Patent US4632097A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5497271A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5497271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Head up displays for motor vehicles
Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
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Filing: 1994-08-02
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Granted: 1996-03-05
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Expires: 2014-08-02
Abstract
Abstract A head up display system for a motor vehicle includes a sensor, display means for forming a video image from the signals received from the sensor and a projection system for projecting the video image onto the windscreen of the vehicle, the projection system including a mirror for deflecting the optical path of the projected image, said mirror being located directly in front of a driver of the vehicle at a level outside the normal field of view of the driver through the windscreen, the mirror being arranged; in a head up display mode, to direct the projected image onto the windscreen; and in a non-head up display mode, to permit direct viewing of the video image at a level outside the normal field of view of the driver through the windscreen.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Mulvanny
- 👤 Malcolm Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:01
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; B; B60; B60K; B60K35/00; B60K35/60; G02B27/0101; B60K2360/00; B60K2360/20; B60K2360/33; B60K2360/334; G02B2027/0123; G02B2027/0125; G02B2027/0138; G02B27/0149; G02B2027/0154; G02B2027/0156; G02B2027/0165; G02B5/00; G02B5/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A head up display system for a motor vehicle comprising: sensor means for determining objects ahead of the vehicle; means for forming a video image of the objects ahead of the vehicle from the signals received from the sensor means, said means producing a first video image of light wavelengths within a first band of wavelengths and for generating a second video image of light of wavelengths outside the first band of wavelengths; means for projecting the first and second video images onto a selectively reflective mirror, said mirror being located between the video image generating means and a driver of the vehicle and directly in front of the driver at a level outside the normal field of view of the driver through the vehicle windscreen, the mirror reflecting light of wavelengths within said first band of wavelengths and transmitting light of wavelengths outside said first band of wavelengths; the mirror reflecting the first video image of the objects ahead of the vehicle onto the vehicle windscreen where it is viewable by the driver of the vehicle, in a head up display mode; and the second video image being transmitted through the mirror where it is viewable directly by the driver of the vehicle in a head down display mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A head up display system for a motor vehicle comprising: sensor means for determining objects ahead of the vehicle; means for forming a video image of the objects ahead of the vehicle from the signals received from the sensor means, said means producing a first video image of light wavelengths within a first band of wavelengths and for generating a second video image of light of wavelengths outside the first band of wavelengths; means for projecting the first and second video images onto a selectively reflective mirror, said mirror being located between the video image generating means and a driver of the vehicle and directly in front of the driver at a level outside the normal field of view of the driver through the vehicle windscreen, the mirror reflecting light of wavelengths within said first band of wavelengths and transmitting light of wavelengths outside said first band of wavelengths; the mirror reflecting the first video image of the objects ahead of the vehicle onto the vehicle windscreen where it is viewable by the driver of the vehicle, in a head up display mode; and the second video image being transmitted through the mirror where it is viewable directly by the driver of the vehicle in a head down display mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A head up display system according to claim 1 in which the image of the objects ahead of the vehicle, projected onto the windscreen overlays the actual objects as viewed by the driver of the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A head up display system according to claim 1 in which the mirror is located at a level below the level of the windscreen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A head up display system according to claim 1 in which the means for projecting the video image includes a light source of wavelengths greater than the first band of wavelengths, light of wavelengths corresponding to the first band of wavelengths being reflected onto the windscreen while light of wavelengths outside that of the first band of wavelengths being transmitted through the mirror.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A head up display system according to claim 4 in which shutter means is provided, to be located between the mirror and windscreen to intercept the projected image, when the head up display is switched off.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A head up display system according to claim 5 in which the shutter is provided by an electronically controlled electrochromic layer or solution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A head up display system according to claim 5 in which a mechanical shutter is moved into the path of the projected image when the head up display system is switched off.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A head up display system according to claim 1 in which, in the head up display system mode, the projected image is produced by a light source of wavelength within said first band of wavelengths.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A head up display system according to claim 1 in which the means for generating a second video image may be used to produce display, to be viewed at a level outside the normal field of view of the driver through the windscreen, in the head down display mode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A head up display system according to claim 9 in which the display provides a display of vehicle parameters and symbols, navigational information and/or views to the rear or sides of the vehicle for manoeuvring purposes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A head up display system according to claim 1 in which the device for forming a video image is one of a liquid crystal display, cathode ray tube, ferromagnetic display and plasma display.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
A head up display system according to claim 1 in which the mirror is arranged to permit passage of a portion of the projected image whether the head up display system is functional or not, the means for forming the video image being used to produce a permanent flexible format display corresponding to said portion of the projected image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A head up display system according to claim 9 in which the flexible format display provides a display of vehicle parameters and symbols, navigational information and/or views to the rear or sides of the vehicle for manoeuvering purposes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A head up display system according to claim 1 in which the means for forming a video image is arranged to superimpose warning messages on the windscreen, when the system is in the head up display mode.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-03-05 | 1999-09-04 | 2000-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-05 | 2003-09-04 | 2004-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-05 | 2007-09-04 | 2008-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |