HUD Patent

[borski]

Really fascinating.

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/c6/3e/68/ce2523aeb458da/WO2024112930A1.pdf

 

[borski]

Also found this really interesting approach to “gearing” and emulating ICE cars: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/68/df/87/b83fa963c3b753/WO2023183849A1.pdf

Okay, maybe I’m a nerd.

 

[JB67]

(Teasing) So, combing through patents is what you do when you aren’t looking at the “Is it a Minivan or Not” thread.

I can see why a car enthusiast might want the “shifting pattern” option.

Didn’t quite follow the HUD upgrade, but I would really need to spend time ray tracing that setup as I have never dealt with HUDs before.
@borski did it come down to there is a way to boost the brightness and field of view, but there seemed to be more than that

 

[Alex]

Really fascinating.

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/c6/3e/68/ce2523aeb458da/WO2024112930A1.pdf

I looked over this patent quickly and it allows a wide field of view for the projected image using a not so wide display. They achieve this by displaying an anamorphic image onto an intermediate screen which is curved to widen the image before projecting in the windscreen.

Using my above explanation and the patent, grok 2 summarized it as:

The patent WO2024112930A1 describes a method for displaying augmented reality (AR) information in vehicles, particularly through the use of a head-up display (HUD). The system involves projecting an anamorphic image onto an intermediate screen which is specifically shaped to correct and expand the image. This intermediate screen is curved, allowing the initially narrow display to be transformed into a wider field of view when projected onto the vehicle’s windshield. The technique essentially stretches the image horizontally, leveraging the curvature of the intermediate screen to achieve a broader visual output without requiring a physically larger display device. This approach not only conserves space and potentially reduces costs but also enhances the clarity and accuracy of the AR content displayed for the driver, improving the overall driving experience by integrating digital information seamlessly with the real-world view through the windshield.

 

[WhistleKing30]

@JB67 HUDs that are projected directly onto the windscreen rely on magnification of the source image. Hence, there are one or more lenses in such a setup. Patents are always a pain to read. But glancing through it my understanding is that this application by Lucid shows a way to use the simple but capable TFT setup, but reduce the risk of thermal damage caused by direct sunlight. This is done by introducing an intermediate layer which they call the the hybrid reflective intermediate image screen.

So how are other manufacturers avoiding this problem of direct sunlight? The industry increasingly relies on micro-mirror arrays. Which is basically a grid of tiny mirrors that individually can be angled at a desired position - thereby acting as individual pixels reflecting the light from a light source (typically RGB lasers). The problem? the dominant player of micro-mirrors is Texas Instruments (DLP). And they own a strong patent. Licensing of DLP or other micro-mirror setups is incredibly high.

If my interpretation of the proposed innovation is correct, then I believe that Lucid could offer reliable HUDs that are more affordable to produce.

 

[hmp10]

Also found this really interesting approach to “gearing” and emulating ICE cars: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/68/df/87/b83fa963c3b753/WO2023183849A1.pdf

Okay, maybe I’m a nerd.

A very interesting read that still leaves the big question unanswered: Why?

The instant prodigious torque and the silent whoosh of silky, uninterrupted acceleration of a high-performance EV are among the reasons I'll never buy another ICE "performance" car again despite the many I have owned and enjoyed over the years.

 

[hmp10]

Really fascinating.

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/c6/3e/68/ce2523aeb458da/WO2024112930A1.pdf

Screen shots don't capture it clearly, but has anyone else toggled between the standard and upgrade Technology Package options on the Gravity order configurator?

When the upgrade is selected -- thus getting the HUD -- a distinct rectangular shadow appears in the windshield when an image is not being projected, while the windshield without the HUD option remains clear. I wonder how distracting that would be if you want to turn off the HUD to reduce visual distractions?

I see real advantages to using the HUD in tandem with the nav system and in some other situations. But when driving in familiar territory in typical traffic conditions, I would find it a feature with which I could more easily dispense.

 

[momo3605]

Screen shots don't capture it clearly, but has anyone else toggled between the standard and upgrade Technology Package options on the Gravity order configurator?

When the upgrade is selected -- thus getting the HUD -- a distinct rectangular shadow appears in the windshield when an image is not being projected, while the windshield without the HUD option remains clear. I wonder how distracting that would be if you want to turn off the HUD to reduce visual distractions?

View attachment 26761

I see real advantages to using the HUD in tandem with the nav system and in some other situations. But when driving in familiar territory in typical traffic conditions, I would find it a feature with which I could more easily dispense.

Have you owned cars with HUD before? I've had a couple...it's not that distracting, since you have to look down and closer to the edge of your hood and the road and focus on whatever it says. I still personally end up looking at the nav screen and dash anyway because they will always have more information.

I wouldn't worry about having to turn it off, you'll just end up tuning it out if you don't care for it.

 

[Lucken]

What surprises me is that no one has tackled the issue of HUDS and polarized sunglasses. For those that enjoy wearing polarized lenses, it renders the HUD essentially useless.

 

[hmp10]

Have you owned cars with HUD before? I've had a couple...it's not that distracting, since you have to look down and closer to the edge of your hood and the road and focus on whatever it says. I still personally end up looking at the nav screen and dash anyway because they will always have more information.

I wouldn't worry about having to turn it off, you'll just end up tuning it out if you don't care for it.

I haven't owned cars with HUD, but I have driven them. I think the ones that display overlays of navigation turns over the actual turns could be very helpful, and that's the main reason I'm interested in the Gravity HUD.

However, with the squircle meant to keep the entire (and very large) driver's binnacle in unobstructed view, I wonder why other information couldn't be displayed on the screen instead of the windshield. Things such as displaying speed in a HUD just inches above the binnacle's display of the same information strikes me as more a party trick that just contributes to visual clutter.

I also wonder how it appears at night and whether it turns off automatically when activating the Digital Detox feature.

Of course, I'll know more about all this when I actually see it in action. Whenever that day comes . . . .

 

[DrZorro]

What surprises me is that no one has tackled the issue of HUDS and polarized sunglasses. For those that enjoy wearing polarized lenses, it renders the HUD essentially useless.

Luckily I've found that polarized sunglasses only end up reducing the brightness of the HUD in my car rather than entirely filtering it out. I was very worried about this when I bought my last pair of Rx sunglasses at Costco and found out they ONLY offer polarized lenses. I actually borrowed a pair from the salesperson and went out to my car before ordering as I was afraid it would make the HUD entirely disappear (which would have been a dealbreaker). Luckily it turns out the display is maybe about 50% dimmer than when looked at through ordinary sunglasses. It's still very usable.

 

[Lucken]

I haven't owned cars with HUD, but I have driven them. I think the ones that display overlays of navigation turns over the actual turns could be very helpful, and that's the main reason I'm interested in the Gravity HUD.

However, with the squircle meant to keep the entire (and very large) driver's binnacle in unobstructed view, I wonder why other information couldn't be displayed on the screen instead of the windshield. Things such as displaying speed in a HUD just inches above the binnacle's display of the same information strikes me as more a party trick that just contributes to visual clutter.

I also wonder how it appears at night and whether it turns off automatically when activating the Digital Detox feature.

Of course, I'll know more about all this when I actually see it in action. Whenever that day comes . . . .

That’s how it works on our i5.

 

[WhistleKing30]

However, with the squircle meant to keep the entire (and very large) driver's binnacle in unobstructed view, I wonder why other information couldn't be displayed on the screen instead of the windshield. Things such as displaying speed in a HUD just inches above the binnacle's display of the same information strikes me as more a party trick that just contributes to visual clutter.

Due to the focus length and contract difference of the HUD, your eyes don't need to change focus as much as when reading from a regular display. In theory, you could be looking a pedestrian straight in the eye while reading what speed you're driving at.

Personally I don't care much for HUD. I prefer a proper screen over any HUD out there today. (Still waiting for the first true immersive HUD / AR experience...)

 

[knewman]

That second patent is exactly whats wrong with the world. I truly pity anyone who uses such a feature.

 

[Gravitas]

A very interesting read that still leaves the big question unanswered: Why?

The instant prodigious torque and the silent whoosh of silky, uninterrupted acceleration of a high-performance EV are among the reasons I'll never buy another ICE "performance" car again despite the many I have owned and enjoyed over the years.

This feature is mainly for ICE-diehards.
Many of them love how the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N emulates a gas engine vehicle.
Why not; I am for whatever helps to sell more EVs.

 

[hmp10]

This feature is mainly for ICE-diehards.
Many of them love how the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N emulates a gas engine vehicle.

Yeah, same reason it took a while for the steering wheel to replace a tiller on early cars.

Why not; I am for whatever helps to sell more EVs.

Good point.

 

[bryway]

Due to the focus length and contract difference of the HUD, your eyes don't need to change focus as much as when reading from a regular display. In theory, you could be looking a pedestrian straight in the eye while reading what speed you're driving at.

Personally I don't care much for HUD. I prefer a proper screen over any HUD out there today. (Still waiting for the first true immersive HUD / AR experience...)

LOVED the full-color HUD in both of my former BMWs (2012 740Li, 2016 750i) and was the number one feature (among a long list of features) I missed having when I made the leap to Tesla. In fact, I picked up my 2012 740Li from BMW Welt in Munich using BMW's European Delivery program, and think navigating Europe on vacation (Munich and Schwangau, Zurich, Cernobbio Italy [Lake Como], Monte Carlo Monaco, and Geneva) in my massive 7-Series would have been infinitely more difficult without the HUD for NAV.

While not a requirement, it certainly was nice to have for turn-by-turn Nav functions. Not having to glance over at the map display in the center console, or at a much smaller indicator in the dash display was great for safety too. I liked the way it intelligently collected useful information that would otherwise be displayed in different spots across the driver and center console displays in one spot. Things like core NAV function, speed, direction of travel, audio source and fuel level -- all really nice to have projected into my field of view.

I was thrilled to see HUD was an option -- especially considering it's not offered on Air, so I hadn't expected it on Gravity.

 

[DeaneG]

What surprises me is that no one has tackled the issue of HUDS and polarized sunglasses. For those that enjoy wearing polarized lenses, it renders the HUD essentially useless.

The Polestar 3's HUD works fine with polarized sunglasses. I haven't seen Gravity's yet.

 

[roKapl99]

The Polestar 3's HUD works fine with polarized sunglasses. I haven't seen Gravity's yet.

There are non-polarazied sunglasses that work with HUD. See RandolphUSa.com

 

[DeaneG]

There are non-polarazied sunglasses that work with HUD. See RandolphUSa.com

Yes, many, I had a couple nice sky blue fade ray-bans for my Maserati. No HUD, but an infotainment screen that appeared black when viewed with polarized lenses. I always had to double check whether it was just in the middle of a reboot, or if I'd worn polarized glasses by mistake.