VEHICLE HEADS-UP DISPLAY NAVIGATION SYSTEM

• US 20150149079A1
• Filed: 08/12/2014
• Published: 05/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Inventors: Breed, David S
• Application Number:
  US14/457,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20150149079A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/428
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/809 vertically slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/365 Guidance using head up displays or projectors, e.g. virtual vehicles or arrows projected on the windscreen or on the road itself
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3682 output of POI information on a road map G01C21/3614, G01C21/3685 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0181 Adaptation to the pilot/driver
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0187 slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays

Abstract

Heads-up display system-equipped vehicle includes a steering wheel, a positioning system that determines its position that is considered a position of the vehicle, a map database containing data about roads on which the vehicle can travel, and a heads-up display system that projects content into a field of view of an occupant of the vehicle. A command input system, e.g., based on touch by the occupant, is coupled to the heads-up display system and receives commands for controlling the heads-up display system. The command input system is arranged on the steering wheel. The content includes a road on which the vehicle is traveling obtained from the map database based on the position of the vehicle as determined by the positioning system and a surrounding area.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a steering wheel;

a positioning system that determines its position that is considered a position of the vehicle;

a map database containing data about roads on which the vehicle can travel;

a heads-up display system that projects content into a field of view of an occupant of the vehicle, the content including a road on which the vehicle is traveling obtained from said map database based on the position of the vehicle as determined by said positioning system and a surrounding area; and

a command input system coupled to said heads-up display system and that receives commands for controlling said heads-up display system, said command input system being arranged on said steering wheel.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said heads-up display system is configured to project route guidance data that guides a driver of the vehicle to a known destination with the road and its surrounding area.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said heads-up display system is configured to project landmarks for assisting the driver with the road and its surrounding area.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said heads-up display system is configured to project data about approaching turns or construction zones with the road and its surrounding area.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said positioning system is a GPS.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said heads-up display system is configured to change the content as the position of the vehicle as determined by said positioning system changes.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said heads-up display system is configured to project an option to alter the content along with the content.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said heads-up display system is configured to receive map data from a remote site upon request by the occupant, and project the received map data.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said heads-up display system is configured to receive route guidance data from a remote site separate and apart from the vehicle upon request by the occupant, and project the received route guidance data.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said command input system is configured to respond to touch.

11. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said heads-up display systems is configured to display one of a plurality of different content forms, one of said forms being a map including the road on which the vehicle is traveling obtained from said map database based on the position of the vehicle as determined by said positioning system and the surrounding area.

12. A method for guiding movement of a vehicle, comprising:

determining position of a position determining system on the vehicle that is considered a position of the vehicle;

projecting, using a heads-up display system on the vehicle, content into a field of view of an occupant of the vehicle, the content including a road on which the vehicle is traveling obtained from a map database containing data about roads on which the vehicle can travel and a surrounding area, the map of the road being based on the position of the vehicle; and

receiving commands for controlling the heads-up display system using a command input system arranged on a steering wheel of the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising projecting route guidance data that guides a driver of the vehicle to a known destination with the road and its surrounding area.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising projecting landmarks for assisting the driver with the road and its surrounding area.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising projecting data about approaching turns or construction zones with the road and its surrounding area.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising changing the content as the position of the vehicle as determined by the positioning system changes or based on commands received at the command input system.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising projecting an option to alter the content along with the content.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

directing a request for route guidance to a remote site separate and apart from the vehicle; and

receiving route guidance data from the remote site in response to the request; and

projecting, using the heads-up display system, the received route guidance data.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising configuring the heads-up display to display one of a plurality of different content forms, one of the forms being a map including the road on which the vehicle is traveling and the surrounding area.

20. A vehicle, comprising:

a positioning system that determines its position that is considered a position of the vehicle;

a map database containing data about roads on which the vehicle can travel;

a heads-up display system that projects content into a field of view of a driver of the vehicle, the content including a road on which the vehicle is traveling obtained from said map database based on the position of the vehicle as determined by said positioning system and a surrounding area,

said heads-up display system being further configured to project, with the road and the surrounding area, a representation of an object exterior of the vehicle in the same position in which the object is situated relative to a line of sight of the driver, the line of sight being derived from a location of the eyes of the driver.