Vehicle Display Integrating Camera Behind Additional Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for integrating driver gaze monitoring cameras into automotive vehicle interiors face challenges in aesthetics and manufacturing complexity, as they often disrupt the visual display and are noticeable to the driver.
Innovation Solution
A display assembly with a first and second portion of layers, where the second portion includes additional layers to strategically position a camera behind the display, allowing it to capture images of the driver's eyes while maintaining a desirable visual appearance and avoiding noticeable interruption, using materials like electrically conductive layers and liquid crystals to enable near-infrared imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the camera is placed in a position to capture images of the driver's eyes, then the driver monitoring function is achieved, but the aesthetics of the vehicle interior is compromised and the camera becomes noticeable
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is merged with the display assembly, specifically integrating it into the second portion of the display that contains additional layers. This combination allows the camera to be positioned effectively for driver monitoring while being concealed within the display structure, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The display layers act as an intermediary structure that conceals the camera. The camera is positioned behind the display layers, which serve as a mediator to hide the camera from view while still allowing it to capture images of the driver's eyes through the transparent or translucent portions of the display.
2Reliability
If the camera is integrated into the display, then the camera location is improved for monitoring, but the complexity and expense of manufacturing the display increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion contains a first plurality of layers, while the second portion contains a second plurality of layers with at least one additional layer. This segmentation allows the camera to be positioned in the second portion where the additional layers provide structural support and concealment, while the first portion maintains the original display functionality.
3Shape
If additional layers are added to the display to position the camera, then the camera concealment is improved, but the total thickness of the display may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The additional layer is added locally in the second portion of the display where the camera is positioned, rather than adding layers uniformly across the entire display. This localized addition provides the necessary concealment and structural support for the camera while minimizing the increase in overall display thickness.
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 solution effectively conceals the camera's presence while ensuring clear imaging of the driver's gaze, enhancing both aesthetics and manufacturing simplicity by allowing the camera to be integrated without visible interruptions or added complexity.
Implementation Method 1
one of the layers in the first portion comprises an epoxy that is transparent to infrared radiation, the one of the layers is aligned with a corresponding layer in the second portion, and the corresponding layer in the second portion comprises liquid crystal
Implementation Method 2
one of the layers in the first portion comprises an epoxy that is transparent to infrared radiation
Data Source
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AI summary
An illustrative example assembly includes a display (22) having a first side (24) for displaying at least one image and a second side (32) facing opposite the first side (24). The display (22) includes a first portion (36) having a first plurality of layers (38-56) between the first side (24) and the second side (32). The display (22) includes a second portion (58) having a second plurality of layers between the first side (24) and the second side (32). The second plurality of layers includes at least one additional layer (60-72) more than the first plurality of layers (38-56). A camera (30) is situated near the second side (32) of the display (22) with a field of view (34) of the camera (30) at least partially aligned with the first portion (36) of the display (22).