Display device for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a display device (105) for a vehicle (100). The display device (105) comprises a liquid crystal screen (110), a proximity arrangement (115) and a background illumination arrangement (120). The liquid crystal screen (110) is configured to emit light for a graphic that is visible to a user from a front end (125) of the display device (105). The proximity arrangement (115) comprises at least one infrared light emitting diode (130) to emit infrared radiation (135) and at least one infrared sensor (140) to sense the infrared radiation (140) reflected in the front end (125). Furthermore, the proximity arrangement (115) is configured to identify a motion (150) in the front end (125) in order to provide a sensor signal (155) for enabling a motion sensitive operation of the display device (105). The background illumination arrangement (120) for providing a background light (160) for the liquid crystal screen (110) is transparent for the infrared radiation (135) and the reflected infrared radiation (140). Furthermore, the background illumination arrangement (120) is arranged between the liquid crystal screen (110) and the proximity arrangement (115).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a display device according to the type of independent claim. Background Technology

[0002] Display devices can be touch-sensitive or gesture-recognition-enabled, enabling user input by touching the screen or by movement in front of the screen. For this purpose, display devices may include, for example, pressure sensors or proximity sensors.

[0003] US 10,156,931 B2 describes an input device with an integrated screen. The input device includes a light-based proximity sensor disposed in at least one corner of the screen to detect touches to the screen or movement at the front of the screen. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Against this backdrop, a display device according to the independent claim is proposed. Advantageous extended designs and improvements to the device described in the independent claim are achieved through measures mentioned in the dependent claims.

[0005] The proposed solution is based on the understanding that a proximity device can also be positioned behind the screen to sense movement in front of the display device's screen. The proximity device may include at least one infrared light source and an infrared sensor, and can be positioned behind the screen's backlighting. For this purpose, the backlighting is shaped to be permeable to both the infrared radiation from the infrared light source and the infrared radiation reflected by movement in front of the screen. The display device is then constructed layer by layer: the backlighting is positioned between the screen and the proximity device. This arrangement of the proximity device behind the screen advantageously enables a compact construction. Furthermore, the arrangement of the infrared light source and infrared sensor behind the screen also enables higher mechanical stability of the display device. The proposed shaping of the proximity device advantageously eliminates the need for its own printed circuit board, saving space and cost, and further simplifying connectivity technologies.

[0006] A display device for a vehicle is proposed. The display device includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a proximity device, and a backlighting device. The LCD is configured to emit light for displaying an image visible to a user from the front end of the device. The proximity device includes at least one infrared light-emitting diode (LED) for emitting infrared radiation and at least one infrared sensor for sensing infrared radiation reflected in the front end. Furthermore, the proximity device is configured to detect movement in the front end to provide sensor signals enabling motion-sensitive operation of the display device. The backlighting device is transparent to both the infrared radiation and the reflected infrared radiation. Additionally, the backlighting device is configured to provide backlighting for the LCD. The backlighting device is disposed between the LCD and the proximity device.

[0007] The display device, besides being used in vehicles, can also be used in portable or stationary instruments to enable motion-sensitive operation of the screen, or in other applications where a screen with proximity sensor functionality is used. A backlighting device that is transparent to infrared radiation and reflected infrared radiation can, for example, be shaped such that at least 90% of the infrared radiation and reflected infrared radiation can pass through unreflected and therefore in a straight line. The backlighting device may include a light source for providing backlight. The liquid crystal screen and the proximity device can be arranged such that at least one pixel of the liquid crystal screen and the infrared sensor are arranged on an axis extending orthogonally to the liquid crystal screen.

[0008] In one embodiment, the liquid crystal screen and the backlighting device are arranged in a stacked manner. A proximity device can then be positioned on the back side of the backlighting device, opposite to the liquid crystal screen. The backlighting device may, for example, comprise multiple stacked layers. For this purpose, the backlighting device may, for example, comprise multiple films. When the backlighting device comprises multiple layers, infrared light-emitting diodes and infrared sensors can, for example, be centrally positioned on the back side of the backlighting device, such as on the layer of the backlighting device that is furthest from the liquid crystal screen. This arrangement of the components of the display device advantageously enables a compact construction.

[0009] In one embodiment, the proximity device can also be constructed as a matrix of multiple infrared LEDs and infrared sensors. For this purpose, the multiple infrared LEDs and infrared sensors can be arranged in a matrix. The matrix can, for example, be formed as an additional layer in a stacked arrangement of the liquid crystal screen and the backlighting device. The matrix of multiple infrared LEDs and infrared sensors advantageously improves the proximity device's sensitivity to motion and gesture recognition in front of the liquid crystal screen.

[0010] When the proximity device constructs a matrix, the plane of the matrix extends in one embodiment to correspond to the plane of the liquid crystal screen. The extension of the matrix may also correspond almost exactly to the extension of the liquid crystal screen. For example, the extension of the matrix may correspond to, for example, 80% or 90% of the extension of the liquid crystal screen. A matrix corresponding to the extension of the liquid crystal screen advantageously improves the sensitivity of the proximity device in the corresponding area of ​​the liquid crystal screen.

[0011] In one embodiment, the backlighting device includes a reflector. The reflector can be configured to reflect backlighting and allow infrared radiation and the reflected infrared radiation to pass through. For this purpose, the reflector can be formed as a film, such as a white film or a transparent film with a coating or a special ink system. The reflector can be, for example, positioned on the back side of the backlighting device opposite to the LCD screen, and can be positioned near the device and then at the reflector.

[0012] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the background lighting device may include a diffuser and a light conductor. The diffuser and light conductor may also be formed as a film. When the background lighting device includes a reflector, the light conductor may be arranged between the diffuser and the reflector.

[0013] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the backlighting device may have multiple light management films to improve the brightness of the liquid crystal screen. For this purpose, the backlighting device may include, for example, prismatic films, such as so-called "brightness enhancement films," the film configuration for adjusting the light emission angle of the backlighting device. The light management films may, for example, be arranged on the front side of the backlighting device facing the liquid crystal screen.

[0014] In one embodiment, the display device may also include a recognition device. The recognition device can be configured to recognize motion and determine an input signal representing the recognized motion when using sensor signals. Therefore, it is advantageous to provide input commands when the recognized motion is used to implement the motion-sensitive function of the proximity device.

[0015] In one embodiment, the display device is sized within the following ranges: the display device has a height of 30 to 40 centimeters, for example, about 35 centimeters. The width of the display device can be 20 to 30 centimeters, for example, about 23 centimeters. The thickness of the display device can be 0.8 to 1.2 centimeters, for example, about 1 centimeter. These dimensions are chosen only as examples, and larger or smaller screens can also be achieved.

[0016] In one embodiment, the display device may also have a frame. The liquid crystal screen, proximity device, and backlighting device can then be arranged within the frame. The frame can advantageously improve the stability of the display device. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Embodiments of the solution presented herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. The accompanying drawings show:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle with a display device according to one embodiment;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a display device for a vehicle according to one embodiment;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a proximity device for a display device for a vehicle according to one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0021] In the following description of advantageous embodiments of the invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for elements shown in different figures and acting similarly, wherein repeated descriptions of these elements are omitted.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle 100 with a display device 105 according to one embodiment is shown. The display device 105 includes a liquid crystal screen 110, a proximity device 115, and a backlighting device 120. The liquid crystal screen 110 is configured to emit light for an image visible to a user from the front end 125 of the display device 105. The proximity device 115 includes at least one infrared light-emitting diode 130 to emit infrared radiation 135. Furthermore, the proximity device 115 includes at least one infrared sensor 140 to sense infrared radiation 145 reflected in the front end 125. The proximity device 115 is configured to detect movement 150 of an operator of the display device 105, for example, a finger 152, in the front end 125, in order to provide a sensor signal 155 to enable movement-sensitive operation of the display device 105. The backlighting device 120 is transparent to the infrared radiation 135 and the reflected infrared radiation 145. Furthermore, the backlighting device 120 is configured to provide backlight 160 to the liquid crystal screen 110. The backlighting device 120 is arranged between the liquid crystal screen 110 and the proximity device 115. The proximity device 115 advantageously eliminates the need for a touch-sensitive sensor. However, the display device 105 can optionally be additionally implemented as touch-sensitive.

[0023] The display device 105 shown here is suitable not only for vehicles but also for other applications where motion-sensitive or posture-sensitive screens are used. A finger is shown here, for example, in the front end 125 of the liquid crystal screen 110, for motion 150 with respect to reflected infrared radiation 135. The proximity device 115 here includes, for example, at least one infrared light-emitting diode 130 and at least one infrared sensor 140, which are centrally arranged on the side of the backlighting device 120 opposite to the liquid crystal screen 110. In one embodiment, at least one image point of the liquid crystal screen 110 and the infrared sensor 140 are arranged on an axis extending orthogonally to the liquid crystal screen 110. Therefore, the infrared radiation 135 can pass through the backlighting device 120 in a straight line. The infrared radiation 135 and the radiation in the visible light range emitted by the liquid crystal screen 110 can overlap in the front end 125.

[0024] This advantageously enables a compact configuration of the display device 105, in which the infrared LED 130 and the infrared sensor 140 are arranged behind the LCD screen 110 when the display device 105 is installed, as observed from the user of the display device 105.

[0025] According to the embodiment shown here, the liquid crystal screen 110 and the backlighting device 120 are arranged in a stacked manner. Furthermore, the proximity device 115 is arranged on the back side of the backlighting device 120, opposite to the liquid crystal screen 110. The liquid crystal screen 110, the backlighting device 120, and the proximity device 115 thus constitute each layer of the component stack of the display device 105.

[0026] In one embodiment, the background lighting device 120 includes a light-emitting layer. In an alternative embodiment, the background lighting device 120 includes at least one light source, which is arranged, for example, at the edge of the background lighting device. Known principles can be applied to the background lighting device 120.

[0027] According to the embodiment shown herein, the display device 105 further includes a recognition device 165. The recognition device 165 is configured to recognize motion 150 using sensor signal 155. Furthermore, the recognition device 165 is configured to determine an input signal 170 representing the recognized motion in order to provide the recognized motion as an input command. Here, sensor signal 155 is provided to the recognition device 165 by infrared sensor 140.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the display device 105 has a height of 30 to 40 cm and a width of 20 to 30 cm. Furthermore, the display device 105 also has a thickness of 0.8 to 1.2 cm. Therefore, the display device 105 can be implemented as a flat screen module with an integrated infrared-based proximity sensor, an infrared sensor 140, and a liquid crystal screen 110.

[0029] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a display device 105 for a vehicle according to one embodiment is shown. The display device 105 shown herein is used in conjunction with... Figure 1 The described display device is similar to or corresponding to that described. Display device 105 here also accordingly includes a liquid crystal screen 110, a backlighting device 120, and a proximity device 115 with at least one infrared LED 130 and at least one infrared sensor 140. In this figure, the mechanical and functional structure in which the infrared LED 130 and the infrared sensor 140 are integrated into display device 105 is particularly shown, namely, the infrared LED 130 and the infrared sensor 140 are arranged behind the backlighting device 120 in an area opposite to the liquid crystal screen 110.

[0030] According to the embodiment shown herein, the background lighting device 120 includes a reflector 205. The reflector 205 is configured to reflect background light and allow infrared radiation 135 and reflected infrared radiation 145 to pass through. The reflector 205 is formed as a layer of the background lighting device 120 arranged in a stacked manner. The reflector 205 is formed from an infrared-transparent material, such as a white film or a transparent film with a coating or a special ink system.

[0031] According to the embodiment shown here, the background lighting device 120 also includes a diffuser 210 and a light conductor 215. The diffuser 210 and the light conductor 215 are also formed as films. In the stacked arrangement of the background lighting device 120 shown here, the light conductor 215 is arranged between the diffuser 210 and the reflector 205.

[0032] According to the embodiment shown here, the background lighting device 120 may optionally include multiple light management films 220, 225, 230 to enhance the brightness of the liquid crystal screen 110. For example, three light management films 220, 225, 230 are shown, arranged in a stacked sequence. The light management films 220, 225, 230 are arranged between the diffuser 210 and the liquid crystal screen 110. For example, three different light management films are shown: the first light management film 220 is formed as a horizontally oriented prismatic film to enhance brightness, and the second light management film 225 is formed as a vertically oriented prismatic film to enhance brightness. The first light management film 220 and the second light management film 225 can be implemented, for example, as so-called "brightness enhancement films," arranged at a 90° offset from each other. The third light management film 230 is, for example, a multi-layered, reflective polarizer, i.e., a so-called "dual brightness enhancement film."

[0033] According to the embodiment shown herein, the display device 105 also includes a frame. A liquid crystal screen 110, a proximity sensor 115, and a backlighting device 120 can be arranged within the frame. The frame is implemented as a two-piece unit and includes a front frame element 235 and a back element 240. The front element 235 here has, for example, a rectangular opening for most of the surface of the liquid crystal screen 110 and a thin wall surrounding it in a rectangle. The back element 240 has a rectangular shape. The proximity device 115, and therefore the infrared LED 130 and the infrared sensor 140, are arranged at the back element 240. When the liquid crystal screen 110 and the backlighting device 120 are stacked together and the proximity device 115 is arranged at the back element 240 as shown herein, and additionally or alternatively at an element of the backlighting device 120, the front element 235 and the back element 240 can be joined together to form a frame.

[0034] For example, an arrangement of at least one infrared LED 130 and at least one infrared sensor 140 is shown. The proximity device 115 may also include a plurality of infrared LEDs 130 and infrared sensors 140. The plurality of infrared LEDs 130 and infrared sensors 140 are then arranged, for example, at uniform intervals on a surface substantially corresponding to the surface of the liquid crystal screen 110. According to one embodiment, the proximity device 115 also constructs a matrix of a plurality of infrared LEDs 130 and infrared sensors 140, as subsequently demonstrated by... Figure 3 As shown.

[0035] Display device 105 also refers to the module including liquid crystal screen 110. The integration of an infrared sensor 140, also known as an infrared-based proximity sensor, is advantageously associated with the use of a screen such as liquid crystal screen 110. The liquid crystal screen 110 is thus used in conjunction with a proximity sensor and infrared sensor 140, both equipped with infrared light sources such as infrared LEDs 130. Based on a stacked implementation, no space is required within the frames 235, 240 of the liquid crystal screen 110 for the infrared system. The arrangement of the components for the proximity function, namely the infrared light source 130 and the infrared sensor 140, behind the liquid crystal screen 110 is advantageously space-saving and improves the mechanical stability of display device 105. Here, it is advantageous that a proprietary printed circuit board is not required for implementing the proximity function, which saves both cost and space. This is particularly advantageous when there is insufficient space between the corners of the screen and the frame to accommodate the infrared LED 130 and, alternatively, the infrared sensor 140, in the corners of the frame.

[0036] To achieve proximity functionality, reflector 205 is positioned behind light conductor 215 and is formed of an infrared-transparent material. Therefore, it is advantageous to emit infrared radiation 135 through the entire display device 105, i.e., through all layers of backlighting device 120 and through liquid crystal screen 110, by arranging proximity device 115 at the back element 240 of the frame, for example, in a recessed area of ​​the back element, and to sense the reflected infrared radiation 145 through the entire display device 105. Advantageously, the infrared radiation 135 and thus infrared light can be introduced into the front end of liquid crystal screen 110 without significant loss of intensity and efficiency of diffuser 210, thus allowing infrared sensor 140 to detect the light, i.e., the reflected infrared radiation 145. Here, the commonly used thin-layer transistor panel advantageously does not block light within the infrared wavelength range, and the infrared light also passes through light conductor 215 and through different layers of backlighting device 120, such as light management films 220, 225, and 230.

[0037] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a proximity device 115 for a display device in a vehicle according to one embodiment is shown. The proximity device 115 shown herein is similar to or corresponds to the proximity devices described with reference to the preceding drawings. The proximity device 115 shown herein, as shown with reference to the preceding drawings, can be used as an element of a display device.

[0038] According to the embodiment shown herein, the proximity device 115 is configured as a matrix 305 of a plurality of infrared LEDs 130 and infrared sensors 140. Matrix 305 here includes, for example, 12 infrared LEDs 130 and 12 infrared sensors 140, but they may also be composed of other numbers of infrared LEDs 130 and infrared sensors 140. In the matrix 305 illustration shown herein, for example, only one infrared LED 130 and one infrared sensor 140 are provided with reference numerals.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the extension range of matrix 305 corresponds to the extension range of the liquid crystal screen. The extension range of matrix 305 may also correspond to a large portion of the extension range or area of ​​the liquid crystal screen, such as 80% or 90%. For the advantageous motion positioning and gesture recognition via proximity device 115, matrix 305 is configured, for example, to cover the entire screen area of ​​the display device or the entire area of ​​the liquid crystal screen visible to the user of the display device. Here, the infrared light-emitting diodes 130 of matrix 305 emit rays with infrared wavelengths invisible to the human eye. When a hand moves close to the display device and thus close to matrix 305, the infrared radiation reflected by the hand in the front end of the display device is detected by one of the infrared sensors 140 to identify the movement in the front end. Motion recognition allows for the activation or deactivation of functions displayed on the display device, such as increasing the screen's illumination intensity, enlarging the display elements on the screen, or changing colors, depending on the application context of the display device.

Claims

1. A display device (105) for a vehicle (100), wherein, The display device (105) has the following features: A liquid crystal screen (110) is used to emit light for displaying an image visible to a user from the front end (125) of a display device (105); A proximity device (115) includes at least one infrared light-emitting diode (130) for emitting infrared radiation (135) and at least one infrared sensor (140) for sensing infrared radiation (140) reflected in the front end (125), wherein the proximity device (115) is configured to detect motion (150) in the front end (125) in order to provide a sensor signal (155) to enable motion-sensitive operation of the display device (105); and A backlighting device (120) that is transparent to infrared radiation (135) and reflected infrared radiation (140) to provide backlight (160) for a liquid crystal screen (110), wherein the backlighting device (120) is arranged between the liquid crystal screen (110) and the proximity device (115).

2. The display device (105) according to claim 1, wherein, The liquid crystal screen (110) and the backlighting device (120) are arranged in a stacked manner, and the proximity device (115) is arranged on the back side of the backlighting device (120) opposite to the liquid crystal screen (110).

3. The display device (105) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The proximity device (115) is configured as an array (305) of multiple infrared light-emitting diodes (130) and infrared sensors (140).

4. The display device (105) according to claim 3, wherein, The extension range of the matrix (305) corresponds to the extension range of the liquid crystal screen (110) in terms of area.

5. The display device (105) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The background lighting device (120) includes a reflector (205), wherein the reflector (205) is configured to reflect background light (160) and allow infrared radiation (135) and reflected infrared radiation (140) to pass through.

6. The display device (105) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The background lighting device (120) includes a diffuser (210) and a light conductor (215).

7. The display device (105) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The background lighting device (120) has multiple light management films (220, 225, 230) for improving the brightness of the liquid crystal screen (110).

8. The display device (105) according to any one of the preceding claims, having an identification device (165) configured to identify the motion (150) using a sensor signal (155) and determine an input signal (170) representing the identified motion (150).

9. The display device (105) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The display device (105) has a height of 30 to 40 cm, a width of 20 to 30 cm, and a thickness of 0.8 to 1.2 cm.

10. The display device (105) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a frame (235, 240), wherein, The LCD screen (110), the proximity device (115), and the background lighting device (120) can be arranged in the frame (235, 240).

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