Head-Up Display Object Synchronization for Driver Awareness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing driver information systems, such as Head-Up Displays (HUD) and instrument clusters, are spatially limited, making it difficult for drivers to visually link displayed information with interacting road users, especially in determining which vehicle is involved in specific actions like turning, as the information coverage only spans a small part of the driver's field of vision.

Innovation Solution

The method involves displaying additional information on a head-up display unit by optically highlighting relevant objects in an environmentally synchronous manner, synchronizing the display frequencies with the real objects' lighting or displays, and using cameras and sensors for object recognition, along with vehicle-to-vehicle communication to ensure accurate and intuitive linking of displayed information with corresponding objects in the driver's field of view.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If additional information is displayed on a head-up display unit, then the driver receives more information about surrounding objects, but the driver cannot intuitively link the displayed information with the corresponding real objects due to spatial limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation linkageVSAvoidvisual connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes by optically highlighting displayed objects using color-coded indicators that match the colors of corresponding real objects in the environment. This allows the driver to intuitively link displayed information with real objects through color association, resolving the spatial limitation issue of traditional HUD displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional flat display to three-dimensional spatial representation by projecting virtual objects onto the windshield at positions that correspond to their real-world locations. This dimensional transformation enables natural visual linkage between displayed and real objects without requiring the driver to mentally map between different spatial planes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the display area is expanded to cover more of the driver's field of vision, then more objects can be displayed, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display area into multiple zones corresponding to different spatial regions in the driver's field of vision. Each zone can independently display information about objects in its corresponding real-world area, allowing expanded coverage while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular display management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The head-up display unit is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: displaying object information, providing spatial orientation, offering warnings, and enabling intuitive object identification all through a single integrated display system projected on the windshield, rather than requiring multiple separate display devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3425442B1Method for enriching a field of view of a driver of a vehicle with additional information, device for use in an observers' vehicle and motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3425442B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3425442B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3425442B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for enriching the driver's field of vision of a vehicle (10) with additional information, in which the additional information is displayed via a display unit (20, 20'), in particular a head-up display. The method is characterized in that the vehicle (10) is monitored for its surroundings, and when a relevant object (11, 13) is detected by the monitoring system, and from which a potential for meaning emanates, the relevant object (11, 13) is displayed on the display unit (20, 20'), and the relationship to the real object in the driver's field of vision is emphasized by the fact that the displayed object (11', 13') is visually highlighted in sync with the real object (11, 13). The invention also relates to a correspondingly designed device for use in an observer vehicle (10) and a correspondingly designed device for use in an object (11), as well as a motor vehicle (10).