Audi invents self-luminous screen element to turn car windshield into cinema

According to foreign media reports, Audi has been seeking innovation, and recently the company has developed a display device with a self-luminous screen element. Just like in science fiction movies where images are projected onto a glass surface, Audi has created a way to turn a car windshield into a cinema.

(Photo source: carbazz)

Audi explains the invention as follows: "The display surface of the self-luminous screen element is divided into a first and a second display area by a curved area. The selective shielding unit transmits light from the screen element along a preferred direction, blocks light along a blocking direction, and/or deflects light from the blocking direction. When installed on a car, the surface area is located at a predetermined distance from the self-luminous screen element of the display device, and the content displayed on the second display area is reflected to a predetermined viewpoint. In this case, the preferred direction of the selective shielding unit in the second display area is toward the surface area, and the blocking direction in the second display area is toward the predetermined viewpoint; while in the first display area, the preferred direction of the selective shielding unit is toward the predetermined viewpoint, and the blocking direction is toward the surface area."

(Photo source: carbazz)

It sounds a bit complicated. Basically, the system projects an image onto a screen via a light strip. The light strip either sends light to the screen so that passengers can see the image, or blocks unwanted light from behind the holographic image to avoid distorting the image. This means the screen can be seen even in daylight. The screen supports "entertainment functions and operating information for the car." The documents show that a polarizing filter can prevent the so-called double image effect. In addition, the system can project different versions of the same image, so that no matter from which angle you look at the screen, you can see a clear image.

For example, if such a display device is placed on or in an interior component of a motor vehicle and faces a reflective surface area, such as a window pane or a painted A-pillar, this surface area can be used as a display surface without having to use and install a second display device, thus significantly saving construction space. In addition, the interior component whose surface faces the windshield can now be used to install the display device, because the display area on this surface is reflected in the windshield. The user can thus see the reflection of one display area and directly observe the other display area. This not only improves ergonomics, but also significantly simplifies and improves the handling of the display device.

The self-luminous screen can be bent or folded at an angle of less than 180 degrees at one viewing angle and more than that at another. The shielding unit blocks light from any angle you look at it from. This could mean that the driver could have a much more advanced version of today's typical head-up display, while the passenger can watch a movie or other media in full screen. The specific position of the viewer in the car determines what that person sees. Neither the driver nor the passenger will be distracted by what the other person is watching. This can make the passenger enjoy a more pleasant journey and provide more information to the driver. As foreshadowed by the Audi Grandsphere concept car, in future self-driving cars, all passengers can enjoy unprecedented in-car entertainment functions.

If the invention goes ahead, it will probably be at least a decade before it actually comes out, so don't expect to get this feature on the next Audi A8.