Patent Application
20100321572
The present disclosure relates to video displays in vehicles, and in an embodiment, but not by way of limitation, a system and method for image stabilization in video displays in vehicles.
Vehicles today, including land-based vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft, normally have one or more video display units within them. These video display units can be for the primary benefit of an operator of the vehicle, and can include instruments that report on the function and status of the vehicle. These video display units can also be for the primary benefit of a passenger in the vehicle, and can include displays for entertainment purposes such as a DVD display unit in a van. While the readability of these display units is not a problem under ordinary operational situations, the readability of these display units can become impaired when the vehicle experiences jostling from a rough road, choppy waters, or air turbulence.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that the various embodiments of the invention, although different, are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Furthermore, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described herein in connection with one embodiment may be implemented within other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, it is to be understood that the location or arrangement of individual elements within each disclosed embodiment may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, appropriately interpreted, along with the full range of equivalents to which the claims are entitled. In the drawings, like numerals refer to the same or similar functionality throughout the several views.
A number of figures show block diagrams of systems and apparatus of embodiments of the invention. A number of figures show flow diagrams illustrating systems and apparatus for such embodiments. The operations of the flow diagrams will be described with references to the systems/apparatuses shown in the block diagrams. However, it should be understood that the operations of the flow diagrams could be performed by embodiments of systems and apparatus other than those discussed with reference to the block diagrams, and embodiments discussed with reference to the systems/apparatus could perform operations different than those discussed with reference to the flow diagrams.
The functionality of the system of
F=−k*x; (1)
where F=force, k=restoring force coefficient, and x=displacement. The force portion of this equation can be written as:
F=m*a; (2)
where m=object mass and a=acceleration. Equation (2) can be rewritten in terms of displacement as:
F=m*d
2
x/dt
2. (3)
Equations (2) and (3) can be combined to arrive at the following:
m*d
2
x/dt
2
=−k*x. (4)
Equation (4) describes a simple oscillator. In order to complete equation (4), friction losses should be included. To a first order approximation, friction losses can be estimated as linearly proportional to object velocity. In this case, the motion equation becomes:
m*d
2
x/dt
2
+b*dx/dt+k*x=0; (5)
where b is the friction loss. This represents a system free of external influences. If there are external influences, such as external forces, equation (5) becomes:
m*d
2
x/dt
2
+b*dx/dt+k*x=F(t); (6)
where F(t) represents a time varying external force applied to the system. A general solution to equation (6) is in the form of
X=X
0+sin(ω*t)*e−at;
where t=time, X0=initial displacement,
and α=(b/2m). Equation (7) is an equation of a damped sinusoid.
The basic formula of equation (7) can be used to calculate the effects of vehicle motion on a passenger. A passenger in the seat of a vehicle would experience a force related to the displacement of the vehicle from equilibrium. In this case, this would resemble
By placing one or more accelerometers 290 in the passenger seat, this displacement can be directly measured as a function of time using the above equations. Once the displacement is known, the displayed data or image can be compensated to stabilize the image. Small displacements may or may not be compensated for because they do not cause a loss of focus on the display. An example of this could be the displacement peak around t=300 in
As illustrated in
Thus, an example system and method for stabilizing an image on a display unit has been described. Although specific example embodiments have been described, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, show by way of illustration, and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.
The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) and will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
In the foregoing description of the embodiments, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting that the claimed embodiments have more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate example embodiment.
