Head-Up Display Gaze-Based Mode Switching for Driver Distraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-up displays in vehicles often display insufficient or excessive information, leading to driver distraction and discomfort, particularly at critical times.

Innovation Solution

A method and control circuitry that dynamically adjust the display mode based on the driver's gaze direction, switching between normal and extended modes to ensure relevant information is displayed without obstructing the driver's view, using a camera to determine gaze and a processor to manage display content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If more information is displayed on the head-up display, then the driver has access to more driving information, but the driver becomes distracted or uncomfortable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation display completenessVSAvoiddriver distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of display content based on real-time detection of driver gaze direction. The system transitions from static display to dynamic display where the amount and type of information changes according to whether the driver is looking at the road or the display, resolving the contradiction between providing complete information and avoiding distraction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes display parameters (amount of information, brightness, content type) based on the detected gaze state. When the driver looks at the road, minimal information is shown; when the driver looks at the display, more detailed information is provided. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the display responsive to driver needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If the head-up display shows all necessary information including critical data, then the driver has complete information access, but the display area becomes too crowded and distracting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecritical information displayVSAvoiddisplay layout complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display information into different levels or categories (critical information, general information, detailed information). Based on gaze detection, the system selectively displays appropriate segments, preventing information overload while ensuring critical data is always accessible. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between completeness and simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If the head-up display is limited to a small area on the windshield, then the driver's view is not obstructed, but insufficient information can be displayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay area on windshieldVSAvoidinformation completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the information density dynamic rather than expanding the physical display area. When the driver looks at the display, the system provides detailed information within the same physical space by detecting gaze and adjusting content accordingly. This dynamic information adaptation resolves the contradiction between limited display area and information completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4671028A1Method and control circuitry for displaying information on a head-up display
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP4671028A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4671028A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4671028A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method (800) of displaying information (400-406, 500-512) on a head-up display (114) of a vehicle (100) comprises determining (802) a direction of gaze (204, 206) of a driver (200) of the vehicle (100) and selecting (804) a display mode from a group of display modes based on the direction of gaze (204, 206). Each display mode of the group of display modes defines information (400-406, 500-512) to be displayed on the head-up display (114). The group of display modes comprises at least a normal mode and an extended mode. Information (500-512) displayed in the extended mode differs from information (400-406) displayed in the normal mode. The method further comprises displaying the information (400-406, 500-512) on the head-up display (114) according to the selected display mode.