On-Vehicle Display Device Augmented Reality Windshield Projection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In on-vehicle display devices, report information about the vehicle's state is difficult to recognize due to the need for frequent line-of-sight movement between the center display and sub-displays, making it hard for drivers to check the status without directly viewing the center display.

Innovation Solution

An on-vehicle display device configuration where the first display section, located within the steering wheel's width, shows a master caution symbol, and the second display section, outside the steering wheel's width, displays corresponding information images, allowing drivers to recognize report information without moving their line of sight by positioning the information within their forward view.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If report information is displayed on the center display, then the driver can access vehicle state information, but the driver must frequently move line of sight between the center display and sub-displays, reducing recognition efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereport information recognitionVSAvoidline of sight movement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual image of the report information on the windshield using augmented reality technology. The center display generates optical signals that are projected onto the windshield, forming a virtual image that the driver can view without moving their line of sight from the road ahead. This copying mechanism allows the driver to access vehicle state information while maintaining forward focus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The windshield serves as an intermediary medium between the center display and the driver's eyes. Instead of directly viewing the center display, the driver views the virtual image formed on the windshield. This intermediary approach allows information transfer without requiring the driver to shift attention from the road to the display device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If the center display shows detailed report information, then information completeness is improved, but the information becomes harder to recognize at a glance due to competing displays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereport information completenessVSAvoidinformation detectability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different display qualities to different information types. The virtual image on the windshield displays simplified, high-contrast report information optimized for quick recognition, while the center display maintains detailed information for reference. This local quality differentiation ensures critical information is easily detectable without sacrificing completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses color coding and contrast enhancement in the virtual image to improve information detectability. Report information is displayed with high-contrast colors and formatting that make it stand out against the windshield background, enabling rapid detection without requiring detailed examination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Device complexity

If the first display section is positioned within the steering wheel width, then the display is compact and integrated, but the display area is limited and information may be obscured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay integrationVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional display surface (center display screen) to a three-dimensional virtual image space projected on the windshield. This dimensional change allows the system to maintain a compact integrated display while providing a large effective display area that is not constrained by the physical dimensions of the center display device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2576269B1On-vehicle display device
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 YAZAKI CORP
  • EP2576269B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2576269B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2576269B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An on-vehicle display device includes a first display section provided in an area within a width of a steering wheel of a vehicle viewed from a driver sitting on a driver seat of the vehicle and which displays at least one piece of report information concerning a state of the vehicle, a second display section provided in an area outside the width of the steering wheel viewed from the driver and which displays an image, and a control section which controls displays of the first display section and the second display section respectively. When a piece of report information is displayed on the first display section, the control section controls to display an information image corresponding to the piece of report information on the second display section.