GB2430572A

GB2430572A - Laser projection driver information display

Info

Publication number: GB2430572A
Application number: GB0519500A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Kingswell Harris; James Grainger Fleming; Michael Weiss; Norman Starke
Original assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Inc
Priority date: 2005-09-26
Filing date: 2005-09-26
Publication date: 2007-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-26
Also published as: GB2430572B; GB0519500D0

Abstract

A driver information display comprises display means 4 having two or more display areas (7, 8, fig. 1), 9, means to laser project (18, fig. 4) a class of driver information on to one display area (7, 8, fig. 1), 9, and two or more classes of driver information on to the further display area (7, 8, fig. 1), 9. Control means 14 enables the driver to select the class of information displayed on the further display area (7, 8, fig. 1), 9. Preferably the display areas comprise upper (7, fig. 1), lower (8, fig.1) and central 9 areas, arranged one above the other in a stepped formation so as to be spaced at different distances from the driver. Preferably the central area 9 is closer to the driver than the upper (7, fig. 1). The information displayed on upper (7, fig. 1) and lower (8, fig. 1) display areas is preferably fixed. The control means 14 can allow driver selection of the class of information displayed on the central area 9 and comprises a panel 15 having depressible buttons 16 each having images relating to an information class upon them. The classes may relate to: radio; telephone; climate control; media player; vehicle data and; navigation.

Description

S S * * *** An Automotive Driver Information Display Device The present

invention relates to a driver information display device, preferably for use in automotive applications.

In-vehicle driver information display units, or instrument clusters as they are commonly known, are generally mounted in a vehicle dashboard, behind the steering wheel and in the line of vision of the driver. Conventional instrument clusters comprise one or more gauges or dials which are designed to present information clearly to the driver of the vehicle. Usually, the class of information thus presented is information to which the driver needs continuous access such as information relating to speed, fuel, engine rpm and engine temperature. Other classes of information for which less frequent access is required may relate to radio, air conditioning or ancillary devices like mobile phones and portable navigation systems which may be connected to the vehicles systems by hardwire or Bluetooth wireless protocol.

These other classes of information are usually displayed elsewhere on the vehicle dashboard visible only if the driver takes his eyes off the area immediately in front of him. To assist with clear presentation, the indicia or symbols provided on the gauges or dials used to display this information are conventionally lit from the rear.

As automotive telemetry and the ability to pair devices to vehicle systems has improved, an ever more varied array of information has to be made available to the driver. As a direct consequence of the availability of greater quantities of data, there is a clear need for instrument clusters to be capable of displaying this information to the driver in * S.. S * * *SS * I I IS I S S S S I I I * * I II * I S S S $ * * S S I S S S S S.. S *SS SI. S S useful form. Whereas in the past, the driver was only faced with two or three dials or gauges which presented information relating to vehicle speed and fuel and oil levels, modern day driver information displays need to cope with much more. The driver is now enriched with a varying and diverse array of information. Examples of new classes of information which have arisen as a result of innovations in wireless applications like Bluetooth, and high speed hard-wired USB connections, are: detailed engine operating condition data; precision climate control information; and, ever evolving media facilities and devices such as Ipods, satellite navigation systems, laptops, advanced mobile phones and palm computers and internet ready devices.

Whilst the availability of ever more classes of information has enhanced the driving experience and encouraged driver awareness of vehicles performance, it has been recognised that the simultaneous presentation of numerous information classes to the driver - in roughly the same space that once accommodated only two or three gauges - can cause confusion and raise safety concerns.

A number of solutions have been proposed to assist the driver in dealing with multiple simultaneous information displays.

Primarily, modern instrument clusters and instrument panels are designed with careful lighting arrangements. Furthermore, designers take great care in ensuring economic use of space and efficient and safe viewing for the driver of relevant and important information. In addition to these measures, more recently, a further solution has found some measure of success in finding extra space in which to display information to the driver.

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I.. S III 555 * S Head-up display technology (HUD) has sought to overcome the problems associated with the desire to make multiple classes of information available to the driver, without overburdening or distracting him from driving. HTJD technology enables selected classes of information to be displayed on the windscreen, thus expanding the viewing and displaying range for the driver. Although effective, HUD technology has yet to reach full commercial realisation and remains expensive and complex to implement. A cost effective and efficient solution which enables drivers to benefit from the wealth of information classes now made available to them, without detracting from driving safely and without increasing complexity for the driver, has yet to be found.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a driver information display device which addresses these issues.

Accordingly, the invention provides a driver information display device, comprising: a display means, viewable by the driver of a vehicle; a laser projection means which projects driver information on to the display means; said display means having two or more display areas, the laser projection means being adapted to project information related to one class of driver information on to one display area, and to project on to a further display area, information related to two or more other classes of driver information; and a driver information control means which enables the driver to select the class of driver information to be displayed on said further display area.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the display means * *** . * . *** * * S ** * * S U U * U U S * S 55 * U S S S S S * S I * * S U S S.. S *S* S** S S comprises one or more stepped screens, such that the screens are arranged one above the other and at a varying distance from the driver. In a further preferred embodiment, the display means comprises an upper, lower and central display area, with steps between each of the display areas such that the central display area is at the forefront, with respect to the driver. In a further preferred arrangement, the upper and lower display areas are each designed to display a fixed class of information. For example, the upper display area may display a class of information relating to fuel level, and the lower display area may display a class of information relating to vehicle mileage and trip computer data. Further classes of information which may also be desired, by way of example only, include oil pressure, engine temperature, vehicle cabin temperature, radio station, air conditioning or climate control. The central display area may also preferably be adapted to display a variable class of driver information, selectable from example information classes which may include media player information, mobile telephone, internet applications, laptop, computer and palm top information, or simply urgent information pertaining to vehicle systems i.e low fuel level warning.

In a still further preferred embodiment, the driver information control means may comprise a panel having depressible buttons, each of which bearing an image or text which relates to a class of information as hereinbefore described. The panel is arranged so as to be visible to the driver, such that the driver may optionally select a desired class of information using one of the buttons. In a preferred embodiment, the selection of a class of information from the panel by the driver will lead to the display of that class of * *tt. * * S..

* S S 55 5 1 S S * S I S S I I *t * S * S * * S * I I S S S S S ISS I *IS 155 S * information on the central display area, thus displacing any class of information that was previously displayed.

In a yet further preferred embodiment, the display of a class of information, or the change of a class of information, on the central display area may be effected by operation of a joystick or similar arrangement mounted on the steering wheel or anywhere else within easy reach of the driver.

It is further preferred that the laser projection means is mounted within the dashboard and is operable to enable such varied arrangements of classes of information as described hereinbefore, to be displayed on the upper, lower and central display areas of the display means. In a further advantageous example, the laser projection means is operable so as to respond to the actions of the driver in selecting a class of information, by effecting a change of the class of information displayed in the central display portion, whilst maintaining the presence of the fixed classes of information displayed in each of the upper and lower display areas.

The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a vehicle dashboard incorporating a driver information display device and steering wheel arrangement; Figure 2 is a preferred embodiment for an information display device displaying three separate classes of driver information; Figure 3 is a vehicle information display device * Itt * * * *.* * I * ** * I I I I I I S S I S I* * I * I I S * S I I I S S S I.e S *S* III S incorporating a driver information control panel; Figure 4 is a plan view of a driver information display device and laser projection means.

Detailed Description:

Figure 1 shows a vehicle dashboard assembly 1 incorporating a driver information display device 2 and steering wheel arrangement 3. The driver information display device 2 is provided with a display means 4 which is clearly viewable to the driver of the vehicle (not shown). The display means 4 is preferably divided, by an upper step 5 and a lower step 6, into an upper display area 7, a lower display area 8, and a central display area 9. The driver information display device may further be provided with a visor 10, adapted to shade the display means 4 from the effects of sunlight.

Figure 2 shows a preferred arrangement for the display of driver information on the display means 4. A first, fixed class of information 11 is displayed in the upper display area 7, which class may relate to, for example, speedometer, fuel level or oil pressure. A second, fixed class of information 12 is displayed in the lower display 8, which class may relate to, for example, vehicle mileage and trip computer information. In the central display area 9, a variable class of information 13 may be displayed, which information may, for example, be alternated between a media player class, a mobile telephone class and a tachometer class.

Figure 3 represents a preferred relationship between the * *** S S * *.i * S I ** 0 5 5 5 5 * S S S S S * * S S * I S * 0 S * S S S * S.. I *S* *S* S * display means 4 and the driver information control means 14 which, for example, may be a panel 15 provided with depressible buttons 16 where each button bears an image 17 relating to a specific class of information. Upon selection of a desired class of information by the driver using the depressible buttons 16, that class of information is then displayed on the central display area 9.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the dashboard 1, in which a laser projection means 18 is incorporated. The laser projection means 18 operates by processing and indexing a laser beam 19, using a processing module 20, so as to produce a display of desired classes of driver information on the display means 4.

The information displayed on the display means 4 is organised between the upper 7, lower 8 and central 9 display areas so as to provide a clear display of desired classes of information to the driver. * S.. * . S

Claims

* S SI *5 S * . S * * Claims: 1. A driver information display device,

comprising: a display means, viewable by the driver of a vehicle; a laser projection means which projects driver information on to the display means; said display means having two or more display areas, the laser projection means being adapted to project information related to one class of driver information on to one display area, and to project on to a further display area, information related to two or more other classes of driver information; and a driver information control means which enables the driver to select the class of driver information to be displayed on said further display area.
2. A driver information display device, as claimed in claim 1, in which the display means comprises one or more display areas which are arranged in a stepped formation so as to be spaced at different distances from the driver.
3. A driver information display device, as claimed in claim 2, in which the display means is stepped so that the central display area is closer to the driver than the upper display area.

3. A driver information display device, as claimed in claim 2, in which the display means comprises upper, lower and central display areas arranged one above the other.

4. A driver information display device, as claimed in claim 3, in which the display means is stepped so that the central display area is closer to the driver than the upper display * I.. * * * St. * * . I. t * * *

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5. A driver information display device, as claimed in claim 3 or 4, where fixed classes of driver information are displayed on the upper and lower display areas, and a variable class of driver information is displayed on the central display area.

6. A driver information display device, as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the driver information control means comprises a panel bearing two or more images visible to the driver, each of said images relating to a class of driver information, selection by the driver of a required class of driver information being guided by the images.

7. A driver information display device, as claimed in claim 6, where fixed classes of driver information are displayed on the upper and lower display areas, a variable class of driver information is displayed on the central display area, and the class of information selected by the driver is displayed on the central display area.

8. A driver information display device, as claimed in claim 6 or 7, where the driver selects a class of driver information by operation of one of a plurality of depressible buttons, all of which bear an images relating to a class of driver information.

9. A driver information display device, as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the classes of driver information relate to radio, telephone, climate control, media player, vehicle data and navigation.

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* S S I S S S * S S S S S S S S.. S IS* 555 * S - 10 - 10. A driver information display device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

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Claims: 1. A driver information display device, comprising: a display means, viewable by the driver of a vehicle; a laser projection means which projects driver S..

information on to the display means; * S S * S. said display means having two or more display areas, the laser projection means being adapted to project...

information related to one class of driver information *.* * on to one display area, and to project on to a further * SS S display area, information related to two or more other ** : classes of driver information; and a driver information control means which enables the driver to select the class of driver information to be displayed on said further display area; wherein the display means comprises two or more display areas which are arranged in a stepped formation so as to be spaced at different distances from the driver.

2. A driver information display device, as claimed in claim 1, in which the display means comprises upper, lower and central display areas arranged one above the other.