Vehicle Head-Up Display Image Warping for Low-Latency Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-up displays suffer from latency issues in aligning virtual and real images, particularly during sudden vehicle movements, leading to user confusion and reduced driving safety.
Innovation Solution
A head-up display system incorporating a correction unit between the image generator and display unit, utilizing low-latency sensors like gyroscopes to quickly adjust the virtual image position, and applying pre-distortion to compensate for windshield curvature, allowing rapid response to sudden vehicle movements without perfect image signal modification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a movable reflector is used to change the position of the virtual image, then the alignment between real and virtual images is improved, but the response latency increases due to mechanical movement time and image signal modification time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical movable reflector system with an electronic correction unit that directly modifies the image signal. Instead of physically moving components to adjust virtual image position, the system uses electronic pre-distortion and position correction applied to the image signal itself, eliminating mechanical latency and achieving instantaneous response to vehicle movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies pre-distortion to the image signal before it reaches the display unit. By pre-calculating and applying the necessary positional corrections and distortion compensations in advance, the system ensures that the virtual image is already correctly positioned and shaped when displayed, eliminating the need for real-time mechanical adjustment and reducing overall latency.
2Measurement precision
If the virtual image position is corrected to match sudden vehicle movements, then the alignment with real image is improved, but the image signal modification requires time and computation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the correction process into separate functional modules: a correction unit that handles position correction based on vehicle movement data, and a pre-distortion unit that handles image shape correction. This segmentation allows each unit to process specific aspects of the correction independently, reducing overall computational complexity and enabling parallel processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from complex real-time image signal modification to applying predefined correction parameters. By using sensor data (acceleration, angular velocity) to directly calculate correction parameters and apply them to the image signal, the system simplifies the computation while maintaining high alignment precision.
3Measurement precision
If the virtual image is shifted to compensate for windshield curvature at changed positions, then the image alignment is improved, but the image distortion increases due to different curvature at shifted positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pre-distortion to the image signal before display, pre-calculating the compensation needed for windshield curvature effects. By applying the inverse distortion in advance, the virtual image appears correctly shaped and positioned when viewed through the curved windshield, eliminating the need for post-positioning distortion correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the pre-distortion parameters based on the virtual image position and vehicle movement data. By changing the distortion correction parameters in real-time according to the current operating conditions, the system maintains image quality and minimizes distortion across different viewing positions and vehicle states.
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 system ensures rapid alignment of virtual and real images during sudden vehicle maneuvers, minimizing user confusion and enhancing driving safety by reducing latency and distortion.
Implementation Method 1
A gyroscope, for example, is provided as the sensor
Implementation Method 2
information for a viewer, for example the driver or another occupant of the vehicle, is projected onto the windshield and directed into their eye
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a head-up display with image warping for a vehicle. Said head-up display comprises at least one sensor (4, 41-44), an image generator (2), a display unit (1) and a mirror unit. A correction unit (7) is arranged downstream of the image generator (2).