Projection Display for Automotive Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automotive diagnostic tools have costly and inflexible built-in display screens that limit the size and complexity of user input, making them difficult to use for multiple users and restricting the amount of information that can be displayed.
Innovation Solution
A data projection device with a virtual user interface that projects images onto an adjacent surface and detects user input gestures, allowing for a larger, more versatile display and input system that is not constrained by the device's physical size, using a projector and input detection sensor to generate input signals from user movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a built-in display screen is used in conventional automotive diagnostic tools, then the display provides suitable depiction of functions and data, but the display is costly and has a fixed small size that limits the amount of content that can be shown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a projector to create an optical copy of the display content on an external surface rather than using a physical built-in display screen. This allows the display information to be projected onto a larger area (wall, ceiling, or other surfaces) without being constrained by the physical size of the diagnostic tool, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while providing a larger effective display area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional built-in screen to a projection-based display that can utilize three-dimensional space. By projecting onto external surfaces at various angles and distances, the display content can occupy a much larger effective area without increasing the physical footprint of the diagnostic tool itself
2Ease of operation
If a built-in display screen is used in conventional automotive diagnostic tools, then the display is integrated into the tool, but the fixed small size makes it difficult for multiple people to observe and requires navigation through multiple screens
Solution Approach 1:
By projecting the display onto external surfaces, multiple users can simultaneously view the same information from different positions and angles, eliminating the need for multiple users to take turns viewing a small screen. The projected image can be large enough for entire groups to observe comfortably
Solution Approach 2:
The projection system allows dynamic adjustment of display size, position, and orientation based on user needs. The projected image can be moved to different surfaces and resized as required, providing flexibility that a fixed built-in screen cannot match
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional input options are incorporated into a handheld automotive diagnostic tool, then more comprehensive user input is enabled, but the limited space on the tool makes it difficult to incorporate these options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses gesture recognition to create a virtual copy of input interfaces in the air space around the device. Users can interact with virtual buttons, sliders, and other input elements through hand gestures without physical contact, providing comprehensive input capabilities without adding physical buttons or controls to the compact device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical mechanical input devices (buttons, knobs, switches) with gesture-based input detection. This substitution allows for unlimited input options to be implemented through software without increasing the physical complexity or size of the device structure
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a data projection device including a device body and a first projector connected to the device body. The first projector is configured to project a display image onto an adjacent surface separate from the device body. An input detection sensor is connected to the device body and is configured to detect motions of a user within a field of view proximate the device body, and to generate an input signal responsive to the detected motions. A diagnostic processing unit is disposed within the device body and is connected to the first projector and the input detection sensor for receiving the input signal therefrom. The diagnostic processing unit is configured to be operatively connectable with a data source to receive vehicle data therefrom and to process the data and modify the display image according to the received data and the input signal.