There are three kinds of optical applications for head-up display (HUD) products: TFT (Thin Film Transistor); DLP (Digital Light Processing); and LBS (Laser Beam Scanning).
These optical projection techniques have been applied into FIC's automotive HUD products, such as HUD (2013~2018), windshield HUD (WHUD) (2017~2019) and augmeted reality (AR) HUD (2019~Future). HUDs use a TFT-LED panel with 2D flat, small virtual image and lack of distance perception. WHUDs use TFT-LED panel or DLP techniques to project virtual images directly onto the windshield, but with poor brightness, low contract and blurred virtual images. FIC's Laser AR HUD successfully uses the LBS technique to design and develop for car manufacturers, with high resolution and readable under the natural sunlight. It provides distant perception (VID 2~20M) and is able to see through the virtual images without blocking the front view.
An optical imaging element determines the shape, distance and the size of the AR HUD images. The image appears to float freely over the road, and the windshield acts as a deflecting subject. The AR HUD display is composed of the following components: cover glass, curved mirrors, plane mirrors, diffusers (projection display), LBS, optical correction software, PCB/PCB assembly, SW flow chart, and housing/box-build.
All AR HUD designs will rely on the FOV portions and optical glass angles from 5°, 10° to 20° with projected image distance from 2m to 20m far from drivers’ eyes. The larger virtual image will need to have a larger IP structure space design during POC stage.
