Motor vehicle equipped with a multi-plane head-up display system that manages the brightness of each plane

Abstract

A motor vehicle (MV) comprising a multiplane head-up display (HUD), a multiplane HUD display control module (MCA), and a multiplane HUD brightness control interface (ECM) coupled to the control module (MCA); said display control module (MCA) being capable of controlling a modification of the light intensity of the light beams in relation to each of the specified planes or groups of planes, according to a user-defined brightness setting value for each of the specified planes or groups of planes, from the control interface (ECM); each of the specified planes or groups of planes being identified on said interface (ECM). (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle comprising a multiplane head-up display system managing the brightness of each plane

[0001] The present invention relates generally to display systems for motor vehicles and is more particularly concerned with a motor vehicle comprising a head-up display system also designated as "HUD", an acronym for "Head-Up Display", and in particular with a head-up display system with adaptable focal lengths also designated as a multiplane head-up display system or multiplane HUD, managing the brightness of each of the display planes of the multiplane HUD.

[0002] The future of HUD technologies lies in the use of adaptable focal lengths. This makes it possible, in particular, to develop and use a single HUD for several windshield sizes and shapes, and to obtain more immersive augmented reality effects for the user.

[0003] A HUD generally comprises an image projection unit emitting a light beam according to the image to be displayed, an optical system forming the image from the beam and a control unit controlling the optical system.

[0004] There are different arrangements for creating a multiplane HUD.

[0005] A first arrangement uses only one mirror and one light source to display images on a windshield whose optical properties are different according to different planes considered in the thickness of the windshield (in different layers of the windshield) for the same display area of ​​the windshield.

[0006] A second arrangement uses only one light source coupled to several motorized steerable mirrors to obtain several focal lengths in the same HUD display area.

[0007] A third arrangement uses only one motorized steerable mirror, optically coupled to several light sources (several projectors) to obtain several focal lengths in the same HUD display area.

[0008] To date, regardless of the layout used, adjusting the display brightness of a multi-plane HUD to suit user preferences is done using a single global adjustment method for all display planes of the multi-plane HUD. There is no means of selectively adjusting the brightness for each display plane or for specific groups of display planes.

[0009] The visibility constraints of a near-focal plane are not the same as for a far-focal plane. Therefore, using the same level of adjustment of the light The minutiae of a distant plane compared to a close plane can impair the visibility of the more distant plane.

[0010] To overcome these drawbacks, the invention proposes a solution allowing individual management of the brightness of the display planes or group of display planes of a multi-plane HUD.

[0011] To this end, the present invention has as its first object a motor vehicle comprising a multiplane head-up display system, a control module for the display of the multiplane head-up display system and an interface for controlling the brightness of planes of the multiplane head-up display system, coupled to the control module; said multiplane head-up display system comprising a projection system capable of emitting light beams according to the images to be displayed by the multiplane head-up display system, and an optical system capable of forming images on determined planes of the multiplane head-up display system from said beams;said display control module being capable of controlling a modification of the luminous intensity of the light beams in relation to each of the planes or group of planes determined, according to a setpoint value of adjustment level fixed by the user, of the brightness for each of the planes or group of planes determined from the control interface; each of the planes or group of planes determined being identified on said interface.

[0012] According to one feature, said control interface includes a touch screen capable of displaying at least one screen page dedicated to the separate adjustment of the brightness of each of the planes or group of planes determined.

[0013] According to another feature, the screen page displays a graphical representation of an adjustment bar for each of the planes, or group of planes determined, with a touch cursor capable of sliding along the adjustment bar, between the first and second ends of the bar, defining respectively minimum and maximum levels of adjustment of the brightness of the plane, or group of planes determined; each group of planes displaying information relating to the same category of information.

[0014] According to another characteristic, a first category of information corresponds to the same information in relation to a notion of priority of the information to be displayed and a second category of information corresponds to the same information in relation to the same theme of vehicle functions chosen from: safety, driving assistance and navigation.

[0015] According to another feature, the projection system comprises light projectors and the optical system comprises mirrors that interact optically with the projectors to display images in specific planes, or groups of planes, of the head-up display system; the projection system further comprising means for selectively adjusting the luminous intensity of the beams emitted by the projectors, which can be controlled by the display control module of the head-up display system according to a user-defined setpoint value for the brightness level of each of the specified planes, or group of planes, from the control interface.

[0016] The present invention has as its second object a control interface for adjusting the brightness of planes, or groups of display planes, determined of a multi-plane head-up vision system of a motor vehicle; said interface comprising a touch screen capable of displaying at least one screen page dedicated to adjusting the brightness of each plane, or group of planes, determined, displaying a graphical representation of an adjustment bar for each of the planes, or group of planes, determined, with a touch cursor capable of sliding along the adjustment bar, between first and second ends of the bar defining respectively minimum and maximum levels of adjustment of the brightness of the plane, or group of planes, determined; each group of planes displaying information relating to the same category of information.

[0017] Other advantages and features of the present invention will become clearer from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the drawings in which:

[0018] [Fig-1] illustrates a schematic interior view of a motor vehicle passenger compartment according to the invention;

[0019] [Fig.2] illustrates a schematic embodiment of a multiplane HUD of the vehicle according to the invention,

[0020] [Fig.3] illustrates an HMI for controlling the brightness of planes or groups of planes of a multiplane HUD of the vehicle according to the invention.

[0021] Fig. 1 illustrates the interior of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle according to the invention equipped with a multiplane head-up display system, hereinafter referred to as multiplane HUD DTH.

[0022] The VHL vehicle includes a control module for the DTH multiplane HUD's MCA display and an ECM or HMI (Human-Machine Interface) control interface, coupled to the MCA control module, which in the example described includes a touchscreen, in particular a multimedia touchscreen, coupled to an infotainment system, or multimedia system, not shown. The ECM touchscreen allows access to the brightness adjustment of separate planes or groups of planes of the multiplane HUD display, as described below with reference to [Fig. 3].

[0023] As an alternative, 1THM can be based on physical means of adjustment such as potentiometers in the form of buttons, knobs, etc.

[0024] Figure 2 schematically illustrates an example of an embodiment of a HUD multiplane comprising an SPI image projection system including here three projectors PJ1, PJ2 and PJ3 and three mirrors MRI, MR2 and MR3 belonging to an STO optical system cooperating with the SPI projection system to form images from the beams of light projected respectively by the projectors PJ1, PJ2 and PJ3 in three distinct planes PAN, PAM and PAF.

[0025] The MRI, MR2 and MR3 mirrors interact optically respectively with the PJ1, PJ2 and PJ3 projectors to display images, on the PAN, PAM and PAF display planes of the DTH multiplane HUD, in relation to the driving environment of the VHL vehicle.

[0026] Each projector PJ1, PJ2 and PJ3 includes at least one light source and a means for adjusting RII, RI2 and RI3 the luminous intensity of the light source not shown.

[0027] [Fig.3] illustrates an embodiment of the ECM touch screen (control interface), with a PCL page displayed on the ECM screen, dedicated to adjusting the brightness of the multiplane HUD and more particularly to the separate adjustment of the brightness of the three PAN, PAM and PAF planes illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0028] The ECM screen has, in this example, a general rectangular shape.

[0029] The PCL page displays, in a first display area ZA1 of the ECM screen, a graphic representation of three horizontal adjustment bars (lines) BRI, BR2 and BR3 of the same length, arranged in parallel one below the other, with three touch sliders CTI, CT2 and CT3 (circles) able to slide respectively between the two ends of their respective bars BRI, BR2 and BR3.

[0030] The three touch sliders CTI, CT2 and CT3 and their respective bars BRI, BR2 and BR3, define individual means of adjusting the brightness of the three planes PAN, PAF and PAM illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0031] Each CTI, CT2 and CT3 slider allows the COV user to manually (tactilely) and separately from other sliders, adjust the brightness level of a PAN, PAF and PAM plane by sliding the CTI, CT2 and CT3 slider on its BRI, BR2, BR3 bar, between a minimum brightness level (left end of the bar) and a maximum brightness level (right end of the bar).

[0032] In the example described in [Fig.3], a first CTI cursor, identified by the term "Near", an Anglo-Saxon term meaning "close", displayed to the left of the BRI bar, allows the adjustment of the brightness of the near plane or "Near", or the closest, PAN relative to the COV conductor.

[0033] A second cursor CT2, identified by the term "Far": an Anglo-Saxon term meaning "distant", displayed to the left of the bar, BR2 allows the adjustment of the brightness of the distant plane, or the furthest plane, PAF in relation to the COV conductor.

[0034] And, a third cursor CT3, identified by the term "Medium": an Anglo-Saxon term if The "intermediate" sign, displayed to the left of the BR3 bar, allows adjustment of the brightness of the intermediate plane "Medium" between the near plane, or closest plane, "Near" and the far plane, or furthest plane, "Far", relative to the VOC driver.

[0035] A FIP display window, located in the upper part of the first display area ZA1, displays the name of the command function corresponding to the page selected from the ECM screen menu: here, "Head Up Display brightness." The ECM screen menu is accessible via a touch arrow, located to the left of the FIP window.

[0036] In the example illustrated in figures 2 and 3, a multiplane HUD with three planes PAN, PAM and PAF (three distinct focal lengths) has been described.

[0037] The brightness of a group, or grouping, of several shots can also be adjusted from a single slider, and therefore several groups of shots from several sliders (one slider per grouping).

[0038] A grouping of plans can be defined by categories of plans, for example plans displaying distances (priority), plans displaying types of information related to the same theme of functions of the VHL vehicle: driver assistance or AD AS (Anglo-Saxon acronym for "Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems"), safety, navigation or GPS (Anglo-Saxon acronym for "Global Positioning System"), etc.

[0039] Thus, three cursors can adjust more than three plans grouped into three categories.

[0040] Brightness control can therefore be individual (one slider per shot) or by group of plans (one slider for several plans of the same category).

[0041] The PCL page displays, in a second display area ZA2, adjacent to the first ZA1 (to the right of the first area ZA1, on the [Fig.3]) a schematic graphic representation RTH of the multiplane HUD DTH (black rectangle inside a schematic outline of a windshield).

[0042] The ECM screen has in its upper part and above the ZA1 and ZA2 display areas of the PCL page, a BDP display band permanently displaying indicator lights, not shown, relating to vehicle setting information, features activated on the vehicle, etc.

[0043] When the user changes the brightness level of one or more PAN, PAF, or PAM planes, or groups of planes, from the ECM screen, the MCA display control module processes the new brightness level(s) in real time as new setpoint(s) for adjusting the brightness of the projector(s) associated with the plane or group of planes. It then controls the brightness adjustment means RII, RI2, and RI3 of the relevant projectors PH, PJ2, and PJ3 to selectively adapt the brightness of the PAN, PAM, and PAF planes, or groups of planes, to that of the new brightness level setpoint values.

[0044] The user can adjust the brightness level(s) by simultaneously controlling the effect of the setting for each PAN, PAM and PAF plane, or group of planes, directly on the multiplane HUD.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle (VHL) comprising a multi-plane head-up display (DTH) system, a display control module (MCA) of the multi-plane head-up display (DTH) system and a control interface (ECM) for the brightness of planes of the multi-plane head-up display (DTH) system, coupled to the control module (MCA); said multi-plane head-up display (DTH) system comprising a projection system (SPI) capable of emitting light beams as a function of the images to be displayed by the multi-plane head-up display (DTH) system, and an optical system (STO) capable of forming images on determined planes of the multi-plane head-up display (DTH) system from said beams;said display control module (MCA) being capable of controlling a modification of the light intensity of the light beams in relation to each of the planes (PAN, PAF, PAM) or group of determined planes, as a function of a setting level setpoint value fixed by the user (COV), of the brightness for each of the planes (PAN, PAF, PAM) or group of determined planes from the control interface (ECM); each of the planes (PAN, PAF, PAM) or group of determined planes being identified on said interface (ECM).;

2. Vehicle (VHL) according to the preceding claim, in which said control interface (ECM) comprises a touch screen capable of displaying at least one screen page (PCL) dedicated to the separate adjustment of the brightness of each of the planes (PAN, PAF, PAM) or group of determined planes.

3. Vehicle (VHL) according to the preceding claim, in which the screen page (PCL) displays a graphic representation of an adjustment bar (BRI, BR2, BR3) for each of the planes (PAN, PAF, PAM) or group of determined planes, with a touch cursor (CTI, CT2, CT3) capable of sliding along the adjustment bar (BRI, BR2, BR3), between first and second ends of the bar (BRI, BR2, BR3), respectively defining minimum and maximum levels of adjustment of the brightness of the plane (PAN, PAF, PAM), or of the group of determined planes; each group of planes displaying information relating to the same category of information.

4. Vehicle (VHL) according to the preceding claim, in which a first category of information corresponds to the same information in relation to a notion of priority of the information to be displayed and in which a second category of information corresponds to the same information in relation to the same theme of vehicle functions (VHL) chosen from: safety, driving assistance and navigation.

5. Vehicle (VHL) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the projection system (SPI) comprises light projectors (PJ1, PJ2, PJ3) and in which the optical system (STO) comprises mirrors (MRI, MR2, MR3) interacting optically with the projectors (PJ1, PJ2, PJ3) to display images in determined planes (PAN, PAF, PAM) or group of planes of the head-up display system (DTH); the projection system (SPI) further comprising means (RII, RI2, RI3) for selectively adjusting the light intensity of the beams emitted by the projectors (PH, PJ2, PJ3), capable of being controlled by the control module (MCA) of the display of the head-up display system (DTH) as a function of a determined adjustment setpoint value set by the user (COV) from the control interface (ECM), of the brightness level of each of the planes (PAN, PAF, PAM) or group of determined planes,

6. Control interface (ECM) for adjusting the brightness of planes (PAN, PAF, PAM) or groups of determined display planes of a multi-plane head-up display (DTH) system of a motor vehicle (VHL) according to one of the preceding claims; said interface (ECM) comprising a touch screen capable of displaying at least one screen page (PCL) dedicated to adjusting the brightness of each plane (PAN, PAF, PAM) or group of determined planes, displaying a graphic representation of an adjustment bar (BRI, BR2, BR3) for each of the planes (PAN, PAF, PAM) or group of determined planes, with a touch cursor (CTI, CT2, CT3) capable of sliding along the adjustment bar, between first and second ends of the bar (BRI, BR2, BR3) respectively defining minimum and maximum levels of adjustment of the brightness of the plane (PAN, PAF, PAM) or group of determined planes;each group of plans displaying information relating to the same category of information.;

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