As car dashboards become increasingly cluttered with screens, posing potential distractions for drivers, Ford has been granted a patent for a groundbreaking technology called Dual View Display.
This innovation allows both the driver and front passenger to view the same screen while seeing entirely different content, seamlessly blending entertainment needs with safety requirements.
Automakers are continually expanding the size and number of screens in new vehicle models. However, passengers watching movies or entertainment on the central screen often forces manufacturers to restrict or block the driver’s view, compromising the experience for both parties. Ford’s new patent offers a direct solution to this challenge.
According to the description, Dual View Display utilizes a single screen capable of showing two distinct contents based on the viewer’s angle. The driver can monitor essential driving information such as navigation maps and vehicle data, while the passenger enjoys videos or entertainment without disrupting the driver’s focus. The key difference lies in the system’s ability to generate two independent display streams rather than simply blocking content from one side.
Inside the screen, discrete LED zones correspond to specific viewing angles for the driver and passenger. Each LED zone is covered by a unique array of micro-lenses that direct light precisely to the intended viewer. By independently controlling each LED, two completely different images can be displayed on the same screen surface.
A critical component enabling this precision is a parallax barrier layer positioned in front of the screen. While not a new concept—having been used in 3D TVs two decades ago—this technology has been adapted by Ford to separate content based on the viewer’s position in the vehicle.
The patent also reveals that the screen is positioned high on the dashboard, similar to BMW’s iDrive Panoramic display. However, Ford faces a significant challenge in ensuring the system functions accurately across the wide range of driver seat adjustments, from close to the steering wheel to far back.
Ford has not yet announced when or in which vehicle models Dual View Display will be introduced. Nonetheless, the patent filing underscores the American automaker’s commitment to balancing the trend of dashboard digitization with the critical need for safety in the era of smart vehicles.
Ford Unveils Revolutionary Dual-View Dashboard Technology for Enhanced In-Car Experience
In an era where car dashboards are increasingly cluttered with screens, heightening the risk of driver distraction, Ford has been granted a patent for a groundbreaking technology called Dual View Display.
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