Windshield HUD Rear View Display Using Synthetic Light Fields

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rear-view camera and display systems in vehicles are costly, complex, prone to failure, and inefficient, with issues like increased energy consumption, latency, glare, and reduced visibility in extreme conditions, which compromise driver safety and vehicle reliability.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a rear-view camera and a heads-up display to generate and display a synthetic light field augmenting the real-world light field, providing a rear view without additional hardware, reducing complexity and cost, and enhancing visibility through a computationally-efficient and time-efficient method.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a display is added to show rear view images, then rear visibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverear visibilityVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the rear view display function with the existing heads-up display (HUD) system, merging multiple functions into a single integrated component. The HUD displays both navigation information and rear view camera images on the same transparent display surface, eliminating the need for separate display hardware and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heads-up display is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it displays navigation information, warning messages, and rear view camera images. This multi-functional approach allows the same hardware to provide various driver assistance features without requiring additional dedicated displays for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a display is added to show rear view images, then rear visibility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverear visibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the rear view display function with the existing heads-up display (HUD) system, merging multiple functions into a single integrated component. The HUD displays both navigation information and rear view camera images on the same transparent display surface, eliminating the need for separate display hardware and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heads-up display is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it displays navigation information, warning messages, and rear view camera images. This multi-functional approach allows the same hardware to provide various driver assistance features without requiring additional dedicated displays for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If liquid crystal display is used, then image display is achieved, but performance deteriorates in extreme cold environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage display capabilityVSAvoidtemperature adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state or material properties of the display by using an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology instead of traditional liquid crystal displays. OLEDs operate effectively across a wider temperature range including extreme cold conditions, eliminating the need for heating elements and improving reliability in varying environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If display is placed in typical location, then mounting is simplified, but driver's line of sight is obstructed and viewing angle is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting easeVSAvoidviewing convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the windshield surface as a three-dimensional display medium, projecting images at various virtual distances and angles. The rear view image is displayed in the upper right portion of the windshield, positioned to be visible in the driver's peripheral vision without requiring head movement or blocking the forward view, effectively using spatial dimensionality to resolve the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 offers improved rear visibility and safety by displaying a rear view via a heads-up display, reducing the need for physical mirrors and complex hardware setups, and ensuring clear image presentation without glare, especially in bright conditions, thus enhancing driving safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

display the image via the heads-up display for producing a synthetic light field augmenting a real-world light field incoming via a windshield of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight field synthesis and augmentation:

Data Source

PatentUS20260063915A1Rear view via heads-up display

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 DISTANCE TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

Rear-view image(s) of a region of a surrounding environment that is behind a vehicle, is/are captured, by utilising rear-view camera(s). An image to be displayed via the heads-up display, is generated, wherein when generating the image, processor(s) is/are configured to generate an image segment of the image by utilising the rear-view image(s) of said region of the surrounding environment. The image is displayed via the heads-up display for producing a synthetic light field augmenting a real-world light field incoming via a windshield of the vehicle.