System for assisting the operator of a technical appliance

• US 6,876,307 B1
• Filed: 10/18/2000
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Hess, Markus, Ziegler, Walter, Spitzer, Manfred, Hahn, Stefan, Kressel, Ulrich, Rothe, Siegfried
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US09/691,552
• Time in Patent Office: 1,630 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/439, 340/457, 340/459, 340/691.6
• US Class Current: 340/691.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention concerns a system for assisting an operator of a technical appliance, with a image display device (2), of which the image is in the normal field of vision of the operator, for display of operationally relevant information in the form of images or symbols (1). According to the invention, a respective image or symbol is displayed at least once for a brief period of time, of which the duration is below the threshold of conscious recognition and above the threshold of subconscious recognition of the operator.

Claims

1. A system for assisting an operator of a technical appliance, said system including an image display device for displaying information in the form of an image or symbol in the normal field of vision of the operator in situations requiring reaction of the operator, wherein said image or symbol (1) is displayed at least once for a brief period of time, and wherein the duration of the display is below the threshold of recognition and above a subconscious threshold of detection of the operator.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the operationally relevant information is displayed briefly immediately after recognition of the appropriate situation.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the operationally relevant information is warning information.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the technical appliance is an automotive vehicle.

5. A system according to claim 1, further including

at least one device for automatic recognition of situations which may require the reaction of the automotive vehicle operator and

a device for controlling the image display device (2) to display appropriate operationally relevant information when the device for automatic recognition recognizes an appropriate situation.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the situation to be recognized is a danger situation.

7. A system according to claim 5, wherein the at least one device for automatic recognition of situations is one or more of the following devices:

a) a device for recognition of an inappropriate speed of the vehicle prior to a curve,

b) a device for recognition of traffic signs,

c) a device for recognition of road conditions,

d) a device for recognition of traffic signals

e) a device for recognition of approach situations,

f) a device for recognition of crossing situations,

g) a device for recognition of pedestrians,

h) a device for recognition of low signal amplitude and tedious driving situations.

8. A system according to claim 5, wherein the at least one device for automatic recognition of situations includes a navigation device and/or a device for monitoring operational values of the vehicle.

9. A system according to claim 5, wherein the briefly displayed images or symbols (1) include one or more of the following objects:

a) images of appropriate situations,

b) pictograms,

c) traffic signals,

d) arrows,

e) written words.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the image display device is a heads-up display.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the heads-up display is wearable by the operator in the manner of at least one of glasses or goggles.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein the image display device is a display screen (2) for direct observation by the operator.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the display screen is a display screen (2) with controllable pixels on the instrument panel for representation of operating parameters of the vehicle.

14. A system according to claim 1, wherein the duration with which a respective image or symbol (1) is briefly displayed is adjustable by the operator.

15. A system for assisting an operator of a technical appliance, said system including an image display device for displaying information relevant to the operator for operating the technical appliance in the form of an image or symbol in the normal field of vision of the operator, wherein said image or symbol (1) is displayed at least once for a brief period of time, and wherein the duration of the display is below the threshold of recognition and above a subconscious threshold of detection of the operator.