DE102016218003B4 - Method and device for optimizing the presentation on multiple displays in a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for optimizing the display on two adjacent displays (5, 6) in a vehicle, in which an image object (7) displayed on a first display (5) transitions to a second display (6) and is displayed there, and in which, when the Image object (7) from the first to the second display at least one of the two displays is moved electromechanically in such a way that the spatial distance between the two displays is reduced to one another.

Description

field of invention

The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the representation on multiple displays in a vehicle and a device for carrying out the method.

Background of the Invention

In the meantime, the use of flat screens or displays has become widespread in vehicle technology, with the number of displays installed in a vehicle increasing in recent years due to the increase in the information to be reproduced and the functions to be operated. Vehicle-relevant information such as speed, engine speed, remaining tank contents, mileage, warnings in the event of malfunctions, but also image content for a navigation, assistance or infotainment system, for example, is shown on the displays of fully digital instrument clusters and on multifunction displays arranged in the center console or other areas of the dashboard played back. Various display technologies, such as TFT, LCD and AMOLED displays, are used here. It can also be assumed that 3D displays, such as autostereoscopic displays, multi-layer displays or light field displays, will also be used in the future, since the depth of the image then perceived can be used to display visual information distributed in space.

The displays are usually permanently installed in the vehicle. However, it is also known, for example from the Audi MMI communication system, to drive a display out of the instrument panel during operation of a vehicle and to make it disappear back into the instrument panel when the vehicle is parked.

New possibilities have also emerged for setting vehicle parameters and controlling the systems mentioned above, such as the use of touch-sensitive flat screens. With these so-called touchscreen displays, a technical device can be operated or controlled by tapping on the operating elements shown on the display with a finger. Compared to mechanical controls such as buttons, switches, rocker switches or wheels, operation using a touchscreen display can be designed in a much more versatile way, since, for example, the control elements shown on the touchscreen display can take any form and can be arranged at any point within the displayed image content be able. In addition to tapping on the display surface, various other operating gestures can also be used, such as sliding a finger across the display surface or, when using a multi-touch screen, multi-finger gesture recognition, in which the display surface can be touched with several fingers at the same time, for example, two fingers can be pulled apart finger to zoom an image content.

Despite, but also partly because of, these developments in display technology, the ergonomic requirements placed on the displays are not always met. For a consistent display and operating concept across all displays, it is disruptive that there are gaps between the displays due to the different installation positions of the displays. The constantly increasing amount of information and functions to be operated, which are shown on the displays and possibly operated by means of these displays, also requires new display and operating concepts. After all, not every display installed in the vehicle interior is easy to reach from an ergonomic point of view.

the DE 10 2014 221 092 A1 discloses a method for deforming an elastically deformable display and operating device in a motor vehicle by means of at least one deforming device, with at least a large part of the display and operating device being curved in the direction of an operator during the deformation, thus making the display and operating device accessible to the operator is facilitated.

Similarly reveals the DE 10 2014 221 091 B3 a method for reducing the glare of an operator in a motor vehicle, in which the light radiation incident on an elastically deformable display and operating device and a head and/or eye position of the operator are detected and, depending on this, a deformation of the elastically deformable display and operating device is carried out by means of at least one deformation device.

Finally revealed the DE 10 2013 000 068 A1 a method for synchronizing two display devices of a motor vehicle. A first display device displays a first data set that includes a first display content for a predefined thematic context. A user's operating gesture is recorded and the predefined thematic context is determined. A further data set with a second display content is displayed on a second display device on the basis of the predetermined thematic context determined.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a user-friendly and ergonomic option for optimizing the presentation on multiple displays in a vehicle.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a corresponding device according to claim 7. Preferred developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

The method according to the invention for optimizing the representation on multiple displays and/or the interaction with multiple displays in a vehicle is characterized in that the position of a display is changed spatially to adapt the representation and/or interaction. In this case, an image object shown on a first display can be transferred to a second display and displayed there, whereby when the image object is transferred from the first to the second display, at least one of the two displays is moved electromechanically in such a way that the spatial distance between the two displays is reduced is reduced.

This enables the ergonomics of the display and operation to be increased and new display and operation concepts to be implemented, such as the most seamless possible transition of the transitioning image object and thus easy traceability. The amount of information that the driver can absorb is limited, especially while driving, since he has to concentrate on the driving task. A distraction of the driver as well as the gaze shift time by searching for the passed image object on the displays is minimized in this way.

According to a development, at least one display is moved electromechanically perpendicular to the surface of the display. This is particularly advantageous when a plurality of displays are provided which, due to the design, are installed at different depths relative to one another in the vehicle interior.

According to an advantageous development of this embodiment of the invention, there are several depth levels for the image content to be displayed on the display, with the display being shifted in the direction of the depth levels.

In this development, the image content of a depth level can be shown on the display depending on the spatial position of the display. When using a 2D display, depending on the depth position of this display, this enables a section from the overall image content to be displayed in accordance with the respective depth level.

However, it can also be an advantage if several depth levels are shown on the display at the same time. In this way, when using a 3D display, the user gets an overview of all the image information already spatially arranged.

A development of the invention provides that the image content in the different depth levels can be interacted with separately, with the depth level corresponding to the spatial position of the display being interacted with.

This enables particularly intuitive operation. On a 2D touch display, image objects in the current depth level can be touched and thus selected or operated. Image objects in front of or behind can then be reached by physically moving the display.

The device according to the invention for optimizing the representation of one or more displays and/or the interaction with several displays in a vehicle has an image output unit that feeds image content to at least one display, as well as a control unit for controlling the image output unit and an electromechanical actuator that communicates with the at least one display is connected, wherein the electromechanical actuator is supplied with a control signal for the mechanical change in position by the control unit, so that in the case of a representation on two adjacent displays, in which an image object represented on a first display is transferred to a second display and is represented there, at a transition of the image object from the first to the second display, the at least one display is moved electromechanically in such a way that the spatial distance between the two displays is reduced.

An advantageous development of the device provides that an evaluation unit is additionally provided for evaluating operator inputs, which feeds an operator control signal to the control unit.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and claims in conjunction with the figures.

character list

• 1 den Ablauf eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens;
• 2 für eine Ausführungsform der Erfindung den Übergang eines Bildobjektes von einem Quelldisplay auf ein Zieldisplay;
• 3 ein Blockschaltbild für eine Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

In the figures show:

• 1 the course of a method according to the invention;
• 2 for an embodiment of the invention, the transition of an image object from a source display to a destination display;
• 3 a block diagram for a device for carrying out the method according to the invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments

For a better understanding of the principles of the present invention, embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to these embodiments and that the features described can also be combined or modified without departing from the protective scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

1 shows schematically the sequence of a first method according to the invention for optimizing the presentation and/or interaction with two displays arranged adjacently in a vehicle. According to method step 1, an image object is first displayed on a first display device serving as a source display. In method step 2, a second display device serving as the target display is now electromechanically displaced in such a way that it is spatially approximated to the source display. In the subsequent method step 3, the image object is now transferred from the source display to the target display, for example because the image object is only of secondary importance due to a change in the driving condition or usage behavior by the driver and a further representation is sufficient. The position of the target display is changed spatially in such a way that the transition of the image object from the source display to the target display appears as seamless as possible and is easy for the driver to understand. According to method step 4, the target display is then moved back to the original position.

The transition of the image object can take place automatically when the user detects a change in the driving status or usage behavior. It is also conceivable for the user to move the image object manually from the source display to the target display, for example if the source display is required to display other image content or the target display is better suited for displaying the image object. In this case, the transition can be initiated by the user, for example by means of a swiping movement on a touchscreen display.

Instead of one image object, multiple image objects can also transition from the source display to the target display. The image objects mentioned can be both a purely passive reproduction of information and also graphically represented operating elements which, for example, when displayed on a touchscreen display, enable the operation or control of a technical device in the vehicle with a finger. Likewise, in addition to the transitioning image object, further image information and/or control elements can be displayed on one or both of the displays, which are anchored on the respective display and do not transition to the other display.

2 shows schematically the transition of an image object 7 from a source display 5 to a target display 6 for this embodiment of the invention. The arrangement of the two displays is shown from above, with the target display 6 being arranged further back from the driver's perspective. The image object 7 is first shown on the source display 5 as in 2a shown. After the target display 6, as symbolized by the arrow, has been electromechanically shifted and brought to the same spatial level as the target display 5 ( 2 B ), the image object 7 transitions from the source display 5 to the target display 6 ( 2c ). Following this transition, the target display 6 is moved back to the original position, so that the image object is now displayed further in the background on this display ( 2d ).

Even if the transition of the image object occurs between two adjacent 2D displays in the above description, the electromechanical displacement of the target display to spatially approach the source display can also be used if one or both of the display device is designed as a 3D display. Provision can also be made for both the source and the target display to be spatially shifted and to move towards one another for the transition of the image object. Furthermore, the electromechanical displacement can be perpendicular, as in 2 shown, but also oblique or even parallel to the surface of one of the displays.

3 shows a device for carrying out the method according to the invention. Here, a display 5 and an additional display 6 are provided.

A control unit 17 feeds a control signal to an image output unit 16 in order to cause this to feed image content to the display 5 and the additional display 6 . Depending on the computing power of the image output unit 16, stored finished graphics or animations calculated in real time can be displayed, for example if a powerful graphics card is integrated in the image output unit 16.

Likewise, the control unit 17 controls an electromechanical actuator 14 for changing the position of the display 5 . The electromechanical actuator is connected to the display 5 in such a way that it can move or tilt it, depending on the embodiment, and can consist of an electric motor, for example, with the rotary motion of the electric motor being converted into a translatory motion.

Operator inputs from the driver or passenger, which in this embodiment are made using a touch-sensitive surface of the display 5, are evaluated in an evaluation unit 15 for the operator inputs. If necessary, a pressure or force sensor for detecting a pressure exerted on the surface of the display 5 can also be provided on the display 5 . The evaluation unit 15 supplies the control unit 17 with an operating signal corresponding to the operator inputs, which then outputs a control signal for adapting the displayed image content to the image output unit 16 and/or a signal for mechanical position change to the actuator 14 .

Finally, control unit 17 is supplied with information 18 about the current driving status, for example from a transmission control unit, and/or the current usage behavior or the current operating behavior of the driver, for example from an eye-tracking sensor, in order to make an adjustment as a function of this of the displayed image content and/or mechanical position changes.

The control unit 17 can consist of a single electronic control unit, which usually includes one or more input and output stages, an interface for data communication and a microcontroller, which in turn usually consists of a processor core, one or more memory chips for the software and a main memory. The invention can also be implemented using a number of control units, which then communicate via suitable interfaces.

Reference List

1

Method step with display of an image object on a first display

2

Method step with moving a second display to the first display

3

Process step with transition of the image object from the first display to the second display

4

Process step with movement of the second display to the original position

5

First screen

6

Second screen

7

image object

14

actuator

15

Evaluation unit for operator inputs

16

image output unit

17

control unit

18

Information about the current driving status/usage status

Claims (9)

Method for optimizing the display on two adjacent displays (5, 6) in a vehicle, in which an image object (7) displayed on a first display (5) transitions to a second display (6) and is displayed there, and in which, when the Image object (7) from the first to the second display at least one of the two displays is moved electromechanically in such a way that the spatial distance between the two displays is reduced to one another. procedure after claim 1 , wherein at least one display is moved electromechanically perpendicular to the surface of the display. procedure after claim 2 , where there are several depth levels for the image content to be displayed on the display and the display is shifted in the direction of the depth levels. procedure after claim 3 , wherein only the image content of one depth level is shown on the display depending on the spatial position of the display. procedure after claim 3 , whereby several depth levels are shown on the display at the same time. procedure after claim 4 or 5 , It being possible to interact separately with the image content in the different depth levels, with the depth level (12) corresponding to the spatial position of the display being interacted with. Device for optimizing the representation on several displays (5, 6) in a vehicle, with an image output unit (16) which feeds image content to at least one display (5), an electromechanical actuator (14) which is connected to the at least one display (5) is connected and a control unit (17) which controls the image output unit and the electromechanical actuator (14) so that in a representation on two adjacent displays (5, 6), in which one on a first display (5) shown image object (7) transitions to a second display (6) and is shown there, when the image object (7) transitions from the first to the second display, the at least one display is moved electromechanically in such a way that the spatial distance between the both displays to each other is reduced. device after claim 7 , wherein an evaluation unit (15) is additionally provided for evaluating operating inputs, which feeds an operating signal to the control unit (17). Motor vehicle according to a device claim 7 or 8th has or is set up, a method according to one of Claims 1 until 6 to execute.

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