JPH11271666A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a display device capable of easily detecting important information for an automobile user. A display device is provided as part of a vehicle user information system of an automobile.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a display device having projection glasses including at least one laser diode for projecting an image display, for example, a device for projecting an image display directly on a retina of a user's eye. The present invention relates to a display device for transmitting information, which is a part of a vehicle user information system of an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Systems for projecting image displays directly onto the retina of a user's eye are known. Such projections are most often achieved using laser diodes, which are fixed to the user's head, for example, by eyeglass frames or temples. Such a projection device eliminates the need for a conventional monitor for information transmission and as an interface between a computer and a user.

There is also known a projection system for projecting an alarm instruction or display of an instrument panel on a windshield using a so-called head-up display in an automobile, and such a display is provided to a driver and a user as a virtual image. Appears several meters before the original projection.
Necessary and meaningful displays for motor vehicle drivers are becoming increasingly difficult and difficult to recognize at a glance, with increasing traffic densities and increasing information to be conveyed, for example, by satellite navigation systems. In addition, there are some devices to watch for traffic behind you that are always in view. This is usually a conventional rearview mirror in motor vehicles. However, for example on buses, video cameras mounted on the rear side of the vehicle are also known, which make it possible to monitor rearward traffic events via a monitor mounted on the instrument panel.

[0004] These known systems have the common drawback that the increased information density makes it more difficult for vehicle users to detect important information.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a display device which can easily detect important information for a user of an automobile.

[0006]

The above object is achieved according to the invention by providing a display device as part of a vehicle user information system for a motor vehicle.

The display device of the present invention has an advantage that an information device for a vehicle user (including a passenger) and a display device are integrated, and each time, only desired information is displayed. Suppress missing information. Such display devices are known projection devices which project all important information by means of a laser diode as a virtual image directly on the retina of the vehicle user, in particular the driver's eye, at least in part by conventional display devices. It is possible to replace the device, with the advantage that the integration of the displays of all vehicles can be realized with one common display device.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the display surface of the projection glasses for each eye of the user, preferably the left and right outer edges respectively outside the display surface,
When divided into a plurality of windows or segments, various display information can be formed in the windows.
Such display formations are interchangeable or change in size and color according to priority. Therefore, in the event of a malfunction of the motor vehicle, it is advantageous to provide a clear warning indication and to cut off information which is not important to the driver in order to be able to detect better.

[0009] Since the image information projected to both eyes in the user's brain is combined into one overall image, when processing the image data correspondingly, a stereoscopic image feeling may occur. Synchronous projection of the same information to the left and right eyes of the user at the same position so that the projected image appears as a virtual image for the user is important for a good function. Furthermore, in order to realize a stereoscopic visual feeling to the user, the viewpoint having the slight difference between the left and right eyes based on the finite distance between the two eyes, as in the real case, It is advantageous if the information is processed to have only slight differences. The object viewed by the eye and the two eyes of the observer form an isosceles triangle. That is, the observer sees the object from two slightly displaced viewpoints, which leads to a stereoscopic appearance in the observer's brain by combining the two images accordingly. Such a relationship creates a three-dimensional effect,
It is used for processing images projected to both eyes.

However, the display device is not only intended for the driver, but also for the passengers and other passengers, for example, to indicate the direction of the navigation system or display information such as a received television image or video image. Can be provided.

In another embodiment, the information communicated through the projection glasses can be controlled by a user,
Advantageously, for example, via a speech recognition device. Therefore, the driver or the passenger himself can attach importance to or select desired information without having to operate the manual input device. In another advantageous embodiment, it is also possible to control the display by eye movements of the driver or the passenger. Such eye movements can be detected by suitable sensors attached to the projection glasses and the associated evaluation device, and furthermore the synthesis of the inserted information can be directly affected by the driver or the passenger. Controlled.

In an existing information system, in another advantageous embodiment, the field of view outside the driver is enhanced and improved. Thus, advantageously, a camera is provided at the rear of the motor vehicle, which can supply the image part to the computer and insert the image into the image part of the projection glasses as desired by the driver. Such a rear view of the vehicle provides a diagonally rear view. It can be supplemented, for example, by cameras respectively mounted on the left and right of the motor vehicle, which cover the so-called blind spots laterally with suitable accessory optics. As in the case of a vehicle with a conventional rearview mirror, depending on the viewing direction or other behavior of the driver, the camera can provide a substantially improved driver's view of the outside. The selection and composition of the scene provided by the external camera is controlled by a suitable motion sensor additionally mounted on the projection glasses, whereby, depending on the position of the driver's head, the rear scene, i.e. the left side An oblique rear view or a right oblique rear view is provided. That is, for example, a sensor fixedly mounted on a car can detect and evaluate information from two or more infrared light-emitting diodes mounted on the projection glasses, thereby inserting an image into the projection glasses. To control that. Further, in such an embodiment of the present invention, by appropriately processing image data by a computer to project the image on both eyes of a driver or a passenger of a car, a stereoscopic vision is realized. It is advantageous. This is advantageously made possible by appropriate processing of the image components recognized by the driver's left or right eye.

[0013] For further supplementation and improvement, for example in front of the motor vehicle, assistance devices can be provided for improving the visibility in the case of night or bad weather. That is, the scene processed by the camera via the computer is directly formed on the projection glasses with a time delay that is not noticeable through the real-time image processing in the computer by the infrared camera, and even if the visibility condition is bad, the driver can be notified to the driver. The forward visibility is clearly improved.

[0014] Furthermore, it is advantageous if an additional alarm function is provided in the computer, which alerts the driver to suddenly appearing obstacles or, for example, a vehicle appearing on the other side when changing lanes.

When the computer evaluates the obtained information using a so-called fuzzy method, for example, a fuzzy algorithm, the stability and evaluation accuracy of the information device and the alarm device as a whole are improved. This is because, at this time, the predetermined ambiguity in the comprehensive evaluation of the detailed information increases the operation guarantee and reduces the failure rate.

[0016] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the features of the other dependent claims.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a block circuit for connecting a display device for a motor vehicle. A user, for example a driver 2 of a motor vehicle, wears transparent projection glasses 4, on which the additional glasses and information can be formed. The projection surface of the projection glasses 4 has a plurality of windows 6, 8, 10 on the left and right, respectively. The projection glasses 4 are further connected to a computer 22 that supplies display information. The computer 22 is additionally connected to an operating element 24 of the motor vehicle which is operated by the driver 2.

Already here, such a vehicle information system does not require the conventional display equipment and display of the instrument panel; instead, all the necessary information is projected directly into the projection glasses 4 in front of the driver's eyes. Can be supplied to The computer 22 includes, for example, an information receiver 26,
Additional information of the navigation system 28, the radar system 30 or the additional video device 32 can be obtained and processed. The navigation system 28 can, for example, insert the actual course information for the driver 2 (and / or passenger) directly into the projection glasses 4 via the computer 22 in accordance with the other information. A well-known GPS satellite navigation device may be used.

FIG. 2 shows known projection glasses 4 having a display surface 5. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 2 more
The temples 17 and 18 are provided, and the projection glasses 4 are connected to the driver 2 by using these temples as is well known.
Or fixed to the user's head. The display surface 5 can also be constructed continuously over a central area above the user's nose, or can be divided into two equally sized areas, corresponding to conventional glasses. By dividing the display surface 5 illustrated in FIG. 2 into a plurality of windows 6, 8, 12, and 14 at respective image edges, a visual field visible to a user is shown. When observing a portion of the display surface 5 that can be seen by one eye, each of the portions has the above-described divided portions, that is, windows 6, 8, 12, and 14 at the left and right edges.

Thus, the same information can be projected on the left and right portions of the display surface for the user. In this case, the projected image information is preferably processed in the computer 22 in such a way that a stereoscopic vision is created for the user. In addition, it is advantageous if the computer 22 has input means for correspondingly correcting the projected image information so as to correct the individual visual errors of the various users. The transmission of data from the vehicle, ie the computer 22 of the vehicle, to the projection glasses 4 using a projection laser fixedly mounted on the projection glasses 4 can take place via a cable connection, for example an optical fiber, or wirelessly, for example an infrared connection or a wireless connection. Done by

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the vehicle control system and the vehicle information system, in which the movement of the head of the driver 2 is additionally detected, on which it is dependent. Thus, information is formed in the projection glasses 4 by insertion. Here, the projection glasses 4 are equipped with at least two additional transmitters which are detected by a receiver module 34 fixed to the motor vehicle. The receiver module 34 supplies the motion information to the computer 22. The computer 22 additionally detects the head motion of the driver 2 in addition to the information shown in FIG. Information can be controlled.

FIG. 4 shows a principle diagram of the projection glasses 4 for transmitting additional information to a motion sensor fixedly mounted on an automobile. The same parts as those in the preceding figures are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.
Here, at least two transmitters are attached to the projection glasses 4, for example, three infrared light emitting diodes (LEDs) 36, 37, and 38 are attached in the embodiment.
The signal 48 transmitted from these light emitting diodes 36, 37, 38 is received by the infrared receiver 46 and evaluated. This provides information about the driver's head movement.

The infrared receiver 46 can be provided, for example, on the roof module 44 near the interior mirror, just above the windshield of the vehicle. In this position, continuous reception of the infrared light signal 48 indicated by the dashed arrow transmitted from the light emitting diodes 36, 37, 38 is guaranteed.
The two movement arrows 40 and 42 indicate the direction of movement of the driver's head, a vertical nodding movement 42 and a horizontal rotation movement 44. All head movements are essentially synthesized from components in these two main directions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a block circuit diagram for switching a display device.

FIG. 2 shows projection glasses having a plurality of information areas.

FIG. 3 shows a block circuit diagram of another embodiment of the display device.

FIG. 4 shows a principle diagram of projection glasses for transmitting information to a motion sensor fixed to an automobile.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Driver 4 Projection glasses 5 Display surface 6,8,10,12,14,16 Window 17,18 Temple 22 Computer 24 Operation element 26 Information receiver 28 Navigation system 30 Radar system 32 Video device 34 Receiver module 36,37, 38 sensor 40, 42 arrow indicating movement 44 roof area 46 sensor 48 signal

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. At least one for projecting an image display.
A display device having projection glasses including two laser diodes, for example, for projecting an image display directly on the retina of a user's eye, wherein the display device is part of a vehicle user information system of an automobile. 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle user information system includes a display specific to the vehicle such as a display of a traveling speed, a motor and / or a parameter of the vehicle. 3. The vehicle user information system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle user information system includes non-vehicle-specific displays such as television information and entertainment information and / or a navigation display.
Or the display device according to 2. 4. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle user information system of the automobile is a driver information system. 5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission between the vehicle and the projection glasses (4) takes place via an electrical cable connection. 6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein data transmission between the vehicle and the projection glasses is performed via an optical fiber. 7. The display according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission between the motor vehicle and the projection glasses (4) takes place wirelessly, for example by means of an infrared signal or a radio signal. apparatus. 8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is integrated into a vehicle operation system and a control system. 9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein the display device is controllable by a user, such as a driver, via a voice recognition device. 10. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device has at least one sensor for detecting an eye movement on a temple of the projection glasses. The display device according to the above. 11. The pointing device according to claim 10, wherein the eye movement detected by the at least one sensor is further processed in a computer (22) and used for controlling and operating a motor vehicle. . 12. Information projected onto a retina of an eye of a user, for example, a driver (2), is divided into a plurality of windows (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16) for each eye. And the window displays various kinds of information according to control by a user.
2. The display device according to any one of 1 to 1. 13. An image of the rear traffic detected on a part of the image part (8, 14) projected on the retina of the eye of the driver (2) by means of a camera provided at the rear of at least one motor vehicle. The display device according to claim 12, wherein a portion is formed. 14. A part of an image portion (8, 10, 14, 16) projected onto a retina of an eye of a driver (2) is detected via cameras attached to the left and right of the automobile, respectively, and 14. The display device according to claim 13, wherein an image area located in a blind spot of the field of view of 2) is formed. 15. The vehicle comprises at least one infrared camera provided in the direction of travel, wherein the computer (22) performs real-time image processing from information provided by the infrared camera, and performs night and / or bad weather conditions. 15. The display device according to claim 1, wherein additional visual information can be formed on the projection glasses in the case of. 16. The computer includes at least one radar sensor and a radar receiver provided in a traveling direction, and the computer (22) performs real-time image processing based on information of the radar sensor and the radar receiver. 15. The display device according to claim 1, wherein additional visual information can be formed on the projection glasses (4) in case of night and / or bad weather. 17. The display device according to claim 15, wherein the driver (2) is provided with an automatic alarm function when there is an obstacle or when changing lanes. 18. The display device according to claim 1, wherein a head movement of the driver is detected via an additional sensor. 19. The display device according to claim 18, wherein a sensor (46) is provided above a roof area (44) of the motor vehicle, for example above a windshield. 20. The sensor (46) comprising at least two transmitters (3) mounted on the projection glasses (4).
20. The display device according to claim 19, wherein a signal transmitted from the display device is detected. 21. A display device according to claim 20, wherein sensors (36, 37, 38) mounted on the projection glasses (4) emit infrared light region signals. 22. The display device according to claim 20, wherein sensors (36, 37, 38) mounted on the projection glasses (4) emit a radio wave range signal. 23. The information inserted into the image portion of the projection glasses (4) depends on the head movement and the viewing direction of the driver (2).
2. The display device according to any one of 1 to 1. 24. When the driver's (2) head moves to the left, a rear left oblique rear view is inserted. When the driver's (2) head moves to the right, the rear right oblique rear view is changed. The display device according to claim 23, wherein the display device is inserted. 25. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the additional image insertion is interrupted when the viewing direction of the driver is turned left or right. . 26. The method according to claim 1, wherein the head movement of the driver detected by the sensor is evaluated via a fuzzy logic algorithm.
6. The display device according to any one of items 5 to 5.