Rearward Image Display With Switchable Reflectivity and Glare Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display systems for vehicles face issues with visual recognition of displayed images due to fluctuations in brightness and glare from surrounding environments, leading to difficulty in viewing and identifying the displayed content, especially in vehicles with advanced communication systems that can distract drivers.
Innovation Solution
A display system with an image capture device, a display device, a first and second illuminance sensor, an electro-optic layer with a transmissive-reflective layer, and an actuator that switches the electro-optic layer's posture between modes for viewing rearward images directly or via a mirror image, controlled by a control circuit to adjust brightness and transmittance based on environmental light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a display system is used to show rearward images in a vehicle, then the driver can view rearward images, but visual recognition becomes difficult due to fluctuations in brightness and glare from surrounding environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transmissive-reflective layer as an intermediary between the display and the driver's view. This layer can switch between transmissive mode (allowing display images to pass through) and reflective mode (reflecting ambient light to create mirror images), thereby mediating between the display system and the harmful environmental factors. The layer acts as a buffer that protects the driver from brightness fluctuations and glare while maintaining visibility of rearward images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an actuator to dynamically switch the posture of the transmissive-reflective layer between two states: a first posture where the layer is inclined at a specific angle to reflect ambient light, and a second posture where the layer is positioned to transmit display images. This dynamic switching capability allows the system to adapt to different viewing conditions and eliminate visual recognition problems caused by static display configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electro-optic layer is switched between different postures to change viewing modes, then the driver can switch between direct display viewing and mirror image viewing, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmissive-reflective layer serves multiple functions: it acts as a display surface when in the first posture (reflecting ambient light to show rearward images in mirror mode), and it acts as a transparent window when in the second posture (transmitting display images directly to the driver). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for different viewing modes, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite the added adaptability.
3Illumination intensity
If the display brightness is increased to improve visibility, then the displayed images become more visible, but glare from surrounding environments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmissive-reflective layer serves as an intermediary that can block excessive display brightness from reaching the driver's eyes directly. When in the reflective posture, it prevents high-brightness display output from causing glare, while still allowing the driver to view rearward images through the reflected ambient light. This mediator approach allows the display to operate at higher brightness levels without proportionally increasing glare.
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
Improves visual recognition of displayed images by adapting to environmental changes, reducing glare, and minimizing distractions for drivers, enhancing the usability of display systems in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
an electro-optic layer with a transmissive-reflective layer that transmits a portion of incident light and reflects another portion of the incident light, the electro-optic layer being configured to vary reflectivity of the incident light
Implementation Method 2
a second illuminance sensor that detects intensity of light emitted onto a front surface of the display device
Data Source
AI summary
A display control method for a vehicle-mounted display device includes a housing, an electro-optic layer configured to vary reflectivity of incident light, a display provided between the electro-optic layer and part of the housing, a sensor to detect intensity of light emitted on the display device, and an operation lever provided on the housing that switches the electro-optic layer between two postures. The display control method includes varying a reflectivity of the electro-optic layer within a predetermined range based on intensity of light emitted on the display device, and when the electro-optic layer is in a first posture, the predetermined range is between a first and second reflectivity. When the electro-optic layer is in a second posture, displaying a backward image on a display screen, and when the electro-optic layer is in the second posture, restricting the varying of the reflectivity within the predetermined range.