Augmented Reality Road Sign Projection in Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing use of physical road signs is costly to install and maintain, and often lacks optimal placement, leading to reduced reaction time and increased unsafe driving due to suboptimal visibility and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for presenting location-based augmented reality road signs within vehicles, utilizing a network-connected database to store signage data and transmitters broadcasting area-relevant information, which is received by vehicle-integrated receivers to generate and project digital sign images on the windshield, eliminating the need for physical signage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical road signs are erected along roadways, then road information is provided to drivers, but substantial installation and maintenance costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of physical road signs by capturing images of actual signs and displaying them through augmented reality on vehicle windshields. This digital replication eliminates the need for expensive physical sign infrastructure while maintaining the information provision function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical sign erection and maintenance with an electronic/digital system that uses cameras, processors, and display technologies to project road sign information directly onto vehicle windshields, eliminating substantial installation and maintenance costs.
2Reliability
If physical signs are placed at optimal locations for visibility, then driver safety is improved, but suitable locations are often unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves road sign information from the traditional two-dimensional physical space (roadside locations) to the vehicle's display system, allowing information to be presented in the driver's direct line of sight through augmented reality on the windshield, effectively utilizing a new dimensional space for information delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The augmented reality system serves multiple functions: it displays road signs, provides navigation information, and enhances driver awareness without requiring specific physical locations, making the system universally applicable to any roadway environment regardless of physical constraints.
3Loss of information
If drivers locate and read physical signage, then road rules are understood, but reaction time is reduced and unsafe driving increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-processing and pre-displaying road sign information in the driver's field of view before the driver would naturally encounter physical signs, allowing immediate comprehension and reaction without the time loss associated with searching for and locating physical signage.
Solution Approach 2:
The augmented reality display acts as an intermediary between the road environment and the driver, translating physical sign information into a format that is immediately visible and comprehensible within the driver's cockpit environment, eliminating the need for the driver to physically locate and interpret roadside signs.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for presenting location-based augmented reality road signs on or within a vehicle includes a database, a plurality of transmitters, and a plurality of vehicle integrated receivers. The database is held in a computer network accessible location and stores a plurality of datasets. The plurality of transmitters are connected to the database through the computer network and broadcast area-relevant datasets from the database wirelessly in a defined geographic coverage area. The plurality of vehicle integrated receivers are operative to receive area-relevant datasets and use the information therein to determine when a particular road sign is required and then generate a standardized road sign image for the required road sign and display the image on or in the vehicle as an augmented reality projection.