Display system and method for operating a display system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display system (1), the display system comprising: a display, wherein the display includes an inactive display edge not configured for display and an active display inner surface configured for display; further comprising a backlight module (6, 6a, 6b) having light-emitting units, wherein the backlight module (6, 6a, 6b) includes a backlight edge (12) corresponding to the display edge and a backlight inner surface (13) corresponding to the display inner surface; further comprising a control system; wherein a transition edge region (9) is provided extending from the backlight edge (12) to a portion of the backlight inner surface (13), wherein in the transition edge region ( A first number of individually controllable light-emitting units are arranged in the transition edge region (9), and the backlight inner surface (13) without the transition edge region (9) includes a second number of individually controllable light-emitting units, wherein the first number is greater than the second number, and / or the control system is configured to individually control or interconnect the light-emitting units arranged in the transition edge region (9) in a first cluster, and interconnect the light-emitting units included in the backlight inner surface (13) without the transition edge region (9) in a second cluster, wherein the number of interconnected light-emitting units in the first cluster is less than the number of interconnected light-emitting units in the second cluster. The invention also relates to a vehicle and a method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a display system comprising a display configured for displaying data, wherein the display includes an inactive display edge not configured for display and an active display inner surface configured for display, and wherein the display system further includes a backlight module having light-emitting units disposed directly or indirectly at the rear of the display such that light emitted by these light-emitting units forms the backlight of the display, and wherein the backlight module includes a backlight edge corresponding to the display edge and an active backlight inner surface corresponding to the active display inner surface, and wherein the display system further includes a control system for driving the light-emitting units. The invention also relates to a vehicle including such a display system and a method for operating the display system. Background Technology

[0002] In the case of a liquid crystal display (LCD), its function is based on the fact that, when a certain voltage is applied, the liquid crystal affects the polarization direction of light. An LCD consists of image elements (pixels) whose transparency can be changed independently. For this purpose, the alignment of the liquid crystal is controlled by the voltage in each pixel. As a result, the transmittance of polarized light is altered.

[0003] Polarized light is generated using polarizing filters arranged on the display to filter incident light. If the display is designed to show any content, the elements are arranged in a uniform grid (matrix). A backlight module is used to generate the incident light.

[0004] In recent years, LEDs (light-emitting diodes) have replaced traditional cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) as backlight modules for LCD liquid crystal displays.

[0005] These light-emitting diodes (LEDs) distributed throughout the backlight module illuminate the display. Furthermore, individual LEDs can be driven, allowing individual sections of the illuminated area that should display deep black to be dimmed (local dimming) or turned off.

[0006] DE 10 2007 045 560A1 discloses a display device including a light-transmitting display and a backlight unit for the light-transmitting display, wherein the backlight unit includes a light guide and light sources arranged side-up on the light guide, wherein multiple groups of light sources are interconnected in such a way that light sources belonging to a group are jointly driven and that these groups of light sources are driven according to the image content of the light-transmitting display.

[0007] DE 20 2011 000 857U1 discloses a display backlight device for improving performance in terms of color saturation, brightness, and white balance. The device is housed in a backlight module to provide a light source for an LCD module; includes a plurality of interconnected light-emitting zones, wherein each light-emitting zone includes a color light source unit and a brightness light source unit; and includes a control device electrically connected to the color light source unit and the brightness light source unit to turn the color light source unit on or off or adjust the brightness light source unit. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a display system with an improved display.

[0009] A further objective is to provide a method for operating such a display system and to provide a vehicle that includes such a display system.

[0010] This objective is achieved by a display system having the features of claim 1, a vehicle having the features of claim 10, and a method having the features of claim 11.

[0011] The dependent claims list further advantageous measures that can be appropriately combined with each other as needed to achieve further advantages.

[0012] This objective is achieved by a display system comprising: a display configured to display data, wherein the display includes an inactive display edge not configured for display and an active display inner surface configured for display; a backlight module having light-emitting units, wherein the backlight module is disposed directly or indirectly on the rear side of the display such that light emitted by these light-emitting units forms the backlight of the display, and wherein the backlight module includes a backlight edge corresponding to the display edge and an active backlight inner surface corresponding to the active display inner surface; a control system for driving these light-emitting units; and wherein a backlight extending from the backlight edge to the backlight inner surface is provided. A transition edge region on a portion of the surface, wherein a first number of individually controllable light-emitting units are arranged in the transition edge region; and wherein a backlight inner surface without a transition edge region includes a second number of individually controllable light-emitting units, and wherein the first number is greater than the second number; and / or the control system is configured to individually control or interconnect the light-emitting units arranged in the transition edge region in a first cluster, interconnect the light-emitting units included in the backlight inner surface without a transition edge region in a second cluster, and wherein the number of interconnected light-emitting units in the first cluster is less than the number of interconnected light-emitting units in the second cluster.

[0013] According to the present invention, in the case of conventional backlight modules, LEDs are arranged at equal intervals. As a result, the backlight resolution is the same throughout the entire area of ​​the backlight module. Furthermore, it has been recognized that increasing the number of LEDs used throughout the backlight module to improve resolution increases complexity, and especially cost.

[0014] This problem is now solved by the present invention. According to the present invention, a first number of individually controllable light-emitting units are arranged only in the transition edge region extending from the backlight edge to a portion of the backlight inner surface, while a second number of individually controllable light-emitting units, less than the first number, are arranged on the backlight inner surface without the transition edge region.

[0015] In this case, preferably, the second quantity corresponds to the original quantity of conventional backlight modules.

[0016] Furthermore, or alternatively, the light-emitting units on the inner surface of the backlight without transition edge regions are interconnected in larger clusters (groups), while the light-emitting units in the transition edge regions are driven individually or interconnected in smaller groups. Therefore, backlight resolution is improved by reducing the number of simultaneously driven light-emitting units. The local dimming algorithm adapts to the newly adjusted density.

[0017] The higher resolution in the transition edge regions enables very localized backlighting for details displayed on the monitor. As a result, adjacent dark areas are illuminated less, thus improving the local contrast of the entire monitor. This has the effect of, for example, reducing the difference between the active backlight inner surface and therefore the black embossed areas at the monitor edges.

[0018] The display system according to the invention achieves improved local resolution of the backlight. In this case, the transition between the inner surface of the active display and the black printed portion of the cover glass (i.e., the edge of the inactive display) is optimized so as not to cause driver distraction. In other words, the black image area at the edge of the display and the background brightness of the display itself are minimized in particular. Over-illumination of the adjacent areas of the black image area is avoided, thereby preventing the black image area from generating disturbing brightness. The black image area and the black display edge located on the inner surface of the display are thus kept black. Therefore, the contrast of the entire display surface is improved.

[0019] Preferably, the display is configured as a liquid crystal display (LCD). The LCD display preferably comprises two glass plates, one situated on top of the other and sealed along its edges, wherein liquid crystal is housed in the space defined between the two glass plates. Alignment of the liquid crystal is controlled using voltage in each pixel to be displayed.

[0020] Further preferably, the light-emitting units in the transition edge region are arranged in a matrix. In this case, a matrix arrangement means that the light-emitting units are arranged in rows and columns in a uniform manner. This allows for a uniform improvement in the backlight contrast in the transition edge region.

[0021] In a preferred configuration, the light-emitting units in the inner surface of the backlight, which has no transition edge regions, are arranged in a matrix. In this case, a matrix arrangement means that the light-emitting units are arranged in rows and columns in a uniform manner. This results in uniform backlighting on the inner surface of the backlight, which has no transition edge regions.

[0022] Preferably, no light-emitting units are arranged in the backlight edge, or the number of light-emitting units arranged in the backlight edge is reduced compared to the transition edge region and compared to the backlight inner surface without the transition edge region. As a result, costs can be reduced and contrast can be improved.

[0023] In another preferred configuration, the inner surface of the display includes an invisible area, wherein no light-emitting units are arranged in the backlight inner surface corresponding to the invisible area.

[0024] Alternatively or optionally, the inner surface of the display includes an invisible area in which a reduced number of light-emitting units are arranged in the backlight inner surface corresponding to the invisible area. This means that the light-emitting units are omitted and / or reduced in the invisible area, thereby saving system costs. The invisible area is, for example, an area on the inner surface of the active display covered by mechanical components, or an area where operation buttons are arranged. In the backlight inner surface corresponding to the invisible area, the number of light-emitting units can be reduced or omitted, thereby saving system costs.

[0025] More preferably, these light-emitting units are configured as light-emitting diodes (LEDs). These LEDs are cost-effective. Even more preferably, these LEDs are designed to be individually dimmed. As a result, a further improvement in contrast can be achieved.

[0026] Furthermore, this objective is achieved through a vehicle that includes the aforementioned display system. Specifically, the vehicle is a passenger bus. Furthermore, the display system is specifically housed in the instrument panel.

[0027] Furthermore, this objective is achieved through a method for operating the display system, the method comprising the following steps:

[0028] - Provide a display configured to display data, wherein the display includes an inactive display edge not configured for display and an active display inner surface configured for display;

[0029] - Provide a backlight module with light-emitting units, wherein the backlight module is arranged directly or indirectly on the rear side of the display such that light emitted by these light-emitting units forms the backlight of the display, and wherein the backlight module includes a backlight edge corresponding to the edge of the display and includes a backlight inner surface corresponding to the inner surface of the display.

[0030] - Provide a control system for driving these light-emitting units;

[0031] - Provides a transition edge region extending from the backlight edge to a portion of the inner surface of the backlight;

[0032] - Operate the first number of individually controllable light-emitting units arranged in the transition edge region;

[0033] - Operate a second number of individually controllable light-emitting units arranged in the inner surface of the backlight without a transition edge region, wherein the first number is greater than the second number;

[0034] - and / or drive the light-emitting units arranged in the transition edge region individually or in a first cluster interconnected manner, and drive the light-emitting units arranged in the backlight inner surface without the transition edge region in a second cluster interconnected manner, wherein the number of interconnected light-emitting units in the first cluster is less than the number of interconnected light-emitting units in the second cluster.

[0035] This method is preferably suitable for implementation on a display system according to the invention. The advantages further described above regarding the display system according to the invention also apply similarly to the method according to the invention.

[0036] Preferably, no light-emitting units are arranged in the backlight edge, or the number of light-emitting units arranged in the backlight edge is reduced compared to the transition edge region and compared to the backlight inner surface without the transition edge region. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings schematically illustrate:

[0038] Figure 1 The first embodiment of the display system according to the present invention is shown.

[0039] Figure 2 The illustration shows a first configuration of the backlight module according to the present invention.

[0040] Figure 3 : This illustrates a second configuration of the backlight module according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Although the invention has been shown and described in more detail with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples.

[0042] Figure 1 A first exemplary embodiment of a display system 1 according to the present invention is shown. The display system includes a liquid crystal display 2 configured to display images. Since the liquid crystal display 2 is not self-emissive compared to plasma or OLED displays, the required brightness in the color elements / pixels must be generated by a backlight module 6 having LEDs 5.

[0043] The liquid crystal display 2 includes a front glass 3 and a rear glass 4. The front glass 3 and the rear glass 4 serve as a protective layer and carrier for the LC (liquid) cell 10, which will be described in more detail below.

[0044] The liquid crystal display 2 preferably includes a diffuser 7. The light generated by the backlight module 6 has a spatial structure. The LED 5, positioned at the diffuser 7 behind the liquid crystal display 2, has a radiant power that depends on the aperture angle. The spatial structure is uniformly distributed through the diffuser 7. Furthermore, the liquid crystal display 2 preferably also includes a polarizing filter 8 for polarizing the light emitted from the LED 5.

[0045] In addition, the display system 1 includes a control unit (not shown) capable of independently driving LED 5. Furthermore, LED 5 is configured to be dimmable, and it can also be adjusted by the control unit (not shown). The control unit could be, for example, a vehicle control device.

[0046] Furthermore, the liquid crystal display 2 includes an LC (liquid crystal) unit 10 containing liquid crystal molecules. In the liquid crystal molecules, linearly polarized light is rotated to achieve the desired brightness in the color elements. For this purpose, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules is influenced by applying a voltage between two electrodes.

[0047] Furthermore, the liquid crystal display 2 preferably also includes a color filter 11. The perceived pixel color is determined by the color filter.

[0048] In addition, the LCD display 2 also includes display edges. For this purpose, for example, the front glass 3 may be printed with a black edge as the display edge.

[0049] Therefore, the liquid crystal display 2 is divided into the inactive display edge (that is, no image is displayed here) and the active display inner surface (where the image to be displayed is displayed).

[0050] Other inactive surfaces may also exist, which can be generated, for example, by operating elements arranged on the liquid crystal display 2.

[0051] Backlight module 6 includes a backlight edge 12 corresponding to the edge of the display. Figure 2 ) and the backlight inner surface 13 corresponding to the inner surface of the display. Figure 2 ).

[0052] In addition, it provides a backlight edge 12 ( Figure 2 ) Extends to the inner surface of the backlight 13 ( Figure 2 ) on a part of the transition edge region 9 ( Figure 2 The transition edge region includes a first number of driveable LEDs 5.

[0053] In contrast, in the region without transition edges 9 ( Figure 2 A second number of individually controllable LEDs 5 are arranged on the inner surface of the backlight of the image. In this case, the first number is greater than the second number. This improves the contrast of the image display.

[0054] In addition, alternatively or optionally supplementally, it is arranged in the transition edge region 9 ( Figure 2 LEDs 5 in the first cluster can be interconnected or driven individually, and are arranged in a region 9 without transition edges. Figure 2 The LEDs 5 in the backlight inner surface of the first cluster can be interconnected in a second cluster, wherein the number of interconnected LEDs 5 in the first cluster is less than the number of interconnected LEDs 5 in the second cluster.

[0055] In addition, at the backlight edge 12 ( Figure 2 ) in or on the inner surface of the backlight 13 ( Figure 2 In the areas corresponding to the invisible areas, LEDs 5 may be omitted or only a reduced number may be placed. The local dimming algorithm adapts to the adjusted number of LEDs 5.

[0056] Transition edge region 9 ( Figure 2 The higher resolution in the display allows for very localized backlighting of details on the inner surface of the display. As a result, adjacent dark areas, such as the edge areas of the display or areas where operating elements are arranged, are illuminated less, thereby improving local contrast. This has the effect of reducing the difference between the inner surface of the active display and the black printed areas of the liquid crystal display 2. System costs are saved by reducing and / or even omitting the LEDs 5 at the backlight module 6.

[0057] The transition between the inner surface of the active display of LCD 2 and the black areas of the display is optimized so that the driver cannot perceive the difference. In other words, the background brightness of the black image areas in LCD 2 is minimized.

[0058] Figure 2 A detailed configuration of the backlight module 6a according to the present invention is shown.

[0059] The backlight module 6a includes a backlight edge 12 and a backlight inner surface 13.

[0060] In addition, the backlight module 6a includes a transition edge region 9 extending from the backlight edge 12 to a portion of the backlight inner surface 13.

[0061] In addition, the backlight module 6a includes LEDs 5 for illuminating the liquid crystal display 2.

[0062] There is no LED 5 at the backlight edge 12 of the backlight module 6a. Furthermore, the LEDs 5 arranged in the transition edge region 9 are individually controlled by a control system (not shown). The LEDs 5 arranged in / on the backlight inner surface 13 without the transition edge region 9 are controlled in clusters (here, in groups of four).

[0063] The LEDs 5 in most of the inner backlight surface 13 are therefore interconnected in larger groups, while the LEDs 5 in the transition edge region 9 are driven in smaller groups or individually. As a result, higher local resolution is achieved. For example, over-illumination of black areas such as the edges of the display is prevented.

[0064] Figure 3 A further detailed configuration of the backlight module 6b according to the present invention is shown. The backlight module 6b includes a backlight edge 12 and a backlight inner surface 13.

[0065] In addition, the backlight module 6b includes a transition edge region 9 that extends again from the backlight edge 12 to a portion of the backlight inner surface 13.

[0066] In addition, the backlight module 6b includes LED 5.

[0067] The backlight module 6b also lacks LEDs 5 at the backlight edge 12. Furthermore, the LEDs 5 arranged in the transition edge region 9 are individually controlled by a control system (not shown). The LEDs 5 arranged in / on the backlight inner surface 13, where there is no transition edge region 9, are controlled in clusters (here, in groups of four).

[0068] Furthermore, a first number of individually controllable LEDs 5 are arranged in the transition edge region 9; in contrast, a second number of individually controllable light-emitting units are arranged on the backlight inner surface 13 where there is no transition edge region 9.

[0069] In this case, the first quantity is greater than the second quantity.

[0070] By adding an additional LED 5 and by driving LED 5 separately, in the LCD 2 ( Figure 1The resolution of the backlight module 6b is improved in the transition edge region 9. The local dimming algorithm adapts to the adjusted density. In invisible areas (such as the backlight edge 12 here), LEDs 5 are omitted, thus saving system costs.

[0071] The display system 1 according to the present invention Figure 1 It can be used in all fields that use displays, such as consumer electronics, aviation, trains, and medical technology.

Claims

1. A display system (1) comprising: a display configured for displaying data, wherein the display comprises an inactive display edge not configured for displaying and an active display inner surface configured for displaying; further comprising a backlight module (6, 6a, 6b) having light emitting units, wherein the backlight module (6, 6a, 6b) is arranged directly or indirectly at a rear side of the display such that light emitted by the light emitting units forms a backlight of the display, and wherein the backlight module (6, 6a, 6b) comprises a backlight edge (12) corresponding to the display edge and comprises a backlight inner surface (13) corresponding to the display inner surface; further comprising a control system for driving the light emitting units; characterized in that a transition edge area (9) is provided extending from the backlight edge (12) onto a part of the backlight inner surface (13), wherein a first number of individually drivable light emitting units is arranged in the transition edge area (9); and wherein the backlight inner surface (13) without the transition edge area (9) comprises a second number of individually drivable light emitting units, wherein the first number is greater than the second number; and / or the control system is configured to drive the light emitting units arranged in the transition edge area (9) individually or in a first cluster interconnection and to drive the light emitting units comprised by the backlight inner surface without the transition edge area (9) in a second cluster interconnection, wherein the number of interconnected light emitting units in the first cluster is smaller than the number of interconnected light emitting units in the second cluster.

2. The display system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the display is configured as a liquid crystal (LCD) display (2).

3. The display system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light emitting units in the transition edge area (9) are arranged in a matrix shape.

4. A display system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light emitting units in the backlight inner surface (13) without the transition edge area (9) are arranged in a matrix shape.

5. A display system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that no light emitting units are arranged in the backlight edge (12) or the number of light emitting units arranged in the backlight edge (12) is reduced compared to the transition edge area (9) and compared to the backlight inner surface (13) without the transition edge area (9).

6. A display system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display inner surface comprises an invisible area and no light emitting units are arranged in the backlight inner surface (13) corresponding to the invisible area.

7. A display system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display inner surface comprises an invisible area and a reduced number of light emitting units is arranged in the backlight inner surface (13) corresponding to the invisible area.

8. A display system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light emitting units are configured as light emitting diodes (LEDs) (5).

9. The display system (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the light emitting diodes (5) are designed to be individually dimmable.

10. A vehicle comprising a display system (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

11. A method for operating a display system (1), characterized by the following steps: - providing a display configured for displaying data, wherein the display comprises inactive display edges not configured for displaying and active display inner surfaces configured for displaying; - providing a backlight module (6, 6a, 6b) with light emitting units, wherein the backlight module (6, 6a, 6b) is arranged directly or indirectly at a back side of the display such that light emitted by the light emitting units forms a backlight of the display, and wherein the backlight module (6, 6a, 6b) comprises backlight edges (12) corresponding to the display edges and comprises backlight inner surfaces (13) corresponding to the display inner surfaces; - providing a control system for driving the light emitting units; - providing a transition edge area (9) extending from the backlight edges (12) onto a part of the backlight inner surfaces (13); - operating a first number of individually drivable light emitting units arranged in the transition edge area (9); - operating a second number of individually drivable light emitting units arranged in the backlight inner surfaces (13) without the transition edge area (9), wherein the first number is greater than the second number; - and / or driving the light emitting units arranged in the transition edge area individually or in a first cluster interconnection and driving the light emitting units arranged in the backlight inner surfaces without the transition edge area in a second cluster interconnection, wherein the number of interconnected light emitting units in the first cluster is smaller than the number of interconnected light emitting units in the second cluster.

12. The method for operating a display system (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that, No light emitting units are arranged in the backlight edges (12) or the number of light emitting units arranged in the backlight edges (12) is reduced compared to the transition edge area (9) and compared to the backlight inner surfaces (13) without the transition edge area (9).

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