HIGH VISIBILITY HEAD UP DISPLAY (HUD)

Abstract

A display arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a camera capturing images of a scene in front of the motor vehicle. The camera transmits first video signals indicative of the captured images. A video processor is communicatively coupled to the camera and receives the first video signals. The video processor processes the first video signals to make objects in the first video signals easier to see, thereby producing second video signals. The video processor transmits the second video signals. A head up display system is communicatively coupled to the video processor and receives the second video signals. The head up display system reflects a light field off of a windshield of the motor vehicle such that the reflection is visible to a driver of the vehicle as a virtual image. The light field is dependent upon the second video signals.

Claims

1. A display arrangement for a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising: a camera configured to: capture images of a scene in front of the motor vehicle; and transmit first video signals indicative of the captured images; a video processor communicatively coupled to the camera and configured to: receive the first video signals; process the first video signals to make objects in the first video signals easier to see, thereby producing second video signals; and transmit the second video signals; and a head up display system communicatively coupled to the video processor and configured to: receive the second video signals; and reflect a light field off of a windshield of the motor vehicle such that the reflection is visible to a driver of the vehicle as a virtual image, the light field being dependent upon the second video signals.

2. The display arrangement of claim 1 wherein the video processor is configured to: determine whether the objects in the first video signals would be difficult for a driver to see through a windshield of the vehicle; and if the video processor determines that the objects in the first video signals would be difficult for a driver to see through a windshield of the vehicle, then process the first video signals to make the objects in the first video signals easier to see, thereby producing the second video signals.

3. The display arrangement of claim 1 wherein the video processor is configured to enhance or highlight lane markings on a road in the first video signals to make the lane markings in the first video signals easier to see, thereby producing the second video signals.

4. The display arrangement of claim 1 wherein the video processor is configured to reduce glare in the first video signals, thereby producing the second video signals.

5. The display arrangement of claim 1 wherein the video processor is configured to enhance or highlight guardrails next to a road in the first video signals to make the guardrails in the first video signals easier to see, thereby producing the second video signals.

6. The display arrangement of claim 1 wherein the video processor is configured to enhance or highlight an obstacle in a road in the first video signals, thereby producing the second video signals.

7. The display arrangement of claim 6 wherein the video processor is configured to enhance or highlight the obstacle with a first color if the obstacle is less than a threshold distance away from the motor vehicle, and enhance or highlight the obstacle with a second color if the obstacle is more than the threshold distance away from the motor vehicle.

8. A display method for a motor vehicle, the method comprising: capturing first images of a scene in front of the motor vehicle; processing the first images to make objects in the first images easier to see, thereby producing second images; and reflecting a light field off of a windshield of the motor vehicle such that the reflection is visible to a driver of the vehicle as a virtual image, the light field being dependent upon the second images.

9. The display method of claim 8 further comprising; determining whether the objects in the first video signals would be difficult for a driver to see through a windshield of the vehicle; and if it is determined that the objects in the first video signals would be difficult for a driver to see through a windshield of the vehicle, then processing the first video signals to make the objects in the first video signals easier to see, thereby producing the second video signals.

10. The display method of claim 8 wherein the processing includes enhancing or highlighting lane markings on a road in the first video signals to make the lane markings in the first video signals easier to see, thereby producing the second video signals.

11. The display method of claim 8 wherein the processing includes reducing glare in the first video signals, thereby producing the second video signals.

12. The display method of claim 8 wherein the processing includes enhancing or highlighting guardrails next to a road in the first video signals to make the guardrails in the first video signals easier to see, thereby producing the second video signals.

13. The display method of claim 8 wherein the processing includes enhancing or highlighting an obstacle in a road in the first video signals, thereby producing the second video signals.

14. The display method of claim 13 wherein the processing includes enhancing or highlighting the obstacle with a first color if the obstacle is less than a threshold distance away from the motor vehicle, and enhancing or highlighting the obstacle with a second color if the obstacle is more than the threshold distance away from the motor vehicle.

15. A display arrangement for a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising; a camera configured to: capture images of a scene in front of the motor vehicle; and transmit first video signals indicative of the captured images; a switch device configured to be turned ON or turned OFF by a driver of the motor vehicle; a video processor communicatively coupled to the camera and to the switch device, the video processor being configured to: receive the first video signals; if the switch is turned ON, process the first video signals to make objects in the first video signals easier to see, thereby producing second video signals; and transmit the second video signals; and a head up display system communicatively coupled to the video processor and configured to: receive the second video signals; and reflect a light field off of a windshield of the motor vehicle such that the reflection is visible to a driver of the vehicle as a virtual image, the light field being dependent upon the second video signals.

16. The display arrangement of claim 15 wherein, if the switch is turned OFF, the light field is dependent upon the first video signals and is independent of the second video signals.

17. The display arrangement of claim 15 wherein, if the switch is turned ON, the video processor is configured to enhance or highlight lane markings on a road in the first video signals to make the lane markings in the first video signals easier to see, thereby producing the second video signals.

18. The display arrangement of claim 15 wherein, if the switch is turned ON, the video processor is configured to reduce glare in the first video signals, thereby producing the second video signals.

19. The display arrangement of claim 15 wherein, if the switch is turned ON, the video processor is configured to enhance or highlight guardrails next to a road in the first video signals to make the guardrails in the first video signals easier to see, thereby producing the second video signals.

20. The display arrangement of claim 15 wherein, if the switch is turned ON, the video processor is configured to enhance or highlight an obstacle in a road in the first video signals, thereby producing the second video signals.

21. The display arrangement of claim 20 wherein, if the switch is turned ON, the video processor is configured to enhance or highlight the obstacle with a first color if the obstacle is less than a threshold distance away from the motor vehicle, and enhance or highlight the obstacle with a second color if the obstacle is more than the threshold distance away from the motor vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a high visibility head up display arrangement of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2a is a driver's view of a road in fog with the arrangement of FIG. 1 turned off.

[0016] FIG. 2b is a driver's view of a road in fog with the arrangement of FIG. 1 turned on.

[0017] FIG. 3a is a driver's view of a road in snow with the arrangement of FIG. 1 turned off.

[0018] FIG. 3b is a driver's view of a road in snow with the arrangement of FIG. 1 turned on.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a display method of the present invention for a motor vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates one example embodiment of a high visibility head up display HUD arrangement 10 of the present invention, including a head up display system 12 connected to an on/off switch 14 and a video processor 16. Video processor 16 is further connected to a forward-facing camera 18 for object detection.

[0021] During use, forward facing camera 18 may capture images of a scene of the road in front of the vehicle. If the driver has switch 14 turned on, then video processor 16 may appropriately process the images captured by camera 18 for presentation to the driver on HUD system 12. For example, if video processor 16 determines that the images captured by camera 18 include fog, as shown in FIG. 2a, then video processor 16 may process the images to highlight or enhance the lane markers on the road, as shown in FIG. 2b. As another example, if video processor 16 determines that the images captured by camera 18 include snow or a high degree of glare, as shown in FIG. 3a, then video processor 16 may process the images to reduce the glare, as shown in FIG. 3b.

[0022] It is to be understood that on/off switch 14 may include any means by which the user may turn on or turn off the inventive feature. Switch 14 may be in the form of a toggle switch, a button on a touch-sensitive screen, or software that responds to a voice command via a microphone, for example.

[0023] The invention may also be applied to an augmented reality HUD system.

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a display method 400 of the present invention for a motor vehicle. In a first step 402, first images of a scene in front of the motor vehicle are captured. For example, forward facing camera 18 may capture images of a scene of the road in front of the vehicle.

[0025] In a next step 404, the first images are processed to make objects in the first images easier to see, thereby producing second images. For example, if video processor 16 determines that the images captured by camera 18 include fog, as shown in FIG. 2a, then video processor 16 may process the images to highlight or enhance the lane markers on the road, as shown in FIG. 2b. As another example, if video processor 16 determines that the images captured by camera 18 include snow or a high degree of glare, as shown in FIG. 3a, then video processor 16 may process the images to reduce the glare, as shown in FIG. 3b.

[0026] In a final step 406, a light field is reflected off of a windshield of the motor vehicle such that the reflection is visible to a driver of the vehicle as a virtual image. The light field is dependent upon the second images. For example, video processor 16 may transmit the processed images to head up display system 12. System 12 may project a light field that is based on the processed images, and that is reflected off an inside surface of a windshield of the motor vehicle wherein the reflection is visible to a driver of the vehicle as a virtual image.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.