In-Vehicle Head-Up Display Depth Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional in-vehicle head-up displays impair visibility due to significant deformation of virtual images when accounting for three-dimensional changes in the scene's depth, leading to poor spatial consistency and recognition time for viewers.

Innovation Solution

An information display apparatus that employs a laser scanning method with an optical unit and electronic unit to project virtual images onto a windshield, adjusting size, shape, and luminance based on depth perception cues to match the real scene, maintaining a parallax angle below 1 degree for clear visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a virtual image is formed by taking into account three-dimensional changes in scene depth, then spatial consistency with the scene is improved, but the virtual image becomes significantly deformed causing visibility impairment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial consistencyVSAvoidvisibility impairment
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the size parameter of the virtual image based on the detected depth of the superimposed position. When the depth is greater, the image is enlarged; when the depth is smaller, the image is reduced. This dynamic parameter adjustment maintains spatial consistency while preventing excessive deformation that would impair visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the virtual image size is adjusted in accordance with depth changes, then depth perception is improved, but the image shape becomes distorted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth perceptionVSAvoidimage shape
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the image adjust at different rates. Specifically, the width in the vertical direction is changed at a different degree than the width in the horizontal direction. This selective adjustment maintains depth perception accuracy while minimizing overall shape distortion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the virtual image is superimposed at different depths in the scene, then spatial consistency is improved, but the luminance varies causing visibility issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial consistencyVSAvoidluminance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the luminance parameter of the virtual image based on the depth of the superimposed position. When the depth is greater, the luminance is increased to compensate for the distance; when the depth is smaller, the luminance is reduced. This ensures consistent visibility across different depth positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 apparatus effectively displays virtual information without impairing visibility by adjusting geometric shape and luminance to match the real scene, enhancing depth perception and reducing visual fatigue, ensuring clear and comfortable viewing for the driver.

Implementation Method 1

a laser beam is scanned so as to project a virtual image

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

the image is superimposed on a background through a semi-transmissive reflection member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

through a semi-transmissive reflection member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3415972B1Information display apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.03.31 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3415972B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3415972B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3415972B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information display apparatus irradiates a transmissive reflection member with light for forming an image so as to make a virtual image of the image visible on the transmissive reflection member. The information display apparatus is configured to control, upon a change in depth of a scene position at which to superimpose the virtual image being changed, a degree of change in a part or an entirety of the virtual image to be displayed, differently from a degree of the change in depth.