Multi-Focal-Plane HUD Imaging Using Spatial Light Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current head-up displays (HUDs) require frequent focus adjustments between the displayed information and actual road objects, leading to visual fatigue due to the mismatch in focal planes, which hampers user experience.
Innovation Solution
A multi-focal-plane image generation apparatus with a pattern generation unit and a focal length adjuster, utilizing a spatial light modulator to adjust the focal length and generate multiple focal planes, allowing continuous adjustment and flexible positioning of imaging planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a common HUD displays information on a fixed imaging plane, then the display structure is simple, but the driver's eyes need to frequently adjust focus between the HUD image and road objects, causing visual fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spatial light modulator that can dynamically adjust the focal length of the imaging system in real-time. This allows the HUD to switch between different focal planes, enabling the display to adapt to different viewing distances and reduce the need for frequent focus adjustments by the driver's eyes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the focal length parameter of the imaging system to generate multiple focal planes. By adjusting this optical parameter, the HUD can present information at different depths, allowing drivers to view both near and far objects without excessive focus adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple focal planes are generated to reduce focus adjustment, then user experience is improved, but the optical path complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spatial light modulator serves multiple functions: it acts as both a display element and a focal length adjustment mechanism. By loading different phase information, the same component can generate multiple focal planes, eliminating the need for separate optical systems for each focal length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical lens adjustment mechanisms with a spatial light modulator that uses phase modulation to achieve focal length adjustment. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical structures while achieving the same multi-focal-plane functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the focal length is continuously adjustable to any value, then the multi-focal-plane imaging capability is achieved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves continuous focal length adjustment by varying the phase information loaded on the spatial light modulator. This parameter change approach allows for smooth transitions between focal lengths without discrete steps or mechanical adjustments.
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
This solution eliminates the need for frequent focus adjustments, enhancing user experience by allowing any focal length to be continuously adjusted and enabling multiple focal planes at various positions, thus improving the presentation of information on different imaging planes.
Implementation Method 1
the focal length adjuster loads different phase information, so that the multi-focal-plane image generation apparatus generates the plurality of focal planes
Implementation Method 2
The focal length adjuster is configured to perform focal length adjustment on the light beam that is irradiated to the surface of the focal length adjuster
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides example multi-focal-plane image generation apparatuses, example head-up display apparatuses, example methods, and example devices. One example apparatus includes a pattern generation device and a focal length adjuster. The pattern generation device is configured to generate a light beam that carries image information, and irradiate the light beam to a surface of the focal length adjuster. The focal length adjuster is configured to perform focal length adjustment on the light beam that is irradiated to the surface of the focal length adjuster to generate a plurality of focal planes of the multi-focal-plane image generation apparatus.