Portable Vehicle Interface with Dynamic Projection Distortion Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In motor vehicles, users cannot effectively operate vehicle components like media playback or video content from a reclined position without a fixed remote control, which can slip or fall, causing discomfort and safety issues due to the need for manual operation of controls at increased distances.

Innovation Solution

An operating system with a portable interface unit that uses a separate projection unit to project display content onto the interface unit, compensating for optical distortion through a detection device and image processing that applies a predistortion function based on the interface's inclination, allowing dynamic projection mapping for undistorted display regardless of the interface's position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a remote control with fixed shell housing is used, then the user can operate vehicle components from a reclined position, but the remote control may slip or fall causing discomfort or injury

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation from reclined positionVSAvoidslippage and falling injury
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical remote control system with an optical projection system. Instead of physically manipulating a remote control device, the user interacts with projected images on a flexible interface unit through touch or gesture, eliminating the need for a rigid mechanical remote control that could slip or fall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface unit is implemented as a flexible, thin film or sheet that can be safely handled and manipulated. This flexible interface eliminates the rigid shell housing problem, allowing the user to interact with projected content on a soft, flexible surface that cannot cause injury if dropped or misplaced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple projectors are used to maintain undistorted display at different angles, then optical distortion is minimized, but the space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay distortionVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic projection mapping where a single projector adjusts its projection parameters in real-time based on the detected orientation and position of the flexible interface unit. The projection is dynamically recalculated and reapplied to maintain undistorted display content regardless of the interface unit's spatial configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes projection parameters (such as projection angle, focal length, and image geometry) based on detected interface unit orientation. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system compensates for optical distortion caused by angled projections, maintaining display precision without requiring multiple physical projectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the interface unit is made portable and movable, then the user can operate controls from any position, but optical distortion occurs when the interface is tilted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveportable operationVSAvoiddisplay distortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates detection devices (such as cameras or sensors) that continuously monitor the position, orientation, and angle of the flexible interface unit. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust projection parameters, allowing the interface to be moved and tilted freely while maintaining accurate, distortion-free display content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The projection system dynamically adapts to the interface unit's movement and tilting by continuously recalculating and adjusting projection parameters. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the displayed content remains undistorted regardless of the interface unit's spatial orientation or position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables users to operate vehicle components without a fixed remote control, preventing slippage and injury, by maintaining distortion-free display content even when the interface unit is tilted, using a single projection unit and compensating for optical distortions through dynamic projection mapping.

Implementation Method 1

the projection unit is not integrated into the interface unit and the user interface is backlit from the inside, but that the projection unit can be arranged or provided separately from the interface unit in the motor vehicle and the projection unit illuminates the user interface from the outside with light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight projection: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3911532B1Operating system with portable interface unit, and motor vehicle containing the operating system
Publication Date: 2023.02.08 AUDI AG
  • EP3911532B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3911532B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to an operating system (18) for a motor vehicle (10), having an interface unit (19) with an operating surface (22) and a projection unit (20) that is configured to project display content (21) from the outside onto the operating surface (22) of the interface unit (19), wherein the interface unit (19) is designed as a portable object able to move freely in the motor vehicle (10). The invention provides for a recording device (31) to be configured to determine an incline vector (37) of a relative incline (36) of the operating surface (22) with respect to the projection unit (20) and for an image processing device (32) to be configured to generate the display content (21) by graphically distorting original display content (38) by way of a predetermined preliminary distortion function (40) depending on the determined incline vector (37), wherein the preliminary distortion function (40) is set as the inverse to an optical distortion that results due to the incline (36) of the operating surface (22) when the display content (21) is projected on said operating surface.