Vehicle Projection Display Switching Background Color for Warnings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-up display (HUD) systems for vehicles fail to effectively notify drivers of dangers or anomalies during automated or remote driving, as they either lack clarity in warning transmission, require costly mechanisms, or do not consider the driver's line of sight, leading to reduced recognition of critical information.
Innovation Solution
A projection display device and method that spatially modulates light onto a vehicle's windshield or combiner, switching between image data to display information with a transparent or colored background, ensuring that critical warnings are prominently displayed and easily recognizable by the driver, even during automated driving modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If image light is projected onto windshield or combiner to display virtual image during automated driving, then driver can visually recognize warning information, but driver's line of sight may not be focused on the display area reducing recognition effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by switching the background of the virtual image between transparent and colored (yellow or red) states. When danger or vehicle anomaly is detected, the background color changes to attract the driver's attention and enhance recognition of warning information, directly addressing the issue of driver line of sight focus during automated driving
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different display states (transparent background for normal operation, colored background for warnings) based on real-time detection of danger or vehicle anomalies. This dynamic adaptation ensures the display mode matches the operational context, improving information recognition when needed
2Reliability
If opaque plate is inserted into image light path to display real image for emergency warning, then driver is notified of danger, but cost increases due to additional components and mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the opaque plate and its moving mechanism from the system. Instead, it uses the existing virtual image projection system on the windshield or combiner, switching between transparent and colored background states to convey different levels of warning. This approach achieves reliable emergency notification without adding mechanical complexity or cost
Solution Approach 2:
The existing HUD projection system is made multi-functional by enabling it to display both normal driving information (with transparent background) and emergency warnings (with colored background). This universal use of the projection system eliminates the need for separate emergency warning mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability
3Illumination intensity
If background of virtual image is made transparent to improve visibility, then driver can see through windshield, but warning information becomes less prominent and recognizable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively changing the background transparency only in specific situations. During normal operation, the background remains transparent for optimal visibility. When danger or vehicle anomaly is detected, the background locally changes to colored state to enhance warning prominence, while maintaining transparent background elsewhere for normal visibility
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
Enhances the recognition of information transmitted to drivers by dynamically changing the display mode to highlight warnings, increasing the driver's awareness of potential dangers and assisting safe driving operations.
Implementation Method 1
a light modulation unit that spatially modulates, in accordance with image data that has been input, light emitted by a light source
Implementation Method 2
a projection optical system that projects the light that has been spatially modulated onto a windshield of the vehicle or a combiner mounted in the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A projection display device mounted in a vehicle includes a light modulation unit that spatially modulates, in accordance with image data that has been input, light emitted by a light source; a projection optical system that projects the light that has been spatially modulated onto a projection surface of the vehicle; and an image data control unit 63 that controls image data to be input to the light modulation unit. The image data control unit 63 performs, in a first mode in which driving is performed in accordance with an internally generated instruction or an externally and wirelessly received instruction, control to switch between projection of image light for normal display onto the projection surface 2 and projection of image light for warning display onto the projection surface 2.