Dual Image Source HUD Combining High Luminance Symbology and Video
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current visual display systems, such as CRTs and AMLCDs, face limitations in high luminance, reliability, power consumption, and latency, particularly in heads-up-display applications, where high contrast and low power consumption are critical, and existing solutions like optical scanners have limitations in resolution and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A visual display system utilizing two independent image sources, one for high luminance symbological information using a vector drawing system and another for video/graphical information with lower brightness, combined through a light combining optical element and image forming optical system, allowing for high contrast and low power consumption, mimicking CRT performance without its drawbacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If CRT displays are used to achieve high luminance and high contrast ratio, then image brightness and contrast are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to high operating voltage and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is segmented into two independent image sources: a first image source (e.g., LCD) for video/graphical content and a second image source (e.g., OLED or microLED) for symbological information. This segmentation allows each source to be optimized for its specific function, enabling the symbology source to achieve high luminance without compromising the reliability of the overall system, as the video source can use more reliable LCD technology.
Solution Approach 2:
An optical combiner is introduced as an intermediary element to merge the light from both image sources. The optical combiner allows the high-luminance symbology image to be superimposed on the video image without requiring the entire display system to operate at high voltage, thus improving reliability while maintaining the desired brightness for critical information.
2Illumination intensity
If CRT displays operate in dual mode (raster and stroke mode) to display high brightness symbology and video images, then luminance for symbology is improved, but resolution and information content are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The display function is segmented between two independent image sources, each capable of displaying at full resolution simultaneously. The first image source displays video/graphical content at full resolution, while the second image source displays symbological information also at full resolution. This eliminates the resolution limitations inherent in CRT dual-mode operation, as both image types are generated independently at their respective optimal resolutions.
3Reliability
If AMLCD technology is used to replace CRT displays, then reliability and resolution are improved, but luminance and contrast ratio deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The optical combiner acts as an intermediary that allows the integration of high-luminance symbology information from a specialized source (such as OLED or microLED) with the reliable, high-resolution video display capabilities of AMLCD. This enables the system to achieve both high luminance for symbology and high reliability, as the AMLCD continues to function as the primary reliable display while the optical combiner adds the high-luminance capability where needed.
4Use of energy by moving object
If optical scanners are used to achieve high luminance and low power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity and resolution are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the high-luminance symbology display function from the main video display system, placing it in a separate, dedicated second image source. This extracted component can be optimized for low power consumption using efficient technologies like OLED or microLED, while the main AMLCD system handles video content. The optical combiner integrates these separately, reducing overall system complexity compared to using optical scanners while achieving similar power efficiency benefits.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high luminance up to 20,000 foot-Lamberts for symbology and 2,000 foot-Lamberts for graphic/video images with low power consumption, high reliability, and short latency, suitable for heads-up-displays, replacing CRTs with a compact and efficient design.
Implementation Method 1
A light combining optical element combines the light from the first and the second image sources
Implementation Method 2
An image forming optical system receives the combined light from the light combining optical element for forming a new image comprising a superimposition of the first image and the second image
Data Source
AI summary
A visual display system includes a first image source for producing a first image containing symbological information using a vector drawing system. A second image source produces a second image containing video, graphical, and/or symbology information with a brightness lower than the brightness of the first image. A light combining optical element combines the light from the first and the second image sources. An image forming optical system receives the combined light from the light combining optical element for forming a new image comprising a superimposition of the first image and the second image at a final image plane of the system. A light receiving element, located at the final image plane of the system, receives the new image from the image forming optical system and adjusts the characteristics of the light from the new image to generate a final image for direct or indirect viewing. The visual display system is particularly adaptable for use in a Heads-Up-Display (HUD) system.