Vehicle HUD Directional Traffic Sign Display With Narrow FOV

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display apparatuses require a wide-angle view to project virtual images of traffic signs, leading to increased size and cost, especially when signs are near the edge of the forward view.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus that includes an image processing unit to generate a projection image with a narrow-angle view, indicating the direction of traffic signs or target paths, allowing the signs to be displayed without increasing the angle of view.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wide-angle view is projected to superimpose virtual images of traffic signs at positions visible in the forward view, then the traffic signs can be displayed even when they are near the edge of the forward view, but the size and cost of the display apparatus increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay capability for edge-positioned traffic signsVSAvoidsize and cost of display apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new dimension of directional indication by adding arrow symbols that point toward the location of traffic signs. Instead of relying solely on the wide-angle projection to cover all positions, the system uses directional vectors (arrows) to guide the driver's attention to edge-positioned signs, effectively solving the coverage problem without requiring a wider projection angle.

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

2Device complexity

If a narrow-angle view is projected, then the size and cost of the display apparatus are reduced, but traffic signs near the edge of the forward view cannot be displayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize and cost of display apparatusVSAvoiddisplay capability for edge-positioned traffic signs
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces arrow symbols as intermediary elements that mediate between the narrow-angle projection and the edge-positioned traffic signs. These arrows act as visual guides that bridge the gap, directing the driver's attention from the central projection area to the edge positions where traffic signs are located, thereby enabling the display of edge signs without requiring a wide-angle projection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the projection angle is increased to cover edge positions, then all traffic signs in the forward view are visible, but the manufacturing cost and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of all traffic signs in forward viewVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and size of display apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the information presentation into two components: the primary narrow-angle projection for central information and supplementary directional arrows for edge-positioned signs. This segmentation allows the system to use a compact narrow-angle projector while still providing comprehensive traffic sign information through the combined use of projection and directional indication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4081421B1Display apparatus, moving body, display method, and program
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4081421B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4081421B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4081421B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display apparatus (1) according to an aspect of the present disclosure displays a virtual image of a projection image. The display apparatus includes an image generation unit (26) configured to generate the projection image including a predetermined image obtained based on a traffic sign, and a direction indication unit (25) configured to output either an indication direction in which a target path, to which the traffic sign is applied, is present or an indication direction in which the traffic sign is present, based on a position of the traffic sign and a position of a path in front of a moving body, and to cause the image generation unit to generate the projection image including the indication direction.