed as an aspherical mirror. The reflection at the rotatable concave mirror 48, on the one hand, magnifies the virtual image perceived by the user. Furthermore, the reflection at the concave mirror 48 corrects distortions that occur further along the beam path.In addition, by adjusting the movably mounted concave mirror 48, an adjustment to the user's sitting position can be made.

[0031] The reflected light cone 50 passes through the projection opening 52 and is then applied to a combiner surface 54, which in the case of Fig. 4, is formed as a partial area of the windshield 56, is reflected towards the user's eye 58. The user's eye 58 perceives the first display information impressed by the display 42 as a virtual image 60. The virtual image 60 appears in a display plane arranged a few meters in front of the front end of the vehicle. In this way, the user can perceive the first display information without having to avert their gaze from the traffic situation. The combiner surface 54 can either be as in Fig. 4, the combiner surface 54 may be formed as part of the windshield 56, preferably as a part of the windshield 56 equipped with a reflective coating. Alternatively, the combiner surface 54 could be provided as a reflective surface additional to the windshield 56. The projection opening 52 may be equipped with a glare trap 62 to prevent disturbing light reflections.

[0032] As long as the detection device detects that the display unit 18 is not in its use position, the projection device 38 is operated in the first mode. As soon as the detection device detects that the display unit 18 has been brought into the use position by the user, the detection device causes the projection device 38 to be operated in the second mode. During the transition from the first to the second mode, the beam path of the projection device 38 is diverted from the Fig.4 is changed to a second beam path. This second beam path is characterized in that second display information is projected in the form of a real image onto the display surface 20 of the display unit 18. The display surface 20 serves here as a diffusely reflecting collecting screen for a real image of the display 42, which is created by focusing the reflected light cone 50 onto the display surface 20 of the display unit 18.

[0033] During the transition from the first to the second mode, the beam path of the projection device 38 can be changed mechanically, for example, by introducing additional optical components such as lenses into the beam path and / or changing the positions of the optical components, in particular of the deflecting mirror 46 and / or the movably mounted concave mirror 48. Alternatively or additionally, it would be possible, for example, to introduce electro-optical light modulators into the beam path. The aim of changing the beam path is to focus the light cone 50 reflected by the concave mirror 48 onto the display surface 20 such that a real image of the display 42 can be captured on the display surface 20.Since the display surface 20 is designed to be diffusely reflective, the projected second display information, which includes, for example, information on the vehicle status and / or parking information, can be seen from outside the vehicle through the windows of the vehicle.

[0034] The features disclosed in the above description, the claims and the drawings may be important both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments. List of reference symbols 2 Windshield 4 front shelves 6 Steering wheel 8 Driver's seat 10 Passenger seat 12 Sun visor 14 Head-Up Display cover 16 Bracket 18 Display unit 20 display area 22 NFC unit 24 stowage position 26 Arrow 28 Usage position 30 Detection device 32 stowage position 34 Usage position 36 Arrow 38 Projection device 40 light source 42 displays 44 light cones 46 deflecting mirrors 48 movably mounted concave mirror 50 reflected light cone 52 projection aperture 54 Combiner area 56 Windshield 58 User's eye 60 virtual image 62 Glare trap

Claims

[1] A head-up display system for a motor vehicle, comprising - a display unit (18) with a display surface (20), wherein the display unit (18) can be brought by a user into a use position (28, 34) or into a position different from the use position (28, 34), - a detection device (30) designed to detect whether the display unit (18) is in the use position (28, 34) or in the position different from the use position (28, 34), - a projection device (38), - wherein the head-up display system is designed to operate the projection device (38) in a first mode if the display unit (18) is not in the use position (28, 34), and to operate the projection device (38) in a second mode if the display unit (18) is in the use position (28, 34), - wherein the projection device (38) functions in the first mode as a projection device (38) for a head-up display, wherein the projection device (38) is designed to project first display information into an eye (58) of the user via a reflection on a combiner surface (54) in the first mode such that the first display information is displayed to the user as a virtual image (60), and - wherein the projection device (38) is designed to project second display information as a real image onto the display surface (20) of the display unit (18) in the second mode. [2] Head-up display system according to claim 1, characterized byin that the display unit (18) comprises a diffusely scattering disc which serves as a display surface (20), wherein the projection device (38) is designed to project second display information onto the display surface (20) of the display unit (18) in the second mode in such a way that it can be recognized from outside the motor vehicle. [3] Head-up display system according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by that the second display information projected in the second mode onto the display surface (20) of the display unit (18) comprises information on the vehicle status and / or parking information, in particular the representation of a parking disc. [4] Head-up display system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the display unit (18) is designed to be inserted into a holder (16) in the motor vehicle, wherein the display unit (18) inserted into the holder (16) is in the use position (28, 34). [5] Head-up display system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the display unit (18) is designed as a displaceably mounted or foldable display unit (18) which can be displaced or folded into a use position (28, 34) and into the position different from the use position (28, 34). [6] Head-up display system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the display unit (18) is designed as an electrically movable display unit (18) which can be electrically moved into a use position (28, 34) and into the position different from the use position (28, 34). [7] Head-up display system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the display unit (18) in a position different from the use position (28, 34) simultaneously serves as a dust cover for covering parts of the head-up display system, in particular the projection device (38). [8] Head-up display system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the detection device (30) comprises at least one sensor which is designed to detect whether the display unit (18) is in the use position (28, 34) or in the position different from the use position (28, 34). [9] Head-up display system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the display unit (18) and the recognition device (30) each comprise an NFC unit (22), wherein the recognition device (30) is designed to recognize by means of NFC whether the display unit (18) is in the use position (28, 34) or in the position different from the use position (28, 34). [10] Head-up display system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the display unit (18) comprises an RFID chip and that the detection device (30) comprises an RFID device, wherein the detection device (30) is designed to detect by means of RFID whether the display unit (18) is in the use position (28, 34) or in the position different from the use position (28, 34). [11] Method for operating a head-up display system in a motor vehicle, wherein the head-up display system comprises - a display unit (18) with a display surface (20), wherein the display unit (18) can be brought by a user into a use position (28, 34) or into a position different from the use position (28, 34), - a projection device (38), the method comprising - detecting whether the display unit (18) is in the use position (28, 34) or in the position different from the use position (28, 34), - Operating the projection device (38) in a first mode if the display unit (18) is not in the use position (28, 34), wherein the projection device (38) functions in the first mode as a projection device (38) for a head-up display and projects first display information into an eye (58) of the user via a reflection on a combiner surface (54) such that the first display information is displayed to the user as a virtual image (60), and - Operating the projection device (38) in a second mode if the display unit (18) is in the use position (28, 34), wherein the projection device (38) projects second display information as a real image onto the display surface (20) of the display unit (18) in the second mode.

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