Presenting information to the driver

The presentation of information to the driver is assessed from a historical perspective, highlighting those factors that have influenced current practice, and therefore expectation of instrument panel displays. The driver's use of these displays is then analysed from a systems viewpoint, identifying important factors which influence the visibility and legibility of displays. The development at the Motor Industry Research Association of a vehicle simulator is reported, and the manner of its use to study the important factors above is described. An examination of current practice, legislation and human factors research suggest that future implementation of on-board vehicle electronic displays could assist drivers by simplifying the driving tasks, ie reducing current levels of visual inspection tasks and information processing.     

车速台智能仪表的设计与实现

车速表试验台是汽车安全性能检测线以及汽车维修必不可少的测试设备,在借鉴传统车速表试验台智能仪表的基础上,结合现代电子信息技术发展的最新成果,设计了一种性价比高、通用、多功能的新型智能仪表;该仪表可以和多种测速传感器相配．既可作为单机智能仪表检测,也可以和上位机采用RS232／RS485通信,实现联网自动检测;该仪表已投入实际使用,效果良好。     

Conventional vehicle display panels: the drivers' operative images and directions for their redesign

The proliferation of new displays in modern vehicles sets the challenge to revisit the design of the conventional display units, toward more simplified appearance. The present study aims to evaluate the usefulness of the information provided to the drivers by the conventional vehicle display units, in order to trace directions that would lead to a simplification of the future display panels. Based on the concept of operative images, two working hypotheses were formulated: (i) the experienced drivers have developed an operative image-reference (OI-R) for the display panel of their own vehicle(s), reflecting the relative importance they attribute to the information emitted by the various displays of the panel, and (ii) the experienced drivers' drawings of the display panel of their own vehicle will be guided by their OI-R for it - providing therefore traces of the content of their OI-R, while the less experienced drivers' drawings will be closer to the actual display panel of their own vehicle. The method of drawing from memory was used to obtain traces of the operative images of both experienced and less experienced non-professional drivers. The obtained 335 drawings were compared to the actual display panels, as to their overall resemblance and to specific features. The results of the data analysis are in accordance to our working hypotheses. Considering the main features of the experienced drivers' OI-R, directions for the simplification of the appearance of conventional display units are proposed.     

Static‐volumetric display using rotational‐slicing approach for rendering 3‐D images

Abstract— This work is related to static volumetric crystals which scintillate light when two laser beams are intersected within the crystal. The geometry in this crystal is optimized for linear slices. Most volumetric displays are based on rotational surfaces, which generate the images, while the projected images are sliced in a rotational sweep mode. To date, the majority of 3‐D graphic engines based on static‐volume displays have not been fully developed. To use an advanced 3‐D graphic engine designed for a swept‐volume display (SVD) with a static‐volume display, the display must emulate the operation of a SVD based on a rotational‐slicing approach. The CSpace® 3‐D display has the capability to render 3‐D images using the rotational‐slicing approach. This paper presents the development of a rotational‐slicing approach designed to emulate the operation of a SVD within the image volume of a static‐volume display. The display software has been modified to divide the 3‐D image into 46 slices, each passing through the image center and rotated at a fixed angle from the previous slice. Reconstructed 3‐D images were demonstrated using a rotational‐slicing approach. Suggestions are provided for future implementations that could aid in the elimination of elongations and distortions, which occur within specified slices.     

Optimization suggestions for instrument‐cluster information using displays

Abstract— Suggestions are proposed to improve the way information is presented with heads‐down displays (HDDs) to optimize the information and potentially reduce the duration and frequency of scans necessary by the driver to read the information. Using color as a secondary channel of information on vehicle meters could reduce scan frequency by increasing awareness in driver' s peripheral vision. Only showing relevant portion of scales can reduce the overall necessary area for display information and possibly reduce the number of fixations necessary to read the information from that area. Larger displays can be optimized with same considerations as other displays, butthe size creates an easier opportunity to be filled with information in a way that ends up distracting the driver. Elaborate or complex graphics that emphasize the full abilities of larger displays are probably best limited to non‐driving conditions. Color displays also have the potential benefit of reconfigurability, which could have a significant impact on how information is presented. Reconfiguration concepts suggested include only showing information of interest, font‐size adjustment, and using GPS information to augment speed information based on traffic, time of day, and weather conditions.     

After-effects of TFT-LCD display polarity and display colour on the detection of low-contrast objects

Participants performed a word–non-word discrimination task within a car control display emulated on a thin film transistor liquid-crystal display (TFT-LCD). The task simulated an information read-out from a TFT-LCD-based instrument panel. Subsequently, participants performed a low-contrast object detection task that simulated the detection of objects during night-time driving. In experiment 1, words/non-words were presented black-on-white (positive polarity) or white-on-black (negative polarity). In experiments 2 and 3, display colour was additionally manipulated. A positive polarity advantage in the discrimination task was consistently observed. In contrast, positive displays interfered more than negative displays with subsequent detection. The detrimental after-effect of positive polarity displays was strong with white and blue, reduced with amber and absent with red displays. Subjective measures showed a preference for blue over red, but a slight advantage for amber over blue. Implications for TFT-LCD design are derived from the results.

Statement of Relevance: When using TFT-LCDs as car instrument panels, positive polarity red TFT-LCDs are very likely to lead to good instrument readability while at the same time minimising – relative to other colours – the negative effects of an illuminated display on low-contrast object detection during night-time driving.     

Sensor applications of thin‐film devices originating in display technologies

Thin‐film devices are widely utilized for flat‐panel displays, and the essential advantages of the thin‐film devices are generally large‐area production, various‐material substrate, layered structure, etc. Appropriate applications are flat‐panel displays, and other applications where the abovementioned advantages are available and the disadvantages are acceptable are sensor applications. Moreover, if the sensor devices can be made by thin‐film devices that have been already utilized for flat‐panel displays, they can be made without additional cost. Therefore, thin‐film devices are again promising for sensor applications especially for interactive displays. We are investigating sensor applications of thin‐film devices. Particular in this journal paper, we review sensor applications of thin‐film devices originating in display technologies. The various sensors are visible‐light sensor, infrared‐light sensor, temperature sensor, magnetic‐field sensor, etc. Many research results from many research organizations as well as our research laboratory are introduced.     

飞行仿真中虚拟航空仪表显示系统的开发

虚拟航空仪表系统是飞行模拟器的重要组成部分。本文利用GLStudio软件的图形设计器和代码生成器,结合VC++6.0混合编程,实现对航空仪表的仿真。通对航空仪表板进行建模,给出了仿真过程。仿真结果证明,GL Studio建模形象逼真,是一种简捷高效的仪表仿真软件,将其应用于航空仪表面板仿真中,能够取得良好的效果。     

Large‐area FEDs with carbon‐nanotube field emitter

Abstract— Application of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as field emitters for large‐area FED panels is described. In 1998, we presented the first experimental devices: light‐source tubes for outdoor large‐area displays and a diode‐type flat‐panel display, both with screen‐printed CNT cathodes. The fisrt practical high‐luminance color CNT‐FED panel was built in 1999. It employed the new triode‐structure panel was x‐y addressable. The CNT‐FED structure was further optimized for large‐area display panels by improving the luminous uniformity. This paper also describes the design and performance of a new, experimental, 40‐in.‐diagonal panel, which showed that the CNT‐FED technology is suitable for use in large‐area displays.     

Practical CNT‐FED structure for high‐luminance character displays

Abstract— A high‐luminance CNT‐FED character display using a simple line rib structure was constructed. The display panel had 48 × 480 dots and the subpixel pitch was 1 mm. The greatest benefit of a display using CNT technology is high luminance performance with low‐power consumption. The luminance of the green‐color dot wasca. 10,000 cd/m² under 1/1 6 duty‐cycle driving at a 6‐kV anode voltage. The high luminance of the display panel can provide good visibility when installed even in outdoor locations, and the power consumption was ca. 4 W at the character displaying module. This, a CNT‐FED for character displays also has potential multifunctionality, which could be battery driven. It should be useful for public displays even under emergency no‐power conditions. In this work, a practical structure and process technologies for making ribs with reasonable cost were developed. The newly introduced 2‐mm‐tall line ribs as spacers were formed by using innovative production processes; i.e., the rib paste was pushed out of a multi‐slit nozzle, and the rib shape was formed by UV‐light irradiation. The developed panel structure and manufacturing processes also had the advantages of size flexibility and high production yield.     

Absolute radiometric and photometric measurements of near‐eye displays

The arrival of near‐eye displays has challenged the traditional methods that have been used to measure the optical properties of displays. Near‐eye displays typically create virtual images and are designed for the relatively small entrance pupil of the human eye. These two attributes result in optical measurement requirements that are substantially different from traditional flat panel displays. This paper discusses the optical system requirements needed to make absolute radiometric and photometric measurements of near‐eye displays. These guidelines are contrasted with the performance of current optical measurement instruments. An initial study was conducted using traditional and modified instruments and exhibited a significant variance in the results with different near‐eye display designs. The study demonstrated that some traditional optical instruments can yield erroneous results when used to measure near‐eye displays. Generic optical system design concepts were used to interpret the experimental results and helped to identify how current commercial designs could be modified to properly measure near‐eye displays.     

基于OpenGL的飞行模拟器图形仪表设计

针对某型飞机飞行模拟器仪表仿真的特点,提出了一种在Windows平台上采用Visual C＋＋6.0开发基于OpenGL的图形仪表的方法,运用OpenGL纹理贴图技术实现了图形仪表的绘制。实际应用证明,该方法圆满完成了航空仪表的仿真,降低了飞行模拟器的整体研制费用,取得了良好的飞行训练效果。     

Fully‐integrated active matrix programmable UV and blue micro‐LED display system‐on‐panel (SoP)

High pixel per inch and high‐resolution micro‐LED displays are attracting more and more attentions. The increasing pixel number requires a large amount of bonding pads and brings huge difficulties to micro‐LED system design and lowers power efficiency as well. It is urgent to integrate row and column driving circuits onto the micro‐LED panel. Here, we report a fully integrated active matrix programmable micro‐LED system on panel (SoP) with ultraviolet and blue emission wavelengths. The micro‐LED SoP has a resolution of 60 × 60 and pixel pitch of 70 μm. The micro‐LED SoP was achieved by integrating micro‐LED arrays with silicon‐based p‐channel metal‐oxide semiconductor driving panel using fine‐toned flip‐chip bonding technology. With fully integrated scan and data circuits, the number of bonding pads was greatly reduced from 136 to 28, and large amount of metal interconnection lines were saved. The micro‐LED SoP panel was mounted on a periphery driving board, and representative characters were displayed successfully.     

Age differences in driver visual behavior and vehicle control when driving with in-vehicle and on-road deliveries of service logo signs

With the advances in vehicle technologies, more information is communicated in real-time to the driver via an in-vehicle interface. In-vehicle messaging may deliver safety-related information such as warnings as well as non-safety-related information such as an upcoming lodging place. While much research has focused on the design of messaging safety-related information, little is known about the best practice in in-vehicle messaging of non-safety-related information. This study investigated the effects of information source and load on driver signage logo identification, glance behavior, and vehicle control among younger, middle-aged and older drivers. The logos were presented on: (1) an on-road sign panel, (2) an in-vehicle display, or (3) a combination of both, with half of the drives showing logo only, and the other half of the drives showing logo plus additional text. The general findings support the use of in-vehicle displays, especially when it is presented simultaneously with on-road signs. In-vehicle displays did not lead to a higher workload or more visual distraction, and simultaneous presentations resulted in slightly better speed control. The findings also showed minimal negative impacts on logo identification from increased information load. Older drivers performed less well in signage identification and vehicle control, and they made longer glances to logo information suggesting design considerations should be made to accommodate specific driver characteristics.     

Interface design on cabin pressurization system affecting pilot's situation awareness: The comparison between digital displays and pointed displays

The fundamental approach to improve pilots’ situation awareness (SA) would be to reorganize and restructure the presentation of information to fit pilot's cognitive model on the flight deck. This would facilitate pilots’ perception, understanding, and projection, hence making it easier to find the relevant targets. Sixty pilots (30 B‐737 pilots and 30 B‐777 pilots) participated in this study to investigate pilots’ SA while interacting with digital displays and moving pointed needle displays on cabin pressurization system. The results have shown significant differences on pilots’ perception, understanding, and overall SA between digital display and pointed display on the flight deck. Pilots significantly preferred the digital design cabin pressurization system, which is consistent with the proximity compatibility principle, and the position of the display on the center instrument panel is easily accessible to both pilots and does not require large head movements. There are some recommendations on the cabin pressurization design including the size of outflow valve position indicator, which should be significantly increased to provided saliency of information; color coding should be used on cabin altitude and differential pressure indicator to mark critical cabin altitude; and standard operating procedures shall include cabin altitude and differential pressure reading by pilot monitoring. The final and completed solution to the issues on the cabin pressurization system is to redesign the scattered pointed displays as integrated digital displays to fit the human‐centered principle.     

Vacuum fluorescent displays for automotive applications

Vacuum fluorescent displays are now widely used in automobiles. This paper describes the various technical requirements for their automotive application. Although VFDs originated in the mature technology of electron tubes, continous development such as introducing thin film technology, thick film technology by photolithography and new phosphor materials, will create a breakthrough for a new generation of VFDs. The current status of the VFD product adopting new technologies and the future trends are presented. In the near future meanwhile, flat panel graphic displays in full colour are expected for practical application.     

Microdisplay‐based optical module for avionic display applications

Abstract— A new optical scheme for a LCOS‐based rear‐projection system utilizing an LED illumination source is presented. The proposed optical module could conveniently replace conventional aircraft panel instrumentation not only because it achieves major standard avionics application requirements, such as the capability to withstand mechanical shocks, high reliability, and weight and power‐consumption minimization, but also as a consequence of the fact that it allows the display image area to be properly matched to the shape of the instrument panel more easily than with conventional displays.     

基于μCLinux的车载仪表图形界面的设计

本文根据车载仪表的发展现状,选择μCLinux构建软件平台,然后配备一个图形系统MiniGUI;最后给出了基于μCLinux和MiniGUI平台的车载仪表图形用户界面的设计方案,并在实践中验证了此平台的可用性。     

基于LabVIEW 8.0测定纯液体蒸发焓的虚拟仪器

将常规的数字温度仪与压力计通过串行口和计算机连接,构建基于LabVIEW 8.0测定纯液体蒸发焓的虚拟仪器,实现实验数据的动态采集、实时显示、自动绘制p～T曲线并显示曲线方程、自动数据处理和写成结果报告等。应用结果表明:基于LabVIEW构建的测定纯液体蒸发焓的虚拟仪器,免除人工操作的繁琐和人为误差,测定乙醇和苯蒸发焓的相对误差分别为0.86%、-2.97%,提高了测量结果的准确度,且具有界面友好,操作简便和功能易扩展等诸多优点。     

A Wearable User's Dashboard and Turn Signals

Walking with a wearable computer should be more like driving a car. With a car, much of the attention is dedicated to the environment around you: looking for pedestrians, watching for stop signs, and staying in your lane. Occasionally, when everything looks clear, you might look at the speedometer, fuel gauge, or radio station displayed on the dashboard. These displays are arranged and designed so that you can monitor the car's state with a glance. Yet the displays don't intrude-the author determines when and how often he looks at them. He manages his own attention.