Abstract
A head up display arrangement is fix a motor vehicle having a human driver. A light source emits a light field including a first color such that the light field is visible to the driver as a virtual image. A light sensor detects a second color that is visible to the driver in a forward direction of the vehicle in an ambient environment outside of the vehicle. An electronic processor is communicatively coupled to both the light source and the light sensor. The processor changes the first color in the light field to a third color. The third color is dependent upon the second color.
Claims
1. A head up display arrangement for a motor vehicle having a human driver, the arrangement comprising: a light source configured to emit a light field including a first color such that the light field is visible to the driver as a virtual image; a light sensor configured to detect a second color that is visible to the driver in a forward direction of the vehicle in an ambient environment outside of the vehicle; and an electronic processor communicatively coupled to both the light source and the light sensor, the processor being configured to change the first color in the light field to a third color, the third color being dependent upon the second color.
2. The head up display arrangement of claim 1 wherein the light source comprises a picture generation unit.
3. The head up display arrangement of claim 1 wherein the light sensor comprises a camera.
4. The head up display arrangement of claim 3 wherein the camera is configured to capture images of pedestrians and other vehicles in front of the vehicle.
5. The head up display arrangement of claim 1 wherein the second color is visible to the driver in a background of the virtual image.
6. The head up display arrangement of claim 1 wherein a contrast between the third color and the second color is greater than a contrast between the first color and the second color.
7. The head up display arrangement of claim 1 further comprising a minor positioned and configured to reflect the light field from the light source to a windshield of the vehicle.
8. A head up display method for a motor vehicle having a human driver, said method comprising: emitting a light field including a first color such that the light field is visible to the driver as a virtual image; detecting a second color that is visible in a forward direction of the vehicle in an ambient environment outside of the vehicle; and changing the first color in the light field to a third color, the third color being dependent upon the second color.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the light field is emitted by a picture generation unit.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein the second color is detected by a camera.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the camera captures images of pedestrians and other vehicles in front of the vehicle.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein the second color is visible to the driver in a background of the virtual image.
13. The method of claim 8 wherein a contrast between the third color and the second color is greater than a contrast between the first color and the second color.
14. The method of claim 8 further comprising using a mirror to reflect the light field from the light source to a windshield of the vehicle.
15. A head up display arrangement for a motor vehicle having a human driver, comprising: a light source configured to emit a light field including a first color such that the light field is reflected off of a windshield of the vehicle and the light field is visible to the human driver as a virtual image; a light sensor configured to detect a second color that is visible in a background of the virtual image as viewed by the human driver; and an electronic processor communicatively coupled to both the light source and the light sensor, the processor being configured to: compare the first color to the second color; and if the color comparison reveals that a contrast between the first color and the second color is less than a threshold, then change the first color in the light field to a third color, a contrast between the third color and the second color being greater than the contrast between the first color and the second color.
16. The head up display arrangement of claim 15 wherein the light source comprises a picture generation unit.
17. The head up display arrangement of claim 15 wherein the light sensor comprises a camera.
18. The head up display arrangement of claim 17 wherein the camera is configured to capture images of pedestrians and other vehicles in front of the vehicle.
19. The head tip display arrangement of claim 15 further comprising a mirror positioned and configured to reflect the light field from the light source to a windshield of the vehicle.
20. The head up display arrangement of claim 15 wherein the second color is visible to the driver in a forward direction of the vehicle.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0018] FIG. 1a is a rear overhead view of one embodiment of a motor vehicle including an environmentally contextual HUD arrangement of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 1b is a plan view of a sample of colors of the forward-facing environment of the vehicle of FIG. 1a as captured by a camera of the environmentally contextual HUD arrangement of the vehicle of FIG. 1a.
[0020] FIG. 1c is a plan view out of a windshield of the vehicle of FIG. 1a of a virtual image of a HUD with the forward-facing environment in the background.
[0021] FIG. 1d is a side by side comparison of the sample of colors of FIG. 1b and the virtual image of FIG. 1c.
[0022] FIG. 1e is a plan view out of a windshield of the vehicle of FIG. 1a of a virtual image of a HUD after the colors of the virtual image have been adjusted according to the present invention, and with the forward-facing environment in the background.
[0023] FIG. 2a is a rear overhead view of another embodiment of a motor vehicle including an environmentally contextual HUD arrangement of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2b is a plan view of a sample of colors of the forward-facing environment of the vehicle of FIG. 2a as captured by a camera of the environmentally contextual arrangement of the vehicle of FIG. 2a.
[0025] FIG. 2c is a plan view out of a windshield of the vehicle of FIG. 2a of a virtual image of a HAD with the forward-facing environment in the background.
[0026] FIG. 2d is a side by side comparison of the sample of colors of FIG. 2b and the virtual image of FIG. 2c.
[0027] FIG. 2e is a plan view out of a windshield of the vehicle of FIG. 2a of a virtual image of a HUD after the colors of the virtual image have been adjusted according to the present invention, and with the forward-facing environment in the background.
[0028] FIG. 3a is a rear overhead view of yet another embodiment of a motor vehicle including an environmentally contextual HUD arrangement of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 3b is a plan view of a sample of colors of the forward-facing environment of the vehicle of FIG. 3a as captured by a camera of the environmentally contextual HUD arrangement of the vehicle of FIG. 3a.
[0030] FIG. 3c is a plan view out of a windshield of the vehicle of FIG. 3a of a virtual image of a HUD with the forward-facing environment in the background.
[0031] FIG. 3d is a side by side comparison of the sample of colors of FIG. 3b and the virtual image of FIG. 3c.
[0032] FIG. 3e is a plan view out of a windshield of the vehicle of FIG. 3a of a virtual image of a HUD after the colors of the virtual image have been adjusted according to the present invention, and with the forward-facing environment in the background.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a head up display arrangement of the present invention for a motor vehicle with a human driver.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a head up display method of the present invention for a motor vehicle having a human driver.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] FIG. 1a illustrates one embodiment of a motor vehicle including an environmentally contextual HUD arrangement of the present invention. The HUD arrangement includes a forward-facing camera that captures images of the scene in front of the vehicle that may be in the background of the virtual images provided by the HUD. The camera may be used liar other purposes, such as capturing images of other vehicles and pedestrians on the road, for example.
[0036] FIG. 1b illustrates a sample of colors of the forward-facing environment of the vehicle of FIG. 1a as captured by a camera of the environmentally contextual HUD arrangement of the vehicle of FIG. 1a. In this example, the sample includes shades of yellow and orange, which may be due to the vehicle driving toward a bright sunrise or sunset.
[0037] FIG. 1c illustrates a view out of a windshield of the vehicle of FIG. 1a of a virtual image of a HUD with the forward-facing environment in the background. In this example, the virtual image includes a lot of yellow, and the view through the windshield includes shades of yellow and orange, which may be due to the vehicle driving toward a bright sunrise or sunset.
[0038] FIG. 1d illustrates a side by side comparison of the sample of colors of FIG. 1b and the virtual image of FIG. 1c. The HUD arrangement may include an electronic processor which compares the environmental background colors to the current HUD virtual image graphics colors. The processor may check for similarities between the environmental background colors and the current HUD virtual image graphics colors. In this case, the processor may determine, by applying principles of color science and/or by using a lookup table, that the yellow colors in the HUD virtual image graphics colors are very close to the shades of yellow and orange in the background. For example, the processor may determine that the colors are too close for the human driver to easily discern the HUD virtual image and see what the HUD is presenting.
[0039] FIG. 1e illustrates a view out of a windshield of the vehicle of FIG. 1a of a virtual image of a HUD after the colors of the virtual image have been adjusted for better color contrast according to the present invention, and with the forward-facing environment in the background. In this example, the HUD colors that are presented have been changed from yellow to purple so as to provide a better contrast with the shades of yellow and orange in the background.
[0040] FIG. 2a illustrates another embodiment of a motor vehicle including an environmentally contextual HUD arrangement of the present invention. The HUD arrangement includes a forward-facing camera that captures images of the scene in front of the vehicle that may be in the background of the virtual images provided by the HUD. The camera may be used for other purposes, such as capturing images of other vehicles and pedestrians on the road, for example.
[0041] FIG. 2b illustrates a sample of colors of the forward-facing environment of the vehicle of FIG. 2a as captured by a camera of the environmentally contextual HUD arrangement of the vehicle of FIG. 2a. In this example, the sample includes shades of white with a blue or green tint, which may be due to the vehicle driving in snowy or foggy weather or environments.
[0042] FIG. 2c illustrates a view out of a windshield of the vehicle of FIG. 2a of a virtual image of a HUD with the forward-facing environment in the background. In this example, the virtual image includes a lot of light blue, and the view through the windshield includes shades of white with a blue or green tint, which may be due to the vehicle driving in snowy or foggy weather or environments.
[0043] FIG. 2d illustrates a side by side comparison of the sample of colors of FIG. 2b and the virtual image of FIG. 2c. The HUD arrangement may include an electronic processor which compares the environmental background colors to the current HUD virtual image graphics colors. The processor may check for similarities between the environmental background colors and the current HUD virtual image graphics colors. In this case, the processor may determine, by applying principles of color science and/or by using a lookup table, that the light blue colors in the HUD virtual image graphics colors are very close to the shades of white with green or blue tint in the background. For example, the processor may determine that the colors are too close for the human driver to easily discern the HUD virtual image and see what the HUD is presenting.
[0044] FIG. 2e illustrates a view out of a windshield of the vehicle of FIG. 2a of a virtual image of a HUD after the colors of the virtual image have been adjusted for better color contrast according to the present invention, and with the forward-facing environment in the background. In this example, the HUD colors that are presented have been changed from light blue to yellow and orange so as to provide a better contrast with the shades of white with a green or blue tint in the background.
[0045] FIG. 3a illustrates yet another embodiment of a motor vehicle including an environmentally contextual HUD arrangement of the present invention. The HUD arrangement includes a forward-facing camera that captures images of the scene in front of the vehicle that may be in the background of the virtual images provided by the HUD. The camera may be used for other purposes, such as capturing images of other vehicles and pedestrians on the road, for example.
[0046] FIG. 3b illustrates a sample of colors of the forward-facing environment of the vehicle of FIG. 3a as captured by a camera of the environmentally contextual HUD arrangement of the vehicle of FIG. 3a. In this example, the sample includes shades of green, which may be due to the vehicle driving in an off-road environment in which there are many trees and other green vegetation.
[0047] FIG. 3c illustrates a view out of a windshield of the vehicle of FIG. 3a of a virtual image of a HUD with the forward-facing environment in the background. In this example, the virtual image includes a lot of light green, and the view through the windshield includes shades of green, which may be due to the vehicle driving in an off-road environment.
[0048] FIG. 3d illustrates a side by side comparison of the sample of colors of FIG. 3b and the virtual image of FIG. 3c. The MUD arrangement may include an electronic processor which compares the environmental background colors to the current HUD virtual image graphics colors. The processor may check for similarities between the environmental background colors and the current HUD virtual image graphics colors. In this case, the processor may determine, by applying principles of color science and/or by using a lookup table, that the light green colors in the HAD virtual image graphics colors are very close to the shades of green in the background. For example, the processor may determine that the colors are too close for the human driver to easily discern the virtual image and see what the HUD is presenting.
[0049] FIG. 3e illustrates a view out of a windshield of the vehicle of FIG. 3a of a virtual image of a HUD after the colors of the virtual image have been adjusted for better color contrast according to the present invention, and with the forward-facing environment in the background. In this example, the HUD colors that are presented have been changed from light green to orange so as to provide a better contrast with the shades of green in the background.
[0050] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a head up display arrangement 400 of the present invention for a motor vehicle 10 with a human driver. A head up display (HUD) 12 includes a light source 14 that emits a light field 16 having a first color such that the light field is visible to the driver as a virtual image 18. A light sensor 20 receives ambient light 22 and detects a second color that is visible to the driver in a forward direction 24 of vehicle 10 in an ambient environment 26 outside of vehicle 10.
[0051] An electronic processor 28 is communicatively coupled to both light source 14 and light sensor 20. Processor 28 may change the first color in the light field to a third color. The third color is dependent upon the second color. For example, the third color may have a high degree of contrast vis-a-vis the second color. More particularly, processor 28 may compare the first color to the second color. If the color comparison reveals that a contrast between the first color and the second color is less than a threshold, then processor 28 may change the first color in the light field to a third color. A contrast between the third color and the second color may be greater than the contrast between the first color and the second color.
[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a head up display method 500 of the present invention for a motor vehicle having a human driver. In a first step 502, a light field including a first color is emitted such that the light field is visible to the driver as a virtual image. For example, light source 14 may emit a light field that is visible to the driver of vehicle 10 as two orange digits indicating the speed of vehicle 10.
[0053] In a next step 504, a second color that is visible in a forward direction of the vehicle is detected in an ambient environment outside of the vehicle. For example, with vehicle 10 driving toward a sunset, light sensor 20 may detect the color yellow in the sky as background for the two orange digits indicating the speed of vehicle 10.
[0054] In a final step 506, the first color in the light field is changed to a third color. The third color is dependent upon the second color. For example, processor 28 may determine that there is a low level of contrast between orange and yellow. Accordingly, processor 28 may change the color of the two digits indicating the speed of vehicle 10 to a color having a higher degree of contrast with the yellow background, such as blue, for example.
[0055] The invention has been described above as including changing colors of the virtual image, but changes are not limited to color within the scope of the invention. Other augmentations may include flipping the image representation to cut outs, or negatives. In addition to different colors, the HUD may also display different sets of content as well. Using the same or similar methodologies, the HUD system may accommodate surroundings to display contextual information in that setting. For example, if recognizing a lot of snow in the image sensor signals, the HUD may display augmented road lines and augmented lane markers in this environment.
[0056] As the industry adds more features to the HUD, including image feeds, it is also possible within the scope of the invention to apply filters to image feeds to augment appearance for better visibility. Such image feeds may be from back up cameras directed in the reverse direction, for example. If a HUD projects characters, symbols and icons that are superimposed over an image feed from a camera directed in a reverse direction, the colors of the characters, symbols and icons may be controlled and modified so as to provide high color contrast between the colors of the characters, symbols and icons and the colors in the image feed from the camera directed in the reverse direction.
[0057] The foregoing description may refer to motor vehicle, automobile, automotive, or similar expressions. It is to be understood that these terms are not intended to limit the invention to any particular type of transportation vehicle. Rather, the invention may be applied to any type of transportation vehicle whether traveling by air, water, or ground, such as airplanes, boats, etc.
[0058] The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom for modifications can be made by those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
