Transparent Screen Display Control for Field of View and Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image display systems in vehicles struggle to provide a wide field of view while ensuring visibility, especially under external light conditions, and may obstruct the driver's view due to the housing of display devices.
Innovation Solution
A display control apparatus that combines a projector with a transparent screen and a light control film, dynamically controlling transmittance and brightness based on user motion and environmental conditions to ensure a wide field of view and clear image visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If an image is projected from a projector and displayed on a transparent screen, then the field of view is maintained, but the image visibility deteriorates under external light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the transmittance of the transparent screen adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically changes the transmittance based on detected user gaze direction - reducing transmittance when the user is looking at the projected image to enhance visibility, and increasing transmittance when the user is not looking to maintain field of view. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining field of view and ensuring image visibility under external light conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter (transmittance) of the transparent screen to adapt to different viewing conditions. By controlling the transmittance parameter to be variable rather than constant, the system can optimize image visibility when needed while preserving field of view when the display is not being viewed, thus resolving the technical contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
2Loss of information
If a display is installed at a physical mirror installation position, then image display is achieved, but the housing blocks the driver's field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a transparent screen that functions as a thin, optically flexible medium rather than a bulky display housing. This transparent screen can be positioned at the mirror location without significantly blocking light or obstructing the driver's field of view, while still enabling image projection and display. The thin film approach resolves the contradiction between achieving image display and maintaining field of view.
3Area of moving object
If the transmittance of a transparent screen is increased to maintain field of view, then visibility of the projected image deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the transmittance parameter based on real-time detection of user gaze direction. When the control unit detects that the user is looking at the projected image, it reduces the transmittance to enhance image visibility. When the user is not looking at the display, the transmittance is increased to maintain field of view. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between maintaining field of view and ensuring reliable image visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors the user's gaze direction and adjusts the screen transmittance accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the transmittance is optimized for image visibility precisely when the user needs to view the projected information, while maintaining field of view when the display is not being observed, thus resolving the reliability contradiction.
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
The apparatus maintains a wide field of view by adjusting transmittance and brightness, enhancing image visibility under varying light conditions and user interactions, thereby improving driving safety.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent screen which reflects an image projected from a projector
Implementation Method 2
a light control film whose transmittance is variable
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an apparatus including circuitry configured to control a transmissivity of a transparent screen and a brightness of an image projected on the transparent screen, based on a motion of a user.