Heads-up display with improved contrast

• US 20060125714A1
• Filed: 02/07/2006
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Incorporated (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Incorporated (Lear Corporation)
• Inventors: Miller, Robin Mihekun
• Application Number:
  US11/348,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20060125714A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/7
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/191 Highlight information
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0626 for control of overall brightness
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/144 the light being ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/02 characterised by the way in which colour is displayed details of colour display specific for CRTs G09G1/28; specific for flat matrix panels other than liquid crystal displays G09G3/2003; specific for liquid crystal displays G09G3/3607

Abstract

A heads-up display for a vehicle is in contrast to the windshield behind the display or the environment outside of the vehicle windshield. In this way, the heads-up display is more visible than prior art heads-up displays. In one embodiment, the windshield is tinted to be in contrast with the color of the heads-up display, at least over a small area. In other embodiments, the image forward of the vehicle is captured and sent to a control for the heads-up display. The heads-up display is then modified to be in contrast with the environment approaching the vehicle. In another embodiment, the window is modified to have a back glow over a small area. The heads-up display is directed onto this small area.

Claims

1. A heads-up display system comprising:

a source for directing a heads-up display onto a windshield of a vehicle; and

an arrangement for increasing the contrast of the heads-up display on the windshield relative to the background of the heads-up display on the windshield, wherein the arrangement includes a tint provided on the windshield, at least in the area where the heads-up display is directed, with the colors of the heads-up display and the tint being in contrast to one another.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the colors of the heads-up display and the tint are selected such that the heads-up display includes at least one primary color void from the color of the tint.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein:

the tint is provided in an area of the windshield where the heads-up display is directed and the remaining area of the windshield is void of the tint.

4. A heads-up display system comprising:

a source for directing a heads-up display onto a portion of a windshield of a vehicle; and

an arrangement for increasing the contrast of the heads-up display on the windshield relative to the background of the heads-up display on the windshield, wherein the arrangement includes a roughened surface on the windshield portion, wherein the arrangement further includes a light source adjacent to the windshield portion for directing light onto the roughened surface of the windshield portion in order to provide a backglow for the heads-up display.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein:

the windshield is a single-pane windshield, wherein the roughened surface is provided on either interior or exterior surfaces of the windshield.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein:

the windshield is a dual-pane windshield, wherein the roughened surface is provided between the windshield panes.

7. A method of providing a heads-up display, the method comprising:

directing a heads-up display onto a windshield of a vehicle; and

modifying at least one of the heads-up display and the windshield relative to one another to provide greater contrast between the heads-up display and an image beyond the windshield.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein:

modifying at least one of the heads-up display and the windshield includes providing a tint on the windshield and includes selecting a color of the heads-up display which contrasts with the color of the tint such that the contrast between the heads-up display and the image beyond the windshield is increased.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein:

selecting a color of the heads-up display includes selecting the color of the heads-up display such that the heads-up display includes at least one primary color which is not included in the color of the tint.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein:

modifying at least one of the heads-up display and the windshield includes roughening a surface of the windshield and directing light onto the roughened surface of the windshield in order to provide a backglow for the heads-up display such that the contrast between the heads-up display and the image beyond the windshield is increased.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein:

the windshield is a single-pane windshield, wherein the roughened surface is provided on either interior or exterior surfaces of the windshield.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein:

the windshield is a dual-pane windshield, wherein the roughened surface is provided between the windshield panes.