Device for configuring a panoramic HUD display in a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a display system for a vehicle, comprising: - A PHUD display with a display device, the displayed image of which is perceptible to a user by reflection on a display surface, wherein an arrangement and selection of display objects can be represented in respective display areas on the display surface according to a configuration setting; - An operating device with a display unit and an input unit for making operating entries; - A control unit designed to display display object symbols on the display unit and to assign or remove them from a display area of ​​the display surface by means of operator inputs with the input unit in order to define a configuration setting.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a head-up display (HUD) for a motor vehicle or other land, air, or water vehicle. The HUD comprises an image-generating display surface arranged in the upper part of an instrument panel of the vehicle and extending laterally along a windshield so that a vehicle occupant, such as a driver or passenger, can see the display surface reflected in the lower part of the windshield (virtual display image) when looking at the lower part of the windshield. The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with such a display.

[0002] German patent application DE 10 2019 133 295 A1 discloses a motor vehicle comprising a display system with an image source positioned in the dashboard of the motor vehicle to emit light beams. A reflective region extends parallel to a lateral edge of a glass layer of the windshield of the motor vehicle. The reflective region is designed to reflect the light beams to generate a virtual image, and the image source comprises a one-dimensional switchable strip display. A control unit of the motor vehicle is configured to provide, by using the one-dimensional switchable strip display, at least one dynamic taillight (running light) and one static light strip, corresponding to the virtual image.

[0003] Publication US 2024 / 0385746A1 discloses a multi-screen cockpit display system suitable for installation in a cockpit and comprises a first display device (display), at least two head-up displays, and a control unit. The first display is located in front of the driver's seat in the cockpit and is capable of displaying initial dynamic information. The at least two head-up displays are located above the first display and are capable of displaying a second dynamic piece of information on a transparent window of the cockpit. The control unit is electrically connected to the first display and the at least two head-up displays. The control unit is capable of providing the first and second dynamic information to the first display and the at least two head-up displays according to the operating state of the cockpit.Furthermore, another multi-screen cockpit display system with an eye-tracking module will be provided.

[0004] With this type of HUD, also called a panoramic HUD (PHUD) display, the aim is to present the driver or front passenger with a continuous virtual image containing entertainment, communication, or navigation content, or vehicle- or driver-related images. Ideally, this image should extend across the entire width of the windshield, i.e., laterally across the vehicle, like a panoramic picture. For this to work, the display area would need to extend along the entire length of the windshield.

[0005] The PHUD display allows for the presentation of various graphical display objects, which are shown in adjacent display areas across the width of the PHUD display. Currently, the arrangement of the individual information and display objects is fixed and offers little customization of the appearance, i.e., the arrangement and selection of display objects across the width of the PHUD display.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved display system with a PHUD display that allows for individual configuration of the display objects across the width of the PHUD display.

[0007] This problem is solved by the display system with a PHUD display according to claim 1.

[0008] Further details are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to a first aspect, a display system for a vehicle is planned, including: - A PHUD display with a display device, the displayed image of which is perceptible to a user by reflection on a display surface, wherein an arrangement and a selection of display objects can be represented in respective display areas on the display surface according to a configuration setting; - An operating device with a display unit and an input unit for making operating entries; - A control unit configured to display display object symbols on the display unit and to assign or remove them from a display area of ​​the display surface by means of operator inputs with the input unit in order to define a configuration setting, wherein the control unit is configured to hide or dim certain display objects shown on the display surface that must not be displayed during driving operation.

[0010] It may be provided that the operating device is designed to assign display objects to display areas of the PHUD display surface for output or display in a configuration mode by virtually moving display object symbols shown on the display unit.

[0011] Display objects can be, for example, text, symbols, or graphics that are outputs of functions implemented in the vehicle. These display objects can include: - Displays of vehicle-related information, such as speed readings, engine temperature readings, and the like, - Displays of driver-relevant information, such as fatigue levels and the like, - Displays of an entertainment function output, such as a display of the currently playing music track and album cover, a display of the name and logo of a radio station, a volume indicator, and the like, a video display of a film, an image display, - Representations of a navigation function, such as direction arrows, lane indicators, map displays, input masks for destination entries and the like, - Representations of the output of a communication function, such as a call list, text messages, an icon indicating a connection to a mobile device with a corresponding signal strength, the battery status of the mobile device, and the like, and - Representations of the output of third-party functions or third-party apps running in the vehicle system, such as weather information, social media functions, smart home functions, and the like, and - Representations of the screen content of a mobile device, so that the screen content of the mobile device is mirrored or transferred to the display area of ​​the display object.

[0012] The display objects can be provided in the form of so-called widgets, each of which defines a display area in which the relevant display object is shown or output as the output of a vehicle function.

[0013] The width of the perceptible display area is essentially based on the width of the windscreen and is in particular at least 80% of the width of the windscreen.

[0014] The user interface allows users to assign a corresponding display object to specific areas of the PHUD display's screen for output or presentation in a configuration mode. This enables individual configuration of the arrangement, selection, and sequence of the display objects shown on the PHUD display's screen.

[0015] Display objects that must not be shown while driving, such as video displays and the like, are hidden or dimmed during driving so that they do not distract the driver from driving the vehicle.

[0016] The operating device can have a touchscreen with a combined display and input unit.

[0017] The control unit may be designed to define or select the configuration setting by touchscreen operating gestures "tap", "drag" and "drop", wherein display object symbols are movable between a display object pool with a variety of selectable display object symbols and a configuration bar, wherein the arrangement of the display object symbols in the configuration bar specifies the arrangement, position and selection of the display objects on the display area.

[0018] The operating device can include at least one input unit and one display unit (screen) and may, for example, include a touchscreen with a combined display unit and input unit (touch functionality) in the center console or as part of a vehicle assistance system.

[0019] In configuration mode, a reduced-size representation of adjacent display areas of the display surface can be symbolically displayed in a configuration bar, e.g. as an empty frame or a symbol that indicates the display object assigned to the display area.

[0020] In a pool of display objects shown on the display unit, as an area of ​​the display unit, a plurality of display object symbols are shown, each representing a display object to be displayed.

[0021] By operating the input unit, for example by tapping a display object icon and "dragging" the icon into a corresponding display area of ​​the configuration bar, display objects can be assigned to a specific display area of ​​the screen. The order of the display object icons on the input unit corresponds to the order and arrangement of the display objects on the screen of the PHUD display.

[0022] A display item icon can be removed from the screen by selecting it from the configuration bar by tapping it and then dragging and dropping it, specifically onto a trash can icon. Dragging and dropping are typical touchscreen gestures, where the finger is moved along the screen surface or lifted. Alternatively, a "remove" symbol, such as a "-" or "x," on the respective display item can be tapped to remove it from the configuration bar.

[0023] A display item can be moved within the display area by tapping and holding the item icon and dragging it to a different area of ​​the configuration bar. Releasing the finger from the touchscreen drops the corresponding item icon into the configuration bar area that corresponds to the display area of ​​the PHUD display.

[0024] To display the entire width of the screen via the configuration bar, it can be selected section by section using the input unit, such as "left," "center," and "right." This allows the display objects on the left, center, or right side of the screen to be represented by the configuration bar and assigned to the corresponding display object. Fewer sections are also possible, for example, only "center" and "right," if the left section is not configurable.

[0025] In configuration mode, the assignments of the display objects to the display areas of the display surface can be made visible directly in the display surface as soon as the display object icon has been assigned to the display area of ​​the configuration bar.

[0026] It may be provided that the control unit is designed to display a selection element on the display unit, whereby by operating the selection element the display objects are shown according to a certain predefined configuration setting.

[0027] The embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1. A schematic representation of a vehicle with a PHUD display and a touchscreen as an operating device; and Fig. 2a to 2c illustrations for operating the control unit in a configuration mode for the PHUD display.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a motor vehicle 1 with a PHUD display 2, which can be operated via a control unit 3. The PHUD display 2 comprises a self-illuminating display unit 4, which is arranged flat on the top of an instrument panel 5. A display area 6 of the PHUD display 4 has a width that corresponds substantially to the width of a windshield 9, but is at least 80% of the width of the windshield 9.

[0029] The display device 4 is arranged near the lower edge of the windshield 9, so that a display image can be perceived by a driver via a reflection from a lower area 7 (reflective surface) of the windshield 9. For this purpose, the lower area 7 of the windshield 9 is preferably designed as a black printed area, i.e., as an opaque area.

[0030] The display surface of the display unit can show display objects that are represented as text symbols or graphics and are the outputs of functions implemented in the vehicle. The following types of display objects can be shown: - Displays of vehicle-related information, such as speed readings, engine temperature readings, and the like, - Displays of driver-relevant information, such as fatigue levels and the like, - Displays of an entertainment function's output, such as a display of the currently playing music track, a display of a radio station's name, a volume indicator, and the like, a video display of a film, an image display, - Representations of a navigation function, such as directional arrows, map displays, input masks for destination entries, and the like, - Representations of the output of a communication function, such as a call list, text messages, an icon indicating a connection to a mobile device with a corresponding signal strength, the battery status of the mobile device, and the like, and - Representations of the output of third-party functions or third-party apps running in the vehicle system, such as weather information, social media functions, smart home functions, and the like, and - Representations of the screen content of a mobile device, so that the screen content of the mobile device is mirrored or transferred to the display area of ​​the display object.

[0031] Furthermore, the control unit 3 is connected to an operating device 8, which may, for example, correspond to the touchscreen of a vehicle assistance system or be provided as a separate input option. For example, the operating device may also be a mobile device that communicates with the control unit 3 via a suitable interface.

[0032] Fig. Figures 2a to 2c show ways to configure the display of the objects on the PHUD display 4. Fig. Figures 2a-2c show the view from the driver's perspective inside the vehicle 1. The display area 6 of the PHUD display 2, along with the displayed display objects 61, and the control unit 8 with its display unit are visible. The control unit displays a configuration interface, including a configuration bar 81 and a pool of display objects 82 with several display object symbols 83. The configuration bar 81 is a scaled-down representation of the layout of the display area 6 or the arrangement of the display objects on the display area. The control unit 8 allows the configuration interface to be operated in a configuration mode, enabling the display object symbols 83 to be individually positioned within a specific area of ​​the display area by arranging them in the configuration bar 81.

[0033] The display area 6 is divided into display areas 62, in which display objects, so-called widgets, can be assigned. The display objects 61 represent graphical outputs of vehicle functions.

[0034] As in Fig. As shown in 2b, the configuration bar displays, for example with empty frames, the positions of display areas of the display surfaces to which a display object or widget can be assigned.

[0035] Due to the large width of the display area, each section of the display area can be represented by the configuration bar, and it is possible to switch between sections using a selection element 85.

[0036] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 2c, by tapping a display object icon from the display object pool and dragging the display object icon to the corresponding area of ​​the configuration bar, the display object associated with the display object icon can be positioned in the corresponding display area of ​​the display surface, which corresponds to the area within the configuration bar.

[0037] Similarly, a display object icon can be removed from the corresponding area of ​​the configuration bar by tapping it and dragging it out of the configuration bar area.

[0038] If the relevant display object icon is dragged to a different area of ​​the configuration bar, the display object icons assigned to the corresponding areas can be swapped, and thus the display objects in the relevant assigned areas of the display area can also be swapped.

[0039] This is due to the in Fig. 2c illustrates this with the arrows shown.

[0040] After each assignment action and / or after exiting configuration mode, the corresponding display objects are shown in the assigned areas of the PHUD display's display surface.

[0041] Display objects that must not be shown during driving are then dimmed or blacked out to avoid undue distraction of the driver.

[0042] Once the PHUD display configuration is complete, user-specific settings can be saved, so that when a particular driver is detected, the corresponding configuration settings for the PHUD display can be used automatically. A selection element can also be displayed, allowing the user to switch between different display configuration settings by tapping it. Reference symbol list 1 motor vehicle 2 PHUD displays 3 Control unit 4 Display unit 5 Dashboard 6 Display area 9 Windscreen 7 lower area of ​​the windshield 8 Control unit 61 display items 81 Configuration bar 82 Display Object Pool 83 Display object symbols 62 display areas

Claims

[1] Display system for a vehicle (1), comprising: - A PHUD display (2) with a display device (4), the displayed image of which is perceptible to a user on a display surface (6) by reflection on a reflective surface (7), wherein an arrangement and a selection of display objects can be represented in respective display areas via the reflective surface (7) according to a configuration setting; - An operating device (8) comprising a display unit and an input unit for making operating inputs; - A control unit (3) configured to display display object symbols (83) on the display unit and to assign or remove them from a display area of ​​the display surface (6) by means of operating inputs with the input unit in order to define a configuration setting, wherein the control unit (3) is configured to hide or dim certain display objects (61) displayed on the display surface that must not be displayed during driving operation. [2] Display system according to claim 1, wherein the display objects correspond to text, symbol or graphic representations that are outputs of functions implemented in the vehicle (1) and comprise at least one of the following representations: - Displays of vehicle-related information, - Displays of driver-relevant information, - Representations of an entertainment function output, - Representations of a navigation function, - Representations of the output of a communication function, and - Representations of the output of third-party functions or third-party apps running in the vehicle system, and - Representations of the screen content of a mobile device, so that the screen content of the mobile device is mirrored or transferred to the display area of ​​the display surface (6). [3] Display system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the width of the perceptible display area (6) corresponds to at least 80% of the width of the front window. [4] Display system according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operating device (8) is configured to assign display objects (61) associated with display objects (61) to display areas of the display surface (6) of the PHUD display (2) for output or display in a configuration mode by virtually moving display object symbols (83) shown on the display unit. [5] Display system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operating device (8) has a touchscreen with a combined display unit and input unit. [6] Display system according to claim 5, wherein the control unit (3) is configured to define or select the configuration setting by touchscreen operating gestures “tap”, “drag” and “drop”, wherein display object symbols are movable between a display object pool (82) with a plurality of selectable display object symbols (83) and a configuration bar (81), wherein the arrangement of the display object symbols (83) in the configuration bar (81) specifies the arrangement, position and selection of the display objects (61) on the display surface (6). [7] Display system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the control unit (3) is configured to display a selection element on the display unit, wherein by operating the selection element the display objects (61) are displayed according to a certain predefined configuration setting.

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