HUD Transmittance Control for Large-Area Virtual Image Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Head-Up Display (HUD) systems face challenges in maintaining the visibility of information processing images due to reduced visibility of the shielding range, making it difficult for operators to recognize the entire information processing image effectively.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus is implemented on movable apparatuses, such as vehicles, to control the display mode of a Head-Up Display, adjusting the transmittance of virtual images based on the display region's area, ensuring higher transmittance when the area is greater than a predetermined threshold, allowing for improved visibility of both the virtual image and overlapping objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the visibility of the shielding range of the information display image is reduced to avoid obscuring objects, then the visibility of overlapping objects is improved, but the recognition of the entire information processing image becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of overlapping objectsVSAvoidrecognition of information processing image
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the transmittance of the virtual image changeable based on its display region area. When the display region area is large, the transmittance is set to a first value (higher visibility); when the area is small, the transmittance is set to a second value (lower visibility). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the image visibility to the specific display context, ensuring both object visibility and information recognition are maintained appropriately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmittance parameter of the virtual image based on the display region area. By setting different transmittance values (first value for large areas, second value for small areas), the system optimizes the balance between seeing through the image to objects and maintaining the image's visibility. This parameter change strategy directly addresses the technical contradiction by adjusting the optical property according to the spatial context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If the transmittance of the virtual image is increased to improve visibility of the entire image, then the recognition of information processing image is improved, but the visibility of overlapping objects is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecognition of information processing imageVSAvoidvisibility of overlapping objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts transmittance based on the display region area. For small display regions where object visibility is critical, the transmittance is set to a lower second value. For large display regions where information recognition is prioritized, the transmittance is set to a higher first value. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by contextually optimizing the trade-off.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transmittance parameter is changed according to the display region area threshold. When the area exceeds the threshold, the first transmittance value is applied; when it is below the threshold, the second transmittance value is applied. This parameter change mechanism ensures that the appropriate balance between image visibility and object visibility is maintained in different scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the display region area of the virtual image is large to provide comprehensive information, then the information content is improved, but the transmittance setting becomes more critical to maintain object visibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation contentVSAvoidvisibility of overlapping objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically responds to the display region area by adjusting transmittance accordingly. Large display regions trigger a higher transmittance setting (first value) to ensure information visibility, while small display regions trigger a lower transmittance setting (second value) to prioritize object visibility. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system sensitive to the information quantity displayed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transmittance parameter is changed based on the display region area threshold comparison. When the area is large (providing comprehensive information), the first transmittance value is set; when the area is small, the second transmittance value is set. This parameter change strategy ensures that the visibility of overlapping objects is maintained while accommodating varying information content requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4407600A1Control apparatus, control method, storage medium, and movable apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 CANON KK
  • EP4407600A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4407600A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4407600A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

To ensure both the visibility of a virtual image and the visibility of objects around a movable apparatus, a control apparatus mounted on the movable apparatus controls a display apparatus that displays a virtual image to an operator of the movable apparatus, comprising at least one processor or circuit configured to function as a display control unit for controlling the display apparatus to display content recorded in a recording unit, and a setting unit configured to set a display mode of the content, wherein the setting unit is configured to set transmittance such that, in a case in which the display region of the virtual image is equal to or greater than a predetermined area, the transmittance of the virtual image becomes larger than in a case in which the display region of the virtual image is less than the predetermined area.