Head-Up Display Glare Trap for Eye-Box Driver Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-up displays (HUDs) face challenges in integrating infrared emitters for driver monitoring due to aesthetic and housing difficulties, particularly in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A head-up display system with an integrated infrared light source and driver monitoring system, utilizing a holographic projector that includes an infrared image capture device and a plurality of infrared light sources, along with a glare trap and an optical system that directs infrared light to an eye-box for efficient driver illumination and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If infrared emitters are integrated into the head-up display for driver monitoring, then driver monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and housing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the infrared light sources with the existing optical system components (mirrors, beam splitter) of the head-up display. The infrared emitters are integrated into the housing structure that already contains optical elements, merging the driver monitoring function with the display function. This reduces overall device complexity by sharing housing space and structural components between the infrared illumination system and the visible light display system.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system components (mirrors, beam splitter, housing) serve dual functions: they guide visible light for the head-up display and simultaneously guide infrared light for driver monitoring. The beam splitter, for example, reflects infrared light while transmitting visible light, enabling one component to handle multiple wavelength ranges for different functions, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated components.
2Illumination intensity
If infrared light sources are distributed throughout the housing, then illumination coverage is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large infrared emitter or distributing multiple emitters throughout the housing, the patent segments the infrared illumination function into a focused array of emitters positioned specifically at the eye-box location. This segmentation allows concentrated illumination where needed while keeping other areas of the housing clean and aesthetically pleasing.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared light sources are placed specifically at the eye-box area where they are most needed for driver monitoring, rather than distributing them uniformly throughout the entire housing. This local concentration of infrared emitters provides effective illumination coverage for the driver's eyes while maintaining aesthetic appearance in other visible portions of the housing.
3Illumination intensity
If infrared light is emitted throughout the housing volume, then driver illumination is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared light sources are positioned and configured to illuminate specifically the eye-box area where the driver's eyes are located, rather than emitting infrared light throughout the entire housing volume. This localized illumination approach concentrates energy where it is needed for effective driver monitoring, improving energy efficiency by avoiding waste in areas where infrared illumination is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared illumination is activated only when needed for driver monitoring functions, rather than continuously emitting throughout the housing. The system can selectively activate infrared emitters based on operational requirements, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective illumination coverage during active monitoring periods.
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 provides efficient infrared illumination of the eye-box, enhancing driver monitoring capabilities while maintaining a compact and aesthetically pleasing design by confining infrared light to the eye-box area, improving signal-to-noise ratio and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter that is substantially reflective to infrared light and transmissive to visible light
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of infrared light sources packaged on top of the glare trap, wherein the infrared light sources are arranged to only illuminate the eye-box area
Implementation Method 3
The optical system comprises an input, output and at least one mirror. The input is arranged to receive the infrared light pattern and the visible light pattern. The output is arranged to output light of the infrared light pattern and light of the visible light pattern. The at least one mirror is arranged to guide light from the input to the output along an optical path.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2B
AI summary
A head-up display having a glare trap and an eye-box is described. The head-up display comprises a picture generating unit, an optical system, an infrared image capture device and a plurality of infrared light sources. The optical system comprises at least one mirror, a cover glass and a beam splitter that is substantially reflective to infrared light and transmissive to visible light. The infrared image capture device is disposed within the volume of the optical system. The plurality of infrared light sources are packaged with the glare trap and are arranged to illuminate the eye-box.