Display device

• US 7,275,831 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2001
• Issued: 10/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Eschler, Johannes, Knoll, Peter, Fiess, Reinhold
• Primary Examiner(s): Sever; Andrew T
• Application Number:
  US10/088,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20030020880A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,286 Days
• Field of Search: 353 11- 14, 353/28, 353/37, 353 72- 78, 353/119, 353/122, 353/10, 353/21, 359/13, 359/14, 359/533, 359/478, 359/479, 359/15, 345/87, 345/207, 345/5, 345/7, 345/8, 345/9, 348/113, 348/115, 348118-120, 349/11
• US Class Current: 353/13
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/29 Holographic features
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/29 Holographic features
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/205 using a head-up display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/207 using multi-purpose displays, e.g. camera image and navigation or video on same display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/302 combining image information with GPS information or vehicle data, e.g. vehicle speed, gyro, steering angle data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/30 Polarising elements light-modulating devices with active elements G02F1/00

Abstract

A display apparatus for displaying at least one of images and data in a vehicle has a projection unit and a display surface, the projection unit being arranged on at least one of a vehicle roof and on a vehicle inside mirror. The display surface may be used to display a real image generated by the projection unit.

Claims

1. A display apparatus in a vehicle, comprising:

a projection unit arranged at least one of on a vehicle roof and on an inside mirror of the vehicle; and

a display surface, which is outside the projection unit, onto which a real image is generated by the projection unit;

wherein the display surface is arranged on an instrument panel adjacent to a windshield,

wherein a structural pattern is arranged on the display surface, and light is deflected by the structural pattern, and

wherein an outer surface having at least one of a prism structure and a sawtooth structure is arranged on the display surface.

2. The display apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a reflective surface, arranged adjacent to the display surface, onto which the light is deflected.

3. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the structural pattern is configured as a roughening of the display surface.

4. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a layer having a holographically introduced structure is arranged on the display surface.

5. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display surface is of semi-spherical configuration.

6. The display apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display surface includes a first surface portion for a first image and the display surface includes a second surface portion for a second image.

7. The display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the projection unit is a video projector.

8. The display apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a light source of the projection unit is a laser beam generation unit.

9. The display apparatus according to claim 8, wherein movable mirrors are arranged in the projection unit, and light of the laser beam generation unit is deflected by the movable mirrors.

10. The display apparatus according to claim 9, wherein multiple light sources of different colors are arranged in the projection unit.

11. The display apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the path of the light from the projection unit to the display surface is at least approximately parallel to the windshield of the vehicle.

12. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display surface scatters light.

13. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projection unit includes a liquid crystal display, and the image displayed on the liquid crystal display is imaged on the display surface.

14. The display apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the display surface is arranged on an instrument panel adjacent to a windshield.

15. The display apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a structural pattern is arranged on the display surface, and light is deflected by the structural pattern.

16. The display apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the light is deflected in the direction of a viewer.

17. The display apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising:

a reflective surface, arranged adjacent to the display surface, onto which the light is deflected.

18. The display apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the structural pattern is configured as a roughening of the display surface.

19. The display apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a layer having a holographically introduced structure is arranged on the display surface.

20. The display apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the path of the light from the projection unit to the display surface is at least approximately parallel to the windshield of the vehicle.

21. A display apparatus in a vehicle, comprising:

a projection unit arranged at least one of on a vehicle roof and on an inside mirror of the vehicle; and

a display surface, which is outside the projection unit, onto which a real image is generated by the projection unit;

wherein the display surface includes a film that allows directed emission of light and prevents light from being emitted toward the windshield.

22. A display apparatus in a vehicle, comprising:

a projection unit arranged at least one of on a vehicle roof and on an inside mirror of the vehicle; and

a display surface, which is outside the projection unit, onto which a real image is generated by the projection unit;

wherein the projection unit includes a laser-beam generating unit for generating the real image with laser beams, and

wherein;

the display surface is of a semi-spherical configuration;

the display surface includes a first surface portion for a first image and the display surface includes a second surface portion for a second image;

the projection unit includes a video projector;

a light source of the projection unit includes the laser beam generation unit;

movable mirrors are arranged in the projection unit, and light of the laser beam generation unit is deflected by the movable mirrors;

multiple light sources of different colors are arranged in the projection unit; and

the path of the light from the projection unit to the display surface is at least approximately parallel to the windshield of the vehicle.