Claims:1. A windscreen display unit (100) for projecting visual indications, the windscreen display unit (100) comprising:
a controller (106) adapted to receive an instruction indicative of at least one display parameter and at least one content to be displayed on a windscreen (104), wherein the content includes at least one of text, a picture, and a sign;
a display device (108), in communication with the controller (106), adapted to display the at least one content, based on the at least one display parameter;
a mirror (110) disposed in front of the display device (108) and adapted to reflect the at least one content as displayed by the display device (108); and
a reflective screen (112) facing towards the windscreen (104) and adapted to:
receive the at least one content as reflected by the mirror (110); and
project the at least one content on a film disposed on the windscreen (104), for being viewed from outside.

2. The windscreen display unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cover assembly (122) adapted to form a wall separating other components of the windscreen display unit (100) from a passenger cabin of a vehicle (102).

3. The windscreen display unit (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cover assembly (122) further comprising a one-way reflective film disposed on an inner surface, and adapted to restrict emission of scattered light from interiors of the cover assembly (122).

4. The windscreen display unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (106) is in communication with at least one of an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (114), steering-mounted control buttons (116), an input unit (118), and an on-board sensor (120) adapted to detect operational parameters.

5. The windscreen display unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display device (108) is positioned so as to display the at least one content in a direction towards the windscreen (104).

6. The windscreen display unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display device (108) comprises at least one of a Pico projector, a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) display, and a Red-Green-Blue (RGB) Light Emitting Diode (LED) board.

7. A windscreen display unit (400) for displaying visual indications, the windscreen display unit (400) comprising:
a controller (106) adapted to receive an instruction indicative of at least one display parameter and at least one content to be displayed on a windscreen (104), wherein the content includes at least one of text, a picture, and a sign;
a display device (108), in communication with the controller (106), adapted to display the at least one content, based on the at least one display parameter;
a mirror (110) disposed in front of the display device (108) and adapted to reflect the at least one content as displayed by the display device (108); and
a translucent screen (402) disposed at the windscreen (104) and adapted to receive the at least one content as reflected by the mirror (110), for displaying the at least one content on the windscreen (104).

8. The windscreen display unit (400) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the translucent screen (402) is disposed either on the windscreen (104) or at a location adjacent to the windscreen (104) for displaying the at least one content on the windscreen (104).

9. The windscreen display unit (400) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the display device (108) is positioned so as to display the at least one content in a direction opposite to the windscreen (104).

10. A windscreen display unit (700) for displaying visual indications, the windscreen display unit (700) comprising:
a controller (106) adapted to receive an instruction indicative of at least one display parameter and at least one content to be displayed on a windscreen (104), wherein the content includes at least one of text, a picture, and a sign;
a display device (108), in communication with the controller (106), adapted to display the at least one content, based on the at least one display parameter; and
a translucent screen (402) disposed at the windscreen (104) and adapted to receive the at least one content as displayed by the display device (108), for displaying the at least one content on the windscreen (104). , Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to display units and, more particularly, relates to windscreen display units for providing visual indications.

BACKGROUND

In the realm of automobiles, many techniques have been developed to facilitate transmission of indicative messages from a driver of a vehicle to fellow drivers on the road. For example, one such way of communicating is through indicator units having lights. In such techniques, factors, such as illumination pattern, illumination intensity and color of lights may be varied to communicate different messages.

Considering the limited scope of variation in the illumination intensity and the color of lights, types of messages that can be communicated are limited. Moreover, varying the pattern of illumination also has the limited scope as the patterns have to be short-timed so that other drivers don’t get distracted from driving while trying to focus at the pattern to understand the message being transmitted by the driver.

Also, owing to the fact that existing indication systems do not offer exact indications as such, there exists a possibility of misinterpretation of the message by the other drivers which may lead to chaos on the roads. Considering the increasing traffic on the roads nowadays, any sort of chaos may in turn result into accidents.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a windscreen display unit for projecting visual indications is disclosed. The windscreen display unit includes a controller, a display device in communication with the controller, a mirror disposed in front of the display device, and a reflective screen facing towards the windscreen. The controller is adapted to receive an instruction indicative of at least one display parameter and at least one content to be displayed on a windscreen. The content includes at least one of text, a picture, and a sign. The display device is adapted to display the at least one content, based on the at least one display parameter. Further, the mirror is adapted to reflect the at least one content as displayed by the display device. The reflective screen is adapted to receive the at least one content as reflected by the mirror, and project the at least one content on a film disposed on the windscreen, for being viewed from outside.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a windscreen display unit for displaying visual indications is disclosed. The windscreen display unit includes a controller, a display device in communication with the controller, a mirror disposed in front of the display device, and a translucent screen disposed at the windscreen. The controller is adapted to receive an instruction indicative of at least one display parameter and at least one content to be displayed on a windscreen. The content includes at least one of text, a picture, and a sign. The display device is adapted to display the at least one content, based on the at least one display parameter. Further, the mirror is adapted to reflect the at least one content as displayed by the display device. The translucent screen is adapted to receive the at least one content as reflected by the mirror, for displaying the at least one content on the windscreen.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a windscreen display unit for displaying visual indications is disclosed. The windscreen display unit includes a controller, a display device in communication with the controller, and a translucent screen disposed at the windscreen. The controller is adapted to receive an instruction indicative of at least one display parameter and at least one content to be displayed on a windscreen. The content includes at least one of text, a picture, and a sign. The display device is adapted to display the at least one content, based on the at least one display parameter. Further, the translucent screen is adapted to receive the at least one content as reflected by the mirror, for displaying the at least one content on the windscreen.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting constructional and operational features of a windscreen display unit for projecting visual indications, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of a vehicle having the windscreen display unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of a rear portion of the vehicle depicting the windscreen display unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates a schematic view of the rear portion of the vehicle depicting a windscreen display unit for displaying visual indications, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 illustrates a schematic view depicting viewing of a content displayed by the windscreen display unit to another driver of another vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 6 illustrates a schematic view of the rear portion of the vehicle depicting a windscreen display unit, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 7 illustrates a schematic view of the rear portion of the vehicle depicting a windscreen display unit, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 8 illustrates a content being displayed on a windscreen of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 9 illustrates various locations on the windscreen where the content can be displayed by the windscreen display unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting constructional and operational features of a windscreen display unit 100 for projecting visual indications, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of a vehicle 102 having the windscreen display unit 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, only some of the components of the windscreen display unit 100 are shown. Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of a rear portion of the vehicle 102 depicting the windscreen display unit 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As is shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the components are shown to be disposed adjacent to a windscreen 104 of the vehicle 102. In other embodiments, the positioning of the components may be different, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In order to avoid repetition of content, Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3 are explained in conjunction with each other. Referring to Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3, in an embodiment, the windscreen display unit 100 may be adapted to project visual indications for other drivers of other vehicles to view. The windscreen display unit 100 may include, but is not limited to, a controller 106, a display device 108 in communication with the controller 106, a mirror 110 disposed in front of the display device 108, and a reflective screen 112 facing towards a windscreen 104 of the vehicle 102.

In an embodiment, the controller 106 may be adapted to receive an instruction indicative of at least one display parameter and at least one content to be displayed on the windscreen 104. The content may include, but is not limited to, text, a picture, and a sign. In an embodiment, the controller 106 may be in communication with at least one of an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 114, steering-mounted control buttons 116, an input unit 118, and an on-board sensor 120 adapted to detect operational parameters.

In an embodiment, the controller 106 may be adapted to display values of parameters as controlled by the ECU 114. In another embodiment, the controller 106 may be adapted to display values as detected by the on-board sensor 120. For example, the on-board sensor 120 may be adapted to detect pressing angle of a brake of the vehicle 102. Therefore, when the on-board sensor 120 detects sudden change in the pressing angle, i.e., sudden braking by the driver of the vehicle 102, the controller 106 which is in communication with the on-board sensor 120 may display a warning, such as “KEEP DISTANCE” and “SUDDEN BRAKING” on the windscreen 104. In another embodiment, the on-board sensor 120 may be a proximity sensor and may detect proximity of another vehicle to the vehicle 102. In such an embodiment, when the on-board sensor 120 detects that the other vehicle is driving at a distance less than a predefined threshold value, the controller 106 may operate to display a content warning the driver of the other vehicle.

In another embodiment, the controller 106 may receive the instruction from the ECU 114 based on detection of a parameter by the on-board sensor 120. For example, the controller 106 may be configured to display some content on the display device 108, when a value of an operational parameter of the vehicle 102 is greater than a predefined threshold value. The on-board sensor 120 may be adapted to detect the value of the operational parameter at all times. When the value is determined to be greater than the predefined threshold value, the controller 106 may operate to display the content on the display device 108. In such an embodiment, the content may be indicative of the detected value of the operational parameter or a corresponding warning to be provided to the other drivers.

In an embodiment, the controller 106 may receive the instruction from the driver through the input unit 118. The input unit 118 may be a touch pad or a key pad disposed on a dashboard of the vehicle 102. The driver may be adapted to provide a customized message through the input unit 118. For example, in case of a breakdown, the driver can provide the content as “BREAKDOWN” to be displayed on the windscreen 104. In an embodiment, the input unit 118 may be operative only when the vehicle 102 is stationary. Therefore, the driver doesn’t get distracted while driving the vehicle 102.

Similarly, in an embodiment, the controller 106 may receive the instruction based on actuation of the steering-mounted control buttons 116. In an embodiment, each of the steering-mounted control buttons 116 may be configured to transmit an instruction to display a specific content, when pressed.

Upon receiving the instruction, the display device 108 may be adapted to display the at least one content based on the at least one display parameter. The display device 108 may include, but is not limited to, a Pico projector, a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) display, and a Red-Green-Blue (RGB) Light Emitting Diode (LED) board. In an embodiment, the display device 108 may be positioned so as to display the at least one content in a direction towards the windscreen 104.

The mirror 110 that is disposed in front of the display device 108 may be adapted to reflect the at least one content as displayed by the display device 108. Further, the reflective screen 112 may be adapted to receive the at least one content as reflected by the mirror 110. The at least one content may then be projected on the windscreen 104 for being viewed from the outside, for example, by the drivers of other vehicles.

In an embodiment, the windscreen display unit 100 may further include a cover assembly 122 adapted to form a wall separating other components of the windscreen display unit 100 from a passenger cabin of the vehicle 102. The cover assembly 122 may include, but is not limited to, a one-way reflective film (not shown) disposed on an inner surface. The one-way reflective film may be adapted to restrict emission of scattered light from interiors of the cover assembly 122. Further, the cover assembly 122 may also protect other components of the windscreen display unit 100 from dust and debris. It may also act as a protection case in case of a crash.

As would be gathered, in the present embodiment, light rays from the display device 108 fall on the reflective screen 112. The light reflected and dispersed by the reflective screen 112 may then be seen by other vehicle’s driver. The windscreen display unit 100 has a compact package size, for example, in terms of length. The length of the windscreen display unit 100 may be short as it has an intermediate relay mirror 110.

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic view of the rear portion of the vehicle 102 depicting a windscreen display unit 400 for displaying visual indications, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, constructional and operational features of the present disclosure that are already explained in description of Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3 are not explained in the description of Figure 4. The windscreen display unit 400 may include, but is not limited to, the controller 106, the display device 108, the mirror 110, and a translucent screen 402 disposed at the windscreen 104. Constructional and operational details of the controller 106, the display device 108, and the mirror 110 remain the same as disclosed in the description of Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3. In the present embodiment, the display device 108 may be positioned so as to display the at least one content in a direction opposite to the windscreen 104.

In an embodiment, the translucent screen 402 may be adapted to receive the at least one content as reflected by the mirror 110 for displaying the at least one content on the windscreen 104. In an embodiment, the translucent screen 402 may be disposed on the windscreen 104. In Figure 4, the translucent screen 402 is shown to be disposed on the windscreen 104. Figure 5 illustrates a schematic view depicting viewing of the content displayed by the windscreen display unit 400 to another driver 502 of another vehicle 504, in such an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring back to Figure 4, in another embodiment, the translucent screen 402 may be disposed at a location adjacent to the windscreen 104 for displaying the at least one content on the windscreen 104. Figure 6 illustrates a schematic view of the rear portion of the vehicle 102 depicting the windscreen display unit 400, in such an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The windscreen display unit 400 has less number of components. The windscreen display unit 400 may be sleeker in height as well. In an embodiment, the translucent screen 402 may be a white translucent screen plate. The translucent screen 402 may assist in avoiding parallax error.

Figure 7 illustrates a schematic view of the rear portion of the vehicle 102 depicting a windscreen display unit 700 for projecting the visual indications, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, constructional and operational features of the present disclosure that are already explained in description of Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, and Figure 6 are not explained in the description of Figure 7.

The windscreen display unit 700 may include, but is not limited to, the controller 106, the display device 108, the mirror 110, and the translucent screen 402 disposed at the windscreen 104. Constructional and operational details of the controller 106, the display device 108, and the mirror 110, and the translucent screen 402 remain the same as disclosed earlier. In the present embodiment, the mirror 110 is not a part of the windscreen display unit 700. Therefore, the number of components is reduced.

In the present embodiment, the translucent screen 402 may be disposed at the windscreen 104. The translucent screen 402 may be adapted to receive the at least one content as displayed by the display device 108, for displaying the at least one content on the windscreen 104. Further, the windscreen display unit 700 may include the cover assembly 122.

Figure 8 illustrates the content being displayed on the windscreen 104 of the vehicle 102, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, in the present embodiment, the content being displayed or projected is “GETTING SLOW”. Table 1 depicts some examples of the indications that can be provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, Table 1 is included for providing better understanding of the present disclosure and shall not be construed as limiting in any way.

Table 1
Some Indication Examples
Action Indication
Slowly Braking Words and symbols (Getting Slow)
Hard Break Words and symbols (STOP)
Turn Indicator Symbolic indication ( )
Pass (overtake) Words and symbols
Traffic Signal status Words and symbols
Close distance warning Words and symbols
Emergency warning Words and symbols

Further, Figure 9 illustrates various locations 902, 904, 906, 908 on the windscreen 104 where the content can be displayed by the windscreen display unit 100, 400, 700, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The location for the content is selected ensuring that it doesn’t cause any obstacle to the driver’s rear view. Further, the location and an orientation of the content are selected to avoid parallax error. The size and font of the content can be selected by the driver.

As would be gathered, the present disclosure offers a comprehensive approach for providing the content to other drivers thereby ensuring that are well aware of their surroundings. Firstly, the present disclosure offers projection as well as display of the content. Therefore, the content can be provided at any time of the day or night with clarity. Further, the content can be provided based on threshold values or can be received in a customized manner from the driver. This would ensure that the possibility of misinterpretation is negated. Moreover, there are multiple embodiments of the windscreen display unit which would allow flexibility in terms of implementation. Therefore, the windscreen display units 100, 400, 700 of the present disclosure are compact, effective, cost-effective, flexible, and comprehensive.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.