Variable Transmissivity Projection Surface for HUD Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heads-up displays struggle to effectively present virtual images in bright and non-uniform brightness environments, as they either increase the intensity of the image source, which is inefficient, or use photochromic lenses that darken the entire view, leading to uneven and distorted images.

Innovation Solution

A heads-up display system with a transparent projection surface featuring a variable-transmissivity material that adjusts its transmissivity in response to stimuli, such as light, heat, or electric currents, to create discrete modified-transmissivity zones, allowing for selective control of ambient light and improved visibility of virtual images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If photochromic lenses are used to reduce ambient light, then the brightness of ambient light is reduced, but the entire view becomes darkened leading to uneven and distorted images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveambient light brightnessVSAvoidimage uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the projection surface into multiple independently controllable regions with different transmissivity values. Each region can be adjusted separately to compensate for local variations in ambient light, preventing the uniform darkening effect of traditional photochromic lenses while maintaining image uniformity across the entire display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different transmissivity characteristics to different spatial locations on the projection surface. By measuring ambient light at multiple positions and assigning appropriate transmissivity values to each region, the system achieves localized adaptation to lighting conditions, improving both ambient light reduction and image uniformity simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If image source intensity is increased to compensate for bright ambient light, then virtual image visibility is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual image brightnessVSAvoidimage source power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the projection surface by dynamically adjusting the transmissivity of different regions. This allows the system to control the amount of ambient light passing through the display, reducing the need to increase image source intensity and thereby lowering energy consumption while maintaining virtual image visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If transparent projection surface is used to view real world scene, then real world visibility is improved, but ambient light interferes with virtual image visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight transmissionVSAvoidambient light interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of the projection surface transmissivity, allowing it to adapt in real-time to changing ambient light conditions. The system continuously measures ambient light at multiple positions and adjusts the transmissivity of different regions accordingly, maintaining optimal balance between real world scene visibility and virtual image contrast throughout the display area.

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

The system dynamically compensates for ambient light conditions, providing clear and uniform virtual images superimposed on real-world views by selectively reducing transmissivity in areas affected by bright or uneven light, enhancing user experience in various environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The projection surface may include a variable-transmissivity material configured to modify the ability of light to be transmitted through the projection surface (i.e., transmissivity). The variable-transmissivity material may modify the transmissivity of the projection surface responsive to an application of a stimulus. Non-limiting examples of a stimulus may include light, heat, sound waves, an electric current, a magnetic force, or the like.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotochromism: Photochromism

Implementation Method 2

The variable-transmissivity material may modify the transmissivity of the projection surface responsive to an application of a stimulus. Non-limiting examples of a stimulus may include light, heat, sound waves, an electric current, a magnetic force, or the like.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermochromism: Thermochromism

Data Source

PatentUS10067344B2Variable transmissivity virtual image projection system

Publication Date: 2018.09.04 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Disclosed herein are apparatus, devices, and methods to provide a modified-transmissivity zone on a projection surface used to generate a virtual image superimposed onto a real-world view. In particular, a variable-transmissivity material may be provided in the projection surface. The transmissivity of variable-transmissivity material may be modified responsive to application of a stimulus. A stimulus source may be configured to selectively apply a stimulus to the variable-transmissivity material to generate a discrete modified-transmissivity zone on the projection surface.