HUD FIELD OF VIEW EXPANSION

A head up display for a vehicle includes a holographic projector adapted to project a holographic image, a controller adapted to split a holographic image into a first half image and a second half image and calculate phase holograms for each, a phase light modulator adapted to sequentially and alternately receive and encode the first half image and the second half image, a digital light processor adapted to sequentially and alternately receive the first half image and second half image, sequentially direct the first half image to a first position on a windshield, and direct the second half image to a second position on the windshield, adjacent to the first position.

INTRODUCTION

The present disclosure relates to a head up display (HUD) system within a vehicle and a method of increasing the size of a field of view of the HUD system. Current solid-state phase light modulators (PLMs) are desirable because they are temperature insensitive and are exceptionally fast. However, current solid-state phase light modulators are limited to about five degrees of field of view (FOV).

Thus, while current systems and methods achieve their intended purpose, there is a need for a new and improved system and method of providing an expanded field of view in a HUD system.

SUMMARY

According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a head up display for a vehicle includes a holographic projector adapted to project a holographic image, a controller adapted to split a holographic image into a first half image and a second half image and calculate phase holograms for each of the first half image and the second half image, a phase light modulator (PLM) having a defined field of view (FOV) and adapted to sequentially and alternately receive and encode the first half image and the second half image, a digital light processor (DLP) adapted to sequentially and alternately receive the first half image and second half image from the PLM, sequentially direct the first half image to a first position on an inner surface of a windshield of the vehicle, and direct the second half image to a second position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle and adjacent to the first position, wherein, the first half image displayed at the first position and the second half image displayed at the second position result in a re-creation of the holographic image, displayed on the inner surface of the windshield, and having a FOV that is twice the size of the FOV of the PLM.

According to another aspect, the DLP is adapted to sequentially direct the first half image to the first position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle for less than 33 μs, and direct the second half image to the second position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle for less than 33 μs.

According to another aspect, the holographic projector includes a red laser, a green laser and a blue laser, and when the controller calculates phase holograms for each of the first half image and the second half image, the controller is further adapted to calculate a red phase hologram, a green phase hologram and a blue phase hologram for the first half image, and to calculate a red phase hologram, a green phase hologram and a blue phase hologram for the second half image.

According to another aspect, the PLM is further adapted to sequentially receive and encode the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for the first half image, and the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for the second half image.

According to another aspect, the DLP is further adapted to sequentially receive the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for the first half image and the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for the second half image from the PLM, sequentially direct the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for the first half image to the first position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle, and sequentially direct the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for the second half image to the second position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle and adjacent to the first position.

According to another aspect, the DLP is further adapted to sequentially direct the red phase hologram for the first half image to the first position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle for less than 10 μs, direct the green phase hologram for the first half image to the first position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle for less than 10 μs, direct the blue phase hologram for the first half image to the first position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle for less than 10 μs, direct the red phase hologram for the second half image to the second position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle for less than 10 μs, direct the green phase hologram for the second half image to the second position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle for less than 10 μs, and direct the blue phase hologram for the second half image to the second position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle for less than 10 μs.

According to another aspect, the power level of each of the red, green and blue lasers is increased to compensate for luminance decrease due to sequential switching between the first half image and the second half image.

According to another aspect, the DLP is adapted to use a compensation algorithm to precisely match an FOV of the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for each of the first half image and the second half image, due to varying wavelength of the red, green and blue lasers.

According to another aspect, the DLP includes a photo sensor with active feedback and is adapted to maintain color alignment and image edge alignment between the first half image and the second half image.

According to another aspect, the DLP is adapted to blend adjacent edges of the first half image and the second half image to allow overlapping of the adjacent edges of the first half image and the second half image.

According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a method of enlarging the field of view of a head up display for a vehicle includes splitting, with a controller a holographic image into a first half image and a second half image, calculating, with the controller, phase holograms for each of the first half image and the second half image, sequentially and alternately, with a phase light modulator (PLM) having a defined field of view (FOV), receiving, from a holographic projector adapted to project a holographic image, the first half image and the second half image, and, encoding the first half image and the second half image, sequentially and alternately, with a digital light processor (DLP), receiving the first half image and second half image from the PLM, sequentially, with the DLP, directing the first half image to a first position on an inner surface of a windshield of the vehicle, and directing the second half image to a second position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle and adjacent to the first position, wherein, the first half image displayed at the first position and the second half image displayed at the second position result in a re-creation of the holographic image, displayed on the inner surface of the windshield, and having a FOV that is twice the size of the FOV of the PLM.

According to another aspect, the sequentially, with the DLP, directing the first half image to a first position on an inner surface of a windshield of the vehicle, and directing the second half image to a second position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle and adjacent to the first position further includes directing the first half image to the first position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle for less than 33 μs, and directing the second half image to a second position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle for less than 33 μs.

According to another aspect, the holographic projector includes a red laser, a green laser and a blue laser, and the calculating, with the controller, phase holograms for each of the first half image and the second half image further includes calculating a red phase hologram, a green phase hologram and a blue phase hologram for the first half image, and calculating a red phase hologram, a green phase hologram and a blue phase hologram for the second half image.

According to another aspect, the sequentially and alternately, with a phase light modulator (PLM) having a defined field of view (FOV), receiving, from the holographic projector adapted to project the holographic image, the first half image and the second half image, and, encoding the first half image and the second half image further includes sequentially receiving and encoding, with the PLM, the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for the first half image, and receiving and encoding, with the PLM, the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for the second half image.

According to another aspect, the sequentially and alternately, with a digital light processor (DLP), receiving the first half image and second half image from the PLM further includes sequentially receiving, with the DLP, the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for the first half image and the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for the second half image from the PLM, the sequentially, with the DLP, directing the first half image to the first position on an inner surface of a windshield of the vehicle further includes sequentially directing, with the DLP, the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for the first half image to the first position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle, and the sequentially, with the DLP, directing the second half image to the second position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle further includes sequentially directing, with the DLP, the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for the second half image to the second position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle and adjacent to the first position.

According to another aspect, the sequentially directing, with the DLP, the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for the first half image to the first position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle further includes directing the red phase hologram for the first half image to the first position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle for less than 10 μs, directing the green phase hologram for the first half image to the first position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle for less than 10 μs, and directing the blue phase hologram for the first half image to the first position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle for less than 10 μs, and the sequentially directing, with the DLP, the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for the second half image to the second position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle further includes directing the red phase hologram for the second half image to the second position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle for less than 10 μs, directing the green phase hologram for the second half image to the second position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle for less than 10 μs, and directing the blue phase hologram for the second half image to the second position on the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle for less than 10 μs.

According to another aspect, the method further includes increasing the power level of each of the red, green and blue lasers to compensate for luminance decrease due to sequential switching between the first half image and the second half image.

According to another aspect, the method further includes using, with the DLP, a compensation algorithm to precisely match an FOV of the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for each of the first half image and the second half image, due to varying wavelength of the red, green and blue lasers.

According to another aspect, the DLP includes a photo sensor with active feedback, the method further including maintaining, with the DLP, using feedback from the photo sensor, color alignment and image edge alignment between the first half image and the second half image, and blending adjacent edges of the first half image and the second half image, with the DLP, to allow overlapping of adjacent edges of the first half image and the second half image.

The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized, such as to show details of particular components. In some instances, well-known components, systems, materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. As used herein, the term module refers to any hardware, software, firmware, electronic control component, processing logic, and/or processor device, individually or in any combination, including without limitation: application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. Although the figures shown herein depict an example with certain arrangements of elements, additional intervening elements, devices, features, or components may be present in actual embodiments. It should also be understood that the figures are merely illustrative and may not be drawn to scale.

As used herein, the term “vehicle” is not limited to automobiles. While the present technology is described primarily herein in connection with automobiles, the technology is not limited to automobiles. The concepts can be used in a wide variety of applications, such as in connection with aircraft, marine craft, other vehicles, and consumer electronic components.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment,FIG.1shows a vehicle10with an associated head up display (HUD) system12in accordance with various embodiments. The vehicle10generally includes a chassis13, a body14, front wheels16, and rear wheels18. The body14is arranged on the chassis13and substantially encloses components of the vehicle10. The body14and the chassis13may jointly form a frame. The front wheels16and rear wheels18are each rotationally coupled to the chassis13near a respective corner of the body14.

In various embodiments, the vehicle10is an autonomous vehicle and the system12is incorporated into the autonomous vehicle10. An autonomous vehicle10is, for example, a vehicle10that is automatically controlled to carry passengers from one location to another. The vehicle10is depicted in the illustrated embodiment as a passenger car, but it should be appreciated that any other vehicle including motorcycles, trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), recreational vehicles (RVs), etc., can also be used. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle10is a so-called Level Four or Level Five automation system. A Level Four system indicates “high automation”, referring to the driving mode-specific performance by an automated driving system of all aspects of the dynamic driving task, even if a human driver does not respond appropriately to a request to intervene. A Level Five system indicates “full automation”, referring to the full-time performance by an automated driving system of all aspects of the dynamic driving task under all roadway and environmental conditions that can be managed by a human driver.

As shown, the vehicle10generally includes a propulsion system20, a transmission system22, a steering system24, a brake system26, a sensor system28, an actuator system30, at least one data storage device32, a controller34, and a communication system36. In an embodiment in which the autonomous vehicle10is an electric vehicle, there may be no transmission system22. The propulsion system20may, in various embodiments, include an internal combustion engine, an electric machine such as a traction motor, and/or a fuel cell propulsion system. The transmission system22is configured to transmit power from the propulsion system20to the vehicle's front wheels16and rear wheels18according to selectable speed ratios.

According to various embodiments, the transmission system22may include a step-ratio automatic transmission, a continuously-variable transmission, or other appropriate transmission. The brake system26is configured to provide braking torque to the vehicle's front wheels16and rear wheels18. The brake system26may, in various embodiments, include friction brakes, brake by wire, a regenerative braking system such as an electric machine, and/or other appropriate braking systems. The steering system24influences a position of the front wheels16and rear wheels18. While depicted as including a steering wheel for illustrative purposes, in some embodiments contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure, the steering system24may not include a steering wheel.

The sensor system28includes one or more sensing devices40a-40nthat sense observable conditions of the exterior environment and/or the interior environment of the autonomous vehicle10. The sensing devices40a-40ncan include, but are not limited to, radars, lidars, global positioning systems, optical cameras, thermal cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and/or other sensors. The sensor system28includes at least one non-visual sensor40A that is adapted to detect objects within an environment surrounding the vehicle10, and at least one image capturing device40badapted to capture images of the environment surrounding the vehicle10. The cameras can include two or more digital cameras spaced at a selected distance from each other, in which the two or more digital cameras are used to obtain stereoscopic images of the surrounding environment in order to obtain a three-dimensional image. The sensing devices40a-40ncan include sensors that monitor dynamic variables of the vehicle, such as its velocity, its acceleration, a number of times that the brake is applied, etc. The actuator system30includes one or more actuator devices42a-42nthat control one or more vehicle features such as, but not limited to, the propulsion system20, the transmission system22, the steering system24, and the brake system26.

The controller34is a non-generalized, electronic control device having a preprogrammed digital computer or processor, memory or non-transitory computer readable medium used to store data such as control logic, software applications, instructions, computer code, data, lookup tables, etc., and a transceiver [or input/output ports]. A “non-transitory” computer readable medium excludes wired, wireless, optical, or other communication links that transport transitory electrical or other signals. A non-transitory computer readable medium includes media where data can be permanently stored and media where data can be stored and later overwritten, such as a rewritable optical disc or an erasable memory device. Computer code includes any type of program code, including source code, object code, and executable code.

Referring toFIG.2andFIG.3, in an exemplary embodiment, the head-up display (HUD) system12according to the present disclosure includes a holographic projector50that includes a red laser52, a green laser54and a blue laser56and is adapted to project a holographic image upward to an inner surface58of a windshield60of the vehicle10to be seen by an occupant62of the vehicle10. The controller34is in communication with the holographic projector50and is adapted to split a holographic image64into a first half image66and a second half image68and to calculate phase holograms for each of the first half image66and the second half image68.

A phase light modulator (PLM)70has a defined field of view (FOV)72and is adapted to sequentially and alternately receive and encode the first half image66and the second half image68. Referring toFIG.4, a schematic of a windshield60is shown, wherein a holographic image64is displayed by a PLM70. As mentioned above, the PLM70has a defined FOV72. Due to constraints of the PLM, the size of the FOV72of the PLM70can be quite limited.

As mentioned above, the controller34is adapted to split the holographic image64into a first half image66and a second half image68. As shown inFIG.4, a holographic image64includes two characters, a smiley face64A and a heart64B. Once the holographic images is split, the first half image66includes the smiley face64A and the second half image68includes the heart64B. Referring toFIG.2andFIG.5, a digital light processor (DLP)74is positioned between the PLM70and the windshield60and is adapted to sequentially and alternately receive the first half image66and second half image68from the PLM70, and to sequentially direct the first half image66to a first position76on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10, and direct the second half image68to a second position78on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10and adjacent to the first position76.

Referring toFIG.6andFIG.7, a schematic view of the projector50illustrates how first, the PLM70projects the first half image66to the DLP74, as indicated by arrow80, and the DLP74directs the first half image66to the first position76, as indicated by arrow82. The PLM70projects the second half image68to the DLP74, as indicated by arrow84, and the DLP74directs the second half image68to the second position78, as indicated by arrow86.

Referring toFIG.7, in an exemplary embodiment, the DLP74directs the first half image and the second half image with a pair of adjustable mirrors88,90. A first mirror88is used to direct the incoming first half image66toward the first position76, and a second mirror90is used to direct the incoming second half image68toward the second position78. While solid-state PLMs alone are capable of five degree FOVs, for augmented reality HUDs, an FOV of ten degrees is preferred. The first and second mirrors88,90are each rotatable and adjustable, and capable of adjustment between plus or minus ten degrees.

The first half image66displayed at the first position76and the second half image68displayed at the second position78result in a re-creation of the holographic image, displayed on the inner surface of the windshield, and having a FOV that is twice the size of the FOV of the PLM.

In an exemplary embodiment, the DLP74is adapted to sequentially direct the first half image66to the first position76on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10for less than 33 μs. After 33 μs, the projector50and the PLM70stop projecting the first half image66to the DLP and begin projecting the second half image68to the DLP. Now, the DLP is adapted to direct the second half image68to the second position78on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10for less than 33 μs. This process is repeated, by alternating between displaying the first half image66at the first location76for less than 33 μs, and displaying the second half image68at the second location78for less than 33 μs.

If the time between the first half image66and the second half image68is greater than 30 Hz, flicker will not be perceptible by the occupant62, an the first half image66and the second half image68will be fused into one image, as perceived by the occupant62. 30 Hz translates to switching between images66,68about every 33 μs.

In an exemplary embodiment, when the controller34calculates phase holograms for each of the first half image66and the second half image68, the controller34is further adapted to calculate a red phase hologram66R, a green phase hologram66G and a blue phase hologram66B for the first half image66, and to calculate a red phase hologram68R, a green phase hologram68G and a blue phase hologram68B for the second half image68. The PLM70is further adapted to sequentially receive and encode the red phase hologram66R, the green phase hologram66G and the blue phase hologram66B for the first half image66, and the red phase hologram68R, the green phase hologram68G and the blue phase hologram68B for the second half image68.

Referring toFIG.8, the holographic image64, as discussed above, is split into a first half image66and a second have image68. The first half image66and the second half image68are further broken down into a red phase hologram66R, a green phase hologram66G and a blue phase hologram66B for the first half image66, and a red phase hologram68R, a green phase hologram68G and a blue phase hologram68B for the second half image68. The red phase hologram66R, the a green phase hologram66G and the blue phase hologram66B are layered upon one another to create the first half image66. The red phase hologram68R, the green phase hologram68G and the blue phase hologram68B are layered upon one another to create the second half image68.

The DLP74is further adapted to sequentially receive the red phase hologram66R, the green phase hologram66G and the blue phase hologram66B for the first half image66and the red phase hologram68R, the green phase hologram68G and the blue phase hologram68B for the second half image68from the PLM70. The DLP74is adapted to sequentially direct the red phase hologram66R, the green phase hologram66G and the blue phase hologram66B for the first half image66to the first position76on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10, and to sequentially direct the red phase hologram68R, the green phase hologram68G and the blue phase hologram68B for the second half image68to the second position78on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10and adjacent to the first position76.

As discussed above, the display time for each of the first half image66and the second half image68must be less than 33 μs to ensure that the occupant perceives the first half image66and the second half image68simultaneously as one image. This is only possible by using an ultra-fast response time solid-state phase modulator, the PLM70. In this way, because each of the first half image66and the second half image68are projected by the PLM70, each one has the full FOV72of the PLM70. Thus, when the first half image66and the second half image68appear adjacent to one another, the occupant62perceives a single image, much like the holographic image64shown inFIG.4, however, the occupant62is actually looking at the first half image66and the second half image68, each one have an FOV equal to the FOV72of the PLM, such that an FOV of the perceived image by the occupant is twice the FOV72of the PLM. This provides a larger viewing area for the occupant62and allows images being displayed to appear larger than they otherwise would be displayed.

In an exemplary embodiment, to ensure that the occupant62does not perceive any flicker as the PLM70and DLP74switch back and for the between the first half image66and the second half image68, the DLP74is further adapted to sequentially direct the red phase hologram66R for the first half image66to the first position76on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10for less than 10 μs, then direct the green phase hologram66G for the first half image66to the first position76on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10for less than 10 μs, then direct the blue phase hologram66B for the first half image66to the first position76on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10for less than 10 μs. This keeps the switching frequency for the red, green and blue holograms66R,66G,66B of the first half image66high enough to ensure that the occupant62does not perceive any flicker when the system12cycles through displaying the red, green and blue holograms66R,66G,66B of the first half image66, and keeps the overall time that the first half image66is displayed less than 33 μs.

After sequentially displaying the red, green and blue holograms66R,66G,66B of the first half image66, the DLP74is further adapted to direct the red phase hologram68R for the second half image68to the second position78on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10for less than 10 μs, then, direct the green phase hologram68G for the second half image68to the second position78on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10for less than 10 μs, and then, direct the blue phase hologram68B for the second half image68to the second position78on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10for less than 10 μs. This keeps the switching frequency for the red, green and blue holograms68R,68G,68B of the second half image68high enough to ensure that the occupant62does not perceive any flicker when the system12cycles through displaying the red, green and blue holograms68R,68G,68B of the second half image68, and keeps the overall time that the second half image68is displayed less than 33 μs.

Switching back and forth between displaying the first half image66and the second half image68means that each of the first half image66and the second half image68are only displayed for half of the time. This results in decreased brightness of the overall holographic image64perceived by the occupant62. In an exemplary embodiment, the power level of each of the red, green and blue lasers is increased to compensate for such luminance decrease due to sequential switching between the first half image66and the second half image68.

The red laser52, green laser54and blue laser56have different and varying wavelengths, which can cause color and edge alignment issues between the first half image66and the second half image68, as well as between the red hologram66R, green hologram and blue hologram of the first half image66and the red hologram, green hologram and blue hologram of the second half image68. In an exemplary embodiment, DLP74is adapted to use a compensation algorithm to precisely match an FOV of the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for each of the first half image66and the second half image68, due to varying wavelengths of the red, green and blue lasers52,54,56.

In another exemplary embodiment, the DLP74includes a photo sensor with active feedback that is adapted to maintain color alignment, precise overlapping of the red, green and blue holograms66R,68R,66G,68G,66B,68B of each of the first half image66and the second half image68, and image edge alignment between the first half image66and the second half image68. The DLP74is further adapted to blend the adjacent edge92of the first half image66and the adjacent edge94of the second half image68to allow overlapping of the adjacent edges92,94of the first half image66and the second half image68, as shown inFIG.9.

Referring toFIG.10, a flowchart illustrating a method100of enlarging the field of view of a head up display12for a vehicle10includes, beginning at block102, splitting, with a controller34a holographic image64into a first half image66and a second half image68, moving to block104, calculating, with the controller34, phase holograms for each of the first half image66and the second half image68, moving to block106, sequentially and alternately, with a phase light modulator (PLM)70having a defined field of view (FOV)72, receiving, from a holographic projector50adapted to project a holographic image64, the first half image66and the second half image68, and, encoding the first half image66and the second half image68.

Moving to block108, the method includes sequentially and alternately, with a digital light processor (DLP)74, receiving the first half image66and the second half image68from the PLM70, moving to block10, sequentially, with the DLP74, directing the first half image66to a first position76on an inner surface58of a windshield60of the vehicle10, and, moving to block112, directing the second half image68to a second position78on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10and adjacent to the first position76, wherein, the first half image66displayed at the first position76and the second half image68displayed at the second position78result in a re-creation of the holographic image64, displayed on the inner surface58of the windshield60, and having a FOV79that is twice the size of the FOV72of the PLM70.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sequentially, with the DLP74, directing the first half image66to a first position76on an inner surface58of a windshield60of the vehicle10, at block110and directing the second half image68to the second position78on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10and adjacent to the first position76, at block112, further includes directing the first half image66to the first position76on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10for less than 33 μs, and directing the second half image68to the second position78on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10for less than 33 μs.

In another exemplary embodiment, the holographic projector50includes a red laser52, a green laser54and a blue laser56, and the calculating, with the controller34, phase holograms for each of the first half image66and the second half image68, at block104, further includes, moving to block114, calculating a red phase hologram66R, a green phase hologram66G and a blue phase hologram66B for the first half image66, and, moving to block116, calculating a red phase hologram68R, a green phase hologram68G and a blue phase hologram68B for the second half image68.

In another exemplary embodiment, the sequentially and alternately, with the phase light modulator (PLM)70having a defined field of view (FOV)72, receiving, from the holographic projector50adapted to project the holographic image64, the first half image66and the second half image68, and, encoding the first half image66and the second half image68, at block106, further includes, moving to block118, sequentially receiving and encoding, with the PLM70, the red phase hologram66R, the green phase hologram66G and the blue phase hologram66B for the first half image66, and moving to block120, receiving and encoding, with the PLM70, the red phase hologram68R, the green phase hologram68G and the blue phase hologram68B for the second half image68.

In another exemplary embodiment, the sequentially and alternately, with the digital light processor (DLP)74, receiving the first half image66and second half image68from the PLM70, at block108, further includes, moving to block122, sequentially receiving, with the DLP74, the red phase hologram66R, the green phase hologram66G and the blue phase hologram66B for the first half image66and, moving to block124, sequentially receiving, with the DLP74, the red phase hologram68R, the green phase hologram68G and the blue phase hologram68B for the second half image68from the PLM70.

Further, the sequentially, with the DLP74, directing the first half image66to the first position76on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10, at block110, further includes, moving to block126, sequentially directing, with the DLP, the red phase hologram66R, the green phase hologram66G and the blue phase hologram66B for the first half image66to the first position76on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10.

Further still, the sequentially, with the DLP74, directing the second half image68to the second position78on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10, at block112, further includes, moving to block128, sequentially directing, with the DLP74, the red phase hologram68R, the green phase hologram68G and the blue phase hologram68B for the second half image68to the second position78on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10and adjacent to the first position76.

In another exemplary embodiment, the sequentially directing, with the DLP74, the red phase hologram66R, the green phase hologram66G and the blue phase hologram66B for the first half image68to the first position76on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10, at block126, further includes, moving to block130, directing the red phase hologram66R for the first half image66to the first position76on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10for less than 10 μs, moving to block132, directing the green phase hologram66G for the first half image66to the first position76on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10for less than 10 μs, and, moving to block134, directing the blue phase hologram66B for the first half image66to the first position76on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10for less than 10 μs. Further, the sequentially directing, with the DLP74, the red phase hologram68R, the green phase hologram68G and the blue phase hologram68B for the second half image68to the second position78on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10, at block128, further includes, moving to block136, directing the red phase hologram68R for the second half image68to the second position78on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10for less than 10 μs, moving to block138, directing the green phase hologram68G for the second half image68to the second position78on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10for less than 10 μs, and, moving to block140, directing the blue phase hologram68B for the second half image68to the second position78on the inner surface58of the windshield60of the vehicle10for less than 10 μs.

In an exemplary embodiment the method100further includes, moving to block142, increasing the power level of each of the red, green and blue lasers to compensate for luminance decrease due to sequential switching between the first half image66and the second half image68.

In another exemplary embodiment the method100further includes, moving to block144, using, with the DLP74, a compensation algorithm to precisely match an FOV of the red phase hologram, the green phase hologram and the blue phase hologram for each of the first half image66and the second half image68, due to varying wavelength of the red, green and blue lasers52,54,56.

In another exemplary embodiment, the DLP74includes a photo sensor96with active feedback, the method100further including, moving to block146, maintaining, with the DLP74, using feedback from the photo sensor92, color alignment and image edge alignment between the first half image66and the second half image68, and, moving to block148, blending the adjacent edge92of the first half image66and the adjacent edge94of the second half image68, with the DLP74, to allow overlapping of adjacent edges92,94of the first half image66and the second half image68.

A system and method of the present disclosure offers the advantage of expanding the field of view of the HUD system while using a solid-state phase light modulator in combination with a digital light processor.