Automakers keep adding screens to vehicle cabins, and drivers now face growing screen fatigue during daily travel. Ford is addressing this issue with a new display concept that places multiple views inside one screen.
The idea appears in a recent patent filing and focuses on balancing driver focus and passenger entertainment. The system is designed to reduce distraction while still allowing advanced digital features.
Ford Develops Dual View Display Technology
Ford has filed a patent for a system named Dual View Display. The design allows one screen to show two images at the same time. Each image is visible from a different angle, and both images stay separate during use.
The driver can see vehicle data such as navigation and driving alerts. At the same time, the passenger can view media content. This setup allows screen sharing without forcing both occupants to view the same content.
The concept builds on earlier automotive display ideas. Some vehicles already block passenger content from the driver. Others split screens into sections. Ford’s system instead uses angles rather than screen divisions.
The approach allows one full screen to serve two purposes. This reduces the need for extra displays on the dashboard. It also helps manage the growing number of digital functions inside modern vehicles.
How Screens Within Screens Function
The technology relies on separate LED zones inside one display panel. Each zone produces its own image and light output. The zones are controlled independently through the vehicle system.
Each LED zone includes its own set of micro lenses. Each lens covers a single light unit and directs light in a specific direction. The lenses work together as an array across the screen surface.
Two lens arrays operate side by side within the same display. One array sends light toward the driver. The other sends light toward the passenger. Both images remain clear when viewed from their intended angles.
The system allows both sides to display identical content when needed. For example, both occupants can watch the same video while parked. The system can also switch views during different driving modes.
Role of the Parallax Barrier System
A parallax barrier is placed in front of the display panel. This barrier controls which pixels are visible from certain angles. The technology has been used in 3D displays for many years.
The barrier ensures that the driver cannot see the passenger’s image. It also prevents the passenger from viewing driver specific data. This separation supports safety and clarity during driving.
Ford’s patent shows the system mounted higher on the dashboard. Higher screen placement can improve driver visibility. However, seat position changes may affect viewing angles.
The system must adapt to drivers sitting closer or farther from the screen. Ford’s design addresses this by adjusting light direction electronically. This allows consistent image quality across seating positions.
Use in Future Ford Vehicles
Ford has not confirmed which models will receive this display system. The patent suggests use in vehicles with wide digital dashboards. These include electric and hybrid models with advanced interiors.
The system supports current trends in infotainment design. Many automakers aim to reduce physical buttons while expanding digital controls. Ford’s approach allows expansion without adding more screens.
Passenger entertainment remains limited while the vehicle is moving. The system prioritizes driving information for the driver. Media content remains restricted to passenger viewing during travel.
Ford continues to explore display technology through patents and research. The Dual View Display fits within broader efforts to manage digital overload. The concept shows how automakers are rethinking screen use inside vehicles.
