Vehicular HUD and Road Projection With Matched Focal Distance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing vehicle display systems face difficulties in ensuring that the occupant can effectively focus on both the virtual image projected inside the vehicle and the light pattern on the road surface, as the distances from the occupant to these elements often differ, leading to reduced visibility of the information they convey.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle display system that includes a first display device for projecting a light pattern onto the road surface and a second display device for displaying an image inside the vehicle, with a controller ensuring that the distance from the occupant to the image matches the distance to the light pattern, allowing for improved visibility by ensuring both are within the same focal range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the occupant focuses on one display element, then that element is clearly visible, but the other element at a different distance becomes difficult to grasp

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocus accuracy on display elementVSAvoidinformation from other display element
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies equipotentiality by equalizing the distances to both display elements (virtual image and light pattern) from the occupant's position. By making the distances equal, the system ensures that both elements are in the same focal plane, allowing the occupant to view both simultaneously without losing information from either

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

2Ease of manufacture

If the HUD displays information at a predetermined distance, then the display is stable and easy to implement, but it cannot adapt to varying light pattern distances on the road surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of HUD implementationVSAvoidadaptability to light pattern distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static HUD system into a dynamic one by introducing real-time distance detection and adaptive control. The system continuously detects the light pattern distance and adjusts the virtual image distance accordingly, providing adaptability while maintaining implementation feasibility through integration with existing detection systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using the distance detection result as feedback to control the HUD display distance. The system detects the light pattern distance, uses this information to determine the appropriate virtual image distance, and adjusts the display accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to varying conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This configuration enhances the visibility of both the light pattern and the image for the occupant, enabling them to grasp the information from both sources more effectively without changing their focal distance.

Implementation Method 1

a head-up display (HUD) device projecting a predetermined image onto a windshield or the like of the vehicle. The driver recognizes the predetermined image projected onto the windshield or the like of the vehicle as a virtual image formed in a predetermined position in front of the windshield or the like

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a road-surface projector projecting a light pattern onto a road surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight projection: Light

Data Source

PatentEP4039519B1Vehicular display system and vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 KOITO MFG CO LTD
  • EP4039519B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4039519B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4039519B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This vehicular display system (4) is provided with: a road surface drawing device (45) which is configured to emit an optical pattern toward a road surface; an HUD (42) which is configured to display HUD information toward a passenger; and a display control unit (43) which is configured to control the road surface drawing device (45) and the HUD (42). The display control unit (43) matches the distance from the passenger to the HUD information and the distance from the passenger to the optical pattern, when both the HUD information and the optical pattern are displayed.