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

Abstract

Method for controlling a multi-depth head-up display comprising the following steps: Receiving a measurement of a power recovered by an energy harvester (150), Receiving a measurement of a power consumed by a motor (130), If the measurement of the recovered power is non-zero, determining a second focal length, and otherwise, if the measurement of the consumed power is non-zero, determining a fourth focal length, strictly greater than the second focal length, Controlling a projection, by a projection device (120), of a graphic element on a windshield (140), at each focal length of a set of at least one focal length, the set of at least one focal length extending to an end focal length, The end focal length being, if the measurement of the recovered power is non-zero, the second focal length, and otherwise, if the measurement of the consumed power is non-zero, the fourth focal length.Figure for abstract: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Multi-plane head-up display method, associated device and motor vehicle.

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

[0002] New projection devices now allow a multi-plane or, in other words, multi-depth head-up display. Several technologies, notably those described in the following article, in particular in the 2nd paragraph of the introduction, allow such a display: • Zhenlv Lv, Jingnan Li, Yan Yang, and Juan Liu “3D head-up display with a multiple extended depth of field based on integral imaging and holographic optical elements” Vol. 31, Issue 2, pp. 964-975 (2023).

[0003] The multi-plane display comprises projection, by a projection device, at several focal lengths, each focal length defining a projection plane, so as to produce an impression of depth in the images projected onto the windshield.

[0004] There is a need to facilitate the interpretation by a driver of the information displayed on such a display.

[0005] For this purpose, the invention relates to a method for controlling a multi-plane (in other words: multi-depth) head-up display on a windshield (in other words: towards a windshield) of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising: • A projection device, and • A kinetic energy recovery system (also conventionally called: kinetic energy recovery system) of the motor vehicle, and • A motor vehicle propulsion engine (for example electric and / or internal combustion), The method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: • Reception (for example, from the energy recovery unit, alternatively from another component of the motor vehicle, for example, via a data bus of the motor vehicle) of a measurement of a power (for example, instantaneous) recovered by the kinetic energy recovery unit, • Reception (for example, from the propulsion engine, alternatively from another component of the motor vehicle, for example, via a data bus of the motor vehicle) of a measurement of a power (for example, instantaneous) consumed by the propulsion engine, • If the measurement of the recovered power is non-zero, determination of a second focal length, and otherwise, if the measurement of the consumed power is non-zero, determination of a fourth focal length, strictly greater than the second focal length, • Then, commanding a projection, by the projection device, of a graphic element (in other words: sending to the projection device a command for a projection of a graphic element, by the projection device), onto the windshield (in other words: towards the windshield), at each focal distance (in other words: with or according to each focal distance) of a set of at least (in other words: of an interval comprising at least) (in other words: of a set of focal distance(s) comprising at least) a first focal distance, (the command may comprise the graphic element and the set) (the method may, in addition, comprise this projection by the projection device), the set of at least a first focal distance extending to an end focal distance, for example from a start focal distance, The end focal length being, if the measurement of the recovered power is non-zero, the second focal length, and otherwise, if the measurement of the consumed power is non-zero, the fourth focal length,

[0006] According to one embodiment, the starting focal length is, if the measurement of the recovered power is non-zero, a first focal length strictly less than the fourth focal length, and otherwise, if the measurement of the consumed power is non-zero, a third focal length, greater than the second focal length and the first focal length.

[0007] Thus, when the motor vehicle accelerates, that is to say when power is consumed, the power consumed, represented by the graphic element, is displayed in a plane further from the driver, than the power recovered, also represented by the graphic element when the motor vehicle slows down or is braked.

[0008] Also, the above steps may be repeated, for example periodically, for example with a frequency of 10 to 100 Hertz.

[0009] According to one embodiment, said set of at least one (in other words: the set of focal distance(s) comprises at least one) first focal distance comprises a plurality of focal distances. Each focal distance of the set of at least one first focal distance defines a projection plane.

[0010] For example, the plurality of focal lengths is distributed, between the start focal length and the end focal length, in a homogeneous manner, for example according to a uniform pitch (between two neighboring focal lengths). Of course, other distributions more or less homogeneous are possible.

[0011] Generally, the graphic element may include a point, an arrow, a line segment, a rectangle or other shapes.

[0012] The graphic element thus projected at each focal distance of the plurality of distances may comprise a gauge portion so as to form a gauge.

[0013] Alternatively, the set of at least one first focal length comprises a single focal length. In this case, the second focal length and the fourth focal length may be constant values.

[0014] According to one embodiment: • The first focal length is strictly greater than the second focal length, and the third focal length is strictly less than the fourth focal length, • The second focal length, determined during the step of determining the second focal length from the measurement of the recovered power, is an image of the measurement of the recovered power (for example as a percentage of a maximum recovered power), by a first decreasing function, • The fourth focal length, determined during the step of determining the fourth focal length from the measurement of the power consumed, is an image of the measurement of the power consumed (for example as a percentage of a maximum power consumed), by a second increasing function.

[0015] Thus, the more the motor vehicle accelerates, the more the power consumed, represented by the graphic element, is displayed in a plane far from the driver, and the more the vehicle slows down, the more the power recovered represented by the graphic element is displayed in a plane close to the driver.

[0016] According to a first variant, the first focal length is strictly less than the second focal length, and the first function is increasing.

[0017] According to a second variant, the third focal length is strictly greater than the fourth focal length, and the second function is decreasing.

[0018] 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.

[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 device electronic.

[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, 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.

[0022] 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] represent projections made by the device of projection of the motor vehicle of [Fig.l], during the implementation of the method [Fig.4], • [Fig.4] 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],

[0023] In [Fig.l], certain elements are, of course, seen through transparency.

[0024] Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0025] [Fig.l] shows a motor vehicle 100. The motor vehicle 100 includes a windshield 140, an electric battery 160, and a microprocessor 110. In addition, the microprocessor 110 is connected to the following elements of the motor vehicle 100: an electric propulsion motor 130, an energy recovery unit 150, and a projection device 120.

[0026] In step S00 [Fig.4], a driver (not shown in the motor vehicle) accelerates the motor vehicle 100.

[0027] In step S10, the microprocessor 110 receives information according to which the propulsion motor 130 is currently consuming, from the energy supplied by the battery 160, 80% of the maximum possible instantaneous consumption power.

[0028] In step S20, the microprocessor 110 receives first information according to which the energy harvester 150 is currently recovering, to recharge the battery 160, 0% of the maximum possible instantaneous recovery power.

[0029] Conventionally, for example, a non-zero recovered power excludes a non-zero consumed power. We are in one or the other situation.

[0030] In step S30, the microprocessor 110 calculates an end focal distance, in meters, from the first information received in step S10, for example by the formula: df = PES(8 + (inf / 100 x 5)) where inf is the first information, PES is the upper integer function, and df is the ending focal length, which leads to an ending focal length of 12 meters.

[0031] In step S40, the microprocessor 110 commands a projection, by the projection device 120, of a graphic element egl (or, alternatively, the graphic element eg2), in the planes, [Fig.2]: • pHO, at a focal length of 12 meters, and • pl9, at a focal length of 11 meters, and • pl8, at a focal length of 10 meters, and • pl7, at a focal length of 9 meters (the starting focal length).

[0032] [Fig.2], the planes pl, p2, p3, p4, p5, p6, p7, p8, p9 and pl 1, whose focal length is separated by a step of 1 meter, each include a character from the terms "Charge" and "Power" serving as a legend. Classically, we can find, as a variant, the term "Eco" between "Charge" and "Power".

[0033] In step S60 [Fig.4], the driver brakes by pressing a brake pedal of the motor vehicle 100 or by releasing the accelerator of the motor vehicle 100.

[0034] In step S70, the microprocessor 110 receives a second piece of information according to which the propulsion engine is currently recovering, from the energy recuperator 150, 50% of the maximum possible instantaneous recovery power.

[0035] In step S80, the microprocessor 110 receives information according to which the propulsion motor 130 is currently consuming, from the energy supplied by the battery 160, 0% of the maximum possible instantaneous consumption power.

[0036] In step S90, the microprocessor 110 calculates an end focal distance, in meters, from the second information, received in step S70 for example by the formula: df = PEI(9 - (inf / 100 x 6)) where inf is the second information, PEI is the lower integer function and df is the ending focal length, which leads to an ending focal length of 6 meters.

[0037] In step S100, the microprocessor 110 commands a projection, by the projection device 120, of a graphic element eg2 (or, alternatively, of the graphic element egl), in the planes, [Fig.3], by forming a gauge: • pl4', at a focal length of 6 meters, and • pl5', at a focal length of 7 meters, and • pl6', at a focal length of 8 meters (the starting focal length),

[0038] [Fig.3], the planes pi', p2', p3', p4', p5', p6', p7', p8', p9' and pli', whose distance focal length is separated by a step of 1 meter, each include a character from the terms "Charge" and "Power" serving as a legend. Classically, we can find, as a variant, the term "Eco" between "Charge" and "Power".

[0039] The above steps may be repeated, for example periodically, for example with a frequency of 10 Hertz.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling a multi-plane head-up display on a windshield (140) of a motor vehicle (100), the motor vehicle (100) comprising: • A projection device (120), and • A kinetic energy harvester (150) of the vehicle (100), and • A propulsion motor (130) of the motor vehicle (100), The method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: • Receiving a measurement of a power recovered by the kinetic energy harvester (150), • Receiving a measurement of a power consumed by the propulsion motor (130), • If the measurement of the recovered power is non-zero, determining a second focal length, and otherwise, if the measurement of the consumed power is non-zero, determining a fourth focal length, strictly greater than the second focal length, • Controlling a projection, by the projection device (120),of a graphic element (egl, eg2), on the windshield (140), at each focal length of a set of at least a first focal length, the set of at least a first focal length extending from a start focal length to an end focal length, The end focal length being, if the measurement of the recovered power is non-zero, the second focal length, and otherwise, if the measurement of the consumed power is non-zero, the fourth focal length, The start focal length being, if the measurement of the recovered power is non-zero, a first focal length strictly less than the fourth focal length, and otherwise, if the measurement of the consumed power is non-zero, a third focal length, greater than the second focal length and the first focal length.,

2. Control method according to the preceding claim in which the set of at least one first focal distance comprises a plurality of focal lengths.

3. Control method according to the preceding claim in which: • The first focal length is strictly greater than the second focal length, and the third focal length is strictly less than the fourth focal length, • The second focal length, determined during the step of determining the second focal length from the measurement of the recovered power, is an image of the measurement of the recovered power, by a first decreasing function, • The fourth focal length, determined during the step of determining the fourth focal length from the measurement of the consumed power, is an image of the measurement of the consumed power, by a second increasing function.

4. Computer program comprising instructions, executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller, for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, when executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller.

5. Electronic device (110) configured to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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

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