Multi-Focal AR Display for Vehicle Platooning Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle displays do not provide platooning information, which is essential for vehicles to autonomously drive in groups to a common destination, limiting user awareness and decision-making regarding joining or exiting platoons.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a multi-focal plane augmented reality display that receives platooning data from remote vehicles, determines the proximity of platoons, and displays virtual images indicating platooning actions, queries the user about joining or exiting, and provides information on time and cost savings, while ensuring the display is positioned based on the user's eye location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a traditional vehicle display is used to provide platooning information, then the user can see platooning data, but the user's view of the outside world is blocked or obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent projects platooning information from a traditional 2D display plane into 3D space using augmented reality technology. Virtual images are displayed at multiple focal planes (near and far) that correspond to the actual spatial positions of remote vehicles, allowing information to be presented in the user's field of view without physical obstruction. This dimensional transformation enables simultaneous viewing of both external environment and platooning data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an augmented reality display system as an intermediary between the user and the external environment. This intermediary overlays virtual information onto the real-world view, mediating the presentation of platooning data without blocking the user's direct view of the outside world. The system acts as a transparent information channel that combines real and virtual elements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a multi-focal plane augmented reality display is used to show platooning information, then the user can see virtual images without blocking the outside view, but the display system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display into multiple focal planes (near plane and far plane) rather than using a single display surface. Each plane presents information at different virtual distances corresponding to the actual positions of remote vehicles. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by dividing the display function into distinct spatial layers, with each layer handling specific types of information at appropriate visual distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the display system by implementing multiple focal planes with different vergence settings. The near plane is focused at a closer distance while the far plane is focused at a farther distance, allowing the user's accommodation to match the vergence of displayed information. This parameter change enables comfortable viewing of AR information without requiring complex additional optics beyond standard AR display capabilities.
3Device complexity
If platooning information is displayed without spatial context, then the display is simple, but the user cannot understand the relative positions and trajectories of remote vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds spatial dimensionality to the display by presenting information at multiple focal planes that correspond to the actual 3D positions of remote vehicles. The far plane displays information about vehicles at greater distances, while the near plane displays information about closer vehicles. This dimensional mapping preserves spatial context relationships, allowing users to understand relative positions and trajectories through the depth arrangement of virtual images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different display qualities and information types to different spatial locations. Each focal plane presents information tailored to its corresponding distance range, with the far plane showing distant vehicles and the near plane showing closer vehicles. This local quality approach ensures that information presentation is optimized for each spatial context, maintaining accurate spatial relationships without requiring a single complex display configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is designed to provide platooning information using a multi-focal plane augmented reality display of a host vehicle. The method includes receiving platooning data from at least one of a plurality of remote vehicles. Each of the plurality of remote vehicle is part of a platoon. The platooning data includes locations, trajectories, and headways of each of the plurality of remote vehicles. The method further includes determining whether the platoon is within a predetermined distance from the host vehicle using the platooning data. Further, the method includes transmitting a command signal to the multi-focal plane augmented reality display of the host vehicle to display a virtual image on the multi-focal plane augmented reality display. The virtual image is indicative of a platooning action related to the platoon that is within the predetermined distance from the host vehicle.