Electrochromic Heads-Up Display for Flexible Transparent Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heads-up displays (HUDs) are not flexible and require careful design for each application, limiting their adaptability to multiple transparent mediums and often necessitate users to divert attention from their surroundings to view critical information.
Innovation Solution
A HUD system incorporating transparent electrochromic elements and a microcontroller-based HUD controller that controls the translucence of these elements to display information directly in a user's line of sight, using a power-efficient design suitable for various transparent surfaces such as vehicle windshields or wearable devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional HUD design is used with projector units and combiners, then information can be displayed in user's line of sight, but the device complexity increases and adaptability to multiple transparent mediums decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex projector unit and combiner components from conventional HUD systems. Instead, it uses a simplified electrochromic display element that can be directly integrated into transparent mediums, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability across different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochromic display element serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display medium and the transparent surface itself. This universal component can be integrated into various transparent mediums (windshields, windows, wearable devices) without requiring application-specific design, thereby improving adaptability while reducing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If conventional HUD displays are used, then information is presented in line of sight, but users must still divert attention from surroundings to view critical information
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochromic display element changes its optical properties (from transparent to opaque or colored) to present information directly in the user's field of view. This allows critical information to be displayed without requiring the user to shift their gaze or divert attention from the surrounding environment, thereby improving ease of operation while eliminating safety risks.
3Illumination intensity
If electrochromic materials are activated to block light wavelengths, then display visibility improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochromic display element is activated periodically or on-demand rather than continuously. The HUD controller activates the electrochromic material only when information needs to be displayed, allowing it to return to a transparent state otherwise. This periodic activation maintains display visibility when needed while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous activation.
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
Enables flexible and adaptable display of information without requiring users to divert their attention, enhancing safety and usability by providing critical information in a line of sight, while maintaining low power consumption and versatility across different transparent mediums.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochromism is a phenomenon where the color or opacity of an electrochromic material changes when voltage is applied to the electrochromic material.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heads-up display (HUD) system. The HUD system may include a transparent support structure, an electrochromic element, and a HUD controller. The electrochromic element may be affixed to a surface of a transparent material. The HUD controller may be electrically coupled to the electrochromic element and configured to control translucence of the electrochromic element via control signals.