Transparent Waveguide Display for Vehicle Driver Kinetosis Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing externally-mounted imaging systems for vehicles cause kinetosis or motion sickness in drivers due to the relative motion between the driver and the liquid crystal display, which obstructs the view of the outside world and provides images at a fixed distance, leading to perception of movement not duplicated by the driver's vestibular system.

Innovation Solution

A transparent optical waveguide display unit combined with a light-emitting display screen to create a collimated image at infinity, allowing the external view to be focused in the far field, while the light-emitting screen provides additional high-resolution images at a close focus distance, overcoming the limitations of waveguide displays in color gamut and field of view.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a liquid crystal display is used to display external images to the driver, then the driver can see external views in degraded conditions, but the display obstructs the driver's view of the outside world and causes kinetosis due to relative motion perception

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of external viewVSAvoidkinetosis and view obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a planar LCD display to a volumetric holographic display that creates images in three-dimensional space. The holographic optical element reconstructs light fields to form virtual images at different depths, allowing the driver to perceive external views without a flat obstructing screen. This dimensional change enables the display to occupy spatial volume rather than blocking the line of sight with a two-dimensional surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The holographic optical element acts as an intermediary between the camera-captured images and the driver's eyes. Instead of directly presenting images on an LCD that blocks the view, the holographic element reconstructs light fields to create virtual images that appear to exist in space, mediating the information delivery without the same obstructive effect. The light field reconstruction allows simultaneous viewing of the virtual image and the actual external scene.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a waveguide display is used to provide transparency, then external light can pass through to combine with displayed images, but the display has limited color gamut and field of view

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransparency and image combinationVSAvoidcolor gamut and field of view
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display system is segmented into multiple functional components: the waveguide display unit for transparent image presentation, and the light-emitting display screen positioned behind it for enhanced color and resolution. Each component handles different aspects of the display requirements, with the waveguide providing transparency and the rear screen providing color gamut expansion, allowing both functions to operate simultaneously without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 provides a stable, high-resolution display with a large color gamut and field of view, preventing kinetosis and allowing combined far and near-field images, enabling installation in limited spaces and providing distinct information that can be selectively focused on, enhancing driver visibility and comfort.

Implementation Method 1

A transparent optical waveguide display unit is provided which guides light by total internal reflection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The external light simply passes through the transparent image display/output area of the waveguide display unit and is combined therewith

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission through transparent medium: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3224666B1Improvements in and relating to displays
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 BAE SYSTEMS PLC
  • EP3224666B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3224666B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3224666B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A display apparatus (1) for use in displaying an image to a viewer, comprising a transparent optical waveguide display unit (2) arranged for receiving image-bearing light (4) into the optical waveguide display unit, for guiding the received light therealong to an output area (24) thereof, and for outputting from the output area the image-bearing light (6) collimated to present a viewable image. A light-emitting display screen (3) arranged adjacent to and behind the output area of the optical waveguide display unit is visible therethrough behind the output area (24). This combines the light from the light-emitting display screen (e.g. imagery) with the viewable image (6).