Head-Up Display Obstacle Detection and Dynamic Information Restriction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional head-up displays continue to show information until the driver intentionally hides them, failing to prioritize obstacle visibility, especially when an oncoming vehicle or obstacle is nearby, which can compromise safety.

Innovation Solution

A head-up display system that includes a measuring unit to detect obstacles in the vehicle's path, a light source unit for projecting images, and a control unit that restricts the display of information when the obstacle is within a predetermined distance, ensuring the driver's attention is drawn to the obstacle by limiting or hiding non-essential display elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the head-up display continues to show information until the driver intentionally hides it, then the information is always available to the driver, but the visibility of obstacles in the vicinity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation availabilityVSAvoidobstacle visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on the detected distance to obstacles. When an obstacle is detected within the predetermined distance, the system automatically restricts or hides the display information without requiring driver intervention. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the display state contingent on real-time environmental conditions rather than maintaining a static continuous display state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a measuring unit that continuously monitors the distance to obstacles and provides feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit determines whether to restrict the display information. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically prioritize obstacle visibility over information display when safety conditions require it, resolving the contradiction between continuous information availability and obstacle visibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the display information is restricted when an obstacle is nearby, then obstacle visibility is prioritized, but the availability of driving information is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobstacle visibilityVSAvoiddriving information availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system takes preliminary action by detecting obstacles in advance and proactively restricting display information before the obstacle becomes an immediate threat. The measuring unit continuously monitors for obstacles, and when one is detected within the predetermined distance, the control unit preemptively restricts the display to prevent potential distraction. This preliminary anti-action resolves the contradiction by preparing the display system in advance to prioritize safety over information availability when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the display parameter (information visibility) based on the detected obstacle distance parameter. When the distance parameter indicates an obstacle is within the predetermined distance, the display parameter is changed from full information display to restricted or hidden display. This parameter-based control resolves the contradiction by systematically adjusting information availability according to safety-critical distance measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively prioritizes obstacle visibility by restricting or hiding non-essential display information when an obstacle is close, enhancing driver safety by ensuring the driver's attention is focused on potential hazards during driving.

Implementation Method 1

a light source unit (1) having a attaching portion and projecting light for displaying an image onto a projection portion to supply a viewer with the light through the projection portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP2724751B1Head-up display and control method
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 PIONEER SYST TECH
  • EP2724751B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2724751B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2724751B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A head-up display includes a measuring unit and a light source unit and a control unit. The measuring unit measures a distance to an obstacle existing in a running direction of an own vehicle. The light source unit has an attaching portion capable of attaching to the own vehicle and projects light for displaying an image onto a projection portion to supply a viewer with the light through the projection portion. The control unit restricts display of all or a part of information if a distance, to right-hand or left-hand direction of the own vehicle perpendicular to the running direction, between the obstacle and the own vehicle is equal to or shorter than a predetermined criterion distance when the own vehicle has moved towards the running direction for a predetermined time or by a predetermined distance.