Method and device for operating a head-up display for a vehicle

• US 9,791,289 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2014
• Issued: 10/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Schwab, Axel, Schulze, Christof
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huynh, Luke
• Application Number:
  US14/574,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20150100234A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 701436, 701 36, 701 41, 701532, 701533, 340436, 345 9
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3635 Guidance using 3D or perspective road maps
• 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 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

Predefined route data for a driving route situated in front of the vehicle in the driving direction are provided. Further, at least one predefined predictive operating variable for the vehicle is provided. A three-dimensional model for a predefined environment of the vehicle is determined as a function of the route data. A graphic element is determined as a function of the three-dimensional model and of the at least one predictive operating variable. A head-up display of the vehicle has a predefined display field. The graphic element is displayed in the predefined display field. The graphic element is determined and displayed such that the graphic element is perceived by a viewer of the display field from a predefined viewing position with direct reference to the real environment of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of operating a head-up display of a vehicle, the head-up display having a predefined display field, the method comprising the acts of:

providing predefined route data for a driving route situated in front of the vehicle in a driving direction;

providing at least one predefined predictive operating variable for the vehicle;

determining a three-dimensional model for a predefined environment of the vehicle as a function of the provided predefined route data;

determining a graphic element as a function of the three-dimensional model and the predefined predictive operating variable; and

displaying the determined graphic element in the predefined display field, wherein the graphic element is, from a predefined viewing position, perceived by a viewer of the display field with direct reference to an actual environment of the vehicle;

acquiring a control signal generated in response to the displaying of the graphic element in the predefined display field, said control signal being representative of a predefined actuation of an operating element in an interior of the vehicle; and

as a function of the acquired control signal and the determined three-dimensional model, determining a second graphic element; and

displaying the second graphic element in the predefined display field, wherein the second graphic element is, from the predefined viewing position, perceived by the viewer with direct reference to the actual environment of the vehicle.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the acts of:

providing environment model data predefined for the predefined environment of the vehicle, wherein

the determining of the three-dimensional model is carried out as a function of the provided environment model data.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the act of:

determining the at least one predefined predictive operating variable that is provided as a function of at least one current additional operating variable and/or at least one determined current environment variable.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the act of:

determining the at least one predefined predictive operating variable that is provided as a function of at least one current additional operating variable and/or at least one determined current environment variable.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the acts of:

providing a predefined position of at least one predefined object; and

as a function of the provided predefined position and the determined three-dimensional model, determining a third graphic element; and

displaying the third graphic element in the predefined display field, wherein the third graphic element is, from the predefined viewing position, perceived by the viewer of the display field with direct reference to the actual environment of the vehicle.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the acts of:

providing a predefined position of at least one predefined object; and

as a function of the provided predefined position and the determined three-dimensional model, determining a third graphic element; and

displaying the third graphic element in the predefined display field, wherein the third graphic element is, from the predefined viewing position, perceived by the viewer of the display field with direct reference to the actual environment of the vehicle.

7. A method of operating a head-up display of a vehicle, the head-up display having a predefined display field, the method comprising the acts of:

providing predefined route data for a driving route situated in front of the vehicle in a driving direction;

providing at least one predefined predictive operating variable for the vehicle;

determining a three-dimensional model for a predefined environment of the vehicle as a function of the provided predefined route data;

determining a graphic element as a function of the three-dimensional model and the predefined predictive operating variable;

displaying the determined graphic element in the predefined display field, wherein the graphic element is, from a predefined viewing position, perceived by a viewer of the display field as an enhanced feature of an actual environment of the vehicle;

providing a predefined position of at least one predefined object;

as a function of the provided predefined position and the determined three-dimensional model, determining an additional graphic element; and

displaying the additional graphic element in the predefined display field, wherein the additional graphic element is, from the predefined viewing position, perceived by the viewer of the display field with direct reference to the actual environment of the vehicle.

8. A device for operating a head-up display of a vehicle, the head-up display having a predefined display field, the device comprising:

a control unit configured to receive predefined route data for a driving route situated in front of the vehicle in a driving direction, at least one predefined predictive operating variable for the vehicle, and a three-dimensional model determined for a predefined environment of the vehicle as a function of the provided route data; and

wherein the control unit is operatively configured to execute a program to;

determine a graphic element as a function of the three-dimensional model and the predefined predictive operating variable;

display the determined graphic element in the predefined display field, wherein the graphic element is, from a predefined viewing position, perceived by a viewer of the display field as an enhanced feature of an actual environment of the vehicle;

acquire a control signal generated in response to the displaying of the graphic element in the predefined display field, said control signal being representative of a predefined actuation of an operating element in an interior of the vehicle;

as a function of the acquired control signal and the determined three-dimensional model, determine a second graphic element; and

display the second graphic element in the predefined display field, wherein the second graphic element is, from the predefined viewing position, perceived by the viewer with direct reference to the actual environment of the vehicle.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the control unit is further configured to receive a predefined position of at least one predefined object, the control unit further executing a program to:

as a function of the provided predefined position and the determined three-dimensional model, determine a third graphic element; and

display the third graphic element in the predefined display field, wherein the third graphic element is, from the predefined viewing position, perceived by the viewer of the display field with direct reference to the actual environment of the vehicle.