Method and device for digitally displaying information relating to a vehicle by projecting graphic content.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for digitally displaying vehicle information by projecting graphic content, said method being implemented by a graphics processor and a projector connected in communication with said graphics processor, comprising the following steps: - rendering (31), by the graphics processor, of a first digital signal representing a first graphic content; - rendering (32), by the graphics processor, of a second digital signal carrying the vehicle information; - transmission (33), by the graphics processor, of the first and second digital signals to the projector; - projection (34), by the projector, of the first graphic content onto a support housed in a dashboard of the vehicle;and- projection (35), by the projector, of a second graphic content representing the information relating to the vehicle carried by the second signal towards the support and superimposed on the first graphic content. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 3;

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for digital display of information relating to a vehicle by projection of graphic content. technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of digital information display by projecting graphic content onto a motor vehicle dashboard. More particularly, the present invention relates to the digital display of vehicle information by projecting graphic content representing this information onto a display located in the vehicle's dashboard. Technological background

[0002] In vehicles, particularly automobiles, digital display devices for projecting graphic content tend to replace the mechanical dashboard instruments that are usually located on the dashboard in front of the driver of a vehicle.

[0003] Thus, there are digital display devices for projecting graphic content comprising a graphics processor associated with a projector, also called a projection screen, of the liquid crystal (LCD) or TFT (Thin Film Transistor) type mounted on the dashboard of a motor vehicle and a reflective element receiving the graphic content projected by the projector and intended to reflect the projected graphic content towards a driver or passenger of the motor vehicle.

[0004] Some graphic content projection display devices cannot be housed in small vehicle cockpits because the reflective elements are most often of relatively large dimensions.

[0005] It is known to use reflective blades as a reflective element in digital display devices for projecting graphic content for motor vehicles.

[0006] A reflective blade is transparent or not and includes a metallization of its reflective surface(s).

[0007] The use of a transparent blade allows the graphic content of a background affixed to a support housed behind (below) the reflective blade to be superimposed on the graphic content projected by the projection screen, thus forming a virtual image combining these two graphic contents. This virtual image is visible to an observer looking at the front (top) of the reflective blade.

[0008] However, these virtual images lack depth due to the short distance between the support and the reflection blade.

[0009] Summary of the present invention

[0010] One object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0011] To that end, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a process digital display of vehicle information by projection of graphic content, said method being implemented by a graphics processor and a projector connected in communication with said graphics processor, the method comprising the following steps: - rendering, by the graphics processor, of a first digital signal representing a first graphic content; - rendered, by the graphics processor, of a second digital signal carrying information relating to the vehicle; - transmission, by the graphics processor, of the first and second digital signals to the projector; - projection, by the projector, of the first graphic content onto a display housed in the vehicle's dashboard; and - projection, by the projector, of a second graphic content representing the information relating to the vehicle carried by the second signal towards the support and superimposed on the first graphic content.

[0012] Projecting the second graphic content onto the support in superposition of the first graphic content makes it possible to increase the depth of the virtual image seen by the driver or a user of the vehicle looking at the reflection blade of a digital display device by projection of graphic content implementing the present invention.

[0013] This depth effect is all the more pronounced when the first graphic content is structured and / or colored to create shadow and / or relief effects, for example.

[0014] According to one variant, the first graphic content is static or animated.

[0015] This variant is advantageous because it allows for the definition of a first semi-transparent graphic content (for example) which can be combined with a background affixed to the support housed behind the blade, reflecting the graphic content projection display device. The animation of the first graphic content makes it possible to attract the attention of the driver and / or a vehicle user when, for example, no new vehicle-related data is projected.

[0016] According to one variant, the method further comprises a step of modulating at least one characteristic of the first graphic content according to preferences of a user, of lighting conditions in the vehicle's interior, or of a driver's behavior in the vehicle.

[0017] This variant is advantageous because it allows the appearance of the first graphic content, and therefore of the virtual image obtained by superimposing the first and second graphic content, to be adapted to user preferences. It also allows the appearance of the first graphic content, and therefore of the virtual image, to be adapted to the lighting conditions inside the vehicle, for example, to day / night lighting conditions, but also to the behavior of a vehicle driver, such as, for example, their level of attention.

[0018] According to one variant, said at least one feature of the first graphic content is a feature from the following list or a combination of at least two features from the following list: - chrominance component; - luminance component; - brightness; - contrast.

[0019] According to one variant, the method further comprises a step of selecting the first graphic content from a set of graphic contents.

[0020] This variant allows the personalization of an interface between a vehicle user and the vehicle by choosing a particular first graphic content and therefore a particular appearance of the virtual images generated by the digital display device by projection of graphic content.

[0021] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a digital display device for information relating to a vehicle by projection of graphic content, the device comprising a projector connected in communication with a graphics processor configured for the implementation of the steps of the process according to the first aspect.

[0022] According to one variant, the device further comprises a support on which a decorative motif is affixed.

[0023] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a digital display device according to the second aspect.

[0024] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which includes instructions adapted for carrying out the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0025] Such a computer program can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or a intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0026] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0027] On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can include a storage means, such as a ROM, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit-type ROM, or a magnetic recording means or a hard disk drive.

[0028] On the other hand, this recording medium can also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or radio frequency, by self-directing laser beam, or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention can, in particular, be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

[0029] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the process in question. Brief description of the figures

[0030] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the specific and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 3, in which:

[0031] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a digital projection display device graphic content for motor vehicles, according to a particular and non-limiting example of the present invention;

[0032] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a graphics processor of a digital display device for projecting graphic content for motor vehicles, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a process for digitally displaying information relating to a vehicle by projecting graphic content, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Description of examples of implementation

[0035] A method for digitally displaying information relating to a vehicle by projecting graphic content and a graphics processor of a device for digitally displaying information relating to a vehicle by projecting graphic content configured to implement the steps of the process will now be described in what follows with joint reference to figures 1 to 3. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description that follows.

[0036] The present invention relates to making available to the driver and / or passengers information relating to the vehicle, that is to say various information relating both to the operation of the vehicle (speed, engine speed, fuel level, ...) and to parameters external to the vehicle (outside temperature, time, journey time, mapping, GPS (Global Positioning System in English, location data system in French, ...)).

[0037] In particular, the present invention relates to the field of displaying information by projecting graphic content onto the dashboard of a motor vehicle by means of a digital display device operating by projecting graphic content.

[0038] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a digital display device 1 for projecting graphic content for a motor vehicle, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] The device 1 includes a graphics processor 2 coupled to a projector 11, also called a projection screen, mounted on the dashboard of a motor vehicle, opposite a reflection blade.

[0040] Hereafter, the present invention is described considering a single projector 11 and a single graphics processor 2. However, the present invention can also be implemented by several projectors and / or by several graphics processors collaborating with each other to implement the operations of the process described in relation to [Fig.1] and / or the steps of the process described in relation to [Fig.3].

[0041] The projector 11 is, for example, a liquid crystal projector. The projector 11 is intended to project graphic content emitted by the graphics processor 2 towards the reflection plate so as to form "floating" ("virtual") images behind the reflection plate. The reflection plate is inclined so that an observer 12, typically a driver or passenger of the motor vehicle, can see the virtual ("floating") images Imr that correspond to the graphic content projected by the projector 11 and reflected by the reflection plate.

[0042] The reflective blade comprises a transparent blade 10 which is, for example, made of polycarbonate. The transparent blade is fixed by screwing, gluing, welding, etc., onto a dashboard insert 15 of the vehicle using a fastener 14.

[0043] The present invention is not limited by the means used to fix the transparent blade 10 to the dashboard but extends to any means used to fix a blade to a vehicle dashboard.

[0044] The transparent blade 10 comprises a face 101 and a face 102.

[0045] Face 104 is considered to be a front (or upper) face of the blade The transparent face 10 is the one closest to the observer 12 looking at the reflected plate. In contrast, face 103 is the back (lower) face because it is the face furthest from this observer 12.

[0046] A reflective film 102 can be glued onto the face 104 and, optionally, a reflective film 101 is glued onto the face 103.

[0047] Film 102 and / or 101 is a mono or multi-layer film of a known material meeting particular mechanical and optical characteristics to produce effects such as those listed above.

[0048] The film 102 is reflective to reflect the graphic content lmp. The film 101 is reflective to reflect the light beam projected by a light source 13 included in the device 1.

[0049] The transparent blade 10 can further comprise a layer of glass on the film 102. The film 102 is then double-sided bonded to the face 104 of the transparent blade 10 on one side and to the layer of glass on the other.

[0050] The glass layer can be in the form of a sheet or a thin sheet.

[0051] The glass layer may be of the gorilla® type.

[0052] The glass layer can be adapted to mask at least one area behind the the blade reflects.

[0053] The glass layer may include a decoration or marking or gradient.

[0054] The glass layer can be tinted.

[0055] A marking, decoration or colour can be produced by screen printing on the glass layer.

[0056] The light source 13 can be located between the reflecting blade and a support 16 housed at the back of the mirror blade to leave a free space with the mirror blade.

[0057] The support 16 may be a decorative opaque piece on which a decorative pattern is printed or engraved or painted.

[0058] The reflection blade can then alternately ensure the reflection of the graphic content projected by the projector 11 combined with the vision of the decorative pattern of the support 16. When the projection screen 11 does not project graphic content, only the decorative pattern is visible because it is illuminated by the light source 13.

[0059] The light source 13 can be positioned to indirectly illuminate the support 16.

[0060] For example, the light source is located behind (top, bottom, sides, or distributed according to several locations) or partially in the thickness of the reflection plate.

[0061] The light source can also be positioned to directly illuminate the support 16.

[0062] According to one variant, the light source is an assembly of at least one light-emitting diode (LED).

[0063] The present invention is not limited to device 1 as described in relation to [Fig. 1]. Other reflective blades may be used, the support 16 may be undecorated, and the light source 13 may be absent, for example. Several projectors 11 and / or several graphics processors 2 may also be used collaboratively.

[0064] A process for digitally displaying vehicle-related information by projecting graphic content is now described when this process is implemented by the graphics processor 2 connected in communication with the projector 11.

[0065] In a first operation, the graphics processor 2 calculates a rendering of a first digital signal SI representative of a graphic content.

[0066] The rendering of the first SI signal by the graphics processor includes all the operations necessary to obtain a first SI signal representative of the first graphic content. This set of operations includes, for example, obtaining the first graphic content from the vehicle's on-board memory or from a communication network, or generating one or more frames of a digital signal according to a format designed, on the one hand, to encapsulate information representative of the first graphic content and, on the other hand, to allow the projector 11 to retrieve the information from this signal to form and project this first graphic content.

[0067] According to one variant, the first graphic content is static or animated.

[0068] For example, the graphic content can be an image or a sequence of images.

[0069] In a second operation, the graphics processor 2 calculates a rendering of a second digital signal S2 carrying information relating to the vehicle.

[0070] The rendering of the second signal S2 by the graphics processor 2 comprises all the operations necessary to obtain a second signal S2 representative of the vehicle information. This set of operations includes, for example, obtaining the vehicle information from the vehicle's on-board memory, from a communication network, or from sensors or other devices on-board in the vehicle. This set of operations further includes the generation of one or more frames of a digital signal in a format designed, firstly, to encapsulate this vehicle information and, secondly, to allow the projector 11 to retrieve the information carried by this signal in order to form and project a second graphic content representative of this vehicle information.

[0071] In a third operation, the graphics processor 2 transmits the first SI and second S2 signal to the projector 11.

[0072] In a fourth operation, the projector 11 projects the first graphic content towards the support 16 housed in the dashboard of the vehicle.

[0073] In a fifth operation, the projector 11 projects a second graphic content representing the information relating to the vehicle carried by the second signal towards the support 16 in superposition of the first signal SI.

[0074] Thus, the observer 12 sees a virtual image superimposing the first graphic content and the second graphic content.

[0075] In the case where the support 16 is decorated, the observer 12 sees a virtual image superimposing a view of a physical decoration of the support 16, the first graphic content and the second graphic content.

[0076] The present invention makes it possible to enrich the visual rendering of the interface between the vehicle and the users of this vehicle.

[0077] According to one variant, in a sixth operation, the graphics processor 2 modulates at least one feature of the first graphic content according to user preferences, vehicle interior lighting conditions or driver behavior.

[0078] According to one variant, said at least one modulated feature of the first graphic content is a feature from the following list or a combination of at least two features from the following list: - chrominance component; - luminance component; - brightness; - contrast.

[0079] According to one variant, the modulation of a characteristic of the first graphic content is a decrease or an increase in the values ​​of that characteristic.

[0080] For example, chrominance, luminance, contrast, and brightness values ​​of the first graphic content can be increased or decreased according to user preferences, vehicle interior lighting conditions, or driver behavior.

[0081] User preferences can be stored in on-board memory in the vehicle or obtained from a communication network.

[0082] These user preferences can be presented in the form of tables associating the identity of a user with profiles for modulating characteristics of the first graphic content.

[0083] According to one variant, in a seventh operation, the graphics processor 2 chooses the first graphic content from a set of graphic contents.

[0084] For example, the first graphic content is selected randomly from the set of graphic contents.

[0085] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the graphics processor 2 of the digital display device 1, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] The graphics processor 2 is configured to implement at least one operation of the process described opposite [Fig.1] and / or at least one step of the process described opposite [Fig.3].

[0087] Examples of such a graphics processor 2 include, but are not limited to, embedded electronic equipment such as a vehicle's on-board computer, or an electronic control unit such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The elements of the graphics processor 2, individually or in combination, may be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. The graphics processor 2 may be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules, or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0088] The graphics processor 2 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 20 configured to execute instructions for carrying out at least one step of the process described in relation to [Fig. 3] and / or for executing instructions from the software embedded in the graphics processor 2. The processor 20 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The graphics processor 2 further comprises at least one memory 21, corresponding, for example, to volatile and / or non-volatile memory, and / or includes a memory storage device that may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0089] The computer code of the embedded software(s) including the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored on memory 21.

[0090] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the graphics processor 2 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (Telematic Control Unit), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0091] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the graphics processor 2 includes a block 22 of interface elements for communicating with external devices.

[0092] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the graphics processor 2 includes a communication interface 23 which allows communication to be established with other devices (such as embedded computers) of the first vehicle 10) via a communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds for example to a wired network of type CAN (from the English "Controller Area Network" or in French "Réseau de contrôlers"), CAN FD (from the English "Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate" or in French "Réseau de contrôlers à débit de données flexible"), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (standardized by the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0093] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the graphics processor 2 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as the projection screen 11, a display screen 240, touch or not, one or more speakers 250 and / or other peripherals 260 via output interfaces 24, 25 and 26 respectively. According to a variant, one or more of the external devices is integrated into the graphics processor 2.

[0094] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a digital display process for information relating to a vehicle by projection of graphic content, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] The process is for example implemented by a device 1 embedded in the first vehicle which includes a graphics processor 2 of the [Fig.2] and a projection screen 11.

[0096] In a first step 31, the graphics processor 2 calculates a rendering of a first digital signal SI representative of a graphic content.

[0097] In a second step 32, the graphics processor 2 calculates a rendering of a second digital signal S2 carrying information relating to the vehicle.

[0098] In a third step 33, the graphics processor 2 transmits the first SI and second S2 signal to the projector 11.

[0099] In a fourth step 34, the projector 11 projects the first graphic content towards the support 16 housed in the dashboard of the vehicle.

[0100] In a fifth step 35, the projector 11 projects a second graphic content representing the vehicle-related information carried by the second signal towards the support 16, superimposed on the first signal SL

[0101] According to one variant, in a sixth step 36, the graphics processor 2 modulates at least one feature of the first graphics content according to user preferences, vehicle interior lighting conditions or vehicle driver behavior.

[0102] According to one variant, in a seventh step 37, the graphics processor 2 selects the graphic content from a set of graphic content.

[0103] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method for digitally displaying vehicle information by projecting graphic content, which would include secondary steps without departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

[0104] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-based motor vehicle, comprising the display device including the projection screen 11 and the graphics processor 2 described in relation to figures 1 to 3.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for digitally displaying information relating to a vehicle by projecting graphic content, said method being implemented by at least one graphics processor and / or at least one projector connected in communication with said graphics processor, comprising the following steps: - rendering (31), by the graphics processor, of a first digital signal representing a first graphic content; - rendering (32), by the graphics processor, of a second digital signal carrying the information relating to the vehicle; - transmission (33), by the graphics processor, of the first and second digital signals to the projector; - projection (34), by the projector, of the first graphic content onto a support housed in a dashboard of the vehicle;and - projection (35), by the projector, of a second graphic content representing the information relating to the vehicle carried by the second signal towards the support and superimposed on the first graphic content; and - modulation (36) of at least one characteristic of the first graphic content according to the preferences of a user, the lighting conditions of a vehicle interior or the behavior of a vehicle driver.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first graphic content is static or animated.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one modulated feature of the first graphic content is a feature of the following list or a combination of at least two features of the following list: - chrominance component; - luminance component; - brightness; - contrast.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a step (37) of selecting the first graphic content from a set of graphic contents.

5. A computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method according to any one of the claims previous ones, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

6. A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the process according to any one of claims 1 to 4

7. 1 d H-. A digital display device for information relating to a vehicle by projection of graphic content, the device comprising at least one projector connected in communication with at least one graphics processor configured for the implementation of the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. Device according to claim 7, further comprising a support on which a decorative motif is affixed.

9. Motor vehicle comprising at least one display device according to claim 7 or 8.

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