WIFI ENABLED HEAD UP DISPLAY (HUD)

A head up display arrangement for a motor vehicle includes at least one camera capturing images of a scene outside of the motor vehicle, and wirelessly transmitting first video signals indicative of the captured images. A receiver wirelessly receives the first video signals and transmits second video signals dependent upon the first video signals. A head up display system is communicatively coupled to the receiver and receives the second video signals. The head up display system reflects a light field off of a windshield of the motor vehicle such that the reflection is visible to a driver of the vehicle as a virtual image. The light field is dependent upon the second video signals.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The disclosure relates to a head up display (HUD) system in a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A head up display system emits light that reflects from the front windshield to be seen by the driver. The light appears to come from a virtual image in front of the driver and in front of the windshield.

Conventional head up displays create the virtual image by first using a display to create an image. Next, the light from the image is reflected from one or more mirrors, and then the light from the mirrors is reflected from the windshield. The minors are designed and positioned relative to the display so that the light seen by the driver, which is reflected from the windshield, appears to come from a virtual image that is outside of the vehicle. The mirrors and display are typically contained in a package that occupies a volume beneath the top surface of the dashboard.

Currently, head up displays (HUDs) receive their video signal either from the in-vehicle instrument cluster or generate their own graphics. The HUD is packaged within the instrument panel and getting video data from anywhere besides the cluster is very difficult. Currently, all video inputs to the HUD are via cables.

SUMMARY

By wirelessly connecting to an exterior camera, the present invention may display things like images captured by side mounted and rear mounted cameras. The invention may also enable the HUD to directly connect to WiFi devices like smartphones and thereby create personalized user interfaces.

In one embodiment, the invention comprises a head up display arrangement for a motor vehicle, including at least one camera capturing images of a scene outside of the motor vehicle. The at least one camera wirelessly transmits first video signals indicative of the captured images. A receiver wirelessly receives the first video signals and transmits second video signals dependent upon the first video signals. A head up display system is communicatively coupled to the receiver and receives the second video signals. The head up display system reflects a light field off of a windshield of the motor vehicle such that the reflection is visible to a driver of the vehicle as a virtual image. The light field is dependent upon the second video signals.

In another embodiment, the invention comprises a display method for a motor vehicle, including capturing images of a scene outside of the motor vehicle. First video signals indicative of the captured images are wirelessly transmitted. The first video signals are wirelessly received. Second video signals are transmitted to a head up display. The second video signals are dependent upon the first video signals. The second video signals are received at the head up display. A light field is reflected off of a windshield of the motor vehicle such that the reflection is visible to a driver of the vehicle as a virtual image. The light field is dependent upon the second video signals.

In yet another embodiment, the invention comprises a head up display arrangement for a motor vehicle. The arrangement includes a plurality of WiFi transmitting cameras capturing images of a scene outside of the motor vehicle, and wirelessly transmitting first video signals indicative of the captured images. A WiFi receiver wirelessly receives the first video signals and transmits second video signals dependent upon the first video signals. A head up display system is communicatively coupled to the WiFi receiver and receives the second video signals. The head up display system produces a virtual image that is visible to a driver of the vehicle. The virtual image is dependent upon the second video signals.

An advantage of the present invention is that, by virtue of having WiFi capability, the HUD can directly display camera data, smartphone data, or data from any other WiFi device directly on the windshield in front of the driver.

Another advantage of the present invention is that, by wirelessly connecting to the devices, the amount of components necessary around the critical package space is minimized.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates one example embodiment of a WiFi-enabled head up display HUD arrangement10of the present invention, including a WiFi receiver12on the HUD unit, a left side WiFi transmitting camera14, a right side WiFi transmitting camera16, and a rear view WiFi transmitting camera18. Cameras14,16,18capture images within respective field of views20,22,24. These captured images may be wirelessly transmitted from cameras14,16,18to WiFi receiver12and thereby included in a virtual image26that may appear to a driver to be outside of a front windshield28.

FIG. 2illustrates a plan view of one example embodiment of a virtual image30produced by rear view camera18ofFIG. 1on windshield28according to the present invention.FIG. 2illustrates the view of virtual image30as seen by the driver.

FIG. 3illustrates another example embodiment of a WiFi-enabled head up display arrangement310of the present invention, including WiFi transmitting cameras14,16,18in wireless communication with a WiFi receiver12. Arrangement310also includes an electronic controller331, a picture generation unit332, a display screen334, and projection optics336creating a virtual image visible by a human driver22. The brightness of the image may be controlled by controller331so the image is clearly visible against the background scene. Projection optics336may include one or more mirrors that reflect a light field produced by display334onto the windshield. The windshield again reflects the light field to driver22such that the light appears to the driver as a virtual image that is on or outside of the windshield.

FIG. 4illustrates one embodiment of a display method400of the present invention for a motor vehicle. In a first step402, images of a scene outside of the motor vehicle are captured. For example, cameras14,16,18capture images within respective field of views20,22,24.

Next, in step404, first video signals indicative of the captured images are wirelessly transmitted. For example, these captured images may be wirelessly transmitted from cameras14,16,18to WiFi receiver12.

In a next step406, the first video signals are wirelessly received. For example, WiFi receiver12may wirelessly receive the captured images transmitted from cameras14,16,18.

In step408, second video signals are transmitted to a head up display system. The second video signals are dependent upon the first video signals. For example, a signal based on the captured images may be transmitted from WiFi receiver12to controller331of a head up display system.

Next, in step410, the second video signals are received at the head up display system. For example, controller331may receive the signal from WiFi receiver12.

In a final step412, a light field is reflected off of a windshield of the motor vehicle such that the reflection is visible to a driver of the vehicle as a virtual image. The light field is dependent upon the second video signals. For example, PGU332, display334and projection optics336may produce a light field based on the signal received from WiFi receiver12such that the light field is reflected off of windshield28, and such that the reflection is visible to a driver of the vehicle as virtual image26.

The invention has been described as wirelessly connecting the HUD to WiFi devices. However, in another embodiment, the HUD is directly connected to WiFi devices and cameras via a cable.

The foregoing description may refer to “motor vehicle”, “automobile”, “automotive”, or similar expressions. It is to he understood that these terms are not intended to limit the invention to any particular type of transportation vehicle. Rather, the invention may be applied to any type of transportation vehicle whether traveling by air, water, or ground, such as airplanes, boats, etc.

The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to he understood therefrom for modifications can be made by those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.