AUTOMOBILE WINDSHIELD DISPLAY

• US 20090189831A1
• Filed: 01/28/2008
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Shimony, Yuval Asher, Drory, Tal, Chevion, Dan Shmuel, Sivan, Ron
• Application Number:
  US12/020,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20090189831A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/7
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0123 comprising devices increasing the field of view
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/002 to project the image of a two-dimensional display, such as an array of light emitting or modulating elements or a CRT
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/003 to produce spatial visual effects

Abstract

An improved automobile. An exemplary automobile includes an engine, a set of wheels connected to the engine, a chassis connected to the engine, and an electrochromatic windshield connected to the chassis. The electrochromatic windshield is operable to darken and un-darken the electrochromatic windshield. A video projection system is also connected to the chassis. The video projection system is operable by a driver to project an overlay image on the electrochromatic windshield. The electrochromatic windshield can be darkened by activation of the video projection system and un-darkened by deactivation of the video projection system. The video projection system can be used to project a map onto the electrochromatic windshield. The video projection system can then be used to project a relative position of the driver'"'"'s vehicle, other vehicles and obstructions on the map, as well as highlighting and tracking, via graphical markings, these objects as they enter the windshield'"'"'s projection plane.

Claims

1. An automobile comprising:

an engine;

a set of wheels connected to the engine;

a chassis connected to the engine;

an electrochromatic windshield connected to the chassis, wherein the electrochromatic windshield is operable to darken and un-darken the electrochromatic windshield; and

a video projection system connected to the chassis, wherein the video projection system is operable by a driver to project an overlay image on the electrochromatic windshield, and wherein the electrochromatic windshield is darkened by activation of the video projection system and un-darkened by deactivation of the video projection system.

2. The automobile of claim 1 wherein the video projection system is connected to a dashboard that is connected to the chassis.

3. The automobile of claim 1 wherein the overlay image comprises a video feed captured by a camera mounted to the chassis.

4. The automobile of claim 1 wherein the overlay image comprises a map of an area surrounding the automobile.

5. The automobile of claim 4 wherein the overlay image further comprises a position of a second vehicle on the map.

6. The automobile of claim 1 further comprising:

a second video projector connected to the chassis, wherein the second video projector is operable to project a second overlay image on the electrochromatic windshield, and wherein the second overlay image is merged with the overlay image to create a combined overlay image.

7. The automobile of claim 1 wherein the overlay image comprises a map and positions of vehicles within a vicinity of the automobile on the map.

8. The automobile of claim 6 wherein the combined overlay image comprises a three dimensional image.

9. The automobile of claim 1 wherein the overlay image comprises a video feed of a camera attached to the chassis, wherein the camera is oriented to receive images behind the automobile relative to a facing of the driver, and wherein the video projection system is operable to project the overlay image and provide a perception that the automobile is moving forward relative to the facing of the driver as the automobile is moving backward relative to the facing of the driver.

10. A method of operating an automobile, the method comprising:

darkening an electrochromatic windshield of the automobile;

projecting onto the electrochromatic windshield an overlay image, wherein projecting is performed by a video projection system connected to the car, and wherein projecting is performed while the vehicle is in motion.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the overlay image comprises a video feed of a camera attached to the automobile, wherein the camera is oriented to receive images behind the automobile relative to a facing of a driver of the automobile, and wherein the video projection system is operable to project the overlay image while providing the perception that the automobile is moving forward relative to the facing of the driver as the automobile is moving backward relative to the facing of the driver.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the overlay image comprises a map.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

displaying and highlighting on the windshield locations of vehicles on the map, relative to the automobile.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

projecting a second overlay image on the electrochromatic windshield, wherein the second overlay image is merged with the overlay image to form a combined overlay image.

15. The method of claim 15 wherein the combined overlay image comprises a three dimensional image.