U.S. patent application number 11/348987 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-15 for heads-up display with improved contrast.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robin Mihekun Miller.
Application Number | 20060125714 11/348987 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36045586 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060125714 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller; Robin Mihekun |
June 15, 2006 |
Heads-up display with improved contrast
Abstract
A heads-up display for a vehicle is in contrast to the
windshield behind the display or the environment outside of the
vehicle windshield. In this way, the heads-up display is more
visible than prior art heads-up displays. In one embodiment, the
windshield is tinted to be in contrast with the color of the
heads-up display, at least over a small area. In other embodiments,
the image forward of the vehicle is captured and sent to a control
for the heads-up display. The heads-up display is then modified to
be in contrast with the environment approaching the vehicle. In
another embodiment, the window is modified to have a back glow over
a small area. The heads-up display is directed onto this small
area.
Inventors: |
Miller; Robin Mihekun;
(Ellington, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C. / LEAR CORPORATION
1000 TOWN CENTER
TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075-1238
US
|
Assignee: |
Lear Automotive Dearborn,
Inc.
Southfield
MI
48034
|
Family ID: |
36045586 |
Appl. No.: |
11/348987 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09090071 |
Jun 3, 1998 |
7015876 |
|
|
11348987 |
Feb 7, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09G 2320/0626 20130101;
G09G 5/02 20130101; B60K 2370/191 20190501; G09G 2360/144
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/007 |
International
Class: |
G09G 5/00 20060101
G09G005/00 |
Claims
1. A heads-up display system comprising: a source for directing a
heads-up display onto a windshield of a vehicle; and an arrangement
for increasing the contrast of the heads-up display on the
windshield relative to the background of the heads-up display on
the windshield, wherein the arrangement includes a tint provided on
the windshield, at least in the area where the heads-up display is
directed, with the colors of the heads-up display and the tint
being in contrast to one another.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein: the colors of the heads-up
display and the tint are selected such that the heads-up display
includes at least one primary color void from the color of the
tint.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein: the tint is provided in an area
of the windshield where the heads-up display is directed and the
remaining area of the windshield is void of the tint.
4. A heads-up display system comprising: a source for directing a
heads-up display onto a portion of a windshield of a vehicle; and
an arrangement for increasing the contrast of the heads-up display
on the windshield relative to the background of the heads-up
display on the windshield, wherein the arrangement includes a
roughened surface on the windshield portion, wherein the
arrangement further includes a light source adjacent to the
windshield portion for directing light onto the roughened surface
of the windshield portion in order to provide a backglow for the
heads-up display.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein: the windshield is a single-pane
windshield, wherein the roughened surface is provided on either
interior or exterior surfaces of the windshield.
6. The system of claim 4 wherein: the windshield is a dual-pane
windshield, wherein the roughened surface is provided between the
windshield panes.
7. A method of providing a heads-up display, the method comprising:
directing a heads-up display onto a windshield of a vehicle; and
modifying at least one of the heads-up display and the windshield
relative to one another to provide greater contrast between the
heads-up display and an image beyond the windshield.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein: modifying at least one of the
heads-up display and the windshield includes providing a tint on
the windshield and includes selecting a color of the heads-up
display which contrasts with the color of the tint such that the
contrast between the heads-up display and the image beyond the
windshield is increased.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein: selecting a color of the heads-up
display includes selecting the color of the heads-up display such
that the heads-up display includes at least one primary color which
is not included in the color of the tint.
10. The method of claim 7 wherein: modifying at least one of the
heads-up display and the windshield includes roughening a surface
of the windshield and directing light onto the roughened surface of
the windshield in order to provide a backglow for the heads-up
display such that the contrast between the heads-up display and the
image beyond the windshield is increased.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein: the windshield is a single-pane
windshield, wherein the roughened surface is provided on either
interior or exterior surfaces of the windshield.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein: the windshield is a dual-pane
windshield, wherein the roughened surface is provided between the
windshield panes.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 09/090,071, filed Jun. 3, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to several methods for improving the
contrast between a heads-up display on a vehicle windshield and a
background.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] Heads-up displays are utilized in many vehicle display
functions. Essentially, a heads-up display is directed onto the
windshield of a vehicle. The heads-up display provides information
to the vehicle operator, such as the speed of the vehicle or other
information with regard to the operation of the vehicle.
[0006] In the prior art, heads-up displays have typically included
display lights which direct the light onto the interior surface of
the windshield. However, in high glare situations, a heads-up
display may be sometimes less visible than would be desirable. In
addition, the background of a heads-up display is typically the
oncoming surroundings of a vehicle. In some situations, there may
be an arrangement of environmental factors that have made some
heads-up displays difficult to see.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to improve the
contrast and visibility of heads-up displays in vehicles.
[0008] In a disclosed embodiment of the present invention, heads-up
displays are provided with arrangements to give the displays better
contrast and improved visibility. In one basic arrangement, the
vehicle window is provided with a tinting at least in the area of
where a heads-up display (HUD) is directed. The HUD is chosen to be
in a color which contrasts relative to the tint. In this way, the
effects of the environment will be less likely to dilute the
visibility of the HUD.
[0009] In other options, a system for providing an indication to a
control of the surrounding environment is provided. In one example,
a camera captures images in front of the vehicle to identify the
oncoming surroundings. This image is studied for color and/or for
structural features. Depending on what is oncoming, the control
will select an appropriate HUD color and/or pattern.
[0010] As an example, if the vehicle is heading into a bright blue
sky, and there is little in front of the vehicle other than the
horizon and blue skies, the control may select a color for the HUD
other than blue, such as red. If a large red truck is in front of
the same vehicle, the control may select blue for the HUD instead
of red.
[0011] If the environment approaching the vehicle has many small
features, such as a gravel road, it may be desirable for the HUD to
be displayed in elongated bars, rather than in dots. Alternatively,
if the oncoming environment has many elongated features, such as
fields of crops, forming the display in small dots may be
preferable.
[0012] Although examples are listed, the options depending upon the
environment are endless. The Applicant will not attempt to exhaust
all of the contrasting options for this aspect of the present
invention. However, many different options are obvious and
available.
[0013] In a third basic arrangement for providing contrast, some
surface treatment is performed on the glass behind the area where
the display is directed. As an example, the glass can be roughened.
This can occur at the inner surface or at a surface between two
panes. Light is directed off the roughened area, and forms a
backlighting or "glow" around a small area. It is on the small area
where the HUD is directed. The surrounding area makes the HUD
easily visible. The light is not visible except at this small area.
A small amount of light can be directed within the plane of the
window at the area, such as from a source in the pillar.
[0014] These and other features of the present invention can be
best understood from the following specification and drawings, the
following of which is a brief description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2A illustrates a second embodiment of the present
invention in a first situation;
[0017] FIG. 2B illustrates the second embodiment of the present
invention in a second situation;
[0018] FIG. 3A illustrates the second embodiment of the present
invention in a third situation;
[0019] FIG. 3B illustrates the second embodiment of the present
invention in a fourth situation;
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 5A illustrates a cross-section of a first way of
achieving the arrangement shown in FIG. 4; and
[0022] FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-section of a second way of
achieving the arrangement shown in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 20 having a windshield 22.
Windshield 22 is provided with a tint portion 23 at least in the
area where heads-up display (HUD) 24 is directed by a source 25.
Source 25 is shown schematically in FIG. 1. Preferably, the tint
covers the entire windshield. In the present invention, HUD 24 is
selected to have a color which contrasts to the color of tint 23.
More preferably, HUD 24 has a color that includes effectively none
of the primary color components of tint 23. As an example, tint 23
may be mainly a green tint while HUD 24 is mainly red. In this way,
HUD 24 is in stark contrast to its background and quite visible.
This embodiment provides a very simple method of increasing the
contrast and visibility of a heads-up display and removing any
diluting effect from light passing into vehicle 20.
[0024] The environment outside of windshield 22, or in front of the
windshield, is the background for HUD 24. This environment can be
various colors, or textures, and also can have a good deal of
glare. This may make HUD 24 somewhat difficult to see. It is for
this reason that tinted area 23 can provide benefits in increasing
the contrast. Tinted area 23 need only be over a small area on the
bottom of windshield 22 where HUD 24 is directed, though full
windshield treatments would be more uniform for the user.
[0025] Tint 23 and HUD 24 are preferably selected such that they do
not have the same primary colors in them. Obviously, a color having
a small quantity of a primary color found in one of tint 23 and HUD
24 may be included in greater quantities in the other without
avoiding the broader aspects of the present invention. The contrast
would still be achieved. Through proper application, a color seen
through tint 23 can never match the color of HUD 24.
[0026] FIG. 2A illustrates a vehicle 26 having a HUD 28. HUD 28 is
selected to be in contrast with environment 30 approaching vehicle
26. In this embodiment, a camera 32 "snaps" an image of the
upcoming environment. Cameras which are able to provide a digital
image which can be processed are becoming widely utilized, and
relatively inexpensive. Such cameras are being discussed as being
incorporated into vehicles for many other operational purposes such
as increasing the safety of driving and avoiding obstacles. Camera
32 is incorporated into the display system and communicates with a
control 33 for a heads-up display output 25. Control 33 analyzes
the environment image taken by camera 32 and develops a signal to
output 25 to create a heads-up display which is in contrast to the
environment.
[0027] In one example, HUD 28 is selected to be a different color
than the background of the approaching environment. Of course, the
approaching environment will always include many different colors.
However, as one example, if vehicle 26 is approaching a relatively
flat area with very blue skies as shown in FIG. 2A, HUD 28 may be
selected to be a color other than blue, such as red, for
example.
[0028] FIG. 2B illustrates vehicle 26 with a large red truck 37 in
front of the vehicle. Control 33 would then change HUD 28 to
another color, such as blue, for example.
[0029] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate further options in changing a
heads-up display as appropriate for an approaching environment. As
shown in FIG. 3A, if camera 32 sees that the approaching
environment consists of land with many details, such as a gravel
road 34, HUD 36 may be selected to be in elongated bars. This would
make HUD 36 more visible than if it were a series of dots.
[0030] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3B, if the vehicle is
driving into an area full of elongated crops 42, it may be
desirable to have HUD 44 formed of dots. This would make HUD 44
more visible than if it were elongated bars.
[0031] Control 33 is able to identify certain characteristics of
the approaching environment and select from the options of may
different display colors and patterns. Of course, the designer will
be able to program dozens of different patterns and colors which
would all be easily attainable. The Applicant will not attempt to
list all of those options. Instead, the inventive feature of the
present invention is considering the environment and tailoring the
HUD to be appropriate for the approaching environment.
[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment wherein a portion of
windshield 46 is provided with surface roughening 47. A light
source 48 is positioned adjacent roughened portion 47. Light is
directed off of roughened portion 47 and the light passes out
through windshield 46 at all areas other than roughened surface 47.
However, at roughened portion 47, a back-glow 50 is created.
Back-glow 50 is then utilized as a base for HUD 52. HUD 52 is thus
in contrast and quite visible. The roughened surface may be on the
surface of a single-pane windshield, or at the intersection plane
of a dual-plane or dual process windshield. Alternatively, during
manufacture of a single pane, localized effects can be performed at
a mid-point, such that the final pane has the effect of the surface
at a central layer. Other methods including fiber alignment with
the windshield glass, or stress induced localized micro-cracking
may be used. This embodiment thus provides a good contrast for a
heads-up display.
[0033] FIG. 5A illustrates windshield 46 formed of two panes 60,
62. Roughened area 47 is between the two panes. Light from source
48 passes within the panes of windshield 46 and creates the glow as
described above.
[0034] FIG. 5B illustrates a second embodiment 70 wherein a single
panel 72 is provided with roughened area 73. Coating 74 seals over
area 73. Back-glow 76 is created similarly as described above.
[0035] The present invention has been disclosed somewhat
schematically. The appropriate structure for creating heads-up
displays, for modifying heads-up displays, and for controlling
heads-up displays in consideration of the environment, etc., are
all within the skill of a person in this art. The inventive aspects
of the present invention relate to providing a contrast, and in
some embodiments, providing a contrast based upon the approaching
environment.
[0036] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these
embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the
present invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are
words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood
that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *