Vehicle Image Projection Control for Road Visibility Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image projection apparatuses for vehicles fail to ensure satisfactory visibility of projected images on road surfaces under varying brightness conditions, particularly at night or in changing environmental lighting, which affects driver and pedestrian safety.
Innovation Solution
An image projection apparatus equipped with a sensor unit that acquires vehicle-related information, such as speed, headlight status, and external brightness, to dynamically adjust the projection parameters, including brightness and position, ensuring the image is easily recognizable on the road surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the headlight is turned on to illuminate the road at night, then the road surface brightness increases, but the visibility of the projected image degrades due to reduced contrast
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the headlight beam into separate regions: an illumination region for general road lighting and a display region for image projection. This segmentation is achieved through optical elements that direct different portions of the light beam to different areas, allowing the road to be illuminated while maintaining a dark background for the projected image, thus preserving image visibility and contrast.
2Ease of operation
If the projector is positioned to project images on the road surface, then the image can be displayed, but the image visibility degrades when the headlight illuminates the same area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a dark display region on the road surface specifically for image projection, while other regions receive full illumination. The optical system is designed to project images only in areas where the background remains dark, ensuring high contrast and visibility. This localized approach allows the projector to function effectively without being compromised by the overall headlight illumination.
3Illumination intensity
If the vehicle travels during daytime or in bright conditions, then external visibility is good, but the projected image becomes difficult to see due to high ambient brightness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of the projection system based on ambient light conditions. Sensors detect the brightness level of the surrounding environment, and the control unit adjusts the projection parameters accordingly. In bright daytime conditions, the system modifies the projection timing, brightness, or positioning to ensure the image remains visible against the bright background, while in darker conditions, it optimizes for maximum contrast.
Data Source
AI summary
Information related to a vehicle can be displayed by projecting an image based on the information on a road surface or the like. An image projection apparatus that projects an image includes: a sensor unit that acquires information related to a vehicle; and an image projection unit that projects the image based on the information acquired by the sensor unit.