# US 2024/0198801 A1 · Method and Device for Operating a Windshield Display System With a Covered Display Detection, and Windshield Display System

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- Number: US 2024/0198801 A1
- Document ID: US20240198801A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 18/286,425
- Filed: 2022-04-04
- Published: 2024-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2021-05-10
- Assignees: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
- Applicants: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
- Inventors: Tomas HEJDA; Sadzida KRATZ; Christopher ROELLE
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240198801A1

## CPC

- B60K 35/28: characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
- B60K 35/235: with means for detecting the driver's gaze direction or eye points
- G01S 15/04: Systems determining presence of a target
- G02B 27/0006: {with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation (G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B)}
- G02B 27/0101: {characterised by optical features (G02B27/0172 takes precedence)}
- G06V 20/59: inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
- B60K 35/211: {producing three-dimensional [3D] effects, e.g. stereoscopic images}
- B60K 35/26: using acoustic output
- 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
- B60K 35/60: Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10)
- B60K 2360/143: Touch sensitive instrument input devices
- B60K 2360/178: Warnings
- B60K 2360/23: using reflectors
- B60K 2360/332: Light emitting diodes
- B60K 2360/48: Sensors
- B60K 2360/785: on or in relation to the windshield or windows
- G02B 2027/0118: {comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility}
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING

## Abstract

A reflection display system for displaying a display image for a vehicle occupant of a motor vehicle by reflecting the display image on a windshield is provided. The system includes a display unit which is designed to display the display image via a display surface of the display unit, wherein the display unit is arranged on an upper face of a dashboard, in a recess, such that a reflection of the display image via the windshield can be perceived in the eye region of a vehicle occupant, a detection sensor system which is designed to detect a foreign object present on the display surface, and a control unit which is designed to signal a disruption of the display of the display image if the foreign object is detected on the display surface.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

-11. (canceled)

### Claim 12

A reflection display system for displaying a display image for a vehicle occupant of a motor vehicle by reflection of the display image on a windshield, comprising:
a display unit, which is designed to output the display image via a display surface of the display unit, wherein the display unit is arranged, in a depression, on an upper side of a dashboard such that a reflection of the display image is perceptible via the windshield in an eye region of a vehicle occupant,
a detection sensor system, which is designed to detect a foreign object that is present on the display surface; and
a control unit, which is designed to signal a disturbance of the display of the display image upon detection of the foreign object on the display surface.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The reflection display system according to claim 12, wherein the display unit is arranged in the depression such that the display image is not perceptible directly in the eye region.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The reflection display system according to claim 12, wherein the detection sensor system includes a light barrier sensor system having at least one light source for outputting nonvisible light and having at least one photodetector, wherein the light barrier sensor system is designed to detect the presence of the foreign object by establishing an interruption of one or more light beams guided along the surface of the display surface of the display unit.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The reflection display system according to claim 13, wherein the detection sensor system includes a light barrier sensor system having at least one light source for outputting nonvisible light and having at least one photodetector, wherein the light barrier sensor system is designed to detect the presence of the foreign object by establishing an interruption of one or more light beams guided along the surface of the display surface of the display unit.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The reflection display system according to claim 14, wherein the light beams guided along the surface are aligned such that they are reflected at one or more reflection points on the display surface.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The reflection display system according to claim 15, wherein the light beams guided along the surface are aligned such that they are reflected at one or more reflection points on the display surface.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The reflection display system according to claim 12, wherein the detection sensor system includes a reflection light measurement sensor system, which, to detect the foreign object on the display surface, directs light onto the display surface and receives a strength of the light reflected on the display surface and on the foreign object, wherein the control unit is designed to detect the foreign object in the event of a change of the strength of the reflected light.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The reflection display system according to claim 13, wherein the detection sensor system includes a reflection light measurement sensor system, which, to detect the foreign object on the display surface, directs light onto the display surface and receives a strength of the light reflected on the display surface and on the foreign object, wherein the control unit is designed to detect the foreign object in the event of a change of the strength of the reflected light.

### Claim 20 (depends on 12)

The reflection display system according to claim 12, wherein the detection sensor system includes a cover pane sensor system, in which light is coupled into a cover pane and the coupled-in light is received after its decoupling, wherein the control unit is designed to detect the foreign object in the event of a change of the strength of the decoupled light.

### Claim 21 (depends on 13)

The reflection display system according to claim 13, wherein the detection sensor system includes a cover pane sensor system, in which light is coupled into a cover pane and the coupled-in light is received after its decoupling, wherein the control unit is designed to detect the foreign object in the event of a change of the strength of the decoupled light.

### Claim 22 (depends on 12)

The reflection display system according to claim 12, wherein the detection sensor system includes a touch sensor system, which provides a measurement signal corresponding to a capacitance change due to the presence of the foreign object on the display surface, wherein the control unit is designed to detect the foreign object in an event of a change of the measurement signal.

### Claim 23 (depends on 13)

The reflection display system according to claim 13, wherein the detection sensor system includes a touch sensor system, which provides a measurement signal corresponding to a capacitance change due to the presence of the foreign object on the display surface, wherein the control unit is designed to detect the foreign object in an event of a change of the measurement signal.

### Claim 24 (depends on 12)

The reflection display system according to claim 12, wherein the detection sensor system comprises an image acquisition sensor system, which includes one or more cameras and/or one or more depth sensors, wherein the presence of a foreign object on the display surface is established based on an object identification method.

### Claim 25 (depends on 13)

The reflection display system according to claim 13, wherein the detection sensor system comprises an image acquisition sensor system, which includes one or more cameras and/or one or more depth sensors, wherein the presence of a foreign object on the display surface is established based on an object identification method.

### Claim 26 (depends on 12)

The reflection display system according to claim 12, wherein the detection sensor system comprises an ultrasonic sensor system, wherein an ultrasonic signal is directed onto the display surface and a strength of a reception signal is detected, wherein the control unit is designed to detect the foreign object in an event of a change of the strength of the reception signal.

### Claim 27 (depends on 13)

The reflection display system according to claim 13, wherein the detection sensor system comprises an ultrasonic sensor system, wherein an ultrasonic signal is directed onto the display surface and a strength of a reception signal is detected, wherein the control unit is designed to detect the foreign object in an event of a change of the strength of the reception signal.

### Claim 28 (depends on 12)

A motor vehicle comprising:
a dashboard between a windshield of the motor vehicle and a steering column; and
the reflection display system according to claim 12.

### Claim 29

A method for detecting a foreign object on a display unit of a reflection display system, which causes a reflection of a display image on a windshield in an eye region of a vehicle occupant, wherein the presence of the foreign object on a display surface of the display unit is detected with the aid of a detection sensor system and wherein upon establishing the presence of the foreign object on the display surface, the presence of the foreign object is signaled.