CN114633699A

CN114633699A - Projection device for vehicle, control method, projection system and related vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN114633699A
Application number: CN202110600202.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王锐; 王璐
Original assignee: Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
Current assignee: Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
Priority date: 2021-05-31
Filing date: 2021-05-31
Publication date: 2022-06-17
Also published as: WO2022253160A1

Abstract

A projection device for a vehicle, a control method, a projection system and a related vehicle are provided. The projector device includes a projector rotatably disposed on the vehicle and capable of projecting light toward any one of a plurality of predetermined directions; and a plurality of display areas arranged in the plurality of predetermined directions, respectively, and configured to present corresponding information by diffusely reflecting and/or diffusely transmitting light projected by the projector. By the projection device according to the embodiment of the disclosure, the projection device is allowed to meet various different requirements, so that interaction between the autonomously driven vehicle and a person or an object inside or outside the vehicle becomes possible.

Description

Projection device for vehicle, control method, projection system and related vehicle

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a projection apparatus for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a method of controlling the projection apparatus, a projection system, and an associated vehicle and the like.

Background

A projector is a device that can project information such as images or videos onto a specified object such as a curtain, a wall, or the like. The projector may be connected to a computer, VCD, DVD, BD, game machine, DV, or the like through various interfaces to play a corresponding signal indicating predetermined information.

There have been manufacturers that apply projectors to vehicles. A projector used in a vehicle generally projects light toward a direction to present a specified image or picture on a predetermined area in the direction, thereby realizing a function such as advertisement display. It is common for some taxis to use a projector to display advertising in an area such as the rear window.

Disclosure of Invention

The conventional projector is applied to the vehicle, and generally has a single display mode, direction and function. For example, functions such as advertisement can be displayed only toward the rear window, and the display effect is poor, thereby affecting the experience. Furthermore, with the explosion of autonomous driving, how to make the vehicle interact with pedestrians or objects inside and outside the vehicle is an important topic at present. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a projection device for a vehicle, a method of controlling the projection device, a projection system and an associated vehicle that solve, or at least partially solve, the above problems and other potential problems in the vehicle art.

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a projection device for a vehicle is provided. The projector apparatus includes a projector rotatably disposed on the vehicle and capable of projecting light toward any one of a plurality of predetermined directions; and a plurality of display areas arranged in the plurality of predetermined directions, respectively, and configured to present corresponding information by diffusely reflecting and/or diffusely transmitting light projected by the projector.

In some embodiments, the projection device further comprises a rotation mechanism coupled to the projector and configured to drive the projector to rotate between different ones of the plurality of predetermined directions.

In some embodiments, the plurality of display regions comprise at least a portion of a glass of the vehicle.

In some embodiments, at least one display area is arranged in the visor region or in the advanced driving assistance system region in the glazing.

In some embodiments, the projector is disposed at a ceiling of the vehicle via the rotation mechanism.

In some embodiments, the rotation mechanism is adapted to be manually controlled to enable rotation of the projector to face the plurality of predetermined directions.

In some embodiments, the rotation mechanism includes a motor configured to drive the projector to rotate so that the projector faces the plurality of predetermined directions; and a motor sensor coupled to the motor and configured to acquire at least an angular position of a spindle of the motor to control the projector toward one of the plurality of predetermined directions corresponding to the angular position.

In some embodiments, at least one of the projector and the rotation mechanism is configured to be controlled based on a sensor signal sensed by the sensor.

In some embodiments, the projector is configured to orient predetermined projection parameters in corresponding predetermined directions, wherein the projection parameters include: an angle value of a center line of the projected light, a trapezoidal correction value, a coordinate value of the display area, and/or a focal length value of the projector.

In some embodiments, the projection device further comprises a locking mechanism adapted to couple with one of the rotation mechanism and the projector to lock the projector toward one of the plurality of predetermined directions.

In some embodiments, the glass comprises a laminated glass having a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer disposed therein to diffusely transmit light projected by the projector to enable information presented to be visible from an exterior of the vehicle via the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer.

In some embodiments, the glass comprises a laminated glass having a diffusely reflective layer disposed therein to diffusely reflect light projected by the projector to enable the presented information to be visible from an interior of the vehicle via the diffusely reflective layer.

In some embodiments, the diffuse reflective layer has a reflectivity of at least 20%.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a projection apparatus as described above in the first aspect is provided. The method comprises the steps of obtaining control parameters for controlling the projection device; and causing the projector to project light toward a predetermined direction according to the control parameter to present corresponding information in at least one display area corresponding to the predetermined direction by diffusely reflecting and/or diffusely transmitting the light projected by the projector.

In some embodiments, acquiring the control parameter comprises acquiring a sensor signal; and acquiring the control parameter according to information indicated by the sensor signal.

In some embodiments, the information indicated by the sensor signal includes at least one of whether an object is in a predetermined direction inside or outside the vehicle, information input through an input device, or whether the vehicle reaches a predetermined location.

In some embodiments, the input device includes a keyboard, mouse, knob, button, voice input device, gesture control, eye tracking, and/or touch input device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises obtaining a sensor signal indicative of the proximity of an object in a predetermined direction outside the vehicle; acquiring the control parameters according to the sensor signals; and controlling a motor to drive the projector to project light toward the predetermined direction according to the control parameter to present information on a display area corresponding to the predetermined direction by diffusely transmitting the light projected by the projector.

In some embodiments, obtaining the control parameter includes, in response to a condition of a preset control parameter being satisfied, taking the preset control parameter as the control parameter.

In some embodiments, the condition for presetting the control parameter includes at least one of whether the projector is facing a predetermined direction, whether the vehicle reaches a predetermined position, whether a system time reaches a specified time, or a distance traveled by the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises adjusting a projection parameter of the projector according to the control parameter.

In some embodiments, the projection parameters include an angle value of a center line of the projected light, a trapezoidal correction value, coordinate values of the display area, and/or a focal length value of the projector

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a projection system for a vehicle is provided. The projection system comprises a projection apparatus according to the first aspect above and a control unit configured to obtain control parameters for controlling the projection apparatus; and causing the projector to project light toward a predetermined direction according to the control parameter to present corresponding information in at least one display area corresponding to the predetermined direction by diffusely reflecting and/or diffusely transmitting the light projected by the projector.

In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to acquire a sensor signal from the sensor; and acquiring the control parameter according to information indicated by the sensor signal.

In some embodiments, the sensor comprises at least one of: a first sensor for detecting whether an object is present at a predetermined position inside or outside the vehicle, an input device for inputting information, or a second sensor for detecting whether the vehicle reaches the predetermined position.

In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to acquire a sensor signal from the first sensor indicating that there is an object in a predetermined direction outside the vehicle; acquiring the control parameters according to the sensor signals; and controlling a motor to drive the projector to project light toward the predetermined direction according to the control parameter to present information on a display area corresponding to the predetermined direction by diffusely transmitting the light projected by the projector.

In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to take a preset control parameter as the control parameter in response to a condition of the preset control parameter being satisfied.

In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to adjust projection parameters of the projector in accordance with the control parameters.

In some embodiments, the projection parameters include an angle value of a center line of the projected light, a trapezoidal correction value, coordinate values of the display area, and/or a focal length value of the projector.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprising a projection system according to the third aspect.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer readable medium comprises a computer program stored thereon, the computer program comprising program code adapted to be executed by a processor to cause the processor to perform the method according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.

It should be understood that this summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description.

Optionally, the lighting mode has the advantages of large light source area and soft light, and does not additionally occupy the limited space in the vehicle, so that the interior of the vehicle can be more concise.

Drawings

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in more detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which like reference numerals generally represent like parts throughout the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a projection system according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

fig. 3 shows a flow chart of a method of controlling a projection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a controller capable of implementing various embodiments of the present disclosure.

The same or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure will now be described with reference to several example embodiments. It should be understood that these examples are described only for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and thereby enable the present disclosure, and are not intended to set forth any limitations on the scope of the technical solutions of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the term "include" and its variants are to be read as open-ended terms meaning "including, but not limited to. The term "based on" will be read as "based at least in part on". The terms "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment". The term "another embodiment" should be understood as "at least one other embodiment". The terms "first," "second," and the like may refer to different or the same object. Other explicit and implicit definitions may be included below. The definitions of the terms are consistent throughout the specification unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Currently, most vehicles are not equipped with a projector. Only a few operating vehicles, such as taxis, have projectors loaded to present images or pictures at locations such as the rear windows of the vehicles for the purpose of displaying advertisements. On the one hand, the projector in such a vehicle is relatively single in function, i.e., can display predetermined contents such as advertisements only in one direction, and lacks functions such as interaction. On the other hand, the display picture of the projection device used in the current vehicle is fuzzy, and the display effect is poor, so that the experience is seriously influenced.

In addition, there is also a demand for applying a projection apparatus to an autonomously driven vehicle to implement a function of interacting the autonomously driven vehicle with a person or an object inside or outside the vehicle.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a projection apparatus, a control method, and a projection system for a vehicle, which enable presentation of information such as pictures, images, and interfaces toward any of a plurality of directions, and enable interaction of an autonomously driven vehicle with a person or object inside or outside the vehicle using a variety of sensor information to solve or at least partially solve the above or other potential problems in the vehicle art.

A simplified schematic diagram of a vehicle to which a projection apparatus 100 of an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied is shown in fig. 1. In general, a projection apparatus 100 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a projector 101 and a plurality of display areas 102. The projector 101 is rotatably disposed at an appropriate position on the vehicle so as to be capable of projecting light toward any one of a plurality of predetermined directions. In some embodiments, the projector 101 may be disposed on a ceiling in the vehicle so as to be able to more conveniently rotate toward various directions.

Of course, it should be understood that the above embodiments with respect to the projector 101 being disposed on the ceiling of a vehicle are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Any other suitable arrangement or configuration is possible. For example, in some alternative embodiments, the projector 101 may also be mounted to the bottom in the vehicle by a bracket and extend in the direction of the ceiling so as to be able to rotate to project light in either direction.

The light projected by the projector 101 is projected on a plurality of display areas 102 distributed in a plurality of predetermined directions. In some embodiments, the display area 102 may include at least a portion of glass. That is, the display area 102 may be disposed on or formed on the glass of the vehicle. The glasses referred to herein may include, but are not limited to: front windshields, rear window panes, roof panes, door panes and/or corner panes of vehicles and the like. The display area 102 can present corresponding information by diffusely reflecting and/or diffusely transmitting light projected by the projector 101. As referred to herein, "presented information" refers to a type of content or information that a person or a sensor such as a camera or detector can obtain through various means, which may include, but is not limited to, images, patterns, charts, text, two-dimensional codes, bar codes, or video, etc.

In the case where the light projected by the projector 101 is diffusely reflected to present the corresponding information, the presented information may be visible inside the vehicle. Similarly, in the case where the light projected by the projector 101 is diffusely transmitted to present the corresponding information, the presented information may be visible outside the vehicle. The display area 102 may also be configured to be both diffusely transmissive and diffusely reflective so that the presented information is visible both inside and outside the vehicle. Visible here means that the presented information (e.g., an image, a picture, or a text) has a luminance higher than a predetermined threshold or a luminance higher than the surrounding environmental light luminance by a predetermined degree so that the presented information can be recognized by a person at a predetermined position or a recognition device such as a camera.

By the projection device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is allowed that the projection device 100 can satisfy various requirements, thereby making it possible for an autonomously driven vehicle to interact with a person or an object inside or outside the vehicle. For example, in some embodiments, when a sensor of the autonomous driving vehicle detects that a person passes through or approaches in front while the autonomous driving vehicle is traveling, the autonomous driving vehicle may stop while causing the projector 101 to project light toward the front of the vehicle, so that the display area 102 of the front windshield presents predetermined information (e.g., an arrow or text indicating please feel free to cross the road, etc.) through diffuse transmission. Pedestrians in front of the vehicle can acquire the information and safely pass through the road, interaction between people and the vehicle is improved, and therefore user experience is improved.

Of course, the above examples indicate that more functions and more comprehensive human and vehicle interaction may be achieved with the projection device 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure for illustration. There may be many other situations than the examples described above, which will be further explained below.

In some embodiments, the glass may be a laminated glass. The laminated glass herein refers to a composite glass product formed by two or more pieces of glass, between which one or more layers of organic polymer intermediate films are sandwiched, and permanently bonding the glass and the intermediate films into a whole through special high-temperature prepressing (or vacuumizing) and high-temperature high-pressure process treatment.

To achieve diffuse transmission of light, in some embodiments, a Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) layer may be disposed in the laminated glass. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer includes a polymer layer and liquid crystal droplets dispersed in the polymer layer. The polymer layer is made of high polymer materials. The polymer layer is typically of a material having a refractive index matching the ordinary refractive index of the liquid crystal droplet. The meaning of the refractive index matching here means that the refractive index of the polymer layer is the same as the refractive index of the ordinary light of the liquid crystal droplet (i.e., the refractive index in the long axis direction of the liquid crystal droplet), or the ratio of the refractive index of the polymer layer to the refractive index of the ordinary light of the liquid crystal droplet (i.e., the refractive index in the long axis direction of the liquid crystal droplet) is in the range of 0.9 to 1.1.

In some embodiments, control electrodes may be formed on the surfaces of the two layers of glass facing the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer, and an electric field is formed in the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer by applying a voltage to the control electrodes, and the change of the electric field may control the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer to switch between a transparent state and an opaque state, so as to achieve the purpose of dimming. Of course, in some alternative embodiments, the control electrode may be absent. For example, the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer may be configured to always assume an opaque or translucent state capable of diffusely transmitting light.

In an opaque or translucent state, the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer can diffusely transmit light projected by the projector 101 to enable presented information to be visible from the outside of the vehicle via the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer. For example, in some embodiments, the display area 102 may be disposed in an area of a glass of a vehicle that is associated with an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) (which will be referred to as an advanced driver assistance system area or ADAS area hereinafter) or a sunshade belt area, thereby facilitating interaction between a person and the vehicle.

The advanced driving assistance system area or ADAS area refers to an area that can facilitate the advanced driving assistance system to display various information and facilitate recognition by a person or a recognition device. ADAS areas include, but are not limited to: the upper part of the front windshield, the part close to the driving seat, the corner part, the rear window glass, the corner glass and the like.

The polymers in the aforementioned polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer may be transparent or colored. Dichroic dyes may be added to the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer to enable the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer to appear colored or black when no voltage is applied. Depending on the type of dichroic dye added, the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer can exhibit a variety of different colors, such as green, red, etc., when no voltage is applied. When voltage is applied to the electrically-controlled functional layer, the coloring degree of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer in color or black is reduced, and the coloring degree of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer is gradually reduced along with the increase of the voltage applied to the control electrode and approaches to colorless. That is, the opacity and color of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer can be controlled by the control electrode, thereby enabling presented information to be visible outside the vehicle in adaptation to different light environments.

In order to make the presented information visible inside the vehicle, in some embodiments a diffuse reflective layer may be provided in the laminated glass. The diffusely reflective layer may be implemented by any suitable means to diffusely reflect light projected by the projector 101 to enable the presented information to be visible from the interior of the vehicle via the diffusely reflective layer. To achieve a reliable display effect, in some embodiments, the diffuse reflective layer has a reflectivity of at least 20%.

In some embodiments, the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer and the diffusive reflective layer mentioned above may be implemented by one or more coatings superimposed, thereby enabling the presented information to be visible both inside and outside the vehicle. In some alternative embodiments, the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer and the diffusive reflective layer mentioned above may also be distributed in different areas in the same direction. When the light projected by the projector 101 is projected in this direction, the light can be diffused through the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer to the outside of the vehicle so that a person outside the vehicle can see the presented information, and diffused through the diffusing reflective layer to the inside of the vehicle so that a person inside the vehicle can see the presented information. In this case, the projector 101 may be configured such that information presented by the projected light projected onto the diffuse reflection area and the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer may be the same information or different information, which makes the control of the projection apparatus 100 more diversified.

It was mentioned above that the projection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is capable of projecting and presenting information towards any one of a plurality of predetermined directions. To accomplish this, in some embodiments, projection device 100 can include a rotation mechanism 103 coupled to projector 101. With the rotation mechanism 103, the projector 101 can be driven to rotate between different directions of a plurality of predetermined directions. In some embodiments, projector 101 may be manually driven to rotate. For example, in some embodiments, during normal driving, when a user (e.g., a driver) needs the projection apparatus 100 to implement a head-up display function, the user only needs to manually rotate the projector 101 toward the front windshield, so as to present information on the display area 102 of the front windshield.

The head-up display referred to herein as HUD, also called a parallel display system, refers to a multifunctional instrument panel that is operated blindly with the driver as the center. The automobile navigation system has the function that important driving information such as speed per hour, navigation and the like is projected onto a windshield glass in front of a driver, so that the driver can see the important driving information such as speed per hour, navigation and the like without lowering head or turning head as much as possible.

Of course, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments regarding manually adjusting the orientation of the projector 101 are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Any other suitable adjustment is possible. For example, to increase the degree of automation of the projection apparatus 100, in some embodiments, the rotation mechanism 103 may include a motor and a motor sensor to achieve automatic adjustment of the orientation of the projector 101. The spindle of the motor may be coupled to the projector 101 by a suitable mechanism so that the projector 101 can be driven to rotate according to the control parameters to cause the projector 101 to project light in different ones of a plurality of predetermined directions. A motor sensor is coupled to the motor and is capable of acquiring at least an angular position of a spindle of the motor. In this way, the projector 101 can be controlled to project light toward one predetermined direction corresponding to the angular position among the plurality of predetermined directions.

With the motor sensor, the orientation of the projector 101 can be controlled more reliably and accurately. In some embodiments, the motor and the motor sensor may be integral. For example, the motor may be a servo motor. A servo motor (or an actuating motor) is an actuating element widely used in an automatic control system. The function of which is to convert the received electrical signal into an angular displacement or velocity of the motor shaft. The servo motors can be classified into two types, i.e., direct current and alternating current, according to the type of current. A servo motor is a typical closed loop feedback system. For the convenience of use on vehicles, a dc servo motor may be used.

In some embodiments, the projection device 100 can further include a locking mechanism that can be coupled to the rotation mechanism 103 or the projector 101. When the projector 101 is rotated to a predetermined direction, the projector 101 can be stably oriented to the predetermined direction without being accidentally rotated or shaken to deviate from the predetermined direction by means of the lock mechanism. Of course, in an embodiment using a servo motor, for example, the locking mechanism may be omitted, and the servo motor may prevent the projector 101 from deviating from the predetermined direction, thereby simplifying the structure of the projection apparatus 100.

The control unit 104 may be used to control the projection device 100. The projection device 100 and the control unit 104 in combination may constitute a projection system according to an embodiment of the disclosure, as shown in fig. 2. The control unit 104 for controlling the projection apparatus 100 may be integrated with an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) for controlling the entire vehicle. In some alternative embodiments, the control unit 104 for controlling the projection device 100 may be integrated into the cabin domain control unit (CDC) of an autonomously driven vehicle. In a further alternative embodiment, the control unit 104 for controlling the projection device 100 may also be a separate control unit 104 independent of the ECU and the CDC. The control unit 104 may be in data communication with the CDC and/or the ECU via a control unit area network (CAN) and/or a Local Interconnect Network (LIN) of the vehicle to enable data exchange between the control unit 104 and the CDC and the ECU. In this way, the control unit 104 for controlling the projection apparatus 100 can more conveniently control the projection apparatus 100 using data provided by various sensors in the vehicle itself.

The connection between the control unit 104 and the projector 101 may include an electrical connection and a data connection such as a low voltage differential signal. The connection between the control unit 104 and the rotation mechanism 103 may also include an electrical connection and a data connection of a Local Interconnect Network (LIN) connection. It should be understood that the above-described embodiments regarding the data connection between the control unit 104 and the projector 101 and the rotation mechanism 103 are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Any other suitable data connection is possible. For example, in some alternative embodiments, the connection between the control unit 104 or the signal source and the projector 101 may also include a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connection or the like.

The control unit 104 may control either one or both of the projector 101 and the rotation mechanism 103 in the projection apparatus 100. At least one of the projector 101 and the rotation mechanism 103 may be configured to be controlled based on a signal sensed by the sensor. The sensors mentioned herein may include, but are not limited to, the motor sensors mentioned above: the device comprises a light sensor, a sound sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, a vibration sensor, a radio frequency signal receiver and a satellite positioning signal receiver. For example, in some embodiments, a first sensor 105 that detects whether there is an object in a predetermined direction inside or outside the vehicle or a second sensor 106 that detects whether the vehicle reaches a predetermined position may be provided. The first sensor 105 that detects whether there is an object in a predetermined direction inside or outside the vehicle includes, but is not limited to: cameras, ultrasonic radar, lidar, thermal imaging cameras, driver vital sign monitoring radar, and the like. The second sensor 106 that detects whether the vehicle reaches a predetermined position includes, but is not limited to: global Positioning System (GPS) based sensors, Beidou satellite navigation system (BDS) based sensors, galileo satellite navigation system based sensors, and glonass satellite navigation system based sensors, among others.

In addition to the sensors mentioned above, the sensors herein may also include an input device 107 capable of inputting information. Input devices 107 may include, but are not limited to: a keyboard, a mouse, knobs, buttons, voice input devices, gesture controls, eye tracking and/or touch input devices, and the like.

The control unit 104 is configured to be able to acquire a control parameter for controlling the projection apparatus 100 and, in accordance with the control parameter, to cause the projector 101 to project light toward a predetermined direction to present corresponding information in at least one display area 102 corresponding to the predetermined direction by diffusely reflecting and/or diffusely transmitting the light projected by the projector 101.

For example, in some embodiments, the control unit 104 may acquire the control parameters by acquiring sensor signals and acquiring information indicated by the acquired sensor signals. For example, in the case of an autonomously driven vehicle, when the vehicle is about to travel forward, a sensor in front of the vehicle detects that there is a person in front of the vehicle to pass through the road. At this time, the control unit 104 can acquire a control parameter for rotating the projector 101 toward the front windshield based on the information detected by the sensor. The control unit 104 then drives the rotation mechanism 103 according to the control parameter to rotate the projector 101 to the front wind ratio.

Also included in the control parameters is a signal indicating the information to be presented. For example, the information may be pattern information such as a text or an arrow indicating that the person goes on to go through the road. When the information provided by the motor sensor indicates that the projector 101 has been turned towards the front windshield, the control unit 104 may control the projector 101 to project light towards at least one display area 102 on the front windshield such that corresponding information is presented at the display area 102.

In some embodiments, the control parameters may also include signals for control of the control electrodes of the display area 102. For example, according to the control parameter, the control unit 104 can control the control electrodes of the display area 102 to apply an appropriate voltage signal to cause the display area 102 to assume a predetermined opaque or translucent state, thereby enabling the light projected by the projector 101 to be diffusely transmitted to the outside of the vehicle to enable the presented information to be visible by a person outside the vehicle.

Of course, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments regarding the control unit 104 controlling the projection device 100 to present corresponding information in the display area 102 of the front windshield are only illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. With the various information provided by the above-mentioned sensors, the control unit 104 is able to implement a more diverse and rich control approach.

For example, in some embodiments, in the case where the vehicle is an autonomous driving vehicle or a general vehicle is used as a taxi, when the sensors detect that the vehicle speed gradually becomes 0 and the first sensor 105 detects that a person is approaching the side of the vehicle, the control unit 104 may acquire the corresponding control parameters based on signals detected by these sensors. Based on the control parameter, the control unit 104 can control the motor to drive the projector 101 of the projection apparatus 100 toward the side to which the person approaches, and present information such as a rental car price and driver information on the display area 102 on the door glass of the side by diffusely transmitting the light projected by the projector 101.

When the sensor detects that a person opens the door and gets on the vehicle, the control unit 104 can obtain further control parameters based on further sensor signals. For example, the first sensor 105 detects that a passenger sits down in a rear seat in the vehicle, and the control unit 104 may acquire control parameters using information detected by the first sensor 105 to control the projection apparatus 100 to present information in the display area 102 of the rear door glass. For example, by the control parameter, the control unit 104 may control the projector 101 to project light to present information such as a destination, a route, and a predetermined arrival time of a trip on the display area 102 of the back door glass by diffusely reflecting the light projected by the projector 101 so that a passenger sitting in the vehicle interior can easily understand the trip information.

When the sensor detects that the destination has been reached, the control unit 104 may obtain further control parameters based on the sensor information. With the control parameters, the control unit 104 can control the projection device 100 to present information such as the price and the payment code of the current ride in the predetermined display area 102. The passenger can scan the payment code by using the mobile phone to pay for the current journey.

It can be seen that by means of the projection system, a more comprehensive human-computer interaction and a more satisfying user experience are achieved. Of course, it should be understood that the several embodiments mentioned above with respect to the control unit 104 controlling the projection device 100 are not exhaustive. With the projection system, various other control scenarios that can be realized based on sensor signals can also be realized.

For example, it is mentioned earlier that the sensor may also comprise an input device 107, and the input device 107 may comprise a speech input device 107 or a gesture control or the like. For example, the projection system may be controlled by voice by the driver while driving the vehicle or by the passenger while riding the autonomous vehicle. For example, a driver or passenger may control the projection system by dictating "show a trip to a certain destination".

The control unit 104 acquires control parameters for controlling the projection apparatus 100 according to the voice input. The control parameters may cause the projector 101 to project light in a direction towards a default display area 102 (e.g., in the front windshield), where the projected light may present travel information to the destination, the current location, etc. in the default display area 102. Of course, the user may also drive the projector 101 to the display area 102 toward the right or left side of the vehicle by gesture control (e.g., waving a hand to the right or left side at a predetermined position), thereby displaying the travel information just displayed in the front windshield on the display area 102.

In order to enable the projector 101 to clearly and accurately present information in the display area 102 in any predetermined direction when the projector 101 is facing the predetermined direction, the control unit 104 can also control the projection parameters of the projector 101. Projection parameters include, but are not limited to: an angle value of the center line of the projected light, a trapezoidal correction value, a coordinate value of the corresponding display area 102, and/or a focal length value of the projector 101, and the like.

The value of the angle of the center line of the projected light, as the name implies, refers to the value of the angle of the center line of the light projected by the projector 101 with respect to the reference plane, which can be adjusted by adjusting the angle of the light source and/or the lens group of the projector 101. In the case where there are a plurality of display areas 102 in the same predetermined direction, information can be accurately presented on a desired projection area by controlling the angle value. The trapezoidal correction value refers to shape information of the projection screen, which can be adjusted, for example, to coordinate values of the display area 102 where information is to be presented, so that the information can be accurately presented in the display area 102. The focus value of the projector 101 may adjust the clarity of the presented information. Since the plurality of display areas 102 in different directions or the same direction are located at different distances from the projector 101, to clearly display information in any one of the display areas 102, it is necessary to set the focal length value to a value corresponding to the display area 102.

These control parameters may be automatically controlled in the case of automatically controlling the projection apparatus 100. For example, when the control parameter indicates to turn the projector 101 towards the front windshield and present an image in the display area 102 of the front windshield, the projection parameter of the projector 101 may be automatically controlled by the control unit 104 to a parameter value at which the display area 102 of the front windshield can clearly present information. Likewise, when the user needs to present information on the left, right, or rear glass, the control unit 104 may set the projection parameters to corresponding parameter values that enable the information to be clearly displayed on the display area 102 on the left, right, or rear glass.

Of course, it should be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments utilizing the voice input device 107 and gesture control to cause the control unit 104 to generate the control parameters are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Any other suitable method or means are possible. For example, in some alternative embodiments, the user may also input information via buttons, knobs, etc. to control the projection system.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the control unit 104 may, in addition to generating the control parameter from the sensor signal, take the preset control parameter as the control parameter if a condition for the preset control parameter is satisfied. The condition for presetting the control parameter may include whether the vehicle reaches a predetermined position or whether the system time reaches a specified time, or the like, in addition to whether the projector 101 is directed to a predetermined direction as exemplified above.

For example, after the control unit 104 acquires that the system time reaches a predetermined time, the control unit 104 may automatically control the projection apparatus 100 using a predetermined control parameter after the condition is satisfied (i.e., after the predetermined time is reached) as the control parameter. For example, in some embodiments, the condition of the predetermined control parameter is whether or not within 8 pm to 10 pm, and the corresponding preset control parameter indicates that the predetermined advertisement information is displayed on the rear window during 8 pm to 10 pm.

When the control unit 104 detects that the system time has reached 8 pm, the control unit 104 controls the projection apparatus 100 by using a predetermined control parameter as a control parameter. The rotating mechanism 103 thus drives the projector 101 to project light toward the rear window, and the projection parameters of the projector 101 are automatically controlled to parameter values that enable the information to be clearly displayed in the display area 102 of the rear window (i.e., the projection parameters of the projector 101 are controlled in accordance with the control parameters), thereby enabling the projector 101 to clearly and accurately display predetermined advertisement information in the display area 102. When the control unit 104 detects that the time has reached 10 pm, the control unit 104 controls the projection apparatus 100 to turn off according to the information of the predetermined control parameter.

It is exemplified above that the control unit 104 may acquire the corresponding control parameter according to satisfaction of a predetermined condition in addition to acquiring the control parameter according to the signal of the sensor. This enables a more comprehensive control of the projection device 100, further improving the level of human-computer interaction and hence the user experience.

Of course, it should be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments utilizing satisfaction of predetermined conditions to generate control parameters are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Any other suitable method or means are possible. For example, in some alternative embodiments, the condition of the predetermined control parameter may further include whether the distance traveled by the vehicle reaches a preset value. For example, when the distance traveled by the vehicle in a single trip reaches 500 km, the control unit 104 may generate corresponding control parameters to cause the projection apparatus 100 to present information such as fatigue driving in the predetermined display area 102, thereby facilitating safe driving of the vehicle.

A method of controlling the projection apparatus 100 described above is also presented according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method may be performed by the control unit 104 mentioned above to cause the projection apparatus 100 to present the corresponding information towards a predetermined direction. Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of the method. As shown in fig. 3, at 510, the control unit 104 acquires control parameters for controlling the projection apparatus 100. As mentioned before, the obtaining of the projection parameters may be performed based on sensor signals or the fulfilment of preset conditions. At 520, the projector 101 is caused to project light toward a predetermined direction according to the control parameter to present corresponding information in the at least one display area 102 corresponding to the predetermined direction by diffusely reflecting and/or diffusely transmitting the light projected by the projector 101. In this way, control of the projection apparatus 100 is achieved.

In some embodiments, the method wherein acquiring the control parameter comprises acquiring a sensor signal, and acquiring the control parameter based on information indicated by the sensor signal. In this way, a versatile control of the projection apparatus 100 based on the sensor signal is achieved.

In some embodiments, the method may further include acquiring a sensor signal indicative of the proximity of an object in a predetermined direction outside the vehicle; control parameters are acquired according to the sensor signals, and the motor is controlled to drive the projector 101 to project light toward a predetermined direction according to the control parameters to present information in the display area 102 corresponding to the predetermined direction by diffusely transmitting the light projected by the projector 101.

In some embodiments, obtaining the control parameter includes taking the preset control parameter as the control parameter in response to a condition of the preset control parameter being satisfied. This control method allows a more versatile control of the control device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises adjusting projection parameters of the projector 101 according to the control parameters. In this way, the screen presented by the projector 101 can be made to achieve a clear effect in different directions.

A vehicle is also presented according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle comprises a projection system according to the above description.

A computer program is also presented according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The computer program includes program code. The code is executable by a processor, such as the control unit 104, to cause the processor to perform the method of controlling the projection apparatus 100 described above.

A computer-readable medium is also presented, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The computer readable medium includes a computer program stored thereon. The computer program includes program code. The code is executable by a processor, such as the control unit 104, to cause the processor to perform the method of controlling the projection device 100 described above.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a computing device 800, such as the control unit 104, that may be used to implement embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus 800 may be used to implement the method shown in fig. 3. As shown, device 800 includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)801 that may perform various appropriate actions and processes in accordance with computer program instructions stored in a Read Only Memory (ROM)802 or loaded from a storage unit 808 into a Random Access Memory (RAM) 803. In the RAM 803, various programs and data required for the operation of the device 800 can also be stored. The CPU 801, ROM 802, and RAM 803 are connected to each other via a bus 804. An input/output (I/O) interface 805 is also connected to bus 804.

A number of components in the device 800 are connected to the I/O interface 805, including: an input unit 806, such as a keyboard, mouse, knobs, buttons, and/or voice input devices; an output unit 807 such as various types of displays, speakers, and the like; a storage unit 808, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or the like; and a communication unit 809 such as a network card, modem, wireless communication transceiver, etc. The communication unit 809 allows the device 800 to exchange information/data with other devices via a computer network such as the internet and/or various telecommunication networks.

The processing unit 801 performs the various methods and processes described above, such as the method 500. For example, in some embodiments, the method 500 described hereinabove in accordance with the present disclosure may be implemented as a computer software program tangibly embodied in a machine-readable medium, such as the storage unit 808. In some embodiments, part or all of the computer program can be loaded and/or installed onto device 800 via ROM 602 and/or communications unit 809. When loaded into RAM 803 and executed by CPU 801, a computer program may perform one or more of the steps of method 500 described above. Alternatively, in other embodiments, CPU 801 may be configured to perform method 500 in any other suitable manner (e.g., by way of firmware).

The functions described herein above may be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, without limitation, exemplary types of hardware logic components that may be used include: a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an Application Specific Standard Product (ASSP), a system on a chip (SOC), a load programmable logic device (CPLD), and the like.

Program code for implementing methods of embodiments of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or control unit 104 of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program codes, when executed by the processor or control unit 104, cause the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram to be performed. The program code may execute entirely on the machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

In the context of this disclosure, a machine-readable medium may be a tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The machine-readable medium may be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. A machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of a machine-readable storage medium would include an electrical connection based on one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Further, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Under certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Claims

1. A projection device for a vehicle, comprising:

a projector (101) rotatably disposed on the vehicle and capable of projecting light toward any one of a plurality of predetermined directions;

a plurality of display areas (102) arranged in the plurality of predetermined directions, respectively, and configured to present respective information by diffusely reflecting and/or diffusely transmitting light projected by the projector (101).

2. The projection device of claim 1, further comprising:

a rotation mechanism (103) coupled to the projector (101) and configured to drive the projector (101) to rotate between different ones of the plurality of predetermined directions.

3. The projection device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of display areas (102) comprise at least a portion of a glass of the vehicle.

4. A projection device according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said plurality of display areas (102) is arranged in the area of a sun-shading belt or an advanced driving assistance system in the glass.

5. The projection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the projector (101) is arranged on a ceiling of the vehicle via the rotation mechanism (103).

6. A projection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said rotation mechanism (103) is adapted to be manually controlled to enable rotation of said projector (101) to face said plurality of predetermined directions.

7. The projection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rotation mechanism (103) comprises:

a motor configured to drive the projector (101) to rotate so that the projector (101) faces the plurality of predetermined directions; and

a motor sensor coupled to the motor and configured to acquire at least an angular position of a spindle of the motor to control the projector (101) toward one of the plurality of predetermined directions corresponding to the angular position.

8. The projection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the projector (101) and the rotation mechanism (103) is configured to be controlled based on a sensor signal sensed by a sensor.

9. The projection apparatus according to any one of claims 2-8, wherein the projector (101) is configured to be directed towards a corresponding predetermined direction with predetermined projection parameters, wherein the projection parameters comprise: an angle value of a center line of the projected light, a trapezoidal correction value, coordinate values of the display area (102), and/or a focal length value of the projector (101).

10. The projection device of claim 2, further comprising:

a locking mechanism adapted to couple with one of the rotation mechanism (103) and the projector (101) to lock the projector (101) towards one of the plurality of predetermined directions.

11. A projection device according to claim 3, wherein the glass comprises a laminated glass having a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer disposed therein to diffusely transmit light projected by the projector (101) to enable information presented to be visible from outside the vehicle via the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer.

12. A projection device according to claim 3, wherein the glass comprises a laminated glass in which a diffusely reflective layer is provided to diffusely reflect light projected by the projector (101) to enable the presented information to be visible from the interior of the vehicle via the diffusely reflective layer.

13. The projection apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the diffuse reflective layer has a reflectivity of at least 20%.

14. A method for controlling a projection device according to any of claims 1-13, comprising:

acquiring control parameters for controlling the projection device; and

causing the projector (101) to project light towards a predetermined direction according to the control parameter to present respective information in at least one display area (102) corresponding to the predetermined direction by diffusely reflecting and/or diffusely transmitting the light projected by the projector (101).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein obtaining the control parameter comprises:

acquiring a sensor signal; and

the control parameter is obtained from information indicated by the sensor signal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the information indicated by the sensor signal comprises at least one of:

whether there is an object in a predetermined direction inside or outside the vehicle, information input through an input device (107), whether the vehicle reaches a predetermined position.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the input device (107) comprises a keyboard, a mouse, a knob, a button, a voice input device, a gesture control, an eye tracking, and/or a touch input device.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

acquiring a sensor signal indicating the approach of an object in a predetermined direction outside the vehicle;

acquiring the control parameters according to the sensor signals; and

controlling a motor to drive the projector (101) to project light toward the predetermined direction according to the control parameter to present information on a display area (102) corresponding to the predetermined direction by diffusely transmitting the light projected by the projector (101).

19. The method of claim 14, wherein obtaining the control parameter comprises:

in response to a condition of a preset control parameter being satisfied, taking the preset control parameter as the control parameter.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the condition for presetting control parameters comprises at least one of:

whether the projector (101) is facing a predetermined direction, whether the vehicle reaches a predetermined position, whether a system time reaches a specified time, or a distance traveled by the vehicle.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

adjusting projection parameters of the projector (101) in accordance with the control parameters.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the projection parameters comprise:

an angle value of a center line of the projected light, a trapezoidal correction value, coordinate values of the display area (102), and/or a focal length value of the projector (101).

23. A projection system for a vehicle, comprising:

the projection device of any one of claims 1-13; and

a control unit (104) configured to:

acquiring control parameters for controlling the projection device; and

causing the projector (101) to project light towards a predetermined direction in accordance with the control parameter to present respective information in at least one display area (102) corresponding to the predetermined direction by diffusely reflecting and/or diffusely transmitting the light projected by the projector (101).

24. The projection system of claim 23, wherein the control unit (104) is further configured to:

acquiring a sensor signal from a sensor; and

25. The projection system of claim 24, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of: the vehicle control system comprises a first sensor (105) for detecting whether an object is present at a predetermined position inside or outside the vehicle, an input device (107) for inputting information, and a second sensor (106) for detecting whether the vehicle reaches the predetermined position.

26. The projection system of claim 25, wherein the input device (107) comprises a keyboard, a mouse, a knob, a button, a voice input device, a gesture control, an eye tracking, and/or a touch input device.

27. The projection system of claim 25, wherein the control unit (104) is further configured to:

-acquiring a sensor signal from the first sensor (105) indicating that there is an object in a predetermined direction outside the vehicle;

acquiring the control parameters according to the sensor signals; and

28. The projection system of claim 23, wherein the control unit (104) is further configured to:

29. The projection system of claim 23, the control unit (104) further configured to:

30. The projection system of claim 29, wherein the projection parameters comprise:

31. A vehicle comprising a projection system according to any of claims 23-30.

32. A computer-readable medium, adapted for having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program being adapted, when being executed by a control unit (104), to carry out the method according to any one of claims 14-22.