User interface, means of transportation and method for displaying a traffic situation

Abstract

The invention relates to a user interface, a means of transportation (10) and a method for displaying a representation of a traffic situation in a first display area (3) of a graphical user interface (1, 2) of a means of transportation. The method comprises the steps of: determining a speed of the means of transportation and adjusting a vanishing point (x) of the representation of the traffic situation of a first display area (3) according to the speed.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] User interface, means of transport and method for displaying a traffic situation

[0003] The present invention relates to a user interface, a means of transportation, and a method for displaying a traffic situation in a first display area of ​​a graphical user interface. In particular, the present invention relates to a dynamic and particularly efficient use of an available graphical user interface.

[0004] In the current state of the art, vehicles are being equipped with increasingly larger display surfaces. In particular, the display of driving situations (driver assistance functions and scenarios) as well as road maps is known. Widgets are also known that divide sub-areas of display surfaces into separate logical units and can be associated with respective functional scopes. These widgets are typically rectangular in design or have predefined horizontal and / or vertical boundary lines.

[0005] DE 10 2017205 935 A1 discloses a method for operating a display device in which two image streams are displayed one above the other on a display device. Depending on the range of the sensors of the means of transport or the speed of the vehicle, an intersection line between a respective display of the two image streams can be shifted. In this way, the second image stream can be enlarged or reduced.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to use the available display area as efficiently and space-savingly as possible. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to design a user interface across multiple screens in a particularly intuitive manner.

[0007] The above object is achieved according to the invention by a method having the features according to claim 1, a user interface having the features according to claim 10 and a means of transport having the features according to claim 12. The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

[0008] The method is used to display a traffic situation in a first display area of ​​a graphical user interface of a means of transport. The user interface can be understood as a freely programmable design of a matrix display or multiple matrix displays. The traffic situation can in particular comprise a display in which a representation of the ego means of transport and / or a street view through the windshield of an ego means of transport is shown. In other words, a perspective of the street view of the ego means of transport directed in the direction of travel is produced. The first display area can be understood as a surface area of ​​the graphical user interface that is delimited by software or programming from a second display area. In a first step, a speed of the means of transport is determined using sensors.The sensors of the ego vehicle can be used for this purpose. Alternatively or additionally, additional, particularly mobile, portable user devices can be used to determine the speed of the vehicle. Depending on the speed, a vanishing point or vanishing point position is then adjusted to the representation of the traffic situation in the first display area.Since, for example, at low speeds, events in the immediate vicinity of the ego-vehicle are usually more important than distant events, and as speed increases, distant events become more important, the representation of the traffic situation can be designed by adjusting the position of the vanishing point so that the perspective changes from a more downward-facing perspective to a perspective further ahead as the speed of the vehicle increases. In other words, a bird's-eye view or a more bird's-eye view is changed to a perspective ahead of the ego-vehicle as the speed increases. The vanishing point moves from a position shortly in front of the ego-vehicle to a position several hundred meters in the distance or on the horizon (infinity).In this way, at lower speeds, the objects in the vicinity of the means of transport can be shown larger, and at higher speeds, more objects from the area ahead can be shown. The ego-means of transport can be shown in the representation of the traffic situation or can be located behind the viewer's position (view from the windshield of the means of transport). The first display area can have a first boundary line to an immediately adjacent second display area that tends towards the vanishing point. In other words, within the same display, a second display area can be assigned to a different or related topic, thus achieving a type of "split-screen display". However, compared to conventional display devices, the split screen is not only horizontal and / or vertical orstatically segmented, but in particular dynamically divided depending on the current position of the vanishing point along a line running into the vanishing point. This first boundary line can, for example, run in the direction of the vanishing point corresponding to a lane boundary located to the right of the ego vehicle in right-hand traffic or a guardrail located to the right of the ego vehicle. The second display area located beyond the first boundary line can thus fill the screen area complementarily. For example, the second display area can include a top view of a map display and / or another display. This does not preclude the first boundary line from being overlapped by further (higher-level) information or information fields which are positioned proportionally in both the first display area and the second display area.For example, by using blur filters, a raised display of a pop-up or information box can be created without completely obscuring the first boundary line below the information. The boundary line is thus dynamically and intuitively perceivable, and the screen surface can be optimally used for other purposes beyond the representation of the road.

[0009] The first boundary line can, for example, start at a fixed position at a lower edge of the first display area and be directed towards the (position-variable) vanishing point. Alternatively, the first boundary line can also be variably located at the lower edge of the display area. In particular, the location of the upper area of ​​the first boundary line (i.e., the section closest to the vanishing point) can be variably positioned in order to always be aligned with the vanishing point. The same naturally applies to a boundary line opposite the first boundary line with respect to the first display area, which, for example, delimits the first display area from an immediately adjacent fourth display area. In particular, the first display area can be kept symmetrical to facilitate orientation for the user.In other words, the first boundary line and the third boundary line now behave symmetrically with respect to an axis that runs from the center of the image or the ego perspective towards the vanishing point.

[0010] The second display area can include a top view of a digital road map, which, for example, also includes the ego position of the ego means of transport. The digital map can then be moved such that the ego position is located in a predefined area within the second display area. Alternatively or additionally, further information can be shown in the second display area to make the display visually attractive and / or informative. In particular, the user can configure the information within the second display area and / or the first display area in a configuration menu. The same applies to any (partially) superimposed information / pop-ups in the first and second display areas.

[0011] As soon as the current speed of the vehicle changes, this can be detected by sensors. In response, for example, a vertical position (Z position) of the vanishing point can be varied depending on the changed speed. The vanishing point can be located within the display or above / outside the display or the first display area. In particular, the vanishing point can be located outside the first display area at higher speeds, while at lower speeds (e.g., below 50 km / h) it lies within the first display area.

[0012] If multiple display units (displays, in particular implemented in hardware and spatially separated from one another) are used for the graphical user interface, a first display can be provided by the instrument cluster and / or a second display by a central display device (central display control unit). Depending on the vehicle concept, the two displays can also be implemented in respective hardware and / or simply segmented by optical panels or bars. The first display area can in particular be located entirely in the instrument cluster, while the second display area is only partially located on the instrument cluster and partly in the area of ​​the central display control unit. This does not preclude a fourth display area being located to the left of the first display area on the instrument cluster, while a third display area is located to the right of the second display area on the central display control unit.The representation of the second display area thus visually and logically connects the two displays, resulting in a holistic, particularly logical and intuitively understandable graphical user interface.

[0013] If a third display area is adjacent to the second display area, it can be separated from the second display area by a second boundary line. Since the first boundary line changes depending on the vehicle speed, the second boundary line can change accordingly to create a symmetrical image. Alternatively, the second boundary line can also be fixed to smooth the overall display. Particularly preferably, the second boundary line can have a slope corresponding to the third boundary line or run parallel to the third boundary line. This, in turn, smooths the display and promotes a tidy appearance.

[0014] When a “speed” is mentioned in the context of the present disclosure, this is also understood to mean a speed of the means of transport that is changed at a later point in time, according to which the user interface according to the invention is operated according to the aforementioned method.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a user interface for displaying a traffic situation in a first display area of ​​a graphical user interface of a means of transport is proposed. The graphical user interface can be displayed, for example, on an instrument cluster and / or a windscreen display and / or a head-up display and / or a central display control unit (central information display). The means of transport can be configured as a car, van, motorcycle, truck, aircraft, and / or watercraft. The explanations regarding the traffic situation or representation of the traffic situation correspond to those described in connection with the method according to the invention.The user interface has a data input, a data output, and an evaluation unit, which can process data contained via the data input and output the results of the data processing via the data output. The evaluation unit is thus able to determine a speed of the means of transport using the data input, for example, reading data from a vehicle bus. Using the data output, the evaluation unit can adapt a vanishing point of the representation of the traffic situation in the first display area depending on the speed. For example, modified image material and / or modified information regarding a position of the vanishing point of the representation of the traffic situation can be output to a display device (a display or a display network) via the data output.According to the method according to the invention, the user interface is thus configured to lower or raise the vanishing point depending on the speed. The features, feature combinations, and the resulting advantages correspond to those described above to such an extent that, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above explanations.

[0016] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a means of transportation is proposed that has a user interface according to the second aspect of the invention. The means of transportation can be configured as a car, van, motorcycle, truck, aircraft, and / or watercraft. It has a user interface as provided in the prior art and is configured in terms of information technology to carry out the steps of a method according to the first aspect of the invention, thus realizing the same features, feature combinations, and advantages of the method.

[0017] Brief description of the drawings

[0018] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. These show:

[0019] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a means of transport designed according to the invention;

[0020] Fig. 2 to 4 representations of a user interface designed according to the invention as a function of a travel speed of the means of transport; and

[0021] Fig. 5 Steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a passenger car as a means of transport 10, which could also be referred to as an ego-based means of transport. The passenger car has a central information display 2 and a digital instrument cluster 1. The instrument cluster 1 and the central information display 2 are connected to a data output 8 of an electronic control unit serving as an evaluation unit 9. Via a data input 11, the evaluation unit 9 receives speed signals from a central vehicle dynamics control system or from its control unit 12. In particular, a current speed signal is provided by the control unit 12.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a user interface comprising two screens, a left one of which displays a first graphical user interface 1 and a right one of which displays a second graphical user interface 2. The first graphical user interface 1 is divided into a first display area 3 and a part 4a of a second display area 4a, b. The first display area 3 shows a representation 10' of the ego-mobility means (see Fig. 1, reference numeral 10). In addition, a currently engaged gear or a current driving state, a current range, a next upcoming maneuver and a distance to the next upcoming maneuver are displayed. To the right of a first boundary line 6, the first part 4a of the second display area 4a, b shows a plan view of a digital road map.A right-hand area of ​​the first display area 3 and a left-hand area of ​​part 4a of the second display area, as well as parts of the first boundary line 6, are overlaid by a partially transparent indication optically delimited by a blur filter. A second part 4b of the second display area 4a, b shows the continued display of the top view of the digital map along with the ego position of the means of transport. A second boundary line 7 optically delimits the second display area 4a, b from a third display area 5. The second boundary line 7 is also partially overlaid by a superimposed, partially transparent tile representing a music playback function. In this way, the relatively small third display area 5 can serve as a visual anchor for the music playback function, while the overlaid indication extends into the second display area 4a, b and can thus occupy an enlarged surface for the music playback function.Since the vehicle is currently parked, there is no need to represent the traffic situation. Therefore, the first boundary line 6 and the second boundary line 7 are arranged vertically and parallel to each other.

[0024] Fig. 3 shows the representation shown in Fig. 2 after the means of transport has started traveling. A current travel speed of 50 km / h ensures that a representation 10' of the ego vehicle along with other road users is shown in a perspective from a position above and behind the ego vehicle. The vanishing point X is located approximately at the height of the upper edge of the graphical user interface 1 or the first display area 3. As a result, the first boundary line 6 is now shown inclined to the top left and intersects the vanishing point X. The anchor position of the first boundary line 6 at the lower edge of the first display area 3 is unchanged compared to Fig. 2. A third boundary line 13 is mirror-symmetrical to the first boundary line 6 with respect to a main visual axis in the direction of travel or the X direction.The same applies to a second boundary line 7 separating the second part 4b from the third display area 5, which runs parallel to the third boundary line 13. By extending the representation of the digital map to the left of the second display area 4a, b, the third display area 5 can be displayed enlarged on the right side of the image, thus increasing the legibility of the music playback information.

[0025] Fig. 4 shows the view illustrated in Fig. 3 after the travel speed of the means of transport has been increased again to 100 km / h. The vanishing point X has been raised further and now lies outside the first display area 3. The first boundary line 6 is now no longer as steeply inclined to the vertical as in Fig. 3. The same applies to the third boundary line 13 and the second boundary line 7. As can be seen, in this exemplary embodiment the second boundary line 7 is fixedly anchored to the upper edge of the graphical user interface 2 so that the inclination results from the shifting of its intersection position with the lower edge of the graphical user interface 2. In the illustration shown, the vanishing point X shifts as a result of increasing the speed from 50 km / h to 100 km / h, among other things, by increasing the viewer position (viewer position at 100 km / h higher and further behind the ego means of transport than at 50 km / h).

[0026] Fig. 5 shows a flowchart illustrating steps of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention for displaying a traffic situation in a first display area of ​​a graphical user interface of a means of transport. In step 100, a speed of the means of transport is determined using sensors and / or read from a bus system of the means of transport. Determining the speed can alternatively or additionally include reading data from a smart device / smart wearable carried by the user. In step 200, a vanishing point of the representation of the traffic situation in a first display area is adjusted depending on the determined speed by increasing the position in the Z direction.In this way, a boundary line between the first display area and a directly adjacent second display area is also shifted, since the boundary line runs through the vanishing point and is fixedly anchored at the bottom edge of the screen. In step 300, a changed speed of the means of transport is then determined. This can also be done using sensor technology located in the means of transport. In response, in step 400, the vertical position of the vanishing point is again adjusted depending on the changed speed. Again, the boundary line between the first display area and a directly adjacent second display area is continuously adjusted with the speed, thus causing a continuous change in the division of the split-screen display.

[0027] List of reference symbols , 2 Graphical user interface first display area a, b second display area third display area first boundary line second boundary line

[0028] Data output

[0029] Evaluation unit 0 Means of transport 0' Representation of the means of transport1 Data input 2 Control unit 00 to 400 Process steps

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for displaying a representation of a traffic situation in a first display area (3) of a graphical user interface (1, 2) of a means of transport (10), comprising the steps: - determining (100) a speed of the means of transport (10) and - adjusting (200) a vanishing point (x) of the representation of the traffic situation of a first display area (3) as a function of the speed.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the first display area (3) has a first boundary line (6) tending towards the vanishing point (x) to an immediately adjacent second display area (4a, 4b).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first boundary line (6) is fixedly or variably located at a position at a lower edge of the display area (3) and variably at an upper edge of the display area (3).

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the second display area (4a, 4b) shows a plan view of a digital map.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein - the first display area (3) represents a view of a road travelled by the means of transport (10) and / or - the first boundary line (6) coincides with a right edge of a representation of a road currently traveled by the means of transport (10).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims further comprising -Determining (300) a changed speed of the means of transport (10) and in response thereto - Adjustment (400) of the vanishing point (x) depending on the changed speed.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vanishing point (x) is shifted upwards at higher speed and downwards at lower speed.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical user interface (1, 2) is - an instrument cluster and / or - a central display control unit, wherein in particular the first display area (3) is arranged completely and the second display area (4a, 4b) is arranged only partially on the instrument cluster and / or wherein the second display area (4a, 4b) is arranged partially on the central display control unit.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the second display area (4a, 4b) on the central display control part is delimited from a third display area (5) by a second boundary line (7), wherein in particular an inclination of the second boundary line (7) is selected as a function of the speed.

10. User interface for displaying a traffic situation in a first display area (3) of a graphical user interface (1, 2) of a means of transport (10), comprising: - a data input (11), - a data output (8) and - an evaluation unit (9), wherein the evaluation unit (9) is arranged -to determine a speed of the means of transport (10) by means of the data input (11) and - to adapt a vanishing point (x) of the representation of the traffic situation in the first display area (3) as a function of the speed by means of the data output (8).

11. User interface according to claim 10, which is arranged to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 9.

12. Means of transport comprising a user interface according to one of the preceding claims 10 or 11.

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