How to operate a vehicle's projector assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for operating a projector assembly (3) of a vehicle (1), the projector assembly (3) having at least one movable projector (4) in an adjustable access section (2) of the vehicle (1) and a fixed projector (5) in the vehicle (1). According to the present invention, at least one of the projectors (4, 5) is operated in accordance with the aperture angle of the access section (2) by changing at least one individual projection (10) of at least one of the projectors (4, 5) in accordance with the aperture angle. The present invention further relates to a vehicle (1) having a projector assembly (3) operated in this manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a projector assembly of a vehicle, including a projector attached to an access part and a projector fixedly attached to the vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle equipped with such a projector assembly.

Background Art

[0002] It is known to use a projector on a vehicle to project an optical image around the vehicle, usually onto the ground.

[0003] From Patent Document 1, a method for operating a projector of a vehicle is known, in which a navigation instruction for reaching a navigation destination is displayed outside the vehicle by the projector. The projector is attached to an access door, and the opening angle of the access door is considered during projection alignment. Patent Document 2 describes a method for operating a projector assembly of a vehicle. The projector assembly has a projector attached to an access door and a projector fixed to the vehicle. During the running of the vehicle, an overall projection is projected onto the ground by the projector assembly. This overall projection is adjusted according to the route along which the vehicle advances.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention addresses the problem of providing a method for operating a vehicle projector assembly, and an improved or at least different embodiment for a vehicle equipped with such a projector assembly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claim, according to this subject matter. A favorable embodiment is the subject matter of the dependent claim.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention is based on the fundamental idea of ​​projecting a full projection around a vehicle using a projector mounted on the vehicle, with one of the projectors mounted on the vehicle's access area, and the state of the access area, i.e., the aperture angle of the access area, is taken into consideration in the full projection. This makes it possible to generate arbitrary and predetermined full projections regardless of each aperture angle, and therefore regardless of the position of each projector mounted on the access area. In other words, this corrects distortion, twisting, enlargement, or reduction in the full projection caused by the aperture angle. This controls the display and perception of the full projection and opens up new possibilities for the use of full projection. That is, this achieves both improved quality and more diverse uses of the projector assembly.

[0008] In the spirit of the present invention, a projector assembly includes at least one projector mounted on an access section of a vehicle. The access section can be adjusted to different aperture angles, thereby moving the at least one projector mounted on the access section together with the access section. Hereinafter, the projector will also be referred to as the movable projector. The projector assembly further includes at least one other projector mounted on the vehicle, which is fixed in contrast to the vehicle's movable projector, and will hereafter be referred to as the fixed projector. Each projector can produce a corresponding projection as needed, which will hereafter be referred to as the individual projection. In the method according to the present invention, a general projection is projected around the vehicle using the projector assembly. The general projection consists of individual projections from at least one movable projector and at least one fixed projector. Furthermore, the aperture angle of the access section related to the movable projector is monitored, and the individual projection of at least one projector is modified according to the aperture angle of the access section.

[0009] To monitor the aperture angle, the vehicle in question may be equipped with a corresponding sensor system, such as a rotary encoder, in the relevant access section.

[0010] Each access point can be any type of access point. These access points may be, for example, storage spaces within the vehicle, such as a trunk lid, hood, tailgate, or front trunk.

[0011] The access area could be an access door, especially a front access door, that allows passengers to get in and out of the vehicle.

[0012] If the access area is an access door, the movable projector can be mounted, for example, to the housing of an external mirror attached to the access door.

[0013] Each fixed projector can be mounted anywhere and on any component of the vehicle, as long as it can project its associated individual projection onto the perimeter of the vehicle. For example, at least one projector can be mounted in the vehicle's headlights, sill, taillights, etc.

[0014] A movable projector may project individual projections onto a fixed overall projection area relative to the vehicle at a first aperture angle of the associated access section. The first aperture angle may, for example, correspond to the closed position of the access section. Advantageously, the individual projections of at least one projector are modified according to the aperture angle of the access section so that the overall projection on the projection area remains unchanged. This means that, regardless of the aperture angle of the access section, at least the overall projection on the projection area remains perceptible from the outside. The projection area can display symbols, such as a logo, that do not change to an external observer even when the access section is moved. For example, the projection area could display the vehicle manufacturer's logo, in which case the logo would remain visible and perceptible regardless of the position of the access section, particularly the access door.

[0015] In this modified form, it is conceivable to modify the overall projection outside the projection area according to the opening angle. In that case, preferably, a pattern representing the opening angle is displayed outside the projection area. Advantageously, this pattern is for assisting access to the vehicle. That is, the pattern can, for example, represent and particularly highlight the path to the access area and / or the location of the access area according to the opening angle.

[0016] In the alternative configuration, the individual projection of at least one projector can be modified according to the aperture angle so that the overall projection is maintained regardless of the aperture angle.

[0017] The described changes can be made by correspondingly changing the individual projections of the movable projector that moves together with the access part and / or by changing the individual projections of another projector, particularly a fixed projector. It is also conceivable to activate or deactivate at least one projector, particularly at least one fixed projector, depending on the aperture angle.

[0018] In an advantageous variant, the overall projection, particularly in the projection area, marks obstacles in the vicinity of the vehicle. Thus, when moving towards the vehicle, for example when getting into the vehicle, and / or when leaving the vehicle, for example when getting out of the vehicle, it is visually shown to the user that there are obstacles in the vicinity of the vehicle that need to be taken into account. Such obstacles usually have a fixed position relative to the vehicle, so with the solution according to the invention, reliable marking of the obstacles and thus high comfort and high safety are achieved.

[0019] The marking of the obstacles is expediently carried out by previously recognizing the obstacles. The recognition can be carried out, for example, optically, particularly by means of at least one camera. The motor vehicle is correspondingly designed, i.e., it has, for example, at least one camera.

[0020] The obstacles can be, for example, slippery places, slippery surfaces, puddles, etc.

[0021] Needless to say, in addition to this method, vehicles equipped with a projector assembly operating according to this method also belong to the scope of the present invention.

[0022] The vehicle preferably has a correspondingly designed control device in order to implement / perform this method.

[0023] Other important features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings, and the description of the associated figures based on the drawings.

[0024] Needless to say, the features described above and the features further described below can be used not only in the combinations shown but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0025] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. In that case, the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0026] Here, the following is schematically described in the drawings respectively.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] It is a top view of a vehicle having an overall projection at a first position of an access part. [Figure 2] It is a top view of a vehicle having an overall projection at another position of the access part. [Figure 3] It is a top view of a vehicle having an overall projection at a first position according to another embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a top view of a vehicle having an overall projection at another position of the access part.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the vehicle 1 typically has at least one access section 2. As a comparison of Figure 1 and Figure 2 or Figure 3 and Figure 4 shows, the access section 2 is adjustable between different opening angles, and therefore between such positions. The vehicle 1 has a projector assembly 3 which includes at least two projectors 4, 5, which are not visible in the figures and are only suggested. At least one projector 4 is mounted on one of the relevant access sections 2 and is therefore movable with the access section 2. Projector 4 will also be referred to as the movable projector 4 hereafter. Furthermore, at least one projector 5 is fixedly mounted to the vehicle 1, in contrast to the movable projector 4, and will also be referred to as the fixed projector 5 hereafter. In the illustrated embodiment, for the sake of brevity and simply as an example, it is assumed that the projector assembly 3 has only one such movable projector 4. Furthermore, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, for example, the access section 2 to which the movable projector 4 is attached is assumed to be an access door 6 in the front area of ​​the vehicle 1, and the movable projector 4 is assumed to be attached to the external mirror 21 of the access door 6.

[0029] In the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, the projector assembly 3 has, as an example, three fixed projectors 5, one of the fixed projectors 5, 5a is mounted on the headlight 7, one of the fixed projectors 5, 5b is mounted on the taillight 8, and one of the projectors 5, 5c is mounted on the sill 9 of the vehicle 1. In the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4, as an example, the projector assembly 3 is assumed to have a single fixed projector 5 mounted on the headlight 7. The projectors 4, 5 are each configured to produce associated projections 10, which are also referred to below as individual projections 10. The assembly 3 uses these individual projections 10 to produce an overall projection 11, which is projected around the vehicle 1, and in the illustrated exemplary embodiments, onto the ground in the lateral region of the vehicle 1. This means that the projector assembly 3 projects an overall projection 11, consisting of the individual projections 10 of at least one movable projector 4 and at least one fixed projector 5, around the vehicle 1. As shown in the overviews in Figures 1 and 2, and Figures 3 and 4, the aperture angle of the access section 2 associated with the movable projector 4 is monitored, for example, by a rotary encoder (not shown), and the individual projections 10 of at least one projector 4, 5 are changed according to the aperture angle of the access section 2.

[0030] Vehicle 1 may be equipped with a control device 12, appropriately designed and shown only in Figure 1, to carry out the method. The control device 12 is intended to be communicated with the projector assembly 3.

[0031] The modification corresponding to the opening angle of the access section 2 can be made by appropriately modifying the individual projections 10 of the movable projector 4 and / or by modifying the individual projections 10 of at least one fixed projector 5, as described below. This modification may also include activating and deactivating at least one projector 4, 5, which generates individual projections 10 when active and does not generate individual projections 10 when inactive.

[0032] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, when the access section 2 is in a closed state, corresponding to a first aperture angle of the access section 2, the movable projector 4 projects individual projections 10 onto the projection section 13 of the overall projection 11. That is, at the first aperture angle, the projection section 13 includes the individual projections 10 of the movable projector 4. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, at the first aperture angle, the projection section 13 consists of the individual projections 10 of the movable projector 4, or the individual projections 10 of the movable projector 10 form the projection section 13. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, a logo 14 is displayed as a symbol on the projection section 13. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, obstacles 16 shown in the figures, such as puddles, tripping hazards, or slippery surfaces, are marked around the vehicle 1 by the projection 13, that is, the projection section 13 is a marking 17 of the obstacles 16.

[0033] As the overviews in Figures 1 and 2, and Figures 3 and 4 show, the modifications described are made according to the aperture angle so that the overall projection 11 remains unchanged on the projection section 13. In the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2, this means that the displayed symbol 15 remains in place and its orientation is maintained regardless of the aperture angle. In the embodiments of Figures 3 and 4, this means that the marking 16 remains in place regardless of the aperture angle. For this purpose, the individual projections 10 of at least one projector 4, 5 are modified accordingly according to the aperture angle of the access section 2.

[0034] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, this is done by the fact that, when a predetermined aperture angle is exceeded, the projection area 13 is no longer formed by the individual projections 10 of the movable projector 4, but by the individual projections 10 of a single fixed projector 5, 5a, which in the illustrated embodiment is simply attached as an example to the headlight 7. That is, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the movable projector 4 can be deactivated when a predetermined aperture angle is exceeded.

[0035] In contrast, as shown in the exemplary embodiments of Figures 1 and 2, the overall projection 11 outside the projection section 13 can be changed according to the opening angle of the access section 2. This means that the overall projection 11 outside the projection section 13 changes according to the opening angle. In this case, the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 show a pattern 18 used to mark the access section 2, in this case the access door 5. In the closed position of the access section 2 corresponding to a first opening angle, the pattern 18 substantially encloses the area of ​​the access section 2, here simply as an example, with a uniform curve. In contrast, as shown in Figure 2, when the access section 2 is open, the aforementioned pattern 18 changes to indicate, and therefore facilitate, the entry of a user 19, for example, a vehicle driver 20, into the vehicle 1. A similar overall projection 11 can assist in exiting the vehicle 1. As can be seen from Figure 2, this is done in the illustrated example by showing a straight, beam-like line using fixed projectors 5, 5c in the sill 9. Furthermore, curves are indicated by fixed projectors 5, 5b mounted on the taillight 8 and fixed projectors 5, 5c mounted on the sill 9. That is, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a pattern 18 representing the aperture angle is projected and thus displayed on the outside of the projection unit 13 for access assistance.

[0036] In contrast, in the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4, modifications are made according to the aperture angle so that the overall projection 13 is maintained regardless of the aperture angle.

Claims

1. A method for operating a projector assembly (3) of a vehicle (1), comprising at least two projectors (4, 5), wherein the projector assembly (3) is mounted on an access section (2) of the vehicle (1) and has at least one projector (4) that is movable with the access section (2), the access section (2) being adjustable to different opening angles, and the projector assembly (3) has at least one projector (5) fixed to the vehicle (1). - An overall projection (11) consisting of individual projections (10) from at least one movable projector (4) and at least one fixed projector (5) is projected around the vehicle (1) using the projector assembly (3). - The opening angle of the access section (2) related to the movable projector (4) is monitored, - The method wherein the individual projection (10) of at least one projector (4, 5) is changed according to the aperture angle of the access section (2).

2. - The movable projector (4) projects individual projections (10) onto the projection section (13) of the fixed overall projection (11) relative to the vehicle (2) at the first opening angle of the associated access section (2). The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual projections (10) of at least one projector (4, 5) are changed according to the aperture angle of the access section (2) so that the overall projection (11) in the projection section (13) remains unchanged.

3. - The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the overall projection (11) outside the projection portion (13) changes according to the aperture angle.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a symbol (15), particularly a logo (14), is displayed on the projection unit (13).

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that a pattern (18) representing the opening angle, particularly a pattern (18) for assisting access to the vehicle (1), is displayed on the outside of the projection portion (13) in the overall projection (11).

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the individual projections (10) of at least one projector (4, 6) are modified according to the aperture angle such that the overall projection (11) is maintained regardless of the aperture angle.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the individual projection (10) of at least one of the at least one fixed projector (5) is changed according to the aperture angle of the access section (2).

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that obstacles (16) around the vehicle (1) are marked by the overall projection (11).

9. The method according to claim 8 and any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the obstacle (16) is marked on the projection portion (13).

10. A vehicle (1) comprising at least one access section (2), in particular at least one access door (6) adjustable to different opening angles, and a projector assembly (3) including at least one projector (4, 5), wherein the projector assembly has a projector (4) movable with respect to at least one access section (2) and a projector (5) fixed to the vehicle, and a control device (12) designed to operate the projector assembly (3) by the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.

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