DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR A WINDSHIELD AND METHOD FOR CONFIGURING THE DISPLAY SYSTEM

Abstract

A display system for a windshield of a vehicle comprises a projection device configured to generate an image upon a projection surface and a controller for processing information related to the image. Furthermore, the display device is configured with a recording device which is pointed toward the projection surface and connected to the controller by a first data channel. The projection surface is configurable and likewise connected by means of a second data channel to the controller. The projection surface may include a light-transparent liquid crystal display and/or a flexible liquid crystal display, and may be configured as a mirror or as a diffuser for showing the image as a hologram. A method for configuring the display system is also provided.

Claims

1. A display system for a windshield, comprising: a projection device configured to generate an image upon a projection surface; a controller for processing information related to the image; a recording device pointed toward the projection surface and connected to the controller by a first data channel; and wherein the projection surface is configurable and connected by a second data channel to the controller.

2. The display system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the projection surface includes a light-transparent liquid crystal display disposed proximate to the windshield.

3. The display system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the projection surface is includes a flexible liquid crystal display disposed on the windshield.

4. The display system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the projection surface is configured as a mirror.

5. The display system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the projection surface is configured as a diffuser.

6. The display system as set forth in claim 1, further including a photopolymer capable of storing an improved diffraction pattern.

7. A method for configuring a display system for a windshield, comprising: generating an image by a projection device on a projection surface, the projection surface having an expected diffraction pattern, registering the image by a recording device and transmitting it to a controller, comparing the image against a desired quality of representation by the controller, generating an improved diffraction pattern to improve the representation by the projection surface and configuring the projection surface using the improved diffraction pattern.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the image corresponds to the expected diffraction pattern.

9. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the steps are repeated multiple times.

10. The method as set forth in claim 7, further including the step of storing the improved diffraction pattern.

11. The method as set forth in claim 10, Wherein the improved diffraction pattern is stored by a photopolymer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Further details, features and advantages of designs of the invention result from the following description of embodiment examples in reference to the associated drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a display system for a windshield with a transparent liquid crystal display acting as a diffuser;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a display system for a windshield with a reflective liquid crystal display; and

[0031] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a display system for a windshield with a reflective liquid crystal display acting as a diffuser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Recurring features are marked with identical reference numerals in the figures.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows an arrangement of a display system 1 for a windshield, having a projection device 2, a projection surface 3, especially a projection screen 11, and a controller 4. A recording device 5 is pointed at the projection surface 3 and is designed to register images 9 projected onto the projection surface 3. The registered images are sent from the recording device 5 to the controller 4 by a first data channel 7.

[0034] The controller 4 computes an improved diffraction pattern 6, which in turn is transmitted from the controller 4 by means of a second data channel 8 to the projection surface 3 for further use. With the use of the improved diffraction pattern 6, losses in image quality caused by the projection surface 3 can be compensated.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows an arrangement of the display systems 1 for a windshield in which the projection surface 3 is arranged on a windshield 10. By a projection device 2, an image 9 is transmitted through a transparent projection screen 11 of an HOE onto the projection surface 3, constituting the reflecting part of an HOE. The recording device 5 is aimed at the projection surface 3 and receives the image 9, which appears virtually behind the windshield 10 out of sight of an observer. The recording is transmitted by the recording device 5 by means of the first data channel 7 to the controller 4 and evaluated within the controller 4.

[0036] The computed improved diffraction pattern 6 is then relayed by means of the second data channel 8 to the projection surface 3 for further use.

[0037] The display system 1 for a windshield can furthermore be used as well for the representation of a holographic image, according to FIG. 3. For this, a projection device 2 projects an image 9 onto a projection surface 3, which is arranged on a windshield 10. The recording device 5 in order to receive the image 9 is aimed at the projection surface 3, especially a projection screen 11. The image 9 received is transmitted by means of the first data channel 7 to the controller 4 and checked for the desired quality. After an improvement, the improved diffraction pattern 6 is relayed by means of the second data channel 8 to the projection surface 3, designed as a diffuser, and used to enhance the quality of further representations.

[0038] Since the preceding display systems described in detail are sample embodiments, they may be modified as usual by the person skilled in the art to a broad degree, without leaving the scope of the invention. In particular, the specific embodiments of the projection surfaces may also have a form other than described here. Likewise, the recording device may be designed in a different form when such is required to enhance the quality. Moreover, the use of the indefinite article a or an does not rule out the respective features also being present in the plural.