Microsoft patent app reveals heads-up vehicle display, fluffy dice
By Donald Melanson 
posted Aug 23rd 2007 3:07PM
posted Aug 23rd 2007 3:07PM
It looks like Microsoft is sparing no amount of detail in its so-called "adaptive heads-up user interface for automobiles," with the company even going so far as to include a virtual pair of fluffy dice (as seen above) in the still-in-development system. According to a recently revealed patent application, the virtual dice actually simulate the movement of the real thing, bobbing back and forth as your vehicle moves. As for the more practical aspects of the system, it seems that Microsoft sees no limit to its potential, with it able to display all the information normally confined to your dash, as well as stuff stored on your cellphone, PDA, or media devices and, of course, various GPS-related information (including ads for nearby businesses). This simply being a patent application, however, there's no indication as to when or if we'll ever actually be able to get some virtual fluffy dice of our own.
[Via The Inquirer]
[Via The Inquirer]
Hey microsoft is trying to do something that I've been looking up for years, the main problem I've found is how to backlight it. - Good luck microsoft (you'll need it) - although microsoft is a multi-billion dollar corperation, and I'm just a broke 17 year old high school hippie-nerd ^_^
I have to admit, I'd like to see a car display all this crap. It'd make it a lot easier to check my speed if I didn't have a steering wheel blocking my view
Don't some Cadillacs and BMWs already have heads up displays like this? I know the M series can have them, but it's just shift lights and a tachometer...
Yes, Nissan and Toyota have them since the 80s. They wanted to go full-screen, but the authorities did not allow it for safety reasons.
BMW, CADILLAC, AND CORVETTE ALL HAVE A HEADSUP DISPLAY THAT PROJECTS THE SPEED ON TO THE WINDSHIELD. PERSONALLY I HAVE USED THE BMW 550i HUD AND I LIKE IT A LOT. JUST WISH THAT MORE CARS HAD IT AND THAT IT WOULD DISPLAY TELEPHONE NUMBERS (VIA BLUETOOTH) AND RADIO INFORMATION.
Can anyone say, "Blue windscreen of Death"?
"Oh look, another memory reference error at 0x0001 LIGHT POLE!!!!"
If it's by microsoft, you'll have to press the start button, then go through 3 levels of menu folders to see the spedometer.. no fuckin thanks
Virtual fuzzy dice, eh?
Stay classy, Microsoft.
Can I be Maverick or Ice Man?
Seriously, is this an F-15 or a car? I only want a HUD if I get to pick off the asshole driver in front of me, until then, no thanks is right.
I certainly hope this has no basis in Windows Mobile. Can you say crash-a-lot?
0058] It should be noted that, as used herein, the term "display state" refers generally to how a display element is presented within the adaptive user interface. For example, a display state may simply consist of the location of a display element. For instance, referring to FIG. 3L, a virtual pair of fuzzy dice 320 are presented as a display element within the adaptive use interface.
As a historical footnote, this could be the first time the phrase “fuzzy dice” was used in a patent claim.
That should be:
As a historical footnote, this could be the first time the phrase “fuzzy dice” WERE used in a patent claim.
So Sorry
no, you were right the first time. "was" is correct in that context.
Fuzzy dice as a driving aid? It's true, but...
I have a fuzzy toy hanging from my rearview mirror when I autocross race. I don't even notice it while racing, I'm far too busy looking ahead! However my car camera records the little plush toy (along with the view out the windshield, the steering wheel, and gauges). Watching it sway really helps when I review the video to see how smooth my driving was, and see where I need to improve my driving!
insert obligatory M$ crash joke here. __________________________
yeah, seriously. "MS crashes something something" har har har.
until the car can drive itself. minimal information such as that already in your dash panel would be useful but I don't need phone, email, PDA, lunch and other alerts/data cluttering my view and vying for my attention when I should be focusing my attention to avoiding the millions of maniacs on the road out trying to hit me.
tell me M$ is trying to steal BMW market share from APPLE?! oh noes! that is the super=dooper BMW M3 pictured in there... dont give in bmw
"oh noes! that is the super=dooper BMW M3"
go back to the joystiq comments
hi steve,
what is this that you are referring? i am confused. who is joystiq?
please respond in english please.
thank you.
i dont think my 82 tercel has enough ram
i've already seen a heads up display in a rental car. i'm just waiting to find one in the local junk yard so i can hook it up in mine =D
but putting ads and all that crap? i hope this doesnt take after vista and slow my car down 20%... yar har
but all of that extra crap like ads would just get annoying and i'd unplug it.
it would be fun to h4x and maybe have it play movies (while stopped, of course)
forgot to add...
look at the patent on the site and tell me how many times the word "plurality" is used.
Fluffy dice??? That reminds me of the time that Andrew Dice Clay appeared in a porno and had to be prepared.
how high will the display go in mph, can sombody tell me??
how high will the display go in mph, can sombody tell me??