DE102018201188A1 - Method for operating a head-up display device of a motor vehicle, head-up display device, control device, and motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a head-up display device (12) of a motor vehicle (10), wherein the head-up display device (12) has a display element (14) with a display surface (16) for providing a digital image. A control device (18) performs: Receiving a driving situation signal that describes a current driving situation of the motor vehicle (10) (S3), in dependence on the received driving situation signal: Specification of target dimensions of an image size of a virtual image (34) that in a Outside of the motor vehicle (10) of the motor vehicle (10) is upstream (S4), and depending on the predetermined target dimensions: determining a portion of the display surface (16) for outputting the provided digital image (S5). This is followed by generating a display signal (S6) describing the digital image and outputting the digital image by the designated portion of the display area (16) (S6) and transmitting the generated display signal to the display element (14) to adjust a size of Viewing area (32) of a user (36) of the motor vehicle (10) to the current driving situation (S7).

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a head-up display device of a motor vehicle, wherein the head-up display device has a display element with a display surface for providing a digital image. The head-up display device can be designed, for example, as a head-up display. The invention also relates to a head-up display device, as well as a motor vehicle with such a head-up display device.

Head-up displays are used in motor vehicles to provide information to a driver directly in an eyebox. In this case, a head-up display device is understood to mean a display device, that is to say a display device or a device component for displaying images, which pre-stores digital graphic information as a virtual image in an exterior space in front of the motor vehicle so that it lies within the user's field of vision. The user can maintain his head posture and viewing direction through the windshield while driving. At the same time, the virtual image seems to be put on the street by means of differently designed mirrors. By turning these mirrors, the viewing area can be adjusted, for example, at a height, so that the viewing area can be adapted to a size of the motor vehicle driver.

A head-up display is generally positioned in the cockpit in front of the driver in a space. The control panel has an opening in the area of the combi hood, which is closed with a cover after the head-up display has been fitted. A new generation of head-up displays can be augmented reality ("AR") content. For this, it is necessary to present a large virtual image with a large image distance, ie with a large distance between the virtual image and the user. In other words, the desire for large head-up images is greater, but the space is limited.

The DE 10 2015 222 388 A1 describes a method for controlling a display device in a motor vehicle, comprising detecting a posture of a person by means of sensors, determining, based on the detected sensor values, whether the person is in a eutonic posture, determining a distance between the person's eyes and the display device, and Setting predetermined display parameters on the display device based on this distance between the eyes and the display device. When setting the display parameters, displayed objects, such as a font, can be enlarged or reduced. In other words, this document describes a measuring system for detecting a sitting position of the driver and based on the seating position, setting a size of a displayed object.

The DE 10 2005 009 397 A1 describes a motor vehicle with a head-up display, in which the operating unit is arranged for operating the head-up display in an armrest of the driver's door. This document describes the already mentioned above vertical and horizontal displacement of the field of view.

From the DE 101 56 219 C1 For example, a method and apparatus for reducing a kinetosis effect on passengers of means of transport and transportation is known.

However, there remains the disadvantage that a size of the field of view and the virtual image significantly determine the size of the required installation space of the head-up display. Conversely, only a certain field of view or a virtual image size can be generated from a given space for the head-up display.

An object underlying the invention is to increase driving comfort and driving safety.

This object is achieved by the method according to the invention and the devices according to the invention according to the independent claims. Advantageous developments are given by the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea of controlling a size of the field of view and thus an image size of the virtual image as a function of a driving situation. In other words, it is not a single image object, such as a font size or an image detail, that is magnified, but the dimensions of the virtual image. In this way, a situation-specific optimal setting of the field of view or the virtual image can be made possible. A driver can optionally select different display modes themselves, ie change the size of the field of view while driving itself. With an enlarged field of view, the ride comfort is significantly increased. Depending on the situation, however, a smaller field of view can be set.

The method according to the invention for operating a head-up display device of a motor vehicle is carried out by the following steps carried out by a control device. The head-up display device has a display element with a display surface for providing a digital image. As a display element is understood the component or group of components that a digital image for Output by the head-up display device, for example self-generated. The display element can be designed, for example, as a screen or as a projector.

As a control device is a device or a device component for receiving and evaluating signals, as well as for generating control signals understood. The control device can preferably be designed as a control unit or control board or control chip.

There is a receiving a driving situation signal that describes a current driving situation of the motor vehicle. Preferably, the driving situation signal can be received from a motor vehicle system of the motor vehicle.

Depending on the received driving situation signal, a setpoint of desired dimensions of an image size of a virtual image, which is disposed in front of the motor vehicle in an outer space of the motor vehicle, is defined. Depending on the specified target dimensions, setting of a portion of the display area to output the provided digital image.

The control device generates a display signal which describes the digital image and an output of the digital image by the specified proportion of the display area. This is followed by transmitting the generated display signal to the display element for adjusting a size of the field of view of a user of the motor vehicle to the current driving situation.

By the method according to the invention the viewing area is adapted to a current driving situation. As a result, an image size of the virtual image changes depending on the driving situation. For example, if the driver is driving in a sports mode in which a driver is usually tense and moves little or no movement, a small field of view is sufficient and the driver can thereby be provided with a large virtual image. If, on the same journey, the driver then drives in a comfort mode after a while, in which the driver usually sits relaxed and, for example, occasionally put his arms down alternately, a large field of vision can be provided that suits the needs of the driver Freedom of movement. The virtual image then appears smaller, but the driver has the freedom of movement that he likes to use in comfort mode and still can see the virtual image well. By the method according to the invention the above-mentioned advantages are made possible.

Preferably, the target dimensions may describe an image size of the digital image, wherein the generated display signal may describe a scaling of the digital image provided by the display element. The benefits have already been highlighted by the above benefit.

The received driving situation signal can preferably be an operating signal that can describe an operating parameter of a motor vehicle system of the motor vehicle, for example a signal from a driver assistance system that can describe a current driving mode. The advantages have already been mentioned above.

Alternatively or additionally, the driving situation signal may be a navigation signal that may describe a property of a road of a travel route of the motor vehicle, preferably a road on which the motor vehicle can currently be located. Alternatively or additionally, the navigation signal can describe an environment of the travel route, preferably an environment in which the motor vehicle can currently be located. If the motor vehicle is traveling at night, for example, it may be difficult for the driver to recognize that he has just entered a forest. While the motor vehicle is in the forest, a larger virtual image may be beneficial, as a dark forest edge may be highlighted, for example, in the context of augmented reality. This draws the driver's attention to this traffic situation. Alternatively, the driver may, for example, pretend that he prefers a smaller virtual image in the exemplary drive through the forest to have clear vision without a display content on the roadside. When driving on a narrow dirt road, a larger virtual image can be advantageous, while driving on the highway a smaller virtual image. The driver is thus optimally supported in future or current conditions, which driving safety is significantly increased.

According to a further, preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the received driving situation signal may be an ambient signal of a detection device, preferably an ambient signal of a detection device of the motor vehicle. The ambient signal may describe an environment of the motor vehicle. In this case, a detection device is understood to be a device or a device component for sensory detection of the environment or environment, which, for example, can have a camera or a radar.

This embodiment of the method according to the invention comprises the following steps performed by the control device. Based on the received ambient signal, an object is detected in the environment of the Motor vehicle, and checking whether the detected object meets a traffic risk criterion, the traffic risk criterion can describe a hazard to road traffic. For example, a camera of the motor vehicle can detect an image of a wild animal at the roadside, and for example by means of an image analysis for object recognition, the deer can be detected. The traffic risk criterion may then specify, for example, that a deer may pose a traffic hazard.

Generating the indication signal may then depend on meeting the traffic risk criterion. This embodiment of the method according to the invention is even more specific to specific driving situations, namely to individual events while driving. Driving safety is significantly increased.

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the generated display signal may describe outputting of the digital image on a portion other than a currently activated portion of the display area. For example, the display area may be formed of a plurality of LEDs, and while in a driving situation, a first portion of the display area provides the digital image so that it may appear virtually on a left portion of the windshield, for example, in a different driving situation, such as driving make sense to let the forest appear by activating another portion of the display area on a right side of the windshield. Here, too, the driving safety is significantly increased, because it can respond individually to page-specific conditions while driving.

As already highlighted above by examples, the received driving situation signal may preferably describe a current driving mode of the motor vehicle. The advantages have already been explained above.

The received driving situation signal may alternatively or additionally describe a steering movement and / or a direction of travel change and / or a yaw movement of the motor vehicle about a motor vehicle vertical axis and / or an inclination of the motor vehicle. This can, for example, significantly increase ride comfort when driving through a curve.

The above object is, while achieving the aforementioned advantages, achieved by a head-up display device for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing and disposed in the housing display element for outputting an image on a lying outside the housing reflection surface of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the display element on a display surface, wherein the display element outputs the image. In addition, the head-up display device has a control device that is set up to perform the method steps of one of the embodiments of the method according to the invention.

The stated object is achieved by a control device which is set up to carry out the method steps of one of the embodiments of the method according to the invention. The control device can be configured, for example, as a control board or control unit or software. The control device may preferably have a processor device, that is to say a component or a component component for electronic data processing. The processor device may be configured to execute a program code, wherein the program code may be stored on a data memory and configured to cause the control device, when executed by the processor device, to carry out the method according to the invention. Again, there are the above benefits.

The above object is also achieved by a motor vehicle, which may be configured for example as a passenger car, and having an embodiment of the head-up display device according to the invention and / or an embodiment of the control device according to the invention. Again, there are the above benefits.

The invention also includes the combinations of the described embodiments.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung zu einer ersten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung zu einer weiteren Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren; und
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung zu einer weiteren Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren.

In the following, embodiments of the invention are described. This shows:

• 1 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the method according to the invention;
• 2 a schematic representation of another embodiment of the method according to the invention; and
• 3 a schematic representation of another embodiment of the method according to the invention.

The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention, which are to be considered independently of one another, which each further develop the invention independently of one another and thus also individually or in a different combination than the one shown as part of the invention. Furthermore, the described Embodiments also supplemented by further of the already described features of the invention.

In the figures, functionally identical elements are each provided with the same reference numerals.

The 1 illustrates the principle of the method according to the invention with reference to a first embodiment. This shows the 1 a motor vehicle 10 which may preferably be designed as a motor vehicle. The car 10 has a head-up display device 12 on, which may preferably be configured as a head-up display.

The head-up display device 12 has a display element 14 on, on a display surface 16 can provide a digital image. The display element 14 can be configured for example as a screen or as a different type of imager. The display element 14 For example, it may comprise a plurality of light-emitting diodes ("LEDs") or, for example, organic LEDs ("OLEDs"), for example the entire display area 16 can form.

A control device 18 For example, it can be designed as a control unit or as a control chip, and a control device 18 of the motor vehicle 10 or the head-up display device 12 his. In the example of 1 is the controller 18 outside a housing 20 the head-up display device 12 shown and with a data communication connection 21 with the display element 14 connected.

The data communication connection 21 For example, a wired data communication connection 21 be, for example, a data bus of the data bus system of the motor vehicle 10 , or a wireless data communication connection 21 For example, a Wi-Fi connection or a Bluetooth connection. Is the control device 18 Part of the head-up display device 12 so the controller may 18 inside the case 20 arranged and configured, for example, as a control board. Optionally, the control device 18 a processor device 22 with for example several microprocessors and / or a data memory 24 respectively.

The 1 additionally shows a motor vehicle system 26 , which may be configured for example as power electronics or, preferably, as a driver assistance system. The motor vehicle system 26 is configured and configured to generate a driving situation signal, for example, a current driving mode and / or an operating state of the motor vehicle system 26 can describe.

The 1 also shows an optional detection device 28 , which may for example comprise a sensor for detecting the environment, for example a camera. The detection device 28 is configured, for example, to generate an environmental signal that can describe the detected environment. For analyzing the exemplary environment image, in the processor device 22 the control device 18 For example, be stored an image processing software.

The 1 shows the head-up display device 12 and a path of a provided and output digital image, for example through a mirror 29 on a windshield 30 of the motor vehicle 10 , So a reflection surface, can be deflected. The path of the light is marked L. The 1 also shows a viewing area 32 , which can also be called a field of vision or "eyebox", and the virtual image 34 , The connecting lines between the corners of the field of view 32 and the virtual picture 34 represent the three-dimensional visual corridor of a user 36 represents.

In the example of 1 The exemplary driver assistance system can provide a driving situation signal (method step S1 ), which may, for example, describe a current driving mode, for example a sport mode just set. Additionally or alternatively, for example, the detection device 28 provide an environment signal ( S2 ), which can describe, for example, a picture of a roe deer at the roadside.

Previously, the motor vehicle 10 have been operated for example in a comfort mode in which the user relaxed and relaxed in a motor vehicle seat 40 can sit and take turns off the left and right arm on a corresponding armrest. In the exemplary comfort mode, the field of view may 32 For example, have a width, so an extent in motor vehicle transverse axis, for example, 160 millimeters. This allows the driver to still see the virtual image when he leans to the side, although the virtual image 34 rather small. Alternatively, this exemplary dimension of the field of view 32 for example, adapted to driving on a forest road where no wide picture is necessary.

That of the motor vehicle system 26 provided driving situation signal can now describe, for example, a switch to a sports mode. The control device 18 receives in the process step S3 the driving situation signal of the exemplary driver assistance system and can set a new target dimension of an image size of the virtual image as a function of this ( S4 ). It can a larger width B and / or a larger height H of the virtual image 34 be predetermined.

For example, in the data store 24 stored a digital assignment table, which pretends that in sports mode, these dimensions should be selected, and the target dimensions can be specified with an accurate indication of value. Alternatively, such an association may describe by what factor the virtual image 34 should be scaled. While for the comfort mode, for example, can be specified that the entire display area 16 provides and / or outputs the digital image may be provided for the example sport mode that only 80 percent of the display area 16 to output the picture. The control device 18 sets in the process step S5 determines what proportion to reach the target dimensions of the virtual image 34 should be activated or should remain activated. In this case, it can be determined, for example, that exemplary LEDs located at an edge of the display area 16 can be turned off. To control this, the controller generates 18 the indication signal ( S6 ), which describes exactly how the display element 14 activated and / or deactivated.

In addition, the generated indication signal may describe the digital image. The generated indication signal is applied to the display element 14 transfer ( S7 ), whereupon the display element 14 provides and / or disposes of the digital image in the prescribed manner. The changed size of the provided image results in a change in the dimension of the field of view 32 , where the field of view 32 in sports mode, for example, can only have a width of 130 millimeters. As the user 36 however, when in sports mode it is very concentrated and has a higher body tension, the body moves less and the head moves with very little probability out of sight 32 out. Advantageously, the user sees 36 but a much larger virtual picture 34 that can be wider and higher than before, for example. In the example of 1 Thus, the size of the provided image may have been scaled ( S8 ).

For example, if the ambient signal later becomes from the detection device 28 provided ( S2 ), by the control device 18 can be received ( S9 ), the exemplary deer can be recognized by a method known to the person skilled in the art for object or pattern recognition of a digital image and thus determined ( S10 ).

For example, in the data store 24 a traffic risk criterion may be filed, for example, a programming with the requirement that, for example, objects such as pedestrians or wildlife can pose a potential danger, and that among the wild animals and a deer can be classified. The control device 18 can for checking whether the detected object of the image of the detection device 28 meets the traffic risk criterion ( S11 ), for example, the detected object with the default in the data store 24 to compare. In this example, therefore, the traffic risk criterion can be fulfilled and an indicator signal can be generated ( S6 ), which, for example, a shifting of the display element 14 provided image on the display surface 16 takes place, that is, the digital image only of that portion of the display area 16 the image is displayed on one side of the windshield 30 can project, which can be close to the roadside. For the user then, for example, the virtual image 34 for example, in the right third of the windshield 30 his attention is immediately directed to the right side of the road.

The motor vehicle system 26 may alternatively or additionally be configured and arranged, for example, a steering movement or a yawing motion or an inclination of the motor vehicle 10 to capture and describe by the driving situation signal. For this purpose, the motor vehicle system 26 For example, a yaw sensor and / or a tilt sensor, or have a sensor for detecting steering movements. Suitable sensors are known to those skilled in the art. So can the target dimensions of the field of view 32 and thus the target dimensions of the virtual image 34 be adapted to other driving situations, for example when driving through a curve or, for example, right turn or left turn. Alternatively or additionally, the adaptation can also take place, for example, during a lane change, so that the virtual image 34 For example, extended on one side, so can be increased. The driver can be made aware, for example, that there may be another motor vehicle behind him. Optionally, it can be provided that the user 36 the target dimensions for the virtual image 34 can specify individually and user-specific, for example via a settings menu of the infotainment system. For example, he can specify which image he would like to have for different driving modes. Based on these inputs, the controller 18 for example, to the target dimensions of the field of view 32 conclude, for example, by a corresponding calculation. Based on these target dimensions for the field of vision 32 can the controller 18 then, for example, determine what proportion of the display area 16 to provide the digital image.

Alternatively or additionally, also a height of the field of view 32 adjusted and / or one Height shift of the virtual image 34 be performed. For example, a tilting of the motor vehicle 10 in a curve, the field of view 32 then, for example, shift a little more to the right so that the virtual image 34 more area on the right and less area on the left.

For example, if changing the target dimensions is based on map data, these map data may be stored in the data memory 24 be filed. For example, changing the target dimensions is based on a current position of the motor vehicle 10 , For example, a GPS signal from a navigation device (in the 1 not shown) of the motor vehicle 10 to be provided.

The 2 shows again by way of example the relative ratios of the field of view 32 to the dimensions of a virtual image 34 , In a plan view is schematically the head-up display device 12 shown. The 3 shows such a schematic plan view after changing the target dimensions. The 2 can, for example, the field of view 32 show, for example, when operating the motor vehicle 10 can be provided in a sports mode. In relation to the field of vision 32 the 1 for example, the dimensions in a comfort mode of the motor vehicle 10 can have is the field of view 32 the 2 significantly smaller, but the dimensions of the virtual image 34 in sports mode greater than in comfort mode 3 ,

Overall, the above embodiments illustrate how the invention enables a head-up display device 12, such as a head-up display, with variable virtual image size and variable eyebox size.

According to a further embodiment, an adjustment of the eyebox size and / or the virtual image size depending on driving situations and / or applications (so-called "use cases") and / or driving situations occur, for example, several modes are conceivable (for example, city , Highway and / or highway), which can be triggered by, for example, an automatic position detection (for example, using GPS and / or navigation cards). In this case, for example, different road widths and / or intersection situations can be corrected (for example, city, narrow carriageway: enlarged field of vision 32 / reduced virtual image 34 ).

Furthermore, the user can 36 have the option to select certain modes via, for example, a menu: for example, comfort: with an enlarged eyebox / reduced virtual image 34 ; and / or sport: scaled down eyebox / enlarged virtual image 34 (see 2 and 3 ).

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102015222388 A1 [0004]
• DE 102005009397 A1 [0005]
• DE 10156219 C1 [0006]

Claims (10)

A method of operating a head-up display device (12) of a motor vehicle (10), wherein the head-up display device (12) comprises a display element (14) having a display area (16) for providing a digital image, the method comprising the following steps carried out by a control device (18) are characterized: Receiving a driving situation signal describing a current driving situation of the motor vehicle (10) (S3), depending on the received driving situation signal: setting of target dimensions of an image size of a virtual image (34, which is in an outer space of the motor vehicle (10) upstream of the motor vehicle (10) (S4), depending on the predetermined target dimensions: determining a portion of the display area (16) for outputting the provided digital image (S5), Generating a display signal describing the digital image and outputting the digital image by the predetermined proportion of the display area (S6), - Transferring the generated display signal to the display element for adjusting a size of a field of view (32) of a user (36) of the motor vehicle (10) to the current driving situation (S7). Method according to Claim 1 characterized in that the desired dimensions describe an image size of the digital image, and wherein the generated display signal describes a scaling of the digital image provided by the display element (14) (S8). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the received driving situation signal is an operating signal which describes an operating parameter of a motor vehicle system (26) of the motor vehicle (10); and / or a navigation signal describing a property of a road of a travel route of the motor vehicle (10) and / or an environment of the motor vehicle (10) on the travel route. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the received driving situation signal is an ambient signal of a detection device (28), which describes an environment of the motor vehicle (10), wherein the method is characterized by the following steps carried out by the control device (18) by means of the received ambient signal: detecting an object in the vicinity of the motor vehicle (10, S10), and checking whether the detected object fulfills a traffic risk criterion describing a danger to traffic (S11), wherein the generation of the traffic signal Display signal (S6) depends on meeting the traffic risk criterion. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the generated display signal describes an output of the digital image on a different than a currently activated portion of the display area (16). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the received driving situation signal describes a current driving mode of the motor vehicle (10). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the received driving situation signal describes a steering movement and / or a direction of travel change and / or a yaw movement of the motor vehicle (10) about a motor vehicle vertical axis and / or an inclination of the motor vehicle (10). A head-up display device (12) for a motor vehicle (10), comprising - a housing (20), and - a display element (14) arranged in the housing (20) for outputting an image onto a housing outside the housing (20) Reflective surface of the motor vehicle (10), to which the display element (14) has a display surface (16) that outputs the image, wherein head-up display device (12) is characterized by: - a control device (18) which is adapted to the method steps of a method according to one of Claims 1 to 7 perform. Control device (18), which is adapted to the method steps of a method according to one of Claims 1 to 7 perform Motor vehicle (10), characterized by a head-up display device (12) according to Claim 8 and / or by a control device (18) Claim 9 ,

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