Method for Representing Items of Information in a Means of Transportation, and Instrument Cluster for a Motor Vehicle

Abstract

In a method for displaying items of information in a transportation device, the items of information are displayed in the form of hierarchical menu structures. A device for displaying items of information includes a control unit and a display unit for the stereoscopic and/or autostereoscopic display of items of information. In the method, the display is implemented stereoscopically, at least two different menus or menu items being displayed to the viewer at different distances. The instrument cluster includes the placement of a mask in front of the display of a display unit, the mask modifying the light emission of the light emitted by the display so as to result in a display of autostereoscopic images.

Claims

1. An instrument cluster for a motor vehicle for displaying items of information in close proximity to a primary visual field of a driver, comprising: a display unit having a display; a control unit configured to control the display; and a mask arranged in front of the display and configured to modify light emission of light emitted by the display such that autostereoscopic images are displayed on the display unit.

2. The instrument cluster according to claim 1, wherein the mask includes a wavelength-selective filter mask.

3. The instrument cluster according to claim 1, wherein the display unit includes a flat screen on which an optical structure mask is affixed and is configured to allows separation of partial images for an autostereoscopic display.

4. The instrument cluster according to claim 1, wherein a resolution of the display unit in a horizontal direction is greater than 150 dpi.

5. The instrument cluster according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to control the display unit to represent a display image such that at least eight autostereoscopic images are displayable simultaneously, the images emittable in a horizontal visual fan.

6. The instrument cluster according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of stereoscopic visual fans is generatable next to each other and form a visual zone.

7. The instrument cluster according to claim 5, wherein a horizontal cone angle of the visual fan is greater than 15°.

8. The instrument cluster according to claim 7, wherein the horizontal cone angle is between 25° and 30°.

9. The instrument cluster according to claim 1, further comprising a device configured to track eye position connected to the control unit; the mask displaceable in a plane parallel to the display device; displacement of the mask implementable as a function of a signal of the device configured to track the eye position.

10. The instrument cluster according to claim 1, wherein the display includes an area for displaying at least one of (a) a speed and (b) an engine speed in the form of a dial-type gauge.

11. The instrument cluster according to claim 1, wherein the display includes an area for displaying at least one of (a) a radiator temperature and (b) a fuel level of a tank.

12. The instrument cluster according to claim 1, wherein the display includes an area for stereoscopically displaying a compass, in which a compass dial is viewable obliquely from above.

13. A motor vehicle, comprising: an instrument cluster configured to display items of information in close proximity to a primary visual field of a driver, the instrument cluster including: a display unit having a display; a control unit configured to control the display; and a mask arranged in front of the display and configured to modify light emission of light emitted by the display such that autostereoscopic images are displayed on the display unit

14. The motor vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the instrument cluster is arranged underneath a windshield.

15. The motor vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the instrument cluster is arranged behind a steering wheel.

16. The motor vehicle according to claim 13, further comprising an operating device connected to the control unit and actuable in a three-dimensional manner, the control unit configured to control the display unit such that three-dimensional actuation of the operating device is reproduceable autostereoscopically.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] FIG. 1 schematically shows the general configuration of a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the device present invention,

[0052] FIG. 2 schematically shows the configuration of the display,

[0053] FIG. 3 shows an instrument cluster according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, installed in a motor vehicle,

[0054] FIG. 4 schematically shows the light emission of the display according to an exemplary embodiment,

[0055] FIG. 5 shows one of eight views for the stereoscopic display of a menu,

[0056] FIG. 6 shows the light emission of the display according to an exemplary embodiment,

[0057] FIG. 7 shows a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0058] FIG. 8 shows a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0059] FIG. 9 shows a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention by which a head-up display is provided,

[0060] FIG. 10 shows a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which displays information in the center console of a vehicle,

[0061] FIG. 11 shows an exemplary embodiment, which corresponds to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 11, but in which a different type of information display is selected,

[0062] FIG. 12 schematically indicates in which planes various menus according to a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and according to an instrument cluster of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention are shown,

[0063] FIG. 13 shows a view of the navigation menu, which is displayed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0064] FIG. 14 shows an image sequence, which illustrates an animation according to a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0065] FIG. 15 shows an image sequence having a different animation, which is displayed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0066] FIG. 16 shows a menu that is displayed according to a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0067] FIG. 17 shows a warning that is displayed according to a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0068] FIG. 18 shows a notice that is displayed according to a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0069] FIG. 19 shows another notice that is displayed according to a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

[0070] FIG. 20 shows a submenu of the navigation menu, in which the course of the road is displayed as object, and

[0071] FIG. 21 shows a compass representation according to a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] It is pointed out that the two-dimensional representations of the enclosed drawings are represented autostereoscopically in three dimensions in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Elements of the illustrations are therefore shown three-dimensionally in front of and behind the display plane. By varying the viewing angle, a viewer is also able to view the three-dimensionally represented objects at a limited angular range from the side or from above or below.

[0073] The basic arrangement of a device for representing items of information is described with reference to FIG. 1. The device is used in a transportation device, e.g., in a motor vehicle.

[0074] The device has a control unit 1 as central unit. It controls the display of images displayed by display unit 2, which is connected to control unit 1. Display unit 2 includes a display for the stereoscopic, three-dimensional representation of images. In order to achieve the autostereoscopicc effect, a mask 3 is disposed in front of the display, the mask modifying the light emission of the light emitted by the display such that autostereoscopic images are able to be represented. Details in connection with the display unit are described below.

[0075] The control unit is connected to a vehicle bus 4. Furthermore, an operating device 5 is connected to vehicle bus 4. Operating device 5 includes an operating element, which is actuable three-dimensionally and is able to control various functions that are implementable in the motor vehicle. The displays assigned to these functions are displayed by display unit 2. To this end, the control unit receives the signals from operating device 5 via vehicle bus 4. The display images allocated to these input signals are loaded from a memory 13 by control unit 1. Control unit 1 thereupon transmits the display data for the autostereoscopic display of the images to display unit 2 where they are reproduced on the display. The functions that are able to be executed by operating device 5 and indicated appropriately by display unit 2 include any functions that are currently indicated and which potentially may be indicated in the future by conventional, two-dimensional display devices of a motor vehicle or some other transportation device. Certain aspects hereof relate to the control of display unit 2 and the representation of the display images as well as to the representation of hierarchical menu structures.

[0076] FIG. 2 shows display unit 2, in front of which mask 3 is disposed. Eyes 6 of a viewer are schematically indicated as well. The display of display unit 2 is a conventional TFT-LCD or a plasma display having a multitude of pixels, each pixel having the capacity of representing the three colors red, yellow, blue. Mask 3 is, in particular, a wavelength-selective filter mask or an optical structure mask. The mask makes it possible to distinguish between partial images belonging to different views, and to radiate each view into a different direction. Thus, partial images for the right and for the left eye are able to be separated. When viewing display unit 2, the partial images may be combined to form a three-dimensional view. No additional aids such as glasses, etc., are required. As far as additional details of display unit 2 are concerned, reference is made to German Published Patent Application No. 103 09 194 and German Published Patent Application No. 103 20 530.

[0077] FIG. 3 shows an instrument cluster in a motor vehicle in which the dial-type gauges, menus and other displays are represented stereoscopically by display unit 2. The instrument cluster is situated in the usual location behind the steering wheel in the cockpit of a motor vehicle.

[0078] FIG. 4 shows the manner in which a three-dimensional display image is emitted by display unit 2.

[0079] The three-dimensional image is produced by a paired image of which the right eye perceives one view and the left eye another. As described, the separation of these partial images is provided with the aid of structure or filter mask 3. However, this image separation is possible only at a particular solid angle. If the viewer moves to the side in a horizontal plane, for instance, the separation of the partial images is canceled and the display becomes two-dimensional. In order to produce as many paired images as possible for an accurate three-dimensional representation in space, a plurality of views is represented for a display image. The partial images of these various views are radiated horizontally, in the approximate shape of a fan, so that horizontal visual fan 7 is created. A total of eight views a through h is selected in the exemplary embodiment. The cone angle of viewing fan 7 amounted to 27°. Eight views may be provided in the case of a 4-inch display. The brightness, resolution and spatial reproduction are sufficient in this case. The resolution of the display is greater than 150 dpi.

[0080] To provide all vehicle passengers to obtain a three-dimensional impression, a total of five image fans 7 are placed next to each other. This forms a visual zone in which display images are reproduced in three dimensions. FIG. 5 shows one of views a through h, which are reproduced by display unit 2 for a display image of a menu.

[0081] FIG. 6 shows another example, in which display unit 2 radiates only two views. In order to provide a three-dimensional view of the display image across a cone angle of approximately 25°, mask 3 is displaceable parallel to the display of display unit 2. Mask 3 is an optical prism mask in this case. Furthermore, this exemplary embodiment provides a device for tracking the eye position, which is connected to the control unit. Via control unit 1 and a suitable drive, mask 3 is displaced as a function of the eye position so as to follow the eye position. The central, three-dimensional line of sight is denoted by 12 in FIG. 6.

[0082] FIGS. 7 through 9 show additional exemplary embodiments of the device. Here, eyes 6 of the viewer see the three-dimensional display image of display unit 2 via a semi-transparent mirror. In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, semi-transparent mirror 10 is disposed in front of conventional dial-type gauge instruments 9. This allows a three-dimensional display image to be reflected either from below (FIG. 7) or from above (FIG. 8), in front of a conventional instrument cluster or its dial-type gauges.

[0083] A so-called head-up display is provided in the example shown in FIG. 9 in that the light emitted by display unit 2 is projected onto windshield 8 via an optics system 11 in order to extend the optical path, the reflection capacity of windshield 8 being sufficient to reveal the three-dimensional display image in windshield 8 to the eyes (6) of the viewer.

[0084] FIGS. 10 and 11 show additional exemplary embodiments of the device. In the example of FIG. 10, a rotating cylinder, which is represented stereoscopically by display unit 2, is disposed in the center console. As indicated in FIG. 10, the rotation of the cylinder may be controlled by gestures. To this end, hand movements are detected by infrared sensors and converted into a modification of the display image.

[0085] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 11, display unit 2 stereoscopically displays an open book whose pages may be turned by gesture controls.

[0086] An exemplary embodiment of the method is described below. The aforementioned devices may be used to implement this method.

[0087] In the method, items of information are to be represented in a transportation device, in particular a motor vehicle. The items of information are organized in the form of hierarchical menu structures. In other words, by selecting a menu item it is possible to move from a main menu to a hierarchically lower menu, which in turn includes menu items. The objects assigned to the menus are displayed within the menus or at the end of a hierarchical menu branch. They may be, for example, displays for data related to the operation or traffic.

[0088] In the method, the menus are displayed autostereoscopically, at least two different menus or menu items appearing at different distances to the viewer. To this end, the required views for the autostereoscopic display of the menu are stored in memory unit 13. When a menu is called up, these images are loaded by the control unit and transmitted to display unit 2. The images are reproduced on the display of display unit 2 such that a three-dimensional view is created for the viewer.

[0089] FIG. 12 illustrates how different menus are shown in planes that are offset from the physical display plane in the direction of the viewer. FIG. 13 illustrates how, upon call-up of a menu item, a sub-menu appears, which is displayed in a plane that is offset towards the viewer. It is semi-transparent, so that the menu lying underneath is still visible. Objects or menus or menu items that are of low relevance or importance for the viewer in a specific display image may be displayed blurred, and/or in a plane that is offset away from the viewer.

[0090] In the transition from one display to another, it is possible to show animations by which a smooth transition from one display to another takes place. The display data for these animations are calculated by control unit 1, or control unit loads the images associated with the animations from memory unit 13. FIG. 14 shows partial images of such an animation. In the first partial image, a map section of the navigation system is shown in the background. Dial-type gauge instruments for the speed and engine speed are shown in three dimensions in a plane offset toward the viewer. Shown in a plane between the dial-type instruments for speed and engine speed and the map of the navigation system are dial-type instruments for the radiator temperature and the fuel level. If, for instance, the dial-type instrument for the engine speed is selected by operating device 5 or by touching of the display, it is rotated about a vertical axis in three dimensions, until the virtual rear side of this dial-type instrument becomes visible, where additional detailed information about the environment of the vehicle is listed. For instance, the driving direction, the road gradient and the altitude are indicated.

[0091] FIG. 15 shows three partial images of an additional animation. In this case, the navigation system menu item is selected. In response, the dial-type instruments move to the side and are reduced in size in the process, so that a larger portion of the map section shown in the background is displayed.

[0092] In a selection of menu items of the map sections, such as a special destination (point of interest), a menu is displayable in a plane that is offset in the direction of the viewer and indicates detailed information concerning this location. Such a menu display is shown in FIG. 16.

[0093] In addition, the method allows warnings to be represented stereoscopically. FIG. 17 shows a warning about traffic congestion, which is displayed in a plane that is offset close to the viewer.

[0094] Furthermore, information concerning the vehicle may be displayed in submenus. In doing so, representations of the external environment or the interior of the vehicle are selected by which the information items relevant to the viewer may be gathered in an especially simple and intuitive manner. FIG. 18, for example, shows a stereoscopic representation of a vehicle. In this representation the viewer views the vehicle obliquely from above. The viewer is quickly able to understand the open doors in conjunction with the message “DOORS!”.

[0095] FIG. 19 shows the tires of the vehicle in a highlighted manner, and a warning is provided with the information that the tire pressure in the right rear tire is too low. FIG. 20 shows a submenu of the navigation system. The course of the road as it reveals itself to the viewer in the real world is shown stereoscopically, the route to be selected being shown in three dimensions above the displayed road course.

[0096] FIG. 21 shows a compass display of the navigation system, in which a compass dial is viewed obliquely from above, the dial being shown in three dimensions. The three-dimensional display of the compass results in a better mental conversion of the display into the driving environment by the driver.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0097] 1 Control unit [0098] 2 Display unit [0099] 3 Mask [0100] 4 Vehicle bus [0101] 5 Operating device [0102] 6 Eyes of a viewer [0103] 7 Image fans [0104] 8 Windshield [0105] 9 Dial-type gauge instrument [0106] 10 Semi-transparent mirror [0107] 11 Device for extending the optical path [0108] 12 Line of sight for three-dimensional viewing [0109] 13 Memory unit