AR Obstacle Indicator Control for Limited Vehicle Display Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display systems with limited display areas struggle to effectively convey the approaching direction of obstacles to occupants, as described in PTL 1, where the difficulty in finding the approaching direction of an obstacle remains unresolved even with line segments extending in the display area.

Innovation Solution

A display control apparatus that transitions between first and second AR modes, where the indicator image moves within the display area to directly point to the obstacle, allowing the occupant to easily find the distance and direction by adjusting its position and size based on the relative position of the obstacle with respect to the vehicle, ensuring continuous warning even in a limited display area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a line segment extending in the display area is displayed to indicate obstacle direction, then the display area utilization is improved, but the clarity of approaching direction indication deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay area utilizationVSAvoidclarity of approaching direction indication
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator image dynamically changes its position and size based on the relative position between the obstacle and the own vehicle. As the obstacle approaches, the indicator image moves and scales to maintain optimal visibility and directional indication within the limited display area, resolving the contradiction between area utilization and indication clarity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple parameters of the indicator image simultaneously (position, size, shape) based on the obstacle's relative position. This multi-parameter adjustment allows the indicator to effectively convey approaching direction information while adapting to the constrained display area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the indicator image is kept static in the display area, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to indicate approaching direction accurately deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidaccuracy of approaching direction indication
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator image transitions from a static display element to a dynamic one that automatically adjusts its properties based on real-time obstacle position data. This dynamic behavior enables accurate approaching direction indication without requiring complex manual control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If the indicator image moves to directly point to the obstacle, then the clarity of direction indication is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclarity of direction indicationVSAvoidobstacle position calculation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the indicator image as an intermediary element that translates complex obstacle position and motion data into intuitive visual direction cues. This intermediary approach simplifies the information presentation to occupants while the underlying system handles the computational complexity of obstacle tracking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3899916B1Display control apparatus, display apparatus, display system, moving body, program, and image generation method
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3899916B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3899916B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP3899916B1 patent drawingFigure 1E~1F

AI summary

The display control apparatus for presenting information on a display unit presenting a virtual image in front of a moving body through a transparent member includes an information acquiring unit configured to acquire information about an obstacle around the moving body, a display image generation unit configured to generate, based on the information about the obstacle acquired by the information acquiring unit, data of an indicator image which points in a direction of the obstacle in the virtual image and which moves in the direction of the obstacle to approach the obstacle, and an output unit configured to output the indicator image generated by the display image generation unit to the display unit.