Method and arrangement for superimposing an image on a direct image of the surroundings in order to be displayed to an observer

• US 6,611,384 B1
• Filed: 02/28/2002
• Issued: 08/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Saab AB
• Original Assignee: Saab AB
• Inventors: Biverot, Hans
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US09/980,008
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 359/630, 359/631, 359/632, 359/633, 359/629, 359/146, 359/462, 359/623, 345/7, 345/8, 345/9, 356/141.3, 356/139.03, 224/181
• US Class Current: 359/630
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0154 with movable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for superimposing an image on a direct image of the surroundings in order to be displayed to an observer (7). To generate the image which is to be superimposed on the direct image of the surroundings use is made of a line transmitter (1) for transmitting two-dimensional image information in linear form and a converter (2) for converting the image information in linear form into a two-dimensional image. The line transmitter (1) is located in a different direction from the image of the surroundings of the observer, and a direction-changing means (3, 4) is arranged so as to angle the radiation from the line transmitter in a direction towards the eyes (8) of the observer (7). According to the invention the converter (2) is separate from the line transmitter and arranged in proximity to the direction-changing means.

Claims

1. Method for superimposing an image on a direct image of the surroundings in order to be displayed to an observer, the image which is to be superimposed being angled in towards the eye(s) of the observer from a different direction from the image of the surroundings and being generated starting from a line transmitter with image information which is two-dimensional in the time within the integration time of the eye and is converted into a two-dimensional image, characterized in that the image information is converted into a two-dimensional image in proximity to the area in which the image is directed in towards the eyes of the observer.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the image which is to be superimposed on the direct image of the surroundings consists of an image of the surroundings.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the image which is to be superimposed on the direct image of the surroundings consists of a synthesized image in the form of a map or symbols.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the image which is to be superimposed on the direct image of the surroundings consists of a synthesized image in the form of a map or symbols.

5. Arrangement for superimposing an image on a direct image of the surroundings in order to be displayed to the eyes of an observer, comprising a line transmitter for transmitting two-dimensional image information in linear form located in a different direction from the image of the surroundings, a converter for converting the image information in linear form into a two-dimensional image and a direction-changing means arranged so as to angle the radiation from the line transmitter in a direction towards the eyes of the observer, characterized in that the converter for converting the image information in linear form into a two-dimensional image is separate from the line transmitter and arranged in proximity to the direction-changing means.

6. Arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the converter consists of a deflector with deflection which is variable in time.

7. Arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the direction-changing means consists of a mirror and beam splitter in interaction.

8. Arrangement according to claim 6, intended for installation in a vehicle, characterized in that the converter and the direction-changing means are arranged in proximity to the upper part of the front window of the vehicle, and in that the line transmitter is arranged in proximity to the dashboard of the vehicle, so as to transmit in the direction towards the converter and the direction-changing means.

9. Arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that an IR camera or image intensifier, is arranged so as to transmit to the line transmitter the image information which is to be superimposed on the image of the surroundings.

10. Arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the direction-changing means consists of a mirror and beam splitter in interaction.

11. Arrangement according to claim 10, intended for installation in a vehicle, characterized in that the converter and the direction-changing means are arranged in proximity to the upper part of the front window of the vehicle, and in that the line transmitter is arranged in proximity to the dashboard of the vehicle, so as to transmit in the direction towards the converter and the direction-changing means.

12. Arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that an IR camera or image intensifier, is arranged so as to transmit to the line transmitter the image information which is to be superimposed on the image of the surroundings.

13. Arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that the beam splitter and the converter are arranged in an essentially common plane.

14. Arrangement according to claim 13, intended for installation in a vehicle, characterized in that the converter and the direction-changing means are arranged in proximity to the upper part of the front window of the vehicle, and in that the line transmitter is arranged in proximity to the dashboard of the vehicle, so as to transmit in the direction towards the converter and the direction-changing means.

15. Arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that an IR camera or image intensifier, is arranged so as to transmit to the line transmitter the image information which is to be superimposed on the image of the surroundings.

16. Arrangement according to claim 5, intended for installation in a vehicle, characterized in that the converter and the direction-changing means are arranged in proximity to the upper part of the front window of the vehicle, and in that the line transmitter is arranged in proximity to the dashboard of the vehicle, so as to transmit in the direction towards the converter and the direction-changing means.

17. Arrangement according to claim 16, characterized in that the converter and the direction-changing means are integrated with the sun visor of the vehicle.

18. Arrangement according to claim 16, characterized in that an IR camera or image intensifier, is arranged so as to transmit to the line transmitter the image information which is to be superimposed on the image of the surroundings.

19. Arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that an IR camera or image intensifier, is arranged so as to transmit to the line transmitter the image information which is to be superimposed on the image of the surroundings.

20. Arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that a radar sensor or laser sensor, is arranged so as to transmit to the line transmitter the image information which is to be superimposed on the image of the surroudings.