Vehicle Bonnet Projection for Obscured View Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers of vehicles, especially SUVs and 4-wheel drive vehicles, face obscured views ahead due to the bonnet or hood, particularly when driving off-road or on inclines, which hinders safe and accurate driving.
Innovation Solution
A display method and apparatus that overlays a graphical representation of the vehicle's components or image data onto the vehicle's body, making it translucent to provide an unobstructed view of obscured areas, using cameras and processing means to align and scale the representation with the driver's perspective, allowing for improved visibility of the vehicle's position and surroundings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bonnet or hood is used in SUVs or 4-wheel drive vehicles, then vehicle protection and off-road capability are improved, but the driver's view ahead is obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the obscured external view and displays it on the bonnet surface. Cameras capture the actual view ahead of the vehicle, and this captured image is projected onto the bonnet, allowing the driver to see what would normally be blocked by the bonnet structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a projection system as an intermediary between the external environment and the driver's eyes. The projection device acts as a mediator that takes the obscured view and presents it in a visible format on the bonnet, bridging the gap created by the bonnet's physical presence.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle is positioned on an incline or at the top of a descent, then off-road driving capability is demonstrated, but the obscured region ahead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projection system is dynamically adjustable and can be positioned at different locations on the bonnet based on the vehicle's orientation and the driver's needs. The system adapts to changing vehicle positions on inclines by adjusting where the virtual view is projected, ensuring the obscured region remains visible regardless of the vehicle's angle.
3Loss of information
If a projection means is used to display image data on the bonnet, then the obscured region becomes visible, but the bonnet is still visible which may cause distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The projection system utilizes luminance contrast to make the projected image stand out from the bonnet background. By controlling the brightness and intensity of the projected image, the system ensures that the virtual view is clearly distinguishable from the physical bonnet, preventing confusion while maintaining visibility of the obscured region.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a display method for use in vehicle, comprising obtaining information (step 210) associated with a vehicle or image data for a region ahead of the vehicle, and displaying (step 230) one or more of a graphical representation of at least one component of the vehicle having one or more characteristics based on the information associated with the vehicle, or a representation of the image data, wherein the representation is arranged to overlie a portion of the vehicle (320) to be indicative of a portion of the vehicle being at least partly transparent.