Dual-Layer Head-Up Display Verification for Rail AR Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Augmented reality displays in rail vehicles pose safety risks due to the potential for incorrect information display, which can lead to misunderstandings and dangerous accidents.

Innovation Solution

The use of two superimposed head-up displays that complement each other to create augmented reality, allowing errors to be intuitively recognized and corrected, with a computer-assisted check for image errors and automated detection and response mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a single head-up display is used to provide augmented reality information, then the driver receives additional visual information about the route, but the risk of incorrect display leading to misunderstandings and accidents increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute informationVSAvoiddisplay safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the head-up display into two separate layers (first and second head-up displays), where each layer displays a portion of the route information. This segmentation allows the system to provide comprehensive information while reducing the risk that a single point of failure will cause incorrect display, as each layer can be independently verified

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a verification mechanism where the control unit checks whether the first and second head-up displays complement each other to form the complete image before the driver views it. This preliminary verification cushions against the risk of incorrect display by detecting and preventing errors before they reach the driver

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If multiple head-up displays are used to increase safety through verification, then display reliability improves, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay safetyVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the verification function into the existing control unit that already manages the head-up display system. Rather than adding a completely separate verification system, the control unit performs the complementary check as part of its normal operation, reducing the increase in device complexity while maintaining improved reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it generates the augmented reality information, controls the first and second head-up displays, and verifies that the displays complement each other. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated verification hardware, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3974284B1Method for representing augmented reality and devices for applying the method
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH
  • EP3974284B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3974284B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3974284B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for the computer-aided display of augmented reality by means of a first head-up display (HUD1) and a second head-up display (HUD2). These are arranged in a vehicle within the driver's field of vision. The first head-up display and the second head-up display are arranged in two overlapping layers (LY1, LY2) and display redundant, overlapping image information or image information that complements each other to form a single image. According to the invention, the redundancy of the displayed image information, or its complementation to form a single image, is used to enable the viewer (e.g., train driver) to intuitively recognize errors in the display of the augmented reality immediately. Furthermore, a camera can be used to capture an image of the displayed image information, and the captured image can be checked for image errors.Alternatively, the data used to generate the image information can be checked for errors.