Inter-plane head-up display method, associated device and motor vehicle.

Abstract

A method for controlling a head-up display on the 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: Detection of an event; Upon detection of the event, a first command to project, by the projection device (120), up to a first instant, a graphic element onto the windshield (140) at a first focal length; then a second command to project, by the projection device (120), from a second instant following the first instant, the graphic element onto the windshield (140) at a second focal length, different from the first focal length. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Inter-plane head-up display method, 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: • Detection of an event, then • Upon (in other words: following) detection of the event, (Sending to the projection device of a) first command for a projection, by the projection device, up to a first instant, of a graphic element (comprising for example an image and / or a text), on the windscreen, at a first focal distance (in other words: with or according to a first focal distance), (the first command may comprise the graphic element and the first focal distance) (the method may, in addition, comprise this projection by the projection device), then • (Sending to the projection device a) Second command for a projection, by the projection device, from a second instant after (in other words: following) the first instant (in other words: the first instant preceded the second instant), of the graphic element, on the windshield, at a second focal distance (in other words: with or according to a second focal distance), (the second command may include the graphic element and the second focal distance) (the method may, in addition, include this projection by the projection device), different from the first focal distance.

[0005] Thus, thanks to the invention, the graphic element is projected successively onto two different planes, which makes it possible to draw the driver's attention to the graphic element.

[0006] For example, the graphic element is read into memory. It can be determined from the event. For example, the graphic element is read, into memory, from a record associated with the event. Alternatively, the graphic element is fixed (or alternatively, random).

[0007] According to one embodiment, the first command and the second command are repeated a plurality of times, following detection of the event.

[0008] The projection of the graphic element is then animated, for example, to attract the driver's attention.

[0009] Alternatively, the first command and the second command are not repeated following detection of the event.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the second focal length is strictly greater than the first focal length.

[0011] Thus, a projection of the graphic element, in a plane closer to the driver, until the first instant, particularly attracts the driver's attention. The graphic element then remains projected, from a second instant following the first instant, in a plane further from the driver (and for example for a predetermined time).

[0012] Alternatively, the second focal length may be less than the first focal length.

[0013] According to one embodiment: • The motor vehicle is moving (in other words: moving) on ​​a roadway during the event detection stage, and • The event is an encounter with a road sign at the edge of the road, and • The graphic element represents the traffic sign.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the event is an anomaly.

[0015] The anomaly may be, for example: • Under-inflation of a motor vehicle tire, or • An opening of the motor vehicle remaining open while the motor vehicle is moving, or • A motor vehicle seat belt that has not been fastened while the motor vehicle is in motion, or • A defective motor vehicle light, or • Exceeding, by the motor vehicle, a maximum authorized driving speed.

[0016] Alternatively, the event can be: • Approaching a next road intersection during guidance of the motor vehicle using a satellite geolocation module, for example of the so-called “GPS” type of the motor vehicle. The graphic element can then indicate the direction the vehicle should take at the next intersection. Unlocking the motor vehicle, switching on the ignition, or detecting a driver entering the motor vehicle. The graphic element can then be a welcome message.

[0017] The event may be detected from data received from a sensor of the motor vehicle (for example, in the aforementioned cases where the event is under-inflation, the opening of the motor vehicle remaining open, the seat belt of the motor vehicle not fastened, the light of the motor vehicle being defective, or the motor vehicle exceeding the maximum authorized traffic speed.) and / or from a camera of the motor vehicle (for example, in the aforementioned cases where the event is the exceeding or meeting the sign) and / or from a radio receiver of the motor vehicle, for example satellite geolocation (for example, in the aforementioned cases where the event is the approach of the next intersection).

[0018] For example, the projection device comprises a plurality of orientable projectors and an orientable mirror, the projection device being capable of: Receive the first order, and Upon receipt of the first 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, at the first focal length.

[0019] Alternatively, the projection device comprises a plurality of orientable mirrors and an orientable projector, the projection device being capable of: Receive the first order, and Upon receipt of the first command, select (from the first focal length) a mirror of the plurality of orientable mirrors, an orientation of the orientable projector and an orientation of the mirror, so as to project (, from the projector), onto the windshield, the graphic element, at the first focal length.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the projection device comprises a plurality of orientable projectors and an orientable mirror, the projection device being capable of: Receive the second order, and Upon receipt of the second command, select (, from the second focal length,) a projector from the plurality of orientable projectors, an orientation of the projector and an orientation of the mirror adjustable, so as to project (from the projector), onto the windshield, the graphic element, at the second focal distance.

[0021] Alternatively, the projection device comprises a plurality of orientable mirrors and an adjustable projector, the projection device being capable of: • Receive the second order, and • Upon receipt of the second command, select (from the second 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 projector), onto the windshield, the graphic element, at the second focal length.

[0022] 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 first focal length or second focal length is determined by the monochrome color.

[0023] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller or a computer, for implementing the steps of the method according to the invention, when it is executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller or the computer.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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).

[0026] When the electronic device, motor vehicle, projection device (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.

[0027] For example, the electronic device comprises a computer program, a microprocessor and / or a microcontroller.

[0028] 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 attached 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] and [Fig.7] represent display plans, at several times, such as as seen by a driver of the motor vehicle in [Fig.l].

[0029] In [Fig.l], certain elements are, of course, seen through transparency.

[0030] Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

[0031] [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 to a camera 130 and to a projection device 120 of the motor vehicle 100.

[0032] In step S00 [Fig.5], the microprocessor 110 receives, from the camera 130, an image of the environment of the motor vehicle 100 while it is traveling on the roadway 200. The microprocessor 110 then detects, in the image, the following event: the encounter of the traffic sign 300 at the edge of the roadway 200.

[0033] In step S10 [Fig. 5], a corresponding graphic element is read from the memory of the microprocessor 110. This step can be carried out in a manner known to those skilled in the art. For example, the microprocessor 110 stores a plurality of speed limit sign images at various limiting speeds. The microprocessor recognizes that the traffic sign limits the speed to 30 kilometers per hour and selects, as a graphic element, a speed limit sign image at 30 kilometers per hour.

[0034] In step S20, the microprocessor 110 sends a first command to the projector 120 so that the projection device 120 carries out a first projection of the graphic element onto the windshield 140 in the plane PI at a focal distance of 1.5 meters.

[0035] In step S30, the projection device 120 receives a first command.

[0036] 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 receipt of the first 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 selects also 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 a focal distance of 1.5 meters.

[0037] 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 receipt of the first 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 a focal distance of 1.5 meters.

[0038] 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.

[0039] Step S40 may be controlled by a microprocessor (not shown) of the projection device 120.

[0040] 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.

[0041] In step S50, once thus configured, the projection device 120 projects the graphic element onto the windshield 140 in the plane PI at a focal distance of 1.5 meters.

[0042] [Fig.6] represents the projection ml of the graphic element in the plane PL

[0043] At step S60 which takes place after step S50, the projection device 120 stops the projection carried out at step S50.

[0044] After step S60, steps identical to steps S20 to S60 are implemented during steps S70 to S110 respectively, but in a plane P2, at a focal distance of 5 meters.

[0045] [Fig.6] represents the projection m2 of the graphic element in the plane P2.

[0046] If the projection of the graphic element ml in the plane PI is of identical dimension to the projection of the graphic element ml in the plane P2, it may appear, in the plane P2, smaller to the driver's eyes, than in the plane PI as shown [Fig.6].

[0047] However, the dimension of the projection of the graphic element in one or both planes can be adapted so that it appears of identical size, in both planes, to the driver's eyes, as in [Fig.7].

[0048] [Fig.7] represents the projection m3 of another graphic element in the plane P3 at one instant, and the projection m4 of this other graphic element in the plane P4 at another instant, in the case where the event detects, at step S10, the approach of a next road intersection during guidance of the motor vehicle 100 using a so-called “GPS” module. The projection of the graphic element m3 and m4 can indicate the direction that the vehicle must take at this next intersection.

[0049] Steps S00 to S110 may be repeated.

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: • Detection of an event (S00), • Upon detection of the event (S00), first command of a projection, by the projection device (120), up to a first instant, of a graphic element, on the windshield (140), at a first focal distance, then • Second command (S20) of a projection, by the projection device (120), from a second instant after the first instant, of the graphic element, on the windshield (140), at a second focal distance, different from the first focal distance.

2. Control method according to the preceding claim in which the first command and the second command are repeated a plurality of times, following detection of the event.

3. Control method according to any one of the preceding claims in which the second focal length is strictly greater than the first focal length.

4. Control method according to any one of the preceding claims in which: • The motor vehicle (100) is traveling on a roadway (200) during the step of detecting the event (S00), and • The event is an encounter with a traffic sign (300) at the edge of the roadway (200), and • The graphic element represents the traffic sign (200).

5. A control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the projection device (120) comprises a plurality of steerable projectors and a steerable mirror (122), the device projection being capable of: • Receiving the first command (S30), and • Upon receipt of the first command, selecting (S40) a projector (131) from the plurality of 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.

6. Control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the projection device (120) comprises a plurality of orientable mirrors and an orientable projector (121'), the projection device being capable of: • Receiving the first command (S30), and • Upon receipt of the first command, 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.

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

8. Electronic device (110) configured to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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

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