Vehicle HUD Ground Projection for 3D Road-Aligned Graphics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Head-Up Displays (HUDs) require drivers to frequently adjust their focal point to view information, as images are typically displayed at a fixed short distance, making it inconvenient and increasing the risk of accidents due to distraction from the road.
Innovation Solution
A method for implementing a head-up display that generates a stereoscopic graphic object on a ground surface, combining 2D and 3D images using a controller to project virtual images onto a windshield or combiner, allowing information to be displayed at the driver's normal focal point without changing eye focus, using a process that converts a ground surface into a 3D space and projects images back onto a 2D plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an image is fixedly positioned at a remote distance (2-3m) in front of the driver, then the image can be clearly displayed on the HUD, but the driver must repeatedly adjust the focal point of the eyes between the remote distance and the main view, causing inconvenience and distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from displaying 2D images on a fixed virtual screen at 2-3m distance to projecting 3D images directly onto the ground surface in the driver's field of view. This dimensional change allows the image to be positioned at the driver's natural focal point (infinity focus) rather than requiring accommodation between near and far focal points, thereby maintaining image clarity while eliminating the need for repeated focal adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary to capture the real-world ground surface view, which is then processed and combined with graphical information. This intermediary enables the system to understand the driver's natural viewing geometry and project images that align with the ground surface perspective, allowing the driver to view information without changing focal point
2Ease of operation
If information is provided in a 3D manner by making an image consistent with the ground surface, then the driver can view information at the natural focal point, but the image processing complexity increases due to the need to convert ground surface to 3D space and back to 2D plane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing into distinct modular steps: (1) capturing the ground surface view through a camera, (2) converting the ground surface to a 3D space model, (3) generating the image in the 3D space, and (4) converting the 3D image back to a 2D plane for display. This segmentation allows each processing stage to be handled independently, managing the overall complexity through systematic decomposition of the transformation pipeline
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the ground surface geometry and uses this copied 3D model as the basis for image generation. By copying the real-world ground surface characteristics into the virtual environment, the system can project images that naturally align with the driver's view without requiring complex real-time calculations of the actual ground geometry
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
Enhances readability and provides intuitive information display by maintaining the driver's focal point on the road, reducing the risk of accidents and improving user experience by presenting augmented reality information as 3D objects on the ground surface.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system configured to control a path of light from the display device to output the image towards a light transmission region
Data Source
AI summary
A head up display for a vehicle including a display device configured to output light forming an image, an optical system configured to control a path of the light such that the image is output towards a light transmission region, and a controller configured to generate the image based on a first view and a second view such that a virtual image is produced on a ground surface in the light transmission region, the first view being towards the ground surface, the second view being towards a 3D space above the ground surface, the first view and the second view being based on an eye-box, the ground surface being in front of the vehicle, and the virtual image including a graphic object having a stereoscopic effect, and control the display device to output the image.