Windshield Zonal Displays for AR Visibility and Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles lack effective means to provide occupants with augmented reality and interactive displays without obstructing their view through transparent or semi-transparent components, such as windshields and windows, while maintaining a seamless and integrated user interface.
Innovation Solution
Integrate multiple display technologies, including projectors and organic light-emitting diodes, across the windshield or windows to create a seamless augmented reality experience, utilizing sensors and neural networks to recognize occupant gestures for interactive control, and adjust visual outputs based on vehicle states and occupant interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If opaque support structures (body panels, cross bars, pillars) are used to provide structural support and mounting for visors and mirrors, then structural strength and component mounting capability are improved, but transparency and occupant view are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes traditional opaque support structures (body panels, cross bars, pillars) from the vehicle design. By extracting these structural elements, the windshield can be made fully transparent while structural support functions are replaced by alternative means such as frameless construction or integrated mounting systems at the edges of the glass panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent windshield itself serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, acts as a mounting surface for displays and sensors, and maintains occupant visibility. The display system integrated into the windshield combines information presentation with the structural and protective functions of the traditional windshield.
2Ease of operation
If traditional visors and vanity mirrors are mounted on opaque support structures, then access and functionality are improved, but transparency and aesthetic appearance are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical components (physical visors and mirrors) with electronic display systems that can be integrated directly into the transparent windshield. These displays provide similar functionality (visibility adjustment, appearance monitoring) without requiring opaque mounting structures that would block the view.
3Adaptability or versatility
If displays are integrated into the windshield to provide augmented reality and information, then occupant experience and information delivery are improved, but manufacturing complexity and integration difficulty are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is divided into multiple independent display regions or zones within the windshield, each capable of presenting different information. This segmentation allows for modular integration and testing, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatile augmented reality capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary layers or films between the windshield glass and the display elements, or between multiple display layers. These intermediaries facilitate light management, alignment, and integration while simplifying the manufacturing process by decoupling the structural windshield from the display components.
4Illumination intensity
If multiple display technologies (projector, OLED) are integrated across the windshield, then visual output quality and user experience are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Different display technologies (projector-based displays, OLED panels, LED arrays) are strategically placed in different regions of the windshield based on specific functional requirements. For example, projector displays may be used in regions requiring high brightness, while OLED panels are placed where flexible form factors are needed. This local optimization improves overall visual output quality while managing complexity through targeted technology placement.
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
Enables occupants to engage with augmented reality and vehicle systems seamlessly, enhancing user experience by providing interactive displays that adapt to vehicle conditions and occupant preferences without obstructing views.
Implementation Method 1
the second display is configured to provide a second portion of the visual output based on an organic light emitting diode integrated with the pane
Implementation Method 2
The first display includes a wedge film and the wedge film is configured to reduce an appearance of reflections associated with the first display or the second display
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include one or more display. A system may include a pane of the vehicle comprising one or more region in which: a barrier is formed by the pane and the barrier separates an interior of the vehicle from an exterior of the vehicle, the barrier is one or more of transparent or translucent with respect to all transmissions of visible light through the one or more region from the exterior of the vehicle to the interior of the vehicle, an outer periphery of the pane forms an edge and bounds a surface area of the pane, and the one or more region extends over more than 20% of the surface area. A system may cause a visual output to adjust the transmissions of visible light through the one or more region, in which the visual output is based on the one or more display.