Windshield Virtual Vehicle Image Transparency Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image display systems for vehicles often obstruct the driver's view of real leading vehicles by projecting virtual vehicle images on windshields, causing visibility issues and driver confusion due to overlapping images.
Innovation Solution
An image display system that uses a look area detector and control unit to adjust the transparency of virtual leading vehicle images on windshields, ensuring they do not obstruct the driver's view, while also incorporating position and hot spot detection to provide timely and appropriate visual alerts for approaching traffic congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a virtual leading vehicle image is displayed on the windshield to assist the driver, then driving assistance is improved, but the driver's visibility of the real leading vehicle is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different portions of the virtual vehicle image have different transparency characteristics. Specifically, the image processing unit reduces the luminance of portions of the virtual vehicle image that overlap with the detected driver's line of sight, while maintaining normal luminance in non-overlapping portions. This creates a spatially varying transparency property that allows the driver to see through overlapping areas to the real vehicle while still perceiving the virtual assistance image in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the luminance parameter of the virtual vehicle image dynamically based on the driver's gaze position. The image processing unit adjusts the luminance of image portions according to the detected line of sight, effectively changing the visual weight and transparency of different parts of the image. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the image less obstructive in critical viewing areas while maintaining its assistance function elsewhere.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the transparency of the virtual vehicle image is increased to improve visibility, then the driver can see the real leading vehicle better, but the virtual vehicle image becomes less visible and less useful for assistance
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than uniformly increasing transparency, the patent applies local quality by selectively adjusting the luminance of only those image portions that overlap with the driver's line of sight. The non-overlapping portions maintain their original luminance and visibility, preserving the informational content of the virtual vehicle image while reducing obstruction only where necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by modifying only the specific portions of the virtual vehicle image that cause obstruction, rather than adjusting the entire image. This selective modification approach maintains the usefulness of the virtual image in non-overlapping areas while adequately addressing the visibility obstruction problem in overlapping areas.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the virtual vehicle image is turned on and off based on the existence of a real leading vehicle, then the visibility issue is avoided, but the driver may be thrown into confusion
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of binary on/off switching, the patent uses parameter changes by continuously adjusting the luminance of image portions based on the driver's gaze position and the presence of real vehicles. This gradual, context-dependent parameter adjustment maintains system reliability by providing consistent visual information while adapting to changing conditions, avoiding the abrupt transitions that cause driver confusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the virtual vehicle image properties change continuously rather than remaining static or switching abruptly. The luminance of image portions is dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection of the driver's line of sight and the presence of real leading vehicles, creating a smooth, adaptive system that maintains driver awareness and reduces confusion.
Data Source
AI summary
An image display system for use of a driver in a subject vehicle includes a look area detector for detecting a look area of the driver who watches a real leading vehicle on a transparent glass in a front of the driver and a control unit for controlling display of a transparent image on the transparent glass in the front of the driver for representing a virtual leading vehicle. When the look area detected by the look area detector overlaps at least a portion of the transparent image of the virtual leading vehicle displayed on the transparent glass, the control unit increases a degree of transparency of at least an overlapping portion of the transparent image of the virtual leading vehicle relative to a non-overlapping portion of the transparent image of the virtual leading vehicle.