Projector-Based HUD With a High Dynamic Range for a Vehicle

A projection unit for a head-up display device which is configured to insert a virtual image by way of reflection at a vehicle window both in a black or dark printed or tinted black-print region of the vehicle window and in an adjacent substantially transparent surface region of the vehicle window, the projection unit comprising:

• a projector-based image generator with a projector for generating a light beam with desired display content and a projection screen illuminated by the projector, wherein the projector is configured to generate a real image on the projection screen and the projection screen is configured to project the resultant light beam with a predetermined shape and direction onto the vehicle window;
• and
• an absorber or light distribution device arranged inside or outside the projector and configured to impose on the light beam a light intensity that varies along a beam cross-section thereof such that, consequently, a brightness of the virtual image in the black-print region of the vehicle window does not exceed a predetermined first brightness value and, in the transparent surface region of the vehicle window, does not fall below a predetermined second brightness value, which is at least double a magnitude of the first brightness value.