Head-Up Display Virtual Image Positioning for Inter-Vehicle Visibility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-up displays can deteriorate visibility of a real view and virtual images when the distance between a vehicle and a preceding vehicle shortens, causing the virtual image to be perceived farther than the closest part of the preceding vehicle, leading to a strange visual experience.

Innovation Solution

A head-up display system that generates a first virtual image display surface inclined in the depth direction of the line of sight, with a display control unit that adjusts the position of the virtual image to ensure visibility by moving it closer to the viewer when the inter-vehicle distance shortens, using a combination of image display units and a display control system to manage the display surfaces and inter-vehicle distance detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a virtual image display surface is generated inclined in the depth direction with the upper end farther from the viewer, then the viewer can visually recognize virtual images at different distances, but when the inter-vehicle distance shortens, the virtual image in the distant area becomes farther than the closest part of the preceding vehicle, deteriorating visibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevirtual image display at different distancesVSAvoidvisibility of virtual image and real view
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the virtual image display position adjustable rather than fixed. The display control unit dynamically changes the display position of the virtual image based on the detected inter-vehicle distance, switching between a first display position (when distance is large) and a second display position (when distance is short). This dynamic adjustment ensures the virtual image remains visible and properly positioned relative to the preceding vehicle regardless of distance changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If the virtual image is displayed in a distant area of the inclined display surface, then the display can accommodate faraway objects, but the virtual image may be perceived as being farther than the preceding vehicle, causing a strange visual experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay surface coverage areaVSAvoidvisual comfort and perception accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different display positions for different viewing conditions. Instead of using a single display position for all scenarios, the system uses a first display position for distant objects and a second display position for closer objects. This localized adjustment of display position based on specific conditions (inter-vehicle distance) ensures optimal visual comfort and accurate depth perception for each scenario while maintaining comprehensive display surface coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3385776B1Head-up display
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 NIPPON SEIKI CO LTD
  • EP3385776B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3385776B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~4
  • EP3385776B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to ensure visibilities of an actual view and a virtual image in a head-up display capable of displaying the virtual image in a virtual image display surface inclined in the depth direction of a line of sight. In a head-up display for generating a first virtual image display surface 100 capable of displaying a first virtual image V1 within a virtual plane inclined in the depth direction of a line of sight, a display control unit 50 decreases visibility of the first virtual image V1 displayed in a display-limited region 110 farther than an obstacle W traveling in front of a vehicle 2, and/or moves the first virtual image V1 displayed at a farther position than the obstacle W to a closer position than the obstacle W.