Windshield Projection Display With Gaze-Based Distortion Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular displays face limitations in size due to safety concerns and lack of consideration for user experience, with projected images on transparent windshields suffering from distortion and reduced visibility due to transmission and irregular reflection.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device that projects images onto a transparent screen attached to the windshield, using a projector and eye tracking sensor to correct distortions based on the driver's gaze direction, with a transparent screen featuring inclination angle patterns to refract light towards the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a large-sized display is installed in the vehicle, then the display area and multimedia consumption capability are improved, but the driver's view of the external environment is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The display is moved from a traditional planar configuration within the vehicle cabin to a three-dimensional virtual image space that appears to float in front of the driver. By projecting images onto the windshield and using eye-tracking-based distortion correction, the system creates a virtual display that occupies spatial volume rather than flat surface area, allowing large display content without physically blocking the driver's view of the road.
Solution Approach 2:
The windshield serves as an intermediary surface between the projection system and the driver's eyes. Instead of placing a physical display panel in the driver's line of sight, the system projects images through the windshield, using it as a transparent medium to carry the displayed information into the driver's field of view without the need for a solid display structure that would obstruct the view.
2Area of stationary object
If an image is projected onto a transparent windshield, then the display size is increased, but the image suffers from distortion and reduced visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates an eye-tracking sensor that continuously monitors the driver's gaze direction and provides feedback to the control unit. Based on this real-time feedback about where the driver is looking, the control unit dynamically adjusts and corrects the projection image to compensate for distortion caused by the windshield's curvature and the projection geometry, ensuring the displayed content remains geometrically accurate from the driver's perspective.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the projection parameters (such as distortion correction coefficients, projection angle, and focal point) based on the detected gaze direction. By dynamically adjusting these parameters according to where the driver is looking, the system optimizes image quality and minimizes distortion for the specific viewing conditions, rather than using a fixed projection configuration.
3Illumination intensity
If a transparent screen with inclination angle patterns is used, then light refraction towards the driver is improved, but the screen structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the entire windshield complex, the system applies inclination angle patterns only to specific regions or zones of the transparent screen where they are most effective for directing light toward the driver's typical viewing positions. Different regions of the screen can have different inclination patterns optimized for their specific function, keeping the overall structure as simple as possible while achieving the desired light refraction效果.
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
Provides high-luminance, high-resolution images that enhance visibility and user experience by correcting distortions, replacing physical rear-view mirrors, and improving interior aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent screen, attached to at least a part of a windshield of a vehicle, and configured to refract light of a projection towards a driver of the vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An electronic device and method are disclosed. The electronic device includes a transparent screen, attached to at least a part of the windshield, and configured to refract light of a projection towards a driver of the vehicle, a projector configured to project an image onto the transparent screen, an eye tracking sensor configured to detect a gaze direction of the driver by tracking left and right eyes of the driver, a memory storing a program including one or more instructions for controlling the electronic device, a processor. The processor implements the method, including: altering the image projected onto the transparent screen based at least on the detected gaze direction, to correct distortion of the image as perceivable by the driver when the image is projected onto the transparent screen.