Head-Up Display Eye-Tracking via IR Blackout Windscreen Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-up display systems struggle with integrating eye-tracking systems effectively, particularly in vehicles, due to challenges in optical path management and interference from sunlight and optical aberrations caused by the windscreen curvature.
Innovation Solution
A head-up display system with an integrated eye-tracking system that utilizes a blackout region of the windscreen as an optical path for infra-red light, incorporating an infra-red reflective component and a thermal insulation layer to enhance accuracy and reduce interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the eye-tracking system uses the curved windscreen as an optical path, then the system integration is achieved, but optical distortion and aberration increase due to windscreen curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a blackout region with specific optical properties (flat, infra-red reflective) in a localized area of the windscreen, while the rest of the windscreen maintains its curved structure for visible light. This allows the eye-tracking system to use a flat optical path segment for accurate measurements without compromising the overall windscreen design.
2Measurement precision
If the eye-tracking optical path uses a flat region of the windscreen, then measurement accuracy improves, but the area available for visible light transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the color changes principle by using selective optical properties: the blackout region is designed to be reflective for infra-red wavelengths (used by the eye-tracking system) while remaining non-intrusive for visible light. This wavelength-selective approach allows the same region to serve dual purposes without significantly reducing visible light transmission area.
3Measurement precision
If additional optical components are added to correct for windscreen curvature, then optical distortion is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting the eye-tracking optical path from the main visible light path. The blackout region creates a separate, dedicated optical channel for infra-red eye-tracking light, eliminating the need for complex optical corrections that would be required if the eye-tracking system shared the same optical path as visible light.
4Measurement precision
If the blackout region is used for infra-red reflection, then eye-tracking accuracy improves, but sunlight interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a localized blackout region with specific infra-red reflective properties, isolated from the rest of the windscreen. This localized approach concentrates the infra-red reflection function in a controlled area, making it easier to manage and reduce sunlight interference compared to a full-windscreen approach.
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 solution provides accurate eye-tracking measurements with minimal optical distortion and interference, enabling low-latency real-time augmented reality in dynamic environments like motorway driving, while also avoiding the need for additional hardware and complex optical corrections.
Implementation Method 1
An infra-red reflectivity of the second portion may be greater than that of the first portion
Implementation Method 2
incorporating an infra-red reflective component and a thermal insulation layer to enhance accuracy and reduce interference
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a display system. The display system comprises a head-up display unit arranged in cooperation with the optical combiner to define: a first optical path between the head-up display unit to a first viewing region of the display system; and a second optical path between the head-up display to a second viewing region of the display system. The display system further comprises an optical combiner arranged to direct first light on the first optical path and direct second light on the second optical path. The first optical path intersects a first portion of the optical combiner. The second optical path intersects a second portion of the optical combiner. An infra-red reflectivity of the second portion is greater than that of the first portion.