DE102018201766A1 - A method, apparatus and computer readable storage medium having instructions for controlling a display of a display device of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A method, an apparatus, and a computer readable storage medium having instructions for controlling a display of a display device of a motor vehicle. A proximity sensor detects an approach of a person (10). Optionally, an authentication (11) of the person can be made by an authentication system. As required, an adaptation (12) of characteristics of the display device for an indication to the outside of the motor vehicle. Finally, a display directed to the person for the display device is generated (13) and output to the display device (14).

Description

The present invention relates to a method, a device and a computer-readable storage medium with instructions for controlling a display of a display device of a motor vehicle, in particular a head-up display device. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle in which a method according to the invention or a device according to the invention is used.

In today's motor vehicles, the driver is given a variety of information through optical display devices or displays. Increasingly, head-up displays are being used.

A head-up display or a head-up display device is understood to be a display system in which the user can maintain his viewing direction, since the contents to be displayed are faded into his field of vision. While such systems were initially primarily used in aviation due to their complexity and cost, they are now also being mass-produced in the automotive sector.

In general, head-up displays consist of an imaging unit, an optical module and a projection surface. The imaging unit creates the image. The optical module images the image onto the projection surface. This surface is a partially reflective, translucent disc. The user thus sees the content presented by the imaging unit and at the same time the real world behind the screen. In the automotive sector, the front screen, whose curved shape must be taken into account in the illustration, often serves as the projection surface. As an alternative, an additional disc made of glass or plastic is used in part, which is arranged between the driver and the windshield on the dashboard.

For some applications, there is a need to provide vehicle-related information to the outside of the vehicle, such as the state of charge of a battery of an electric vehicle or the arrival time of a vehicle in the form of a virtual parking disc.

Against this background describes the DE 10 2011 006 481 A1 a display device for an electric vehicle, which is able to signal or indicate the state of charge of the battery of an electric vehicle by means of a lighting element or lighting means. The display device projects with the aid of the illumination means the information about the state of charge of a battery in a windshield of the motor vehicle or on the ground on which the motor vehicle is located. In this way, the projected information about the state of charge is visible from the outside.

The DE 102 51 405 A1 describes a head-up display for a motor vehicle for displaying information in a virtual image by means of a projector. The projector can optionally display a virtual image or a mirror image. In the case of a mirror-image representation, persons outside the motor vehicle can directly perceive the information contained in the image. For example, a parking disc can be shown.

The DE 20 2015 003 921 U1 describes a head-up display for a motor vehicle, which can also reflect information by deflecting the projection information to the outside. This redirection can be set by the driver of the vehicle as needed or uses available data. For example, a digital parking disc, a digital parking ticket or a digital vignette can be displayed.

It is an object of the invention to provide solutions for the control of a display of a display device of a motor vehicle, which allow a reduction of the energy requirement or an extended range of functions.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1, by a computer-readable storage medium with instructions according to claim 6 and by an apparatus having the features of claim 7. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

• - Erfassen einer Annäherung einer Person durch einen Annäherungssensor; und
• - Generieren einer an die Person gerichteten Anzeige für die Anzeigevorrichtung.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for controlling a display of a display device of a motor vehicle comprises the steps:

• Detecting an approach of a person through a proximity sensor; and
• Generating a display directed to the person for the display device.

• - Erfassen einer Annäherung einer Person durch einen Annäherungssensor; und
• - Generieren einer an die Person gerichteten Anzeige für die Anzeigevorrichtung.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a computer-readable storage medium includes instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the following steps to control a display of a display device of a motor vehicle:

• Detecting an approach of a person through a proximity sensor; and
• Generating a display directed to the person for the display device.

The term computer is to be understood broadly. In particular, it also includes controllers and other processor-based data processing devices.

• - eine Steuerungseinheit zum Erfassen einer Annäherung einer Person auf Basis eines Signals eines Annäherungssensors; und
• - einen Grafikgenerator zum Generieren einer an die Person gerichteten Anzeige für die Anzeigevorrichtung als Reaktion auf das Erfassen einer Annäherung einer Person.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an apparatus for controlling a display of a display device of a motor vehicle comprises:

• a control unit for detecting an approach of a person based on a signal of a proximity sensor; and
• - A graphics generator for generating a person-facing display for the display device in response to detecting a rapprochement of a person.

In the solution according to the invention, a display device of the motor vehicle is used to make certain information accessible to a person outside the motor vehicle. This can happen both when the motor vehicle is in operation and when the motor vehicle is parked. By using a proximity sensor, a reduction in energy consumption is achieved because only when a person is in the vicinity of the motor vehicle is displayed. As a proximity sensor different sensor types come into question. For example, the typically existing ultrasonic sensors of a parking aid can be used. Likewise, a person can be recognized from the image data of an often existing front camera. Alternatively, a conventional motion sensor may be provided.

When approaching a person, there may be different situations. For example, a person can be detected, which approaches the parked motor vehicle. However, it is also possible for the motor vehicle to move in the direction of a person. This can e.g. be the case when entering a guarded parking area. Furthermore, the approach of a person may also be detected indirectly, i. it is not a person who is detected directly, but rather a situation in which the presence of a person is to be assumed. For example, it can be determined from the image data of a camera or from available navigation data that the motor vehicle is approaching a ticket booth of a toll station. Then, a directed to a person in the ticket booth display for the display device is generated.

The information displayed by the display device depends on the desired application. For example, an arrival time of the motor vehicle may be displayed on a parking area, i. the display represents a virtual parking disc. Similarly, other types of parking permits may be displayed, e.g. a virtual parking ticket, a resident parking permit, a press card, a special permit, for example, for doctors or craftsmen, etc. This information is particularly useful for parked vehicles. Also possible is the display of an access authorization, e.g. a toll sticker when entering a toll road section, a company pass at the entrance to a company car park or a factory premises or a tenant pass at the entrance to a parking area for permanent tenants. Such information is particularly useful in motor vehicles that are in operation. Other applications are u.a. the display of a state of charge for electric vehicles, a booking status for car-sharing vehicles, or holder information.

According to one aspect of the invention, the person is authenticated by an authentication system. In this way it can be ensured that possibly sensitive information is only displayed to authorized persons, e.g. the owner or owner of the motor vehicle or employees of the public order office or the police. For authentication, for example, an RFI D system can be used (RFID: Radio-Frequency Identification, identification by means of electromagnetic waves). In the motor vehicle, an RFID reader is activated when an approach is detected. The reader transmits via a magnetic alternating field data to a transponder, which carries the approaching person with him, and activates this. The transponder then sends suitable information to the reader for authentication. Alternatively, by means of an existing camera or an additional sensor barcodes or matrix codes can be read, which can be applied, for example, to office cards. Likewise, a card reader can be used, which may already be present especially in car-sharing vehicles. Authentication by means of face recognition or speech recognition is also possible. Depending on the implementation, the authentication system can simultaneously also serve as a proximity sensor, for example by inserting a chip card into a card reader both indicating the approach of a person and also initiating authentication of this person.

According to one aspect of the invention, a content of the display directed to the person depends on a result of the authentication. For example, if authentication indicates that the person is the owner or owner of the vehicle, information can be displayed without restriction. The information to be displayed concretely may have previously been determined by the owner or owner. For authentication can be for this case For example, an RFID transponder can be used in the identity card. If, on the other hand, the authentication reveals that the person is an employee of the public order office, eg based on an RFID transponder in a chip card, then only the arrival time or a parking authorization is displayed. When authenticating as a police officer, holder information can be displayed, for example. The display is not necessarily static. It is also possible to display changing or moving information, eg holder information and a parking authorization in alternation.

According to one aspect of the invention, the display device is a head-up display device. In modern motor vehicles, head-up display devices are often already installed. These can be used in an advantageous manner to display information also outside the motor vehicle. In this way, no additional display device is needed. In addition, head-up display devices already project the information to be displayed on the windscreen or an additional disk near the windscreen, i. in an area that is visible from outside the motor vehicle. There are therefore hardly any modifications to the head-up display device required for the realization. Basically, it is sufficient to generate the information to be displayed in mirrored form in comparison to the normal representation for the interior, so that they are readable from the outside.

According to one aspect of the invention, characteristics of an optical module or a projection surface are adapted to the head-up display device for the display directed to the person. For example, the opening angle of an optical path of the optical module can be increased to realize a larger display area. It is also possible to switch the projection surface in a state in which it is designed as a ground glass. As a result, the displayed information can be better perceived from the outside.

It is particularly advantageous to use a method according to the invention or a device according to the invention in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle.

According to one aspect of the invention, the motor vehicle has a switchable projection surface. By way of example, the switchable projection surface may be a glass or plastic disk which is arranged between the driver and the windshield on the dashboard and serves as a projection surface for a head-up display device. Alternatively, the switchable projection surface can also be an integral part of the windshield or be applied to the windshield. Preferably, the switchable projection surface is switchable between two states, wherein the switchable projection surface is configured in a first state as a reflective surface for the head-up display device. In a second state, the switchable projection surface is configured as a ground-glass screen. For this purpose, the switchable projection surface may comprise a switchable glass, a switchable film or switchable cells. For example, the switchable glass may be a PDLC glass (PDLC: Polymer-Dispersed-Liquid-Crystal) or a SPD (Suspended Particles Device) glass, or the switchable film may be a PDLC film or an SPD film. Be foil. For example, the switchable cells may use one of the technologies commonly used for electrophoretic displays. PDLC films and PDLC glasses, as well as SPD films and SPD glasses, can be switched between a transparent mode with applied voltage and a scattering mode with no applied voltage. For the state as a ground glass, the color properties and the degree of scattering can be further adjusted. These components are therefore ideal for the realization of the solution according to the invention. Switchable cells may also be used, based for example on electrowetting or colored charged particles.

• 1 zeigt schematisch ein Verfahren zur Steuerung einer Anzeige einer Anzeigevorrichtung eines Kraftfahrzeugs;
• 2 zeigt eine erste Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zur Steuerung einer Anzeige einer Anzeigevorrichtung eines Kraftfahrzeugs;
• 3 zeigt eine zweite Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zur Steuerung einer Anzeige einer Anzeigevorrichtung eines Kraftfahrzeugs;
• 4 stellt schematisch ein Kraftfahrzeug dar, in dem eine erfindungsgemäße Lösung realisiert ist;
• 5 zeigt schematisch einen allgemeinen Aufbau einer Head-up-Display-Vorrichtung für ein Kraftfahrzeug;
• 6 zeigt eine erste an eine außerhalb eines Kraftfahrzeugs befindliche Person gerichtete Anzeige; und
• 7 zeigt eine zweite an eine außerhalb eines Kraftfahrzeugs befindliche Person gerichtete Anzeige.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the figures.

• 1 schematically shows a method for controlling a display of a display device of a motor vehicle;
• 2 shows a first embodiment of a device for controlling a display of a display device of a motor vehicle;
• 3 shows a second embodiment of a device for controlling a display of a display device of a motor vehicle;
• 4 schematically represents a motor vehicle in which a solution according to the invention is realized;
• 5 schematically shows a general structure of a head-up display device for a motor vehicle;
• 6 shows a first directed to a person located outside of a motor vehicle display; and
• 7 shows a second directed to a person located outside of a motor vehicle display.

For a better understanding of the principles of the present invention, embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It is understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments, and that the features described can also be combined or modified without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

1 schematically shows a method for controlling a display of a display device of a motor vehicle. The display device may be, for example, a head-up display device. In a first step, an approach of a person is detected by a proximity sensor 10. Optionally, an authentication 11 the person through an authentication system. Depending on requirements, an adjustment is made 12 of characteristics of the display device for an indication to the outside of the motor vehicle. For example, properties of an optical module or a projection surface of the head-up display device can be adapted. Finally, a display directed to the person is generated for the display device 13 and output to the display device 14 , The content of the display directed to the person can be dependent on a result of the authentication.

2 shows a simplified schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device 20 for controlling a display of a display device of a motor vehicle, for example a head-up display device. The device 20 has an entrance 21 , about which, for example, a signal of a proximity sensor 43 , Data of an authentication system 44 or image data of a camera 45 can be received. The device 20 also has a control unit 22 based on a signal from the proximity sensor 43 can capture a rapprochement of a person. The control unit 22 can also be set up, a result of authentication of the person by the authentication system 44 to process. Furthermore, the control unit 22 be adapted to adapt properties of the display device for an indication to the outside of the motor vehicle. For example, by the control unit 22 Properties of an optical module or a projection surface of the head-up display device can be adjusted. A graphics generator 23 generates a display to the person in response to detecting an approach of a person 41 , The content of the display directed to the person can be dependent on a result of the authentication. About an exit 26 the device 20 the generated display is sent to a control unit 42 the display device output. Alternatively, only an instruction to the controller 42 to generate a corresponding display. The control unit 42 The generated display can then be output to the display device.

The control unit 22 and the graphics generator 23 can be from a control unit 24 being controlled. Via a user interface 27 If necessary, settings of the control unit 22 , the graphics generator 23 or the control unit 24 be changed. The in the device 20 accumulating data can be stored in memory as needed 25 the device 20 are stored, for example, for later evaluation or for use by the components of the device 20 , The control unit 22 , the graphics generator 23 as well as the control unit 24 may be implemented as dedicated hardware, such as integrated circuits. Of course, they may also be partially or fully combined or implemented as software running on a suitable processor, such as a GPU. The entrance 21 and the exit 26 may be implemented as separate interfaces or as a combined bidirectional interface. In the example described, the device 20 a separate component. But it can also be in the control unit 42 be integrated with the display device.

3 shows a simplified schematic representation of a second embodiment of a device 30 for controlling a display of a display device of a motor vehicle. The device 30 has a processor 32 and a memory 31 on. For example, the device is 30 to a computer or a controller. In the storage room 31 are filed instructions that the device 30 when executed by the processor 32 to perform the steps according to one of the described methods. The in the store 31 filed instructions thus embody one by the processor 32 executable program that realizes the inventive method. The device 30 has an entrance 33 for receiving information, for example a signal of a proximity sensor or an authentication system. From the processor 32 generated data will be via an output 34 provided. In addition, they can be stored in memory 31 be filed. The entrance 33 and the exit 34 can be combined to a bidirectional interface.

The processor 32 may include one or more processing units, such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, or combinations thereof.

The stores 25 . 31 The embodiments described may have both volatile and non-volatile memory areas and include a wide variety of memory devices and storage media, for example hard disks, optical storage media or semiconductor memories.

4 schematically represents a motor vehicle 40 in which a solution according to the invention is realized. The car 40 has a display device 41 with an associated control unit 42 on, for example, a head-up display device. Furthermore, the motor vehicle 40 a device 20 for controlling a display of the display device 41 on. The device 20 can of course also in the display device 41 or in the control unit 42 the display device 41 be integrated. Other components of the motor vehicle 40 are a proximity sensor 43 , an authentication system 44 , a camera 45 and a data transmission unit 46 , The camera 45 If necessary, it can also be used as a proximity sensor. By means of the data transmission unit 46 For example, a connection to service providers can be established, for example, to retrieve card data or to authenticate a person. To store data is a memory 47 available. The data exchange between the various components of the motor vehicle 40 via a network 48 ,

5 schematically shows a head-up display device as an example of a display device 41 for a motor vehicle 40 , with their help content on a projection screen 52 of the motor vehicle 40 can be displayed, for example, on the windscreen 53 or on an additional disc of glass or plastic, between the driver and the windscreen 53 is arranged on the dashboard. The contents presented are by an imaging unit 50 generated and with the help of an optical module 51 on the projection screen 52 projected. Typically, the projection takes place in an area of the windscreen 53 above the steering wheel. The imaging unit 50 For example, it can be an LCD TFT display. The head-up display device is usually in a dashboard of the motor vehicle 40 installed.

6 shows a first to one outside a motor vehicle 40 Person located on a projection screen 52 a head-up display device. The projection surface is in the figure an integral part of the windscreen 53 , In the example shown, the person has after approaching the parked motor vehicle 40 authenticated by means of an RFID transponder in a service card as an employee of the public order office. The display therefore includes an arrival time of the motor vehicle 40 , Based on the arrival time can be checked whether a maximum parking time has been exceeded.

7 shows a second to an outside of a motor vehicle 40 Person located on a projection screen 52 a head-up display device. In this case, the person has approached the parked vehicle 40 as the owner of the motor vehicle 40 authenticated. The display now includes information about the current tank contents and the range of the motor vehicle 40 , The type of information displayed was previously set by the owner using a user interface.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Capture an approach of a person

11

Authenticate the person

12

Adjusting properties of the display device

13

Generating a display for the display device

14

Outputting the display to the display device

20

device

21

entrance

22

control unit

23

graphic generator

24

control unit

25

Storage

26

exit

27

User interface

30

device

31

Storage

32

processor

33

entrance

34

exit

40

motor vehicle

41

display device

42

Control device of the display device

43

proximity sensor

44

authentication system

45

camera

46

Data transfer unit

47

Storage

48

network

50

Imaging unit

51

Optical module

52

projection

53

windscreen

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 102011006481 A1 [0006]
• DE 10251405 A1 [0007]
• DE 202015003921 U1 [0008]

Claims (13)

Method for controlling a display of a display device (41) of a motor vehicle (40), comprising the steps: - detecting (10) an approach of a person by a proximity sensor (43); and - generating (13) a display directed to the person for the display device (41). Method according to Claim 1 in which an authentication (11) of the person is carried out by an authentication system (44). Method according to Claim 2 wherein a content of the display directed to the person is dependent on a result of the authentication (11). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the display device (41) is a head-up display device. Method according to Claim 4 wherein characteristics of an optical module (51) or a projection surface (52) of the head-up display device are adapted for the display directed to the person (12). A computer readable storage medium having instructions that, when executed by a computer, execute the computer to perform the steps of a method according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 for controlling a display device (41) of a motor vehicle (40). Device (20) for controlling a display of a display device (41) of a motor vehicle (40), with - a control unit (22) for detecting (10) an approach of a person on the basis of a signal of a proximity sensor (43); and - A graphics generator (23) for generating (13) a person-facing display for the display device (41) in response to the detection (10) of a rapprochement of a person. Device (20) according to Claim 7 wherein the control unit (22) is arranged to process a result of an authentication (11) of the person by an authentication system (44). Device (20) according to Claim 7 wherein a content of the display directed to the person is dependent on a result of the authentication (11). Device (20) according to one of the Claims 7 to 9 wherein the display device (41) is a head-up display device. Device (20) according to Claim 10 wherein the control unit (22) is adapted to adapt (12) properties of an optical module (51) or a projection surface (52) of the head-up display device for the display directed to the person. Motor vehicle (40) with a display device (41), characterized in that the motor vehicle (40) comprises a device (20) according to one of Claims 7 to 11 or is arranged, a method according to one of Claims 1 to 5 for controlling a display of the display device (41). Motor vehicle (40) according to Claim 12 , wherein the motor vehicle (40) has a switchable projection surface (52).

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