METHOD FOR PREPARING A VEHICLE'S NAVIGATION MANEUVER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for preparing a vehicle's navigation maneuver by controlling a contact-analog display of navigation information in an augmented reality display device, wherein a target maneuver and a maneuver point of the target maneuver are determined, wherein a first display point with a first distance from the maneuver point on a route traveled by the vehicle is determined, wherein a contact-analog display element for display by the augmented reality display device is generated and output from the first display point, wherein at least a second display point with a second distance from the maneuver point on a route traveled by the vehicle is determined, wherein the second distance to the maneuver point is less than the first fixed distance.

[0002] In addition, the invention relates to a device for carrying out one of the aforementioned methods.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle with an augmented reality display device designed to display contact-analog display elements.

[0004] With the continuous development of virtual and augmented reality technologies and applications, these are also finding their way into the automotive industry. Augmented reality (AR) involves enriching the real world with virtual elements that are accurately registered or located in three-dimensional space and allow for real-time interaction. One possible technical implementation for enriching the driver's workspace with perspective-correct virtual augmentations is the head-up display (HUD).

[0005] Especially with head-up displays, the virtual image is created by an imaging unit integrated into the dashboard, such as a TFT display. This image is directed towards the windshield via several mirrors, where the light is reflected into the driver's eye. The driver perceives this image as a virtual display within their field of vision. When designing such systems, the area into which the light is reflected is spatially limited to achieve higher brightness through reduced light scattering. This area is called the "eyebox" because the driver's field of vision must be within this area to perceive the virtual image.

[0006] The perspective-correct virtual elements can include elements that simplify navigation via a vehicle's built-in navigation system. For example, turn-by-turn directions can be projected into the driver's field of vision, giving the impression that these directions are painted on the road surface.

[0007] US Patent 2011 / 0102303 A1, for example, describes a method for displaying virtual elements in the form of turn signals that announce a turning maneuver step by step depending on the distance. The turn signals are displayed as virtual elements in the driver's field of vision at distances of, for example, 90 m, 60 m, and 30 m before the turn.

[0008] The prior art document DE 10 2018 203 927 A1 discloses a method for controlling the display of an augmented reality display device. It discloses a display method in which an arrow indicates to the user where to turn, supported by a dot pattern.

[0009] German patent DE 10 2014 219 567 A1 discloses a possibility for three-dimensional navigation. It is intended that a virtual element is displayed in such a way that it flies ahead of the ego-vehicle as an avatar, so that the driver of the vehicle has the feeling of following the avatar.

[0010] German patent DE 10 2013 224 307 A1 discloses a method for displaying navigation instructions in a motor vehicle with a head-up display. In this method, a first display can be changed to a second display when approaching a maneuvering point.

[0011] The disadvantage of the aforementioned state of the art is that conventional automotive navigation systems use an explicit distance indication, usually in meters, to announce an upcoming maneuver. Interpreting this distance indication in relation to the surroundings requires a higher cognitive effort compared to analog displays. Even when using explicit digital distance information or a countdown before a turn, it is conceivable that maneuvers will be missed or, for example, a turn will be initiated too early.

[0012] The invention is based on the objective of providing a method for preparing a navigation maneuver of a vehicle, a corresponding device and a vehicle in which an intuitive preparation of a navigation maneuver for the driver of a vehicle can be realized.

[0013] In the present invention, this problem is initially solved by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1 in that the contact-analogous display element is visually changed when approaching the second display point.

[0014] Contact-analog displays are those that are integrated into the driver's current field of vision in such a way that they are perceived as an integral part of the environment. These elements can be displayed using an augmented reality display device. This can be a display in the center console or cockpit area, for example, in the vehicle's instrument cluster. Alternatively or additionally, the display area can be designed as a head-up display. A head-up display is a display area that allows the driver to maintain their head posture and line of sight because the information is projected into their field of vision, for example, onto the vehicle's windshield.

[0015] A maneuver is an intervention by the driver in the vehicle's lateral and / or longitudinal control, in particular a change in speed and / or direction. A maneuver is performed, for example, by the driver to keep the vehicle on the desired route, such as a turning maneuver.

[0016] In a first step of the method according to the invention, a target maneuver and a maneuver point of the target maneuver are determined. The target maneuver according to the invention is preferably the next maneuver in time, and particularly preferably the next navigation maneuver along a predetermined route, wherein this route comprises a plurality of navigation maneuvers. However, the maneuver can also be based on received environmental information, for example, from traffic radio or vehicle sensors. The maneuver point designates the location where the target maneuver is executed. If the target maneuver is, for example, a right turn at a 90° angle, then the maneuver point is the location where the vehicle must be turned 90° to the right to perform the target maneuver, in particular the point where the driver must begin to turn the steering wheel.

[0017] In a further step of the inventive method, a first indicator point is determined at a first fixed distance from the maneuver point and on a path traveled by the vehicle. Preferably, the first indicator point is determined such that it is located in the vehicle's path on the road. In particular, the first indicator point is determined on a path between the current vehicle position and the maneuver point. The first indicator point is preferably determined in the middle of a lane or roadway traveled by the vehicle. The first indicator point is determined at a first fixed distance from the maneuver point; that is, the relative position of the first indicator point and the maneuver point is unchanging.In the context of the inventive method, a first display point is thus a fixed location in the three-dimensional space of the real world at which a first contact-analogous display element, which represents navigation information, is to be displayed.

[0018] In a further step of the inventive method, a contact-analog display element is generated and output for display by the augmented reality display device, starting from the first display point. In other words, the contact-analog display element generated and output in this method step is displayed by the augmented reality display device in such a way that the driver of the vehicle perceives it on the road at the location defined by the first display point.

[0019] In the inventive method, a second indicator point is determined in a further step at a second fixed distance from the maneuver point on a path traveled by the vehicle. Preferably, the second indicator point is determined such that it is located in the vehicle's path on the road, at a distance from the maneuver point that corresponds to the second fixed distance. In particular, the second indicator point is determined on a path between the current vehicle position and the maneuver point. The second indicator point is preferably determined in the middle of a lane or roadway traveled by the vehicle. The second indicator point is determined at a first fixed distance from the maneuver point; that is, the relative position of the second indicator point and the maneuver point is unchanging.In the context of the inventive method, a second display point is thus a fixed location in the three-dimensional space of the real world, at which a second contact-analogous display element, which represents navigation information, is to be displayed.

[0020] According to the invention, the contact-analog display element, which is shown from the first display point, is visually changed until the second display point is reached. This visual change is implemented continuously. This visualizes to the driver that they are approaching a maneuver point. The second display point can also be located at the same point as the maneuver point, so that the contact-analog display element is visually changed until the maneuver point is reached.

[0021] The driver is thus prepared for an upcoming maneuver from the moment the first display point is reached, without sudden navigation instructions being displayed that the driver might perceive too late or not at all.

[0022] Further preferred embodiments of the invention result from the other features mentioned in the dependent claims.

[0023] In a first embodiment of the method according to the invention, the first distance and / or the second distance is dependent on the time to the maneuver point. It is conceivable that the first distance and / or the second distance are preferably determined using the vehicle's speed. At high speed, the first distance and / or the second distance can be set larger than at lower speeds to give the driver sufficient time to prepare for the target maneuver. Furthermore, preferably, the first fixed distance and / or the second fixed distance is determined using the vehicle's position.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, in a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the first distance and / or the second distance depends on the distance to the maneuvering point.

[0025] According to the invention, the visual change of the contact-analog display element is achieved by rotating the contact-analog display element when approaching the second display point.

[0026] According to the invention, the contact-analog display element has an orientation feature, the orientation feature being oriented at the first display point relative to the direction of travel at an angle of approximately 0 degrees, and the orientation feature being oriented at the second display point relative to the direction of travel at an angle other than 0 degrees. The orientation feature can be of various possible designs. The important point is that the orientation feature can be used to indicate a direction.

[0027] When adjusting the angle, the orientation feature, similar to a compass, points in the direction of the maneuver to be performed. Initially, the orientation feature is arranged at an angle of 0 degrees relative to the direction of travel. This means that the orientation feature is aligned with the direction of travel in this case. As the vehicle approaches the second indicator point or the maneuver point, the orientation feature, according to the invention, points increasingly in the direction of the turn to be made, so that the angle of the orientation feature relative to the direction of travel changes. In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the contact-analogous indicator element is represented as a directional arrow. The directional arrow has a unique orientation feature at its arrowhead, which allows the driver of the vehicle to clearly identify, for example, a turning instruction.

[0028] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the contact-analog display element is at least partially transparent at the first display point, and its transparency is lower at the second display point than at the first. The partial transparency at the first display point, which decreases continuously until the second display point is reached, gradually increases the visibility of the contact-analog display element. In this way, the driver of the vehicle becomes increasingly aware of the contact-analog display element as the vehicle approaches the second display point or the maneuver point.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, in a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the contact-analog display element can be shown at a smaller size at the first display point than at the second display point. Analogous to the above descriptions, the contact-analog display element becomes increasingly visible or easier to perceive as the vehicle approaches the second display point or the maneuver point.

[0030] The aforementioned problem is also solved by a device, according to the characterizing part of claim 9, comprising at least one input interface, at least one control unit, at least one graphics module and at least one output interface, wherein the input interface receives data, wherein the control unit determines a target maneuver and a maneuver point of the target maneuver, wherein the control unit determines a first display point with a first distance from the maneuver point on a route traveled by the vehicle, wherein the control unit determines a second display point with a second distance from the maneuver point on a route traveled by the vehicle, wherein the graphics module generates a contact-analog display element and wherein the graphics module visually changes the contact-analog display element when approaching the second display point.

[0031] The device may, for example, be a navigation system that enables a graphical output of contact-analog elements according to the device according to the invention.

[0032] According to the invention, the device can carry out the method according to the invention. The above statements regarding the method according to the invention also apply accordingly to the device according to the invention.

[0033] In addition, the aforementioned problem is solved by a vehicle according to the characterizing part of claim 8, wherein the vehicle comprises a device according to claim 7. The above statements regarding the device according to the invention also apply accordingly to the vehicle according to the invention.

[0034] Unless otherwise stated in individual cases, the various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another.

[0035] The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a display area of ​​a display device when carrying out an embodiment of a method according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a further representation of a display area of ​​a display device when carrying out the embodiment of the method according to the invention. Figure 1 and Figure 3 a further representation of the display area of ​​the display device when carrying out the exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention Figure 1 and Figure 2 .

[0036] Figure 1Figure 10 shows a contact-analog display 10 of an augmented reality display device 12 in which a three-dimensional space is depicted. By a process carried out by the augmented reality display device 12, a first display point 14 on the also depicted path 16 is determined in the three-dimensional space for displaying a contact-analog display element 18.

[0037] The contact-analog display element 18 is determined from navigation information of the augmented reality display device 12 and is intended to provide information about a target maneuver and a maneuver point of the target maneuver so that the driver can be prepared for the navigation maneuver in a timely manner. For this purpose, in a first step, the first display point 14 is determined with an initial distance from the maneuver point on the route 16 traveled by the vehicle. Subsequently, the contact-analog display element 18 is generated and output by the augmented reality display device 12, starting from the first display point 14.

[0038] Additionally, a second display point 20 is determined at a second distance from the maneuver point on the travel path 16. This second distance is correspondingly smaller relative to the maneuver point than the first. The procedure further stipulates that the contact-analog display element 18 is visually altered as the vehicle approaches the second display point 20. The first display point 14 and the second display point 20 thus serve to define a range within which the contact-analog display element 18 is visually altered.

[0039] The contact-analog display element 18 is shown in perspective-correct detail in the contact-analog display 10, so that the driver of the vehicle is given the impression that the contact-analog display element 18 is part of the surroundings. In this embodiment, the contact-analog display element 18 is a directional arrow, which has an orientation feature 22 at its arrowhead.

[0040] In Figure 1 The contact-analog display element 18 is shown at the first display point 14. The orientation feature, i.e., the arrowhead, points in the direction of travel of the vehicle. Consequently, no navigation maneuver is yet indicated by the contact-analog display element 18.

[0041] In Figure 2The vehicle is located between the first display point 14 and the second display point 20. The visual change of the contact-analog display element 18 is caused by its rotation. This rotation also rotates the orientation feature 22, i.e., the arrowhead. In this way, the driver is signaled that they are approaching a second display point 20 and thus also a maneuver point where a navigation maneuver must be performed. By displaying the contact-analog display element 18 in the form of an arrow, it is easy for the driver to recognize that the next navigation maneuver will be a right turn, since in Figure 2 It can be clearly seen that the orientation feature 22 and, accordingly, the contact-analogous display element 18 were rotated clockwise.

[0042] Since the angle relative to the direction of travel, around which the contact-analog display element 18 has been rotated, is still relatively steep, the driver can anticipate that the navigation maneuver to be performed is not yet imminent. In this embodiment, the contact-analog display element 18 is continuously rotated as it approaches the second display point 20. This provides the driver with a clear and easily understandable indication, similar to a compass, of the direction in which the vehicle should be steered.

[0043] In Figure 3 The vehicle has reached the second display point 20. In this embodiment, the second display point 20 coincides with the maneuver point. The orientation feature 22, or the contact-analog display element 18, is in Figure 3The vehicle has already been rotated 90 degrees clockwise relative to the direction of travel. This indicates to the driver that the turning maneuver, in the form of a right turn, is now to be executed. After completion of the turning maneuver, a new maneuvering point is determined according to the procedure, and the procedure is repeated as described above until the vehicle reaches its destination. Reference symbol list

[0044] 10 Analog contact display 12 Augmented reality display device 14 First display point 16 Travel path 18 Analog contact display element 20 Second display point 22 Orientation feature

Claims

1. Method for preparing a navigation maneuver of a vehicle by controlling a contact-analogous display (10), displaying navigation information, of an augmented reality display device (12), wherein a target maneuver and a maneuver point for the target maneuver are determined, wherein a first display point (14) is ascertained with a first spacing from the maneuver point on a travel path (16) on which the vehicle is traveling, wherein a contact-analogous display element (18) is generated and output for display by the augmented reality display device (12) on reaching the first display point (14), wherein at least a second display point (20) is ascertained with a second spacing from the maneuver point on a travel path (16) on which the vehicle is traveling, wherein the second spacing to the maneuver point is smaller than the first spacing, wherein the contact-analogous display element (18) is continuously visually changed when approaching the second display point (20), characterized in that the contact-analogous display element (18) is rotated in the manner of a compass when approaching the second display point (20), wherein the contact-analogous display element (18) has an orientation feature (22), wherein the orientation feature (22), at the first display point (14), is oriented at an angle of approximately 0 degrees relative to the direction of driving and wherein the orientation feature (22), at the second display point (20), is oriented at an angle other than 0 degrees relative to the direction of driving, wherein the orientation feature (22), when approaching the second display point or the maneuver point, points increasingly in the direction of a turn to be carried out, with the result that the angle of the orientation feature (22) changes relative to the direction of driving.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first spacing and / or the second spacing depends on the time to reach the maneuver point.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first spacing and / or the second spacing depends on the distance to the maneuver point.

4. Method according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the contact-analogous display element (18) is displayed as a directional arrow.

5. Method according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the contact-analogous display element (18) is displayed at least partially transparently at the first display point (14) and in that the transparency of the contact-analogous display element (18) is lower at the second display point (20) than at the first display point (20).

6. Method according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the contact-analogous display element (18) is displayed with a smaller size at the first display point (14) than at the second display point (20).

7. Device for carrying out a method according to any of claims 1 to 6, comprising at least one input interface, comprising at least one control unit, comprising at least one graphics module, and comprising at least one output interface, wherein the input interface is configured to receive data, wherein the control unit is configured to determine a target maneuver and a maneuver point for the target maneuver, wherein the control unit ascertains a first display point (14) with a first spacing from the maneuver point on a travel path (16) on which the vehicle is traveling, wherein the control unit ascertains a second display point (20) with a second spacing from the maneuver point on a travel path (16) on which the vehicle is traveling, wherein the graphics module is configured to generate a contact-analogous display element, wherein the graphics module visually changes the contact-analogous display element (18) when approaching the second display point (20), wherein the device is designed and configured to perform a method according to any of claims 1 to 6.

8. Vehicle comprising an augmented reality display device (12) configured to display contact-analogous display elements, and comprising a device according to claim 7.