Vehicle Sign Display Apparatus Simplifying Complex Traffic Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sign display apparatuses for vehicles face difficulties in effectively displaying multiple kinds of sign information or complex sign information containing a large number of characters, as they often get overshadowed by other information on limited display regions, making it hard for occupants to recognize important traffic signs promptly and intuitively.
Innovation Solution
A sign display apparatus that includes a sign information detector, a display device, and a control circuit which simplifies detected sign information by reducing character count or converting symbolic information into characters, allowing for appropriate display in a limited region, with optional selective display regions for more detailed information and adaptive hiding based on vehicle distance or time, ensuring essential information is easily accessible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If two or more kinds of sign information are displayed side by side on the display device, then the information completeness is improved, but the display device cannot adequately display the sign information when other information is preferentially displayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments sign information into multiple priority levels (first priority, second priority, third priority) and displays them in hierarchical order. High-priority sign information is displayed prominently while lower-priority information is displayed in less prominent positions or omitted when display space is limited, resolving the conflict between displaying complete information and maintaining visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different display qualities to different regions of the display device. The first display region (upper side) provides prominent display for high-priority sign information, while the second display region (lower side) provides less prominent display for lower-priority information. This local differentiation ensures important information remains visible while still accommodating multiple types of sign information.
2Loss of information
If complicated sign information containing many characters is displayed, then the information completeness is improved, but the occupant recognition speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and displays only the essential elements of sign information. For complicated signs with many characters, the system identifies and displays only the critical information (such as speed limit numbers, key warnings) while omitting or simplifying less important textual content. This extraction approach maintains information completeness for safety-critical data while reducing cognitive load and improving recognition speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the display parameters of sign information based on its type and importance. For complicated sign information, the system adjusts font size, color intensity, and position to optimize readability and recognition speed. Critical information is displayed with larger fonts and higher contrast, while secondary information uses smaller fonts, balancing completeness with quick recognition.
3Loss of information
If multiple sign information types are displayed in the same region, then the information completeness is improved, but the display device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic display control where the display configuration automatically adjusts based on the type and priority of detected sign information. The control circuit dynamically determines which information to display, in what priority order, and in which regions, rather than using a fixed display layout. This dynamic adaptation handles multiple information types efficiently without requiring complex manual configuration or multiple dedicated display regions for each information type.
Data Source
AI summary
Sign information of a traffic sign or a road marking ahead of a vehicle is detected. When two or more kinds of sign information having overlapping effective sections are detected or when the sign information contains textural information including a predetermined or more number of characters, simplified information obtained by simplifying the sign information is displayed on an MID in the vehicle.