High-Resolution Headlight Projection With Perspective Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for projecting informative content outside a motor vehicle are unsatisfactorily solved, requiring additional projectors and failing to provide perspective-correct projections.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a high-resolution headlight as a projection device, equipped with an environmental sensor system and controller, adapts content based on detected projection surface positions and qualities to ensure perspective-correct projection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional projectors are used to project informative content outside the motor vehicle, then the projection capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprojection capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headlight system is designed to perform both its primary function of illumination and the secondary function of projecting informative content. The control device enables the headlight to switch between providing illumination and projecting images, eliminating the need for separate projection devices while maintaining both functionalities within a single system.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the projection function with the existing headlight system by integrating a modulator in the optical path. This merging approach consolidates multiple functions (illumination and projection) into a single device, reducing overall system complexity and eliminating the need for additional standalone projectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If standard projectors are used for projection, then the projection function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprojection functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The headlight system is designed to perform both its primary function of illumination and the secondary function of projecting informative content. The control device enables the headlight to switch between providing illumination and projecting images, eliminating the need for separate projection devices while maintaining both functionalities within a single system.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The headlight system serves itself by utilizing its own optical components (light source, optics, and modulator) to perform both illumination and projection functions. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external projection equipment, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If projection is performed without perspective adaptation, then the projection process is simplified, but the projection accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprojection process complexityVSAvoidprojection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control device receives information about the projection surface position and uses this feedback to adaptively adjust the projected content. By continuously monitoring the surface characteristics and modifying the projection accordingly, the system maintains high projection accuracy without requiring complex manual calibration or pre-programming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The projection system dynamically adapts to changing projection conditions by adjusting the projected content based on real-time surface position detection. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain projection accuracy across varying surfaces and angles without requiring a fixed, complex mechanical adjustment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the projection system uses a dedicated projector, then the projection quality is improved, but the space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprojection qualityVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the projection function with the existing headlight system by integrating a modulator in the optical path. This merging approach consolidates multiple functions (illumination and projection) into a single device, reducing overall system complexity and eliminating the need for additional standalone projectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The headlight system is designed to perform both its primary function of illumination and the secondary function of projecting informative content. The control device enables the headlight to switch between providing illumination and projecting images, eliminating the need for separate projection devices while maintaining both functionalities within a single system.

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

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

Eliminates the need for additional projectors, reducing costs and space, while ensuring projected content is accurately perceived from the intended viewer's perspective, even on uneven surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

at least one projection device for projecting the content, wherein the at least one projection device is a high-resolution headlight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight projection: Light

Implementation Method 2

The environmental sensor system is designed to detect a position of a projection surface outside the motor vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3870478B1System and method for projecting informative content for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3870478B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3870478B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3870478B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (1) for projecting informative content for a motor vehicle (50), comprising an environment sensor system (51), a controller (2) and at least one projection device (3) for projecting content (11), wherein the environment sensor system (51) is designed to detect a position (10) of a projection surface (20) outside the motor vehicle (50), and wherein the controller (2) is designed to receive content (11) to be projected and to adapt it on the basis of the detected position (10) such that said content, when projected onto the projection surface (20), can be perceived with the correct perspective from the point of view of a predefined observer, and wherein the controller (2) is further designed to actuate the at least one projection device (3) on the basis of the adapted content (12), the at least one projection device (3) being a high-resolution headlamp (52). Furthermore, the invention relates to an associated method.