HUD Display Device Correcting Virtual Image Defects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices for head-up displays (HUDs) face defects such as tilt, distortion, and horizontal-angle deviation due to manufacturing and assembly errors, as well as variations in the driver's viewing location, leading to increased workload, size, and costs in correction methods.

Innovation Solution

A display device configuration that includes a light source unit, a scan mirror, and a concave mirror, with a correction unit that adjusts the intermediate image to compensate for defects by rotating or moving the image within the screen, using a control unit to generate control signals for the light source and scan mirror, and storing correction information to adapt to different usage situations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional methods are used to correct virtual image defects, then image quality is improved, but workload, apparatus size, and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevirtual image qualityVSAvoidapparatus size and workload
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical correction systems with a computational approach. The control unit calculates corrected scan signals based on stored correction information, substituting physical adjustment mechanisms with software-based image processing to correct defects while maintaining simple hardware architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary correction by storing correction information in advance that compensates for known defects. The correction data is prepared beforehand and applied during operation, allowing the system to pre-compensate for manufacturing errors, assembly variations, and viewing location differences without requiring real-time complex adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If correction methods are implemented to address manufacturing and assembly errors, then virtual image accuracy is improved, but device complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevirtual image accuracyVSAvoidcorrection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the correction process through computational methods. Instead of physically adjusting components to correct errors, the system generates corrected scan signals that replicate the effect of perfect alignment, allowing accurate virtual image display without modifying the physical hardware configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the scan signals rather than the physical components. By adjusting the temporal and spatial parameters of the driving signals to the scan mirrors, the system compensates for manufacturing and assembly errors, achieving high accuracy through signal modification rather than hardware complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple correction mechanisms are added to handle various error factors, then image quality is improved, but workload and apparatus size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidworkload and adjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal correction approach where a single control unit handles multiple types of defects simultaneously. The correction information stored in the storage unit addresses manufacturing errors, assembly variations, and viewing location differences all through one integrated system, eliminating the need for separate correction mechanisms for each error type

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

Enables easy correction of virtual image defects without increasing workload, size, or costs, improving image quality by effectively addressing tilt, distortion, and horizontal-angle deviations caused by various factors.

Implementation Method 1

a scan mirror (12) that scans light flux emitted from the light source unit (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a concave mirror (14) that reflects light flux emitted from the screen (13) toward the transmission/reflection member (15)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3376280B1Display device and apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3376280B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3376280B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3376280B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A display device (1) includes an intermediate-image formation unit (515) configured to form an intermediate image (21) on a screen (13), a projection unit (516) configured to project the intermediate image (21) toward a transmission/reflection member (15) to display a virtual image (25), a reception unit (503) configured to receive virtual image information about the virtual image (25), and a correction unit (512) configured to rotate the intermediate image (21) within the screen (13) to correct a defect of the virtual image (25) in accordance with the virtual image information.