Vehicle Head-Up Display Depth Cues to Reduce Ramp Effect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Head-up displays in vehicles face challenges in accurately depicting virtual 3D elements in a 2D space, leading to perceptual errors like the 'ramp effect' where lines appear to stand and run upwards instead of being perceived as part of the road, due to limitations in depth perception.
Innovation Solution
The method involves dividing virtual elements into sub-elements with varying distances, textures, sharpness, and brightness gradients to create a more realistic depth perception, allowing the virtual elements to appear smaller and less sharp as they recede into the background, thereby reducing the ramp effect and enhancing visual quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If virtual elements are displayed on a two-dimensional screen to represent three-dimensional space, then the display can be implemented with current technology, but depth perception is lost and perceptual errors like the ramp effect occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides virtual elements into multiple sub-elements (first, second, third sub-elements) positioned at different virtual distances in the display area. This segmentation creates a stepped depth representation where each sub-element contributes to the overall depth perception, allowing the system to convey three-dimensional information on a two-dimensional display without requiring complex additional hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the two-dimensional display area to represent three-dimensional space by strategically positioning sub-elements at different locations that correspond to different virtual distances. This dimensionality mapping allows depth information to be encoded in the spatial arrangement of sub-elements on the 2D screen, enabling depth perception through clever use of existing display dimensions
2Reliability
If the virtual image plane is designed to extend forward onto the road, then the virtual elements should appear as part of the surrounding environment, but the ramp effect causes lines to be perceived as standing upright instead of lying on the road
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different positioning strategies to different parts of the virtual element. The first sub-element is positioned at a first virtual distance, the second sub-element at a second virtual distance, and the third sub-element at a third virtual distance. This local differentiation in positioning creates a stepped depth representation that corrects the ramp effect by making each portion's depth relationship explicit rather than uniform
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual sub-elements as intermediary representations between the actual virtual element and the driver's perception. These sub-elements act as mediators that break down the continuous virtual element into discrete depth steps, allowing the driver's brain to reconstruct the correct three-dimensional interpretation and eliminating the ramp effect distortion
3Measurement precision
If distances between virtual sub-elements are reduced to improve depth perception, then depth perception is enhanced, but geometric correctness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial geometric correctness by positioning sub-elements at virtual distances that prioritize depth perception over strict geometric accuracy. The first distance between the first and second sub-elements is different from the second distance between the second and third sub-elements, creating a stepped representation that enhances depth perception while accepting some geometric compromise
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for displaying at least one virtual element (10) in a display area (12) of at least one display device (14) of a vehicle. A method for displaying a virtual element (10) in which the depth perception of virtual elements (10) in the display area (12) of a display device (14) is improved can be implemented by constructing the virtual element (10) from at least one first virtual sub-element (20) and a second virtual sub-element (22), wherein the first virtual sub-element (20) is arranged perspectively in the display area in front of the second sub-element (22).