Abstract:
A panorama projection unit is disclosed which concentrates the projected images in a front area of the motor vehicle and temporarily or locally shades the projection beams between projection units and the display surfaces. The panorama projection unit includes a three-dimensional panoramic screen, a plurality of projectors which project images onto a rear side of the panoramic screen, and a central control unit which controls the projectors in such a way that the projected images are mapped without distortion on the three-dimensional panoramic screen.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 202013007159.1 filed Aug. 12, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    A panorama projection unit for a motor vehicle is described. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In general, motor vehicles include display devices which normally are vacuum fluorescence displays (VFD) or liquid crystal displays (LCD) for displaying operational data. Such display devices show, for example, the state of safety components such as electronic safety assistants or comfort devices of the vehicle which indicate seat adjustment, seat heating, window lifters, external mirror settings or other infotainment components, including for example, a navigation system or a car radio. 
         [0004]    The specification EP 1 798 588 B1 has further disclosed a control system to control functions in a motor vehicle. To this end different display surfaces and display devices are provided in different positions on surfaces inside the vehicle. The display devices are used for the graphic display of images and virtual control elements inside the vehicle. Detection units detect operator entries when the virtual control elements are actuated. A control device is data-connected with the detection units and the display devices on the different display surfaces for displaying the virtual control elements in dependence of the detected operator entries. To this end, projection units are distributed throughout the inside of the vehicle to project pictures of the images and the control elements onto a projection surface from different projection angles. 
         [0005]    Due to the plurality of images and information which can be visually displayed, conventional dashboards equipped with such imaging devices may become clutter or may divert the attention of a driver from essential information such as the traffic. Therefore, display devices and images are provided in the vehicle which produce a virtual picture visible for the viewer in the area of the windscreen. Such devices are called head-up displays (HUDs). 
         [0006]    These known display devices require a considerable amount of installation space in a motor vehicle. Moreover the plurality of vehicle functions to be controlled together with their associated images and control elements on virtual and real screens leads to a confusing overall layout which may be distracting to the driver due to the complexity and multitude of images and control elements during actuation of such control elements. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In accordance with the present disclosure, a panorama projection unit is provided which concentrates the projected images in a front area of the motor vehicle and temporarily or locally shades the projection beams between projection units and the display surfaces. The panorama project unit described herein reduces the error rate of conventional systems and achieves improved creative freedom in the arrangement and the display of imaging and control functions. 
         [0008]    One embodiment of the present disclosure is a panorama projection unit for a vehicle, which includes a three-dimensional panoramic screen, a plurality of projectors which project images onto a rear side of the panoramic screen, and a central control unit which controls the projectors in such a way that the projected images are mapped without distortion on the three-dimensional panoramic screen. Such a panorama projection unit has the advantage that the projection beams can no longer be influenced and disturbed by the vehicle occupants or the driver inside the vehicle because the projectors are arranged behind the panoramic screen exposed towards the interior space of the vehicle and the imaging system with its projection beams is thus completely shielded from the driver and passenger inside the vehicle. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment the three-dimensional panoramic screen is adapted in its width at least partially to the internal front width of the vehicle. This has the advantage that the plurality of the existing different indicating, displaying and control devices are no longer needed because of the large panoramic screen covering the full width of the vehicle interior. On the one hand this results in spatial advantages for the manufacturer and on the other, in improved creative freedom and reduced manufacturing costs as well as considerable weight savings. Instead of many separate indicating devices and projection surfaces a large panoramic screen takes over both imaging functions and control functions. 
         [0010]    Due to a virtual display of the respectively momentarily desired images and control elements, the conventional physical arrangement of all available images and control elements can be omitted. This would have the effect of making the layout of the entire dashboard area of the vehicle more clearly, which allows greater creative freedom both to the manufacturer and the driver of the vehicle. Besides, any amount of vehicle functions can be clearly displayed by individual control symbols or control elements by means of the rear-side projectors, because only the symbols and control elements momentarily needed or very probably just about to be selected can be displayed on the panoramic screen. The images and/or control elements probably not needed are not shown, and therefore do not require any additional space in the front area of the vehicle. Finally it is a fact that projectors of this kind are now available on the market, which are very low weight correspondingly small in size. 
         [0011]    In a further embodiment of the present disclosure provision is made for the panoramic screen to include a semi-transparent rear-side coating on its back and an anti-reflection coating on its front. Such anti-reflection coatings have the effect of preventing annoying reflections, which may be caused by display coverings or vehicle windows. Due to the interaction between the semi-transparent rear-side coating on the back of the panoramic screen and the anti-reflection coating on the front of the panoramic screen, the panoramic screen is color-shaded in those areas in which no projector happens to be active. The color shading can be selected by the manufacturer in order to achieve a pleasing effect upon driver and vehicle occupants. 
         [0012]    Further provision is made for the panoramic screen to include a transparent plastic material, in particular polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC). Such plastic materials are distinctly lighter than glass or ceramics so that the total weight of all mapped components in the front area of the vehicle can be reduced since these functions are now assumed by the panoramic screen made from a transparent plastic. 
         [0013]    In a further embodiment of the present disclosure the panoramic screen is composed of at least two or more parts, wherein each part has at least one projector or a group of projectors assigned to it, and at least two parts are adjacent to each other. Such a panoramic screen composed of at least two parts with associated groups of projectors has the advantage that several parts can be joined together to form a panorama projection unit, thereby saving both manufacturing and assembly costs. 
         [0014]    In a further embodiment of the present disclosure the images are mapped onto the three-dimensional panoramic screen by rear-side projectors in such a way that the three-dimensional panoramic screen shows neither overlapping images nor unused surfaces between the images. A control algorithm is used to map which controls and/or regulate the mapping areas and transitions of the projection surfaces on the three-dimensional panoramic screen. 
         [0015]    In a further embodiment of the present disclosure two projectors rows are arranged one above the other. To this end a lower projector row may be directed onto the rear-side of a lower panoramic screen part and an upper projector row may be directed onto the rear-side of an upper panoramic screen part. In such an embodiment the lower projector row projects images and control elements onto a lower panoramic screen part, and an upper projector row projects images and control elements onto an upper panoramic screen part. 
         [0016]    In addition, the lower panoramic screen part may be partially spatially offset relative to the upper panoramic screen part in such a way that horizontal storage surfaces are formed between the upper and the lower panoramic screen parts. The horizontal storage surfaces can be utilized in a further embodiment of the present disclosure for arranging safety system such as front airbags below these horizontal storage surfaces. These front airbags can supplement a front airbag arranged for the driver in the center of the steering wheel on the steering column and act as a “safety net” for the passenger in case of frontal collisions. 
         [0017]    In a further embodiment of the present disclosure provision is made for the projectors to include light diodes or light diode arrays or laser diodes or laser diode arrays, in particular in the form of Pico beamers. These projector variants can be constructed with very small dimensions and can be integrated in a simple and cost-effective manner with the panoramic screen to form the panorama projection unit. 
         [0018]    Such projectors of the panorama projection unit may project further images onto the panoramic screen including actual values of predefined vehicle systems such as a comfort system, an infotainment system, a safety system or the like. Thus, the panorama projection unit includes both an imaging function for mapping system values and operable control elements which can activate a mapped function by, for example, guiding a finger over contact points or proximity sensors provided on or behind the panoramic screen. 
         [0019]    Moreover provision is made in a further embodiment of the present disclosure, in case of the vehicle reversing, for the panorama projection unit to project a video feed from a camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle in the external rear area of the vehicle, onto the rear-side of the panoramic screen. Since this projection is required only when the vehicle is reversing, all other images and control elements not necessary for reversing can be temporarily vanish from the panoramic screen thus enabling the driver to fully concentrate onto the reversing operation. 
         [0020]    Moreover, provision is made in a further embodiment of the present disclosure, to project instrument readings of vehicle speed, engine revolutions, coolant temperature, fuel level and other driving-related data such as flashing indicator lights, warning indicator lights and/or lighting levels onto an area on the driver&#39;s side of the panoramic screen. These projections are projected onto the panoramic screen in the visual range of the driver only when the vehicle is driving forward. 
         [0021]    Furthermore, the panoramic screen may include a device including control elements and projection backlit images with associated means for menu selection. Control is provided by a central control unit for a projection of graphic images and control elements in dependence of the detected operator entries by a detection unit and the projection unit. To this end, the detection unit and the projection unit are data-connected via respective signal lines. The central control unit may include one or more digital signal processors (DSPs) or one or more microprocessors (CPUs). 
         [0022]    In this way, changeable images and control elements can be graphically displayed in real time on the common projection surface of the panoramic screen. Several menu levels can be displayed and selected in a separate parameter field. The central control unit controls the projectors in such a way that new graphic symbols are displayed on the panoramic screen at the menu level associated with the actuated graphic control element. This makes it possible to refer back to stored data records when displaying different images, symbols and/or control elements on the existing panoramic screen. The graphic images and control elements may, at least partially, be advantageously provided as variable or changeable images and control elements with a menu level structure. The central control unit controls the projectors of a graphic representation or an operable control element by actuating a predefined virtual control element via respective inferior or superior menu levels. 
         [0023]    In principle. the central control unit can also control the projectors for displaying a user-defined menu level with preselected images and control elements. The central control unit recognizes the current user by means of a key fob and controls the projection device to display the starting menu level associated with this user. Also user-defined menu levels can be displayed with preselected images and control elements in dependence of certain driving situations. 
         [0024]    Moreover it is feasible that the central control unit controls the projectors to display effective images and control elements in dependence of certain momentary driving parameters. For example, when tire slippage is measured the control elements for activating the automatic slip control system (ABS) can be displayed. Also if a vehicle accident is detected emergency call numbers, the warning flashlight symbol and other meaningful images of operable control elements can be displayed by the projectors in the associated areas of the panoramic screen. 
         [0025]    At the same time any overload of the panoramic screen is avoided in that only momentarily meaningful images and control elements to be very probably selected are displayed to the user on the panoramic screen. Besides it is possible for the panorama projection unit to trigger an acoustic, haptic or visual feedback when the provided contact points of virtual control elements are actuated, resulting in the user being informed that his entry has been recognized by the panorama projection unit. 
         [0026]    The virtual images and control elements are associated with different vehicle functions. These vehicle functions may, for example. be safety functions, comfort functions, infotainment functions, special functions of special vehicles or other imaginable functions. A menu selection may optionally include communication systems, navigation systems, driver assistance information systems etc. as well as indication and operator selection or voice control. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements. 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic perspective view of a three-dimensional panoramic screen of a panorama projection unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of the panorama projection unit according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic view of a panorama projection unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic view of a panorama projection unit according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic perspective view of a panorama projection unit according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure with an “information center” including images and control elements of a communication system; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic perspective view of a panorama projection unit according to  FIG. 5  with an information center including an entertainment system; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic perspective view of a panorama projection unit according to  FIG. 5  with an information center including images and control elements of a navigation system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]    The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure or the application and uses of the present disclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic perspective view of a three-dimensional panoramic screen  8  of a panorama projection unit  1  in a front area  47  of a vehicle interior space  38 . The panoramic screen  8  according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a width b which corresponds to the internal front width of a vehicle. The panoramic screen  8  is composed of three areas, a left-hand area  1  arranged to the left of a steering column not shown, a central area (z) with an indentation for a steering column within the visual range of the driver, and a right-hand area (r) arranged to the right of the steering column not shown and fully within the visual range of a passenger. 
         [0037]    Contour lines h 1 , h 2 , h 3 , h 4 , h 5  and h 6  indicate the spatial three-dimensional shape of the panoramic screen  8 . Furthermore; border lines g 1  through g 9  can be seen which limit individual areas of the panoramic screen  8 . Thus, the left-hand area  1  extends from a left end E 1  to a first border line g 1 . The central area (z) extends from the border line g 1  to the border line g 5 . The right-hand area (r) extends from the border line g 5  to the right-hand corner E r  of the panoramic screen  8 . A panoramic screen  8  of this type may also include three single areas l, z and r. 
         [0038]    The panoramic screen  8  shown in  FIG. 1  has a front side  35  to which an anti-reflection coating  34  has been applied. An anti-reflection coating of this kind has a thickness lying within the micrometer range for ensuring that the images on the panoramic screen  8  are not optically impaired neither through window reflections nor through reflections from a covering. Further the panoramic screen  8  includes a transparent panoramic pane  9  manufactured from a transparent plastic such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC). A rear-side  31  of the pane  9  is provided with a semi-transparent rear-side coating  32 . The semi-transparent rear-side coating  32  obscures the projectors which irradiate the rear side  31  of the panoramic screen  8  (not shown here) from the front side  35 . 
         [0039]    The entire surface of the panoramic screen  8  appears almost uniformly opaque when the projectors directed at the rear-side  31  are switched off. Both the anti-reflection coating  34  on the front side  35  and the semi-transparent coating  32  on the rear-side  31  can ensure that the panoramic screen appears to the viewer as if it were colored. For example, a silicon dioxide layer deposited on the front side  35  with a thickness between 0.1 and 0.8 μm can cause the surface of the panoramic screen  8  to appear blue, green, yellow or orange. Also finely distributed color pigments in the rear-side coating  32  on the rear side  31 , which do not affect the image projected on the back, can produce a predefined color effect for the viewer of the panoramic screen, when the projectors are switched off. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of a panorama projection unit  1  according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 2  only the outline of the panoramic screen  8  and the projectors  11 - 20  arranged behind the panoramic screen  8  are shown. The projectors  11 - 20  direct beams onto the rear-side  31  of the panoramic screen  8  and form projection surfaces  71 - 80 . To this end the projectors  11 - 20  are connected via signal lines  61 - 70  with the central control unit  60 , which ensures that the projection surfaces  71  and  72 ,  74  and  75  as well as  75  and  76  shown here as overlapping, are in fact not overlapping and that no gaps occur between the projection surfaces as shown in  FIG. 2  between the projection surfaces  73  and  74 . 
         [0041]    Thus the three-dimensional panoramic screen  8  can be completely irradiated from the rear side  31  by the projectors  11 - 20  with images and without overlapping or gaps or transitions. The projectors  11 - 20  can map various image elements onto the associated projection surfaces  71 - 80 . In particular, actual values of vehicle systems and control elements of vehicle functions are projected. For example, it is possible to project actual values of safety systems such as a tire-pressure monitoring device, a gradiometer, an inclinometer or a parking assistant onto one of the projection surfaces  71 - 80 . 
         [0042]    Operable control elements in the form of control points not shown may be provided on the panoramic screen  8  that can be actuated to call up functional areas such as for comfort, safety or infotainment. Examples of such imaging and control elements may be for heating, venting, and air conditioning system, seat adjustment, seat heating or seat ventilation, electric window lifters, electrically adjustable external mirrors, an audio system, a DVD video system, a tuner of a DAB system, a mini disc, a MP3, DVD or audio player. Furthermore navigation systems, ESP systems or the like can be activated and adjusted or controlled on the panoramic screen by touching the relevant touchscreen points. Also information of a digital traffic system, an internet system, a television system or a digital travel guide as well as a telephone system can be displayed as elements or as values in descriptive symbols on the projection surfaces  71 - 80 . Furthermore it is possible to display actual states of imaging and control elements of special vehicles, such as of a taximeter, an additional searchlight, a siren, a speed monitoring device or the like, on the projection surfaces  71  to  80  of the panoramic screen  8 . 
         [0043]    Physical control elements can thus be advantageously replaced by virtual control elements. To this end these virtual control elements are projected according to the present embodiments onto predefined masked sections of the projection surfaces  71 - 80  of the panoramic screen  8 . Exemplary embodiments for such projection surfaces with images and control elements are explained in detail further below with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 7 . 
         [0044]    The projected images, graphics, control elements or pictures need not mandatorily be provided in the form of one mask, but several masks may be provided in a magazine of the system or in memory of one of the projectors  11 - 20  or in memory of the control unit  60 . Depending upon the application, it is possible to automatically use the light source of a projector for the respective application function. Alternatively, image production on the panoramic screen  8  may be implemented in various ways, and individual image elements can include different forms and colors, wherein each vehicle function or vehicle application may have a certain color assigned to it. This improves acceptance by the driver and supports the operability of the vehicle. 
         [0045]    Besides the graphic images of the control elements of a control can change such that the user receives immediate feedback for his entry. For example, if the blower is adjusted by touching a corresponding contact point, the virtual control element can control the central control unit  60  of the projectors  11 - 20  in such a way that the respective blower stage and temperature setting are displayed on one of the projection surfaces  71 - 80 . 
         [0046]    Moreover, optical detection devices may be used, which without making contact can detect and evaluate the user&#39;s entry. In comparison to optical or haptic detection. the contact-sensitive control elements are advantageous. For example activation, control or evaluation can be effected by a change in pressure or by an electromagnetic, in particular capacitive change in the area of the control element. The projection surfaces  71  to  80  may include either a smooth surface without haptic feedback or a structured surface with haptic feedback at the contact points. 
         [0047]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic view of a panorama projection unit  3  according to a further embodiment.  FIG. 3  shows the area of a steering column  49  for the driver with a steering wheel  90  and a first front airbag  40  in the center of the steering wheel  90  at the end of the steering column  49  as is the case for conventional vehicles. Ahead in driving direction in the vehicle interior space  38 , the front area  47  includes the panoramic screen  8 . In this embodiment the panoramic screen may be divided in two generally along the border line g 3  and provide two adjacently arranged housing modules  57  and  58 , which together with the associated projectors  11 - 13  and  14 - 20  and the parameter screen parts E 1  to g 3 /g 3  to E r  form a first slide-in cassette  52  and a second adjacent slide-in cassette  53 , respectively. 
         [0048]    The housing module  57  encompasses a group of projectors  11 ,  12  and  13 , which cover the left-hand and the central area (l) and (z) of the panoramic screen  8 . A second housing module  58  includes a group of projectors  14 - 20  and essentially covers the right-hand area (r) of the panoramic screen  8 . The housing modules  57  and  58  form a housing  50  and ensure intensive cooling of the projectors  11 - 20  via a cooling air inlet  55  which divides into two forks, one going to the first housing module  57  and the other going to the second housing module  58 . Both the first housing module  57  and the second housing module  58  have their own cooling air outlet  56 . These two housing modules  57  and  58  with their associated projectors and their panoramic screen areas may be designed as two adjacently arranged cassettes which can be fitted as cassette units  52  and  53  into the front area  47  of a vehicle and electrically connected accordingly. The division in two can ensure that the projectors do not overheat, wherein preferably the cooling air inlet  55  is connected to an air conditioning system of the vehicle. 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic view of a panorama projection unit  4  according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure. This panorama projection unit  4  is different from the previous device in that while two groups of projectors are formed, they are arranged as a lower group of projectors including  16 - 20 , and an upper group of projectors including projectors  21 - 30 . The lower group of projectors  16 - 20  is directed at a lower region  88  of the panoramic screen  8 , and the upper group of projectors  21  to  30  is directed at an upper region  89  of the panoramic screen  8 . The panoramic screen part  89  and the lower panoramic screen part  88  are arranged spatially offset relative to one another and connected with each other in the central area (z) as well as at their left-hand end E 1  and their right-hand end E r . The in-between areas are arranged essentially horizontally and can thus be used as storage surface  36  and storage surface  37 , as will be explained further with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 7 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic perspective view of a panorama projection unit  5  according to a further embodiment with an “information center” having images and control elements of a communication system. To this end  FIG. 5  schematically shows, in the front area  47  of the vehicle  10 , headlights  211  and  212  and a car hood  213 . A transition between the car hood  213  and a windscreen  44  indicated by broken lines is formed by windscreen wiper devices (not shown). A cross-member  43  belonging to the chassis of the vehicle  10  forms a stable transition from an engine area to the area of the windscreen  44 . The lateral limitation of the windscreen  44  is formed by a left-hand A-column  45  and a right-hand A-column  46 , so that the windscreen  44  reaches as far as a roof edge not shown, which is indicated again by a broken line as the upper limitation of the windscreen in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0051]    A gear lever  200  is arranged in this peripheral area  47  of the interior of the vehicle  38  with corresponding shifting gate  210  on a center console  48 . Further,  FIG. 5  shows a combination element  100  at the transition from the center console  48  to the panoramic screen  8 . The panoramic screen  8  here includes a lower panoramic screen part  88  and an upper panoramic screen part  89 . An upper panoramic screen part  89  arranged further forward is connected with the lower panoramic screen part  88  in the central area of the panoramic screen  8  and at the left-hand end E 1  and the right-hand end E r . 
         [0052]    As already shown in  FIG. 4 , the upper panoramic screen part  89  and the lower panoramic screen part  88  are arranged horizontally offset relative to each other thereby forming two storage surfaces  36  and  37  in between, beneath which two front airbags  41  and  42  may be arranged. The front airbag  41  underneath the covering  36  is for the protection of the passenger, whilst the front airbag  42  underneath the covering  37  supports the central front airbag  40  for the driver. 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the combination instrument  100  forms a touchscreen with a menu selection  101  which is data-connected to and interacts with the central control unit shown in  FIG. 2 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the combination instrument  100  calls up a communication information system  102  so that symbols, characters and letterings appear in the left-hand area (l) of the lower panoramic screen part  88  and in the right-hand area (r) of the lower panoramic screen part  88  for use of the communication information system  102 . 
         [0054]    The upper panoramic screen part  89  has, for example, standard indicators and possible contact points  12 - 33  arranged on it, which can be of help while the vehicle is travelling. In the central area (z) moreover, in all shown embodiments of  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7  an image of a speedometer  91 , an engine tachometer  92 , a coolant temperature indicator  93  and a fuel level indicator are provided. The central area additionally shows a battery status image  81 , which in particular would be important for hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. 
         [0055]    In the upper panoramic screen part  89 , lighting levels  97  are provided close to the driver, which additionally include contact point  123  for high beam, contact point  124  for low beam and contact point  125  for fog light. Furthermore contact points  121 ,  122  for flashing left and for flashing right are provided within easy reach for the driver, together with an image of a flashing light indicator  95 . The program of the central control unit is configured to change both the images in this area and to re-assign or redefine individual contact points. 
         [0056]    Furthermore provision is made in this embodiment of the present disclosure for a black ice warning  98  to light up centrally and for switching a warning flashlight indicator  96  off and on, which can be initiated with the aid of a contact point  133 . Moving further to the right in this embodiment according to  FIG. 5 , the upper panoramic screen part  89  includes a congestion warning indicator  99  and finally an air circulation control  84  with three contact points. Contact point  127  is used for activating the air circulation function. Contact point  126  is used for starting upwardly directed ventilation and contact point  128  is used for starting downwardly directed ventilation into the foot area. 
         [0057]    Further, the upper panoramic screen part  89  shows, moving towards the right in direction of the passenger, an image of a front screen heater  85  and a rear screen heater  86 , which can be activated with the aid of contact points  129  and  130 . It is possible to provide additional switching facilities by means of pushbuttons in the area of the steering column. 
         [0058]    Finally, a symbol for a blower  87  is provided in  FIG. 5  on the right-hand side, which includes a contact point  131  for increasing blower speed and a contact point  132  for reducing blower speed. Although both the arrangement and the assignment of the control elements and the arrangement and assignment of the image symbols can be changed by the central computer unit with the aid of the projectors, the distributions and images on the upper panoramic screen part  89  may remain unchanged for the subsequent  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The same applies to the central area above the steering wheel or above the steering column, such as the speed indicator  91 , the engine tachometer  92 , the coolant temperature indicator  93  and the fuel level indicator  94 . 
         [0059]    The communication system  102  provides a possibility of external communication to both the driver with the telephone service  105  and its own telephone list, and to the passenger with the telephone service  106  and its own telephone list. Internet access  108  and a personal wireless network  109 , for example via Bluetooth, are provided for the driver in the left-hand lower area (l) of the panoramic screen part  88 . On the right-hand side of the lower panoramic screen part  88  access is provided for the passenger to a CD player  107  and to various communication programs or social networks such as Skype, Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. By making a selection on the combination instrument  100  via menu indication  101  further images and control elements of the left-hand area (l) and right-hand area (r) of the lower panoramic screen part  88  can be exchanged or altered as seen  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic perspective view of a panorama projection unit  5  of the fifth embodiment according to  FIG. 5  with an information center including an entertainment system  103 , where the passenger has access to a radio service  82  and also access to the internet  83  as well as to further current data. Whilst the images and service areas in the central area (z) in the left-hand area (l) and in the areas of the upper panoramic screen part  89  remain unchanged. Since the symbols and images are self-explanatory, a detailed explanation of the images and control elements explained in detail with reference to  FIG. 5  is omitted here, as is the insertion of corresponding reference symbols, in order to make the representation clearer. 
         [0061]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic, perspective view of the panorama projection unit  5  according to  FIG. 5  with an information center including images and control elements of a navigation system  104 . Whilst again the upper panoramic screen part  89  remains unchanged and the indicators and elements in the left-hand area (l) and in the central area (z) are maintained, the right-hand area of the lower panoramic screen part  88  now contains measures and guidelines for setting and following the navigation for the passenger. 
         [0062]    While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment is only an example, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.