HUD Image Projection Control for Variable Background Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-up display (HUD) systems struggle to maintain visibility of projected virtual images against varying background brightness and color tones, particularly in environments with mixed light conditions or complex scenery, leading to reduced visibility of the projected information.
Innovation Solution
An image projection system that includes a transmission reflection unit, an image projection unit, an outside condition imaging unit, a display area specifying unit, an image determination unit, and an image adjustment unit, which captures outside images, specifies display areas, analyzes image information, and adjusts the projected image based on brightness and color tone analysis to ensure visibility against the background.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the brightness of the projected virtual image is increased to ensure visibility against bright backgrounds, then the visibility of the virtual image is improved, but the contrast between the virtual image and dark surroundings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by dynamically adjusting the brightness and color tone of the projected virtual image based on real-time analysis of the background environment. The control unit modifies projection parameters according to detected background characteristics, enabling the system to adapt to varying lighting conditions such as bright backgrounds, dark surroundings, and mixed light environments, thereby maintaining optimal visibility and contrast across different scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the brightness and color tone parameters of the projected image based on background analysis. The control unit detects background characteristics and adjusts projection parameters accordingly, such as increasing brightness for dark backgrounds and adjusting color tone to complement the background environment, thus resolving the contradiction between visibility and contrast requirements.
2Reliability
If the brightness of the projected virtual image is decreased to match dark surroundings, then the contrast with dark background is improved, but the visibility against bright backgrounds deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts projection parameters based on real-time background detection. When a bright background is detected, the control unit increases the brightness of the projected image to ensure visibility. When a dark background is detected, it decreases brightness to maintain appropriate contrast, thus adaptively resolving the contradiction between visibility and contrast requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes the brightness parameter of the projected image based on background analysis. For bright backgrounds, the brightness parameter is increased; for dark backgrounds, it is decreased. This dynamic parameter adjustment enables the system to maintain both visibility and contrast across varying environmental conditions.
3Illumination intensity
If the brightness is adjusted based on peripheral brightness around the vehicle, then the visibility in uniformly lit environments is improved, but the visibility in environments with brightness differences between periphery and background deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the background region from the overall field of view by identifying and isolating the area where the virtual image will be projected. The control unit specifically analyzes the brightness and color tone of this extracted background region rather than relying on peripheral brightness measurements, enabling accurate brightness adjustment that accounts for the actual background conditions where the image will appear.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by analyzing and adjusting projection parameters based on the specific characteristics of the local background region where the virtual image will be displayed. Instead of using global or peripheral brightness measurements, the control unit focuses on the local background properties, ensuring that the projected image's brightness and color tone are optimized for the specific display location, thereby maintaining visibility across diverse lighting environments.
4Device complexity
If a fixed brightness projection is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the visibility under varying light conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the imaging device to detect background brightness and color tone, then feeding this information back to the control unit, which adjusts the projection parameters accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adapt to varying light conditions without requiring complex manual control systems, maintaining visibility across different environments while keeping the overall device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by enabling the projection system to automatically adjust its own parameters based on environmental conditions. The control unit autonomously analyzes background characteristics through the imaging device and modifies projection brightness and color tone without external intervention, allowing the system to maintain optimal visibility under varying light conditions while avoiding the need for complex external control mechanisms.
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 maintains the visibility of virtual images projected onto the background under various traveling conditions by dynamically adjusting brightness and color tone, ensuring the virtual image remains conspicuous even in environments with changing light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an image projection unit that irradiates an inner surface of the transmission reflection unit with light including image information to project a display image
Implementation Method 2
a virtual image projected from an image projection unit via a transparent member such as the windshield
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an image projection system and an image projection method capable of ensuring the visibility of a virtual image projected in superposition with a background even under various traveling conditions. The image projection system includes a transmission reflection unit that includes a translucent member, an image projection unit (10) that irradiates an inner surface of the transmission reflection unit with light including image information to project a display image, an outside condition imaging unit (50) that images, as an outside image, a condition outside the transmission reflection unit, a display area specifying unit (61) that specifies a display area where the display image is projected in the outside image, an image determination unit (62) that sets a determination area including the display area and recognizes and analyzes an image in the determination area in the outside image, and an image adjustment unit (63) that adjusts the image information based on an analysis result of the image determination unit.