GB2593876A - Displaying an image in a vehicle - Google Patents

Displaying an image in a vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2593876A
GB2593876A GB2004694.2A GB202004694A GB2593876A GB 2593876 A GB2593876 A GB 2593876A GB 202004694 A GB202004694 A GB 202004694A GB 2593876 A GB2593876 A GB 2593876A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
image
vehicle
displayed
interior roof
engine
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB2004694.2A
Other versions
GB2593876B (en
GB202004694D0 (en
Inventor
Dugenetet Pierre
Abd El Ghani Mohamed
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bentley Motors Ltd
Original Assignee
Bentley Motors Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bentley Motors Ltd filed Critical Bentley Motors Ltd
Priority to GB2004694.2A priority Critical patent/GB2593876B/en
Publication of GB202004694D0 publication Critical patent/GB202004694D0/en
Priority to PCT/GB2021/050803 priority patent/WO2021198687A1/en
Priority to EP21717497.8A priority patent/EP4127895A1/en
Publication of GB2593876A publication Critical patent/GB2593876A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2593876B publication Critical patent/GB2593876B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/20—Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/22—Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles for viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior of the vehicle
    • B60R1/28—Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles for viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior of the vehicle with an adjustable field of view
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
    • B60Q3/20—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors for lighting specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments; mounted on specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
    • B60Q3/20—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors for lighting specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments; mounted on specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments
    • B60Q3/208—Sun roofs; Windows
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
    • B60Q3/70—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by the purpose
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
    • B60Q3/70—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by the purpose
    • B60Q3/74—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by the purpose for overall compartment lighting; for overall compartment lighting in combination with specific lighting, e.g. room lamps with reading lamps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
    • B60Q3/80—Circuits; Control arrangements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/14—Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G3/00—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
    • G09G3/001—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes using specific devices not provided for in groups G09G3/02 - G09G3/36, e.g. using an intermediate record carrier such as a film slide; Projection systems; Display of non-alphanumerical information, solely or in combination with alphanumerical information, e.g. digital display on projected diapositive as background
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G3/00—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
    • G09G3/001—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes using specific devices not provided for in groups G09G3/02 - G09G3/36, e.g. using an intermediate record carrier such as a film slide; Projection systems; Display of non-alphanumerical information, solely or in combination with alphanumerical information, e.g. digital display on projected diapositive as background
    • G09G3/003—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes using specific devices not provided for in groups G09G3/02 - G09G3/36, e.g. using an intermediate record carrier such as a film slide; Projection systems; Display of non-alphanumerical information, solely or in combination with alphanumerical information, e.g. digital display on projected diapositive as background to produce spatial visual effects
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G3/00—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
    • G09G3/20—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G5/00—Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators
    • G09G5/36—Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators characterised by the display of a graphic pattern, e.g. using an all-points-addressable [APA] memory
    • G09G5/37—Details of the operation on graphic patterns
    • G09G5/377—Details of the operation on graphic patterns for mixing or overlaying two or more graphic patterns
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G5/00—Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators
    • G09G5/36—Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators characterised by the display of a graphic pattern, e.g. using an all-points-addressable [APA] memory
    • G09G5/38—Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators characterised by the display of a graphic pattern, e.g. using an all-points-addressable [APA] memory with means for controlling the display position
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N9/00—Details of colour television systems
    • H04N9/12—Picture reproducers
    • H04N9/31—Projection devices for colour picture display, e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM]
    • H04N9/3179—Video signal processing therefor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N9/00—Details of colour television systems
    • H04N9/12—Picture reproducers
    • H04N9/31—Projection devices for colour picture display, e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM]
    • H04N9/3191—Testing thereof
    • H04N9/3194—Testing thereof including sensor feedback
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2300/00—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
    • B60R2300/20—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of display used
    • B60R2300/205—Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of display used using a head-up display
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B21/00—Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor
    • G03B21/10—Projectors with built-in or built-on screen
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B21/00—Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor
    • G03B21/14—Details
    • G03B21/145—Housing details, e.g. position adjustments thereof
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B21/00—Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor
    • G03B21/54—Accessories
    • G03B21/56—Projection screens
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B2206/00—Systems for exchange of information between different pieces of apparatus, e.g. for exchanging trimming information, for photo finishing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G2340/00—Aspects of display data processing
    • G09G2340/04—Changes in size, position or resolution of an image
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G2340/00—Aspects of display data processing
    • G09G2340/04—Changes in size, position or resolution of an image
    • G09G2340/0464—Positioning
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G2340/00—Aspects of display data processing
    • G09G2340/04—Changes in size, position or resolution of an image
    • G09G2340/0492—Change of orientation of the displayed image, e.g. upside-down, mirrored
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G2340/00—Aspects of display data processing
    • G09G2340/12—Overlay of images, i.e. displayed pixel being the result of switching between the corresponding input pixels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G2380/00—Specific applications
    • G09G2380/10—Automotive applications

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
  • Instrument Panels (AREA)

Abstract

A method of displaying an image in a vehicle, the method including the steps of: displaying a part of the image on an interior roof surface of the vehicle; and, changing the part of the image displayed on the interior roof surface in response to movement of the vehicle. The displayed part of the image may be defined by a field of view (FOV) applied to the image. Changes in the position and/or orientation of the FOV may change the selected part of the image displayed on the roof. The displayed part of the image may be changed such that the image appears fixed relative to the vehicle’s surroundings.

Description

Displaying an image in a vehicle
Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to displaying an image in a vehicle. Background to the Invention Vehicle manufactures rightly prioritise the safety of occupants when designing new vehicles. However, this can lead to the occupants having a restricted view of the vehicle's surroundings due to the small windows required to increase the security and structural strength of the vehicle. This is exacerbated if the occupants' view out the front of the vehicle is blocked by other scats or structural elements of the vehicle, which is most common when in the rear cabin of a vehicle.
As occupants cannot see out of the vehicle, it is common for occupants to experience motion sickness, as they feel movement of the vehicle but do not see any corresponding changes in their environment. This can make journeys in the vehicle unpleasant.
In addition, the internal environment of the vehicle may be boring and unstimulating. This is exacerbated by the fact that many activities, such as working, reading or watching a film can aggravate motion sickness. As such, there are limited options for an occupant to escape both boredom and motion sickness.
Finally, as autonomous vehicles become more cormnon, people who would otherwise be the driver will no longer take an active part in driving and will be more susceptible to motion sickness. Especially if the front seats rotate to face the rear seats during autonomous vehicle control. It is therefore important that vehicles are designed to minimise the likelihood and severity of motion sickness.
It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to at least partially overcome or alleviate the above problems.
Summary of the Invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of displaying an image in a vehicle, the method including the steps of: displaying a part of the image on an interior roof surface of the vehicle; and, changing the part of the image displayed on the interior roof surface in response to movement of the vehicle.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for displaying an image in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising, an image engine; and a display means in communication with the image engine, wherein the image engine is configured to: select part of an image; output the selected part of the image; and, change the selected part of the image in response to movement of the vehicle, and the display means is configured to: receive the image output from the image engine; and, display the received image on an interior roof surface of the vehicle.
The present invention thereby increases the comfort of vehicle occupants by providing a displayed image on the interior roof surface that appears to move in response to the vehicle's movement. This can help to alleviate motion sickness for the vehicle occupants as in many vehicles each occupant has an unobstructed view of the interior roof. Therefore, a large portion of the occupant's field of vision appears to move as they sense the corresponding movement of the vehicle. In addition, the displayed image can provide additional stimulus for the occupants and alleviate boredom.
The part of the image displayed on the interior roof surface may be defined by a field of view (FOV). The FOV may he applied to the image. The position and/or orientation of the FOV on the image may be changed in response to movement of the vehicle. The image engine may perform this functionality The use of a FOV allows convenient selection of part of the image Changes in the position and/or orientation of the FOV may be continuous. Changes in the part of the image displayed may be smooth. Smooth and/or continuous changes in the FOV further improve the experience for vehicle occupants as the displayed image appears to move in a more realistic manner.
Changes in the position and/or orientation of the FOV may be in substantially the same direction as changes in the position and/or orientation of the vehicle. Changes in the position and/or orientation of the FOV may match changes in the position and/or orientation of the vehicle. The part of the image displayed on the interior roof may move such that the image appears to be fixed relative to the vehicle's surroundings. The image engine may perform this functionality. The displayed image thus moves to reduce the severity of motion sickness for the occupants as when viewing the displayed image, it appears to move in a similar or equivalent manner as the vehicle's surroundings, as if the occupant is looking out of a window in the roof.
The image may be a 3D environment. The displayed image may be defined by a FOV within the 3D environment. Use of a 3D environment allows the system to account for changes in the vehicle's pitch as well as position and heading.
The displayed image may be substantially the same shape as the interior roof surface of the vehicle. The displayed image may cover most of the interior roof surface of the vehicle. The displayed image may cover the whole of the interior roof surface of the vehicle. The display means may be configured to implement this.
The part of the image displayed may be wholly within the image The part of the image displayed may always be wholly within the image. The image engine may provide this functionality. The image may he a closed surface. The image may be a spherical or ellipsoidal surface. The image may be procedurally generated. The image engine may procedurally generate additional areas of the image. Additional areas of the image may be procedurally generated when the part of the image displayed approaches the edge of the image.
The present invention is thus providing a more immersive experience and is more effective at reducing motion sickness.
The selected part of the image or FOV may be superimposed with one or more additional images. The part of the image or FOV superimposed with the one or more additional images may be displayed on the interior roof surface. The image engine may superimpose additional images onto the part of the image or FOV.
One or more of the additional images may not change in response to the vehicle's movement. One or more of the additional images may change in response to the vehicle's movement. One or more of the additional images may be a selected part of a corresponding supplementary image. The selected part of each supplementary image may be changed in response to the vehicle's movement. The selected part of each supplemental image may be changed in a different manner to any one or more of the selected parts of the image or other supplemental images used in the displayed image The final displayed image may be formed from many separate images that. appear to move in response to the vehicle's movement.
Adding additional images provides a more immersive experience for occupants and affords extra flexibility and functionality to display additional information on the interior roof for the benefit of the occupants.
The apparatus may comprise an image source. The image source may provide the image engine with images for use as any one or more of: the image; the additional image(s), or the supplementary image(s). The image source may include any one or more of: a storage device containing stored images: a live camera feed from outside the vehicle; an internet connection to download and/or stream images from the internet; or the like. The storage device may be: a hard drive; a solid state drive; a removable memory stick; or the like. The images used may be static images The images used may be moving images. The image engine can therefore access images from many different sources and superimpose them together to generate varied and complex visual effects for the vehicle occupants.
The apparatus may comprise one or more motion sensors. The motion sensor(s) may be any of: a gyroscope; a global positioning system (GPS); a compass; a speedometer; an accelerometer; or the like. The apparatus may comprise an internet connection means. Where the apparatus contains any of the aforesaid components, each component may be configured to communicate with the image engine. The image engine can therefore alter the displayed image based on a wide variety of inputs.
The apparatus may comprise any one or more of: a lighting system; a sound system; a tactile feedback system; a vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning system; or the like. Where the apparatus contains any of the aforesaid components, each component may be configured to be controlled by the image engine. The image engine can complement the main displayed image with additional sensory outputs to further improve the vehicle occupant's experience.
The apparatus may comprise a vehicle occupancy detector. The vehicle occupancy detector may be configured to output signals indicative of vehicle occupancy to the image engine.
The image engine may be configured to generate pre-defined sequences of outputs. The sequences may be output as a displayed image. The sequences may be output as an additional image superimposed onto the displayed image. The image engine may be configured to generate a welcome and/or goodbye sequence. Each sequence may be output in response to a trigger. The welcome and/or goodbye sequence may be triggered by the vehicle turning on or off. Where the apparatus includes a vehicle occupancy detector, sequences may be triggered by detected changes in vehicle occupancy. Sequences may be triggered by any one or more of: the vehicle' s position; the vehicle's speed; intemet notifications; telephone calls; external weather data; signals received from other vehicles; custom user-defined triggers; and the like. The use of sequences provides additional customisation options to the occupant and allows them to be notified when trigger criteria are met.
The apparatus may comprise one or more additional display means. Each display means may display a different part of the image. The displayed images from each display means may merge on the interior roof surface. The image engine may select a part of the image to be displayed by each display means. Multiple display means can be provided to ensure that an image is displayed on the entire interior roof surface. This can be particularly helpful in large vehicles or where the vehicle contains many internal structures.
The or each display means may be any one or more of: a projector; and a display screen, such as: a liquid crystal display (LCD); an in-plane switching LCD (IPS-LCD); a light emitting diode (LED) display; an organic LED (OLED) display; or the like. The projector may be disposed in the centre of the vehicle. Therefore, many different types of display can be used to suit the vehicle. Use of a projector provides additional benefits as the interior trim of the vehicle may not need to be modified and can be retained.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle 30 comprising an apparatus for displaying an image in a vehicle according to the second aspect of the present invention.
The apparatus may be configured to display an image in the vehicle according to the method of the first aspect of the present invention.
The vehicle of the third aspect of the present invention may incorporate any one or more of the features of the first and second aspects of the invention as required or desired.
If the vehicle has windows, the display means may be configured to display the received image on the interior roof surface such that the edges of the displayed image coincide with the upper edges of any one or more of the vehicle's windows. Thus, the display system provides a fully immersive experience and can blend the view out the window with the image displayed on the interior roof surface.
The vehicle may be: an automobile; an aeroplane; a boat; a bus; a train; or the like.
Detailed Description of the Invention
hi order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a side view of an automobile fitted with a vehicle display system.
Figure 2 is an end on view of the automobile of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle display system fitted to the automobile of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an image indicating a field of view on the image.
Figures 5a & 5b arc schematic diagrams showing the change in position and
orientation of the field of view in Figure 4.
Figures 6a & 6b arc schematic diagrams as in Figure 5 where the field of view is superimposed with another image.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a vehicle 100 is shown fitted with an in-vehicle display system 200. In the embodiment shown, the vehicle 100 is an automobile. The vehicle 100 has front 101 and rear 102 windshields, side windows 103, and an interior roof surface 104.
In this embodiment, the display system 200 comprises: an image engine 201; a display means; an image source 220 and an image augmentation input 230, wherein the display means is a projector 210. The image engine 201 is connected to the projector 210, source 220 and input. 230. All components are additionally connected to an electronic power supply (not shown).
In use, the image source 220 is operable to provide an image to the image engine 201. In addition, the augmentation input 230 provides information to the image engine 201 indicative of the vehicle's 100 movement. The image engine 201 is operable to select part of the image provided by the image source 220 and provide the selected part of the image to the projector 210. In addition, the image engine 201 is operable to change the selected part of the image in response to information indicative of the vehicle's 100 movement received from the input 230, as described later. In this embodiment, the image engine 201 is an electronic processor of a computer (not shown) within the vehicle 100. The computer may additionally comprise random access memory (RAM) and a graphical processing unit (OW) to aid with image processing.
The projector 201 is operable to display the image provided to it by the image engine 201 on the interior roof surface 104 of the vehicle 100. The projector is arranged so that displayed image covers the entire interior roof surface 104 and the edges of the displayed image coincide with the edges of the front 101. rear 102 and side 103 windows of the vehicle 100. The position of the projector 210 within the vehicle 100 is not limited, so long as it is able to effectively project onto the interior roof surface.
In some embodiments, the projector is placed within a central console of the vehicle. In other embodiments, it could be placed elsewhere. In this embodiment, the projector is a liquid crystal display (LCD) projector. However, other embodiments could use any other type of suitable projector, such as a digital light processing (DLP) projector.
Turning to Figure 3, in some embodiments, the image source 220 and augmentation input 230 are comprised of multiple independent systems. The image source 220 comprises an in-vehicle memory 221 containing stored images, a live camera feed 222 from outside the vehicle, and an image internet connection 223 to a remote image server (not shown). These systems allow the image source 220 to provide the image engine 201 with both static and moving images.
In this embodiment, the augmentation input 230 comprises an accelerometer 231, a global positioning system (GPS) 232, and an augmentation internet connection 233. These systems allow the image source 220 to change the selected part of the image in response to the vehicle's 100 movement and position. The image 223 and augmentation 233 internet connections increase the flexibility of the display system 200 and allow it to obtain images from the internet and change the displayed image based on signals from the internet, such as email, social media, weather updates or the news. In some embodiments, the image 223 and augmentation 233 internet connections both operate on the same single internet connection.
In this embodiment, the in-vehicle display system 200 additionally comprises output means 240 and a vehicle occupancy detector 250, both of which are arranged in communication with the image engine 201. The output means 240 is arranged to output additional sensory stimulus to the vehicle's occupants alongside the projector 201, such as sound, light or tactile feedback. In this embodiment, the output means 240 comprises a vehicle sound system 241, an ambient light 242, and a vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning (FIVAC) system 243. The vehicle occupancy detector 250 is arranged to output signals indicative of vehicle occupancy to the image engine 201. The output means 240 and occupancy system 250 increase the flexibility of the vehicle display system 200 to improve the environment within the vehicle 100 for the occupants.
hi alternative embodiments, the skilled person will appreciate the image source 220, augmentation input 230 and output means 240 may comprise various additional systems.
Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, the operation of the image engine 201 is described in more detail. In this embodiment, the image engine 201 receives an image 300 from the image source 220. By way of example, this image 300 is of the sky at night and contains many stars 301. The image engine 201 selects part of the image by applying a field of view (F0V) 310 to the image. The FOV 310 represents the part of the image that is provided to the projector 210 and displayed on the interior roof surface 104 of the vehicle.
The FOV 310 has a position and orientation on the image 300 and by changing the position and/or orientation, the image engine 201 moves the FOV 310 with respect to the image 300 and selects different parts of the image 300. The possible movement directions of the FOV 310 are shown as movement arrows 311 in Figure 3.
In some embodiments, the image engine 201 moves the FOV 310 on the image in response to information indicative of the vehicle's movement provided by the augmentation input 230. hi this embodiment, the image engine moves the FOV 310 so that changes in the position and/or orientation of the FOV 310 match changes in the position and/or orientation of the vehicle 100.
For example, the initial position of the FOV 310 is shown in Figure 5a. The vehicle 100 then moves forward and turns right. In response, the image engine 201 changes die position and orientation of the FOV 310 so that it also moves forward and turns right, as shown in Figure 5b. As such, a different part of the image 300 is displayed on the interior roof surface 104.
Turning to Figure 6a and 6h, in some emhodiments, the image engine 201 superimposes additional images onto the pail of the image to be displayed. The image source 220 may provide the additional images. In one embodiment, a single additional image 312 of an arrow is superimposed onto the image to be displayed. The additional image 312 does not change in response to the vehicle's movement. As with the above example, if the vehicle moves forward and right, the FOV 310 also moves forward and right, changing the part of the image 300 displayed. However, the superimposed additional image 312 remains fixed to the FOV 310 and does not appear to move when viewed by a vehicle occupant.
In some embodiments, several additional images are superimposed onto the displayed image. Some of them may change in response to the vehicle's movement or various other external factors. For example, where the display system 200 comprises an intemet connection, the image engine 201 may be operable to superimpose additional images temporarily in response to an email notification or the like.
In some embodiments, the image engine 201 is operable to output a welcome and/or goodbye sequence. The sequence represents a specific set of images that are output to the projector 210 in response to trigger. The trigger could be switching the vehicle 100 on or off, or, where the display system 200 comprises a vehicle occupancy detector 250, changes in vehicle occupancy. In addition, further custom sequences may be output by the image engine 201 in response to various triggers. In some embodiments, the sequence also includes a set of control outputs sent to the output means 240.
The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. 10 Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims (25)

  1. CLAIMSI. A method of displaying an image in a vehicle, the method including the steps of: displaying a part of the image on an interior roof surface of the vehicle; and, changing the part of the image displayed on the interior roof surface in response to movement of the vehicle.
  2. 2. The method of claim I wherein the part of the image displayed on the interior roof surface is defined by a field of view. FOV, applied to the image, and the position and/or orientation of the FOV on the image changes in response to movement of the vehicle.
  3. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein changes in the position and/or orientation of the FOV are continuous.
  4. 4. The method as claimed in either claim 2 or claim 3 wherein, changes in the position and/or orientation of the FOV are in substantially the same direction as changes in the position and/or orientation of the vehicle.
  5. 5. The method as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4 wherein, changes in the position and/or orientation of the FOV match changes in the position and/or orientation of the vehicle
  6. 6. The method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, the part of the image displayed on the interior roof moves such that the image appears to he fixed relative to the vehicle's surroundings.
  7. 7. The method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, the part of the image displayed is substantially the same shape as the interior roof surface of the vehicle.
  8. 8. The method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, the part of the image displayed is always wholly within the image.
  9. 9. The method of any preceding claim wherein, the image is either: a static image; or a moving image.
  10. 10. The method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, the method further comprises the steps of: superimposing one or more additional images onto the part of the image to be displayed; and, displaying the part of the image superimposed with the additional image or images
  11. 11. The method as claimed in claim 10 wherein one or more of the additional images is a selected part of a corresponding supplementary image, and the method includes the steps of, for each such additional image: selecting part of the corresponding supplementary image; and changing the selected part in response to the vehicle' s movement.
  12. 12. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein, at least one of: the additional image(s); or supplementary image( s), do not change in msponse to the vehicle' s movement.
  13. 13. The method of any of claims 10 to 12 wherein the additional image(s) and/or supplementary image(s) are either: static images; moving images or a mixture of static and moving images.
  14. 14. An apparatus for displaying an image in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: an image engine; and a display means in communication with the image engine, wherein the image engine is configured to: select part of an image; output the selected part of the image; and, change the selected part of the image in response to movement of the vehicle, and the display means is configured to: receive the image output from the image engine; and, display the received image on an interior roof surface of the vehicle.
  15. 15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 further comprising any one or more of: a gyroscope; a global positioning system (GPS); a compass; a speedometer; an accelerometer; and an ithemet connection means, wherein the or each component is configured to communicate with the image engine.
  16. 16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 further comprising any one or more of: a lighting system; a sound system; a tactile feedback system; and a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, wherein the or each component is configured to be controlled by the image engine.
  17. 17. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16 wherein, the apparatus further comprises a vehicle occupancy detector configured to output signals indicative of vehicle occupancy to the image engine.
  18. 18. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 14 to 17 wherein, the image engine is further configured to generate a welcome and/or goodbye sequence.
  19. 19. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 14 to 18 wherein the display means is further configured to display the received image on most of the interior roof surface of the vehicle.
  20. 20. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 14 to 19 wherein the display means is further configured to display the received image on the whole of the interior roof surface of the vehicle.
  21. 21. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 14 to 20 wherein the display means is a projector.
  22. 22. A vehicle comprising the apparatus as claimed in any of claims 14 to 21
  23. 23. The vehicle as claimed in claim 22 wherein, if the vehicle has windows, the display means is further configured to display the received image on the interior roof surface such that the edges of the displayed image coincide with the upper edges of any one or more of the vehicle's windows.
  24. 24. The vehicle as claimed in either claim 22 or 23 wherein, the apparatus is further configured to perform the method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13.
  25. 25. The vehicle as claimed in any of claims 22 to 24 wherein the vehicle is an automobile.
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GB2004694.2A GB2593876B (en) 2020-03-31 2020-03-31 Displaying an image in a vehicle
PCT/GB2021/050803 WO2021198687A1 (en) 2020-03-31 2021-03-31 Displaying an image in a vehicle
EP21717497.8A EP4127895A1 (en) 2020-03-31 2021-03-31 Displaying an image in a vehicle

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GB2593876B (en) 2023-03-01
WO2021198687A1 (en) 2021-10-07
GB202004694D0 (en) 2020-05-13

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