HUD Polarization Compensation for Drivers Wearing Sunglasses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Polarized sunglasses can inadvertently filter out instrument information displayed in certain directions, making it difficult for vehicle users to see head-up display (HUD) images clearly due to reduced brightness.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system that includes a camera to detect polarized sunglasses and adjust the brightness or orientation of the HUD projection and display based on the presence of polarized eyewear using a controller and polarizer mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If polarized sunglasses are worn to filter out horizontal light glare, then glare reduction is improved, but instrument display visibility deteriorates due to S-wave filtering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglare reductionVSAvoidinstrument display visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the display's light output adjustable and adaptive rather than static. The system dynamically changes the display's illumination intensity and polarization characteristics in response to detected wearing conditions, allowing it to adapt between different states (normal mode and polarized sunglasses compensation mode) based on real-time sensor input about the user's eyewear status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the physical parameters of the display output, specifically the illumination intensity and polarization state of the light. When polarized sunglasses are detected, the system changes these parameters to compensate for the filtering effect, ensuring the display information remains visible despite the sunglasses' polarization properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If P-wave image is displayed in low brightness to reduce glare, then glare reduction is improved, but image visibility deteriorates when wearing polarized sunglasses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglare reductionVSAvoidinstrument information visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using sensors to detect whether the user is wearing polarized sunglasses and using this information to automatically adjust the display's output characteristics. This closed-loop system continuously monitors the user's condition and modifies the display parameters accordingly, ensuring optimal visibility while maintaining glare reduction benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively compensating for the expected information loss caused by polarized sunglasses. Instead of waiting for the user to complain about visibility, the system preemptively adjusts the display output when it detects polarized sunglasses are being worn, counteracting the filtering effect before it becomes a problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 visibility of instrument displays by automatically increasing brightness or adjusting light projection to compensate for the filtering effects of polarized sunglasses, ensuring clearer image perception for the vehicle user.

Implementation Method 1

Polarized sunglasses apply a polarizer to filter out light waves oscillating in certain given direction while letting light waves oscillating in other directions through

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 2

capturing, via a camera, an image indicative of the vehicle user having eye wear positioned on a face of the vehicle user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4582282A1Vehicle system for detecting polarized sunglasses
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP4582282A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4582282A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4582282A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A system for a vehicle includes a display configured to provide a plurality of vehicle operating parameters for a vehicle user; a camera configured to capture an image indicative of the vehicle user having eye wear positioned on a face of the vehicle user; and a controller programmed to, adjust an operating characteristic of the display based on at least the vehicle user wearing the eye wear.