Head-up display method in a motor vehicle, associated device and motor vehicle.

Abstract

Method for controlling a head-up display on a windshield (140) of a motor vehicle (100) comprising a projection device (120), the method being implemented in the motor vehicle (110), and being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: Receiving, from a sensor (131) of the motor vehicle (100), a physical quantity, Determining a first focal length from the physical quantity, Controlling a projection, by the projection device (120), of a graphic element, on the windshield (140), from the physical quantity, at the first focal length, The first focal length being an increasing function of the physical quantity, The physical quantity being a filling level of a fuel tank (130) of the motor vehicle (100) or a charge level of an electric battery of the motor vehicle (100). Figure for abstract: figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Head-up display method in a motor vehicle, associated device and motor vehicle.

[0001] The invention relates to head-up displays in motor vehicles.

[0002] The head-up display consists of superimposing graphic elements (in other words: displayed information) with the environment of the motor vehicle seen through a transparent wall of a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, in particular through the windshield in a motor vehicle.

[0003] There is a need to facilitate the perception and / or interpretation of these graphic elements.

[0004] For this purpose, the invention relates to a method for controlling a head-up display on a windshield of a motor vehicle comprising a projection device, the method being implemented in the motor vehicle, and being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: • Reception (for example, via a vehicle data bus), from an (electronic) sensor of the motor vehicle, of a physical quantity measured by the sensor (and the method may comprise an acquisition of the physical measurement by the sensor), then • Determination of a first focal distance, from the physical quantity, then • Command of a projection, by the projection device, of a graphic element (in other words: sending to the projection device a command of a projection of a graphic element, by the projection device), on the windshield, at the first focal distance (in other words: with or according to the first focal distance), (the command can comprise the graphic element and the first focal distance) (the method can, in addition, comprise this projection by the projection device). The first focal length being an increasing function (i.e. strictly increasing in part, i.e. over at least part of its domain of definition) of the physical quantity (in other words: the smaller the physical quantity, the smaller the focal length will be, i.e., the closer the graphic element will be displayed in a plane to the driver (when he is in the driving position, for example, sitting on the driver's seat)), and the physical quantity being a filling level of a fuel tank of the motor vehicle (for example, supplying a propulsion motor of the motor vehicle) or a charge level of an electric battery of the motor vehicle (for example, supplying a propulsion motor of the motor vehicle) propulsion of the motor vehicle).

[0005] The first focal distance corresponds to a plane in which the graphic element is displayed.

[0006] Thus, the display of the filling level of the fuel tank of the motor vehicle or the charge level of an electric battery of the motor vehicle appears, to the driver of the vehicle, all the closer (to the driver) the lower the filling level or the charge level.

[0007] This allows the driver to perceive more easily that this information is critical or important.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the determination of the first focal distance from the physical quantity comprises a step of selecting the first focal distance from a plurality of focal distances, from the physical quantity

[0009] For example, each focal length of the plurality of focal lengths is associated, in a memory (for example, of the electronic device implementing the method according to the invention), with a minimum threshold and a maximum threshold (greater than the minimum threshold) (so that the first focal length is an increasing function of the physical quantity), the first focal length being selected, during the selection step, if the physical quantity is between the minimum threshold of the first focal length and the maximum threshold of the first focal length.

[0010] Alternatively, other methods, for example arithmetic, may be used to determine the first focal length.

[0011] The graphic element forms, for example, a gauge or an indicator that the filling level of the tank has reached a reserve level.

[0012] The graphic element can be determined from the physical quantity.

[0013] For example, a shape or size of the gauge or indicator may be de completed from the physical quantity, in many ways conceivable and / or known to those skilled in the art.

[0014] Alternatively, the graphic element may be alphanumeric characters representing the vehicle's range in kilometers obtained from the tank fill level.

[0015] For example, the projection device comprises a plurality of steerable projectors and a steerable mirror, the projection device being capable of (and the method may comprise the following steps, for example implemented by a microprocessor of the projection device): • Receive the order, and (then) • (Upon receipt of said command), Select (from the first focal length) a projector from the plurality of orientable projectors, an orientation of the projector and an orientation of the orientable mirror, so as to project (from the projector), onto the windshield, the graphic element, via the adjustable mirror, at the first focal length.

[0016] Alternatively, the projection device comprises a plurality of steerable mirrors and a steerable projector, the projection device being capable (and the method may comprise the following steps, for example implemented by a microprocessor of the projection device) of: • Receive the order, and (then) • (Upon receipt of said command), Select (from the first focal length) a mirror from the plurality of orientable mirrors, an orientation of the orientable projector and an orientation of the mirror, so as to project (from the orientable projector), onto the windshield, the graphic element, via the mirror, at the first focal length.

[0017] Alternatively: • The projection device includes an optical diffuser, and • The windshield includes a holographic optical element (e.g., in the thickness of the windshield), • Since the graphic element is a monochrome color, the focal length is determined by the monochrome color.

[0018] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller or a computer, to implement the steps of the method according to the invention, when it is executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller or the computer.

[0019] The method according to the invention can be implemented by an electronic device (or a motor vehicle). The invention therefore also relates to an electronic device (or a motor vehicle) configured to implement the steps of the method according to the invention, as well as a motor vehicle comprising the electronic device.

[0020] The characteristics and advantages of the computer program, the electronic device, and the vehicle are identical to those of the method according to the invention (without it being necessary to repeat them here).

[0021] When the electronic device, motor vehicle (or other element) is "configured to" (or "capable of") performing or implementing a step or operation, this implies, for example, that the element comprises means for performing the step or operation. The means preferably comprise electronic means, for example a computer program, data in memory, specialized electronic circuits, wired or wireless connections, a microprocessor and / or a microcontroller.

[0022] For example, the electronic device comprises a computer program, a mi- microprocessor and / or microcontroller.

[0023] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: • [Fig.l] represents an electronic device and a motor vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention, in top view, • [Fig.2], [Fig.3] and [Fig.4] represent three types of projection device of the motor vehicle of [Fig.l], • [Fig.5] represents an implementation of the method according to the invention, according to a example of embodiment, by the electronic device and the motor vehicle of [Fig.l], • [Fig.6] represents display plans, at several times, as seen by the driver of the motor vehicle in [Fig.l].

[0024] In [Fig.l], certain elements are, of course, seen through transparency.

[0025] Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

[0026] [Fig.l] represents a motor vehicle 100. The motor vehicle 100 comprises a windshield 140 and a microprocessor 110. Furthermore, the microprocessor 110 is connected, by a data bus 150, to a sensor 131 and to a projection device 120 of the motor vehicle 100.

[0027] In step S00 [Fig.5], the microprocessor 110 receives, from the sensor 131, a physical quantity measured by the sensor 131.

[0028] In step S10, the microprocessor 110 selects a first focal length from the physical quantity. For this, the microprocessor 110 can read, in its memory, a table associating each of the focal lengths of a plurality of focal lengths with a minimum threshold and a maximum threshold. The first focal length is the focal length in the associated table: • Has a maximum threshold greater than the physical quantity, • Has a minimum threshold less than the physical quantity.

[0029] This table defines the focal length as an increasing function of the physical quantity (in other words: the smaller the physical quantity, the more it will be displayed in a plane close to the driver (when he is in the driving position, for example, sitting in the driver's seat)).

[0030] In step S20, the microprocessor 110 sends a command to the projector 120 so that the projection device 120 projects a graphic element onto the windshield 140 at the first focal length. The command may include the graphic element and the first focal length. The graphic element is determined from the magnitude physical.

[0031] In step S30, the projection device 120 receives the command.

[0032] According to an embodiment shown [Fig.2], the projection device 120 comprises orientable projectors 121, 123 and 125 and an orientable mirror 122. In step S40, upon receiving the command, the projection device 120 selects a projector from among the orientable projectors 121, 123 and 125, for example the orientable projector 121. In step S40, the projection device 120 also selects an orientation of the orientable projector 121 and an orientation of the orientable mirror 122, so as to project, from the orientable projector 121, onto the windshield 140, the graphic element, via the orientable mirror 122, at the first focal distance.

[0033] In the variant shown [Fig. 3], the projection device 120 comprises orientable mirrors 122', 124' and 126' and an orientable projector 121'. In step S40, upon receiving the command, the projection device 120 selects a mirror from among the orientable mirrors 122', 124' and 126', for example the mirror 124'. In step S40, the projection device 120 also selects an orientation of the orientable projector 121' and an orientation of the mirror 124', so as to project, from the projector 121', onto the windshield 140, the graphic element, via the mirror 124', at the first focal distance.

[0034] In a variant shown [Fig.4]: • The projection device 120 comprises a projector 121”, an optical diffuser 127, and • The windshield 140 comprises a holographic optical element (for example, in its thickness), • Since the graphic element is a monochrome color, the focal length is determined by the monochrome color.

[0035] Step S40 may be implemented by a microprocessor (not shown) of the projection device 120.

[0036] Step S40 comprises calculations in the field of optics (implemented for example by the microprocessor of the projection device 120) within the reach of those skilled in the art.

[0037] In step S50, once thus configured, the projection device 120 projects the graphic element onto the windshield 140.

[0038] The physical quantity may be a filling level of a fuel tank 130 supplying a propulsion engine of the motor vehicle 100.

[0039] The graphic element forms, for example, a gauge or an indicator that the filling level of the tank has reached a reserve level.

[0040] For example, as illustrated [Fig.6], a gauge indicating that the tank of vehicle 100's fuel tank is 50% full is displayed on a plane P2 further from the driver than a gauge indicating that vehicle 100's fuel tank is 10% full.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling a head-up display on a windshield (140) of a motor vehicle (100) comprising a projection device (120), the method being implemented in the motor vehicle (100), and being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: • Reception (S00), from a sensor (131) of the motor vehicle (100), of a physical quantity, • Determination (S 10) of a first focal distance from the physical quantity, • Control (S20) of a projection, by the projection device (120), of a graphic element, on the windshield (140), at the first focal distance, The first focal distance being an increasing function of the physical quantity, The physical quantity being a filling level of a fuel tank (130) of the motor vehicle (100) or a charge level of an electric battery of the motor vehicle (100).

2. Control method according to the preceding claim in which the determination (S 10) of the first focal length from the physical quantity comprises a step of selecting the first focal length from a plurality of focal lengths, from the physical quantity

3. Control method according to the preceding claim in which each focal length of the plurality of focal lengths is associated, in a memory, with a minimum threshold and a maximum threshold, the first focal length being selected, during the selection step (S 10), if the physical quantity is between the minimum threshold and the maximum threshold of the first focal length.

4. Control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the projection device (120) comprises a plurality of orientable projectors and an orientable mirror (132), the projection device being able to: • Receive (S30) the command, and • Select (S40) a projector (131) from the plurality of pro- orientable projectors, an orientation of the projector (131) and an orientation of the orientable mirror (132), so as to project, onto the windshield (140), the graphic element, at the first focal distance.

5. Control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the projection device (120) comprises a plurality of orientable mirrors and an orientable projector (121'), the projection device being capable of: • Receiving the command (S30), and • Selecting (S40) a mirror (124') from the plurality of orientable mirrors, an orientation of the orientable projector (121') and an orientation of the mirror (124'), so as to project, onto the windshield (140), the graphic element, at the first focal distance.

6. Computer program comprising instructions, executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller, for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, when executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller.

7. Electronic device (110) configured to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. Motor vehicle (100) comprising the electronic device (110) according to the preceding claim.

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