Cockpit system and vehicle thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a cockpit system and a vehicle thereof. The cockpit includes: a front display disposed in front of a driver seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle, the front display including a display area and a concealed button included in at least one of the display areas; the camera is used for monitoring the driver seat or the passenger seat; and a controller determining whether an occupant is in the driver seat or the passenger seat, controlling at least one of the display areas of the front display, making the display area including the concealed button indistinguishable from other display areas in response to the concealed button being deactivated, and controlling the front display to display the other display areas in response to the concealed button being deactivated. And activating the concealment button only when the occupant is detected in the passenger seat by the camera.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority based on and claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0195049, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 28, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments relate to a display in a vehicle (e.g., an automobile, a mobile device, a mobility device, etc.) or an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV), and more particularly, to a cockpit system including a display. Background Art

[0004] With the digitalization of vehicles in recent years, many controllers are installed in vehicles, and various communication functions between the controllers allow the vehicle to remotely locate and find nearby charging stations via the Internet or a smart phone. In addition, all information about the current state of the vehicle, such as battery charging or pre - conditioning, can be checked in real time by simply touching a button. In addition, intelligent driving assistance systems obtain information about road driving to build a more convenient driving environment for the driver.

[0005] In this regard, a cluster is used, which provides basic functions of the vehicle, such as driving speed, mileage, odometer, and engine speed dashboard. For example, the cluster provides charging infrastructure network information, distance to empty (DTE), current battery status, information output, and other accurate and convenient vehicle information required for the driving environment.

[0006] Particularly, vehicles recently use digital clusters of various digital cockpits to effectively represent vehicle information. Therefore, technologies for integrally processing these digital cockpits need to be developed. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This Summary of the Invention section is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that will be further described in the Detailed Description section below. This Summary of the Invention section is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to assist in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0008] To solve the above problems, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a concealed button for passengers, which is activated or deactivated according to the presence or absence of a passenger.

[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a concealed button that is automatically activated by detecting the approach of a user.

[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a transparent panel that transmits light from a lower region of a front display to provide information to a driver and a passenger.

[0011] The objectives achieved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above technical objectives, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other unmentioned technical objectives from the following description.

[0012] In a general aspect of the present disclosure, a cockpit system for a vehicle, the cockpit system comprising: a front display disposed in front of a driver seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle, the front display including a display area and at least one hidden button included in the display area; a camera configured to monitor the driver seat or the passenger seat; and a controller configured to: determine whether an occupant is in the driver seat or in the passenger seat; control at least one of the display areas of the front display; in response to the hidden button being deactivated, make the display area including the hidden button indistinguishable from other display areas; and activate the hidden button only when the occupant is detected in the passenger seat by the camera.

[0013] The hidden button may include at least one button configured to be touchable, and the hidden button may be configured in the form of an engraved permanent shape.

[0014] The front display may further include a first in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) display and a second IVI display, and the hidden button may include: a button configured to adjust the screen brightness of the second IVI display; and a button configured to adjust the volume of multimedia played on the second IVI display.

[0015] The controller may further be configured to automatically deactivate the hidden button in response to detecting a video being played on the front display.

[0016] The cockpit system may further include a proximity detection sensor, wherein the controller may further be configured to deactivate the hidden button in response to the proximity detection sensor detecting a user approaching the hidden button.

[0017] The cockpit system may further include a transparent panel configured to provide information to the driver and the passenger by transmitting light from a lower region of the front display after the front display moves downward when a low mode is applied. In response to the application of the low mode, the front display may move downward, and in response to the application of the low mode, buttons located below the hidden button may be covered by the transparent panel.

[0018] In the low mode, at least one exposed button of the hidden buttons may be configured to further implement the functions of the buttons located in the lower part.

[0019] The transparent panel may be configured to implement the functions of the buttons located in the lower part in response to the hidden button area being touched.

[0020] The cockpit system may further include an illuminance sensor. The front display may measure the indoor brightness through the illuminance sensor and adjust the brightness of the display area according to the measured brightness.

[0021] In another general aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes a cockpit system including: a front display disposed in front of a driver seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle, the front display including a display area and a hidden button included in at least one of the display areas; a camera configured to monitor the driver seat or the passenger seat; and a controller configured to: determine whether an occupant is in the driver seat or in the passenger seat; control at least one of the display areas of the front display; in response to the hidden button being deactivated, make the display area including the hidden button indistinguishable from other display areas; and activate the hidden button only when the occupant in the passenger seat is detected by the camera.

[0022] The hidden button may include at least one touch-sensitive button, and the hidden button may include a sculpted outer surface.

[0023] The front display may further include a first in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) display and a second IVI display, and the hidden button may include: a button configured to adjust the screen brightness of the second IVI display; and a button configured to adjust the volume of multimedia played on the second IVI display.

[0024] The controller may also be configured to automatically deactivate the hidden button in response to detecting a video being played on the front display.

[0025] The controller may also be configured to deactivate the stealth button in response to the camera detecting that a user is approaching the stealth button.

[0026] The vehicle may further include a proximity detection sensor, wherein the controller may also be configured to deactivate the stealth button in response to the proximity detection sensor detecting that a user is approaching the stealth button.

[0027] The vehicle may further include a transparent panel configured to provide information to the driver and the passenger by transmitting light from a lower region of the front display after the front display moves downward when a low mode is applied, wherein in response to applying the low mode, the front display may move downward, and wherein in response to applying the low mode, buttons located below the stealth button may be covered by the transparent panel.

[0028] In the low mode, at least one exposed button of the stealth buttons may be configured to further implement the functions of the buttons located in the lower part.

[0029] The transparent panel may be configured to implement the functions of the buttons located in the lower part in response to the stealth button area being touched.

[0030] In yet another general aspect of the present disclosure, a cockpit system for a vehicle includes: a front display disposed in front of a driver seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle, the front display including a display area and a stealth button included in at least one of the display areas; a camera for monitoring the driver seat or the passenger seat; and a controller communicatively coupled to the camera and configured to: determine whether an occupant is in the driver seat or in the passenger seat based on one or more images captured by the camera; and control the front display to display information in at least one of the display areas of the front display, make the display area including the stealth button indistinguishable from other display areas in response to the stealth button being deactivated, and activate the stealth button in response to determining that the occupant is in the passenger seat. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a cockpit system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 2It is a diagram showing the states of the front display with and without passengers according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a concealed button according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing an exemplary use of a second in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) display and a concealed button according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing the control of the front display according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing a method of operating a concealed button in a low mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0038] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing the change of a concealed button based on indoor illuminance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description of the Embodiment

[0039] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. To clearly describe the disclosure in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and like reference numerals are assigned to like components throughout the description.

[0040] Throughout the description, unless otherwise stated, when a part is referred to as "including" a certain element, it means that it can further include other elements without excluding them.

[0041] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a cockpit system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Assume Figure 1 The front display 100 shown is provided in front of the driver's seat and the passenger's seat in a vehicle (e.g., a car, a mobile device, a mobility device, etc.). In other words, the front display 100 is preferably provided across the front of the passenger seat and the front of the driver's seat in the mobile device.

[0043] In addition, according to Figure 1 The front display 100 according to the embodiment shown may include a plurality of display areas 110, 120, 130, and 140. Although the plurality of display areas 110, 120, 130, and 140 are shown in Figure 1is shown specifically as including a driver-operated display 110, a first in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) display 120, a second IVI display 130, and a concealed button 140, but they may be configured in various other forms.

[0044] The driver-operated display 110 may be a display that provides functions (e.g., functions related to driving control) that the driver can use when needed.

[0045] The first IVI display 120 may play cluster, cluster gadgets, maps, media, and weather-related applications related to the driver's driving, and reset the area for displaying an application according to the operation or condition settings of the driver (or passenger).

[0046] The second IVI display 130 may display applications that can be controlled by passengers, such as weather-related controls, media, and maps.

[0047] The concealed button 140 generally refers to a button configured to be recognized within the user's field of view only when needed. In Figure 1 the example, as an example, the concealed button 140 is shown as a concealed button that provides functions (e.g., functions related to music playback) that the passenger in the passenger seat can use when needed.

[0048] However, the above configurations of the displays are examples, and the corresponding areas may be displayed integrally according to the operations or condition settings of the driver / passenger. For example, a single integrated image may be displayed on the first IVI display 120 and the second IVI display 130.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a low mode is proposed to ensure the driver's forward field of view in the display mode. During the low mode operation, the above front display 100 may be moved downward by a controller (not shown).

[0050] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a transparent panel 150 as shown in Figure 1 is further proposed. As described above, the front display 100 may be configured such that when the front display 100 is moved downward by applying the low mode, light from the lower region of the front display 100 provides information to the driver and passengers through the transparent panel 150.

[0051] It is assumed that the information provided through the perspective panel 150 corresponds to the screens displayed on each of the driver-operated display 110, the first IVI display 120, the second IVI display 130, and the concealed button 140. However, compared to the information displayed on the upper portion of the front display 100, the information provided through the perspective panel 150 is preferably simplified information. "Simplified information" may refer to information that can be implemented at a low resolution, in a small amount, or a combination of both, compared to the information displayed in the upper portion of the front display 100.

[0052] As Figure 1 shown, the cockpit system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an operating system 160. The operating system 160 may be implemented in a projection manner.

[0053] As Figure 1 shown, the cockpit system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a camera 170. The camera 170 may be disposed at a position capable of monitoring the driver's seat and the passenger's seat. Any type of camera may be used as long as it can monitor.

[0054] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the states of the front display in the presence and absence of a passenger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 (a) shows the front display in the absence of a passenger, and Figure 2 (b) shows the front display in the presence of a passenger.

[0055] In Figure 2 the embodiment shown, the front display 100 and the operating system 160 are shown. The operating system 160 is shown divided into a driver operating system 161, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) operator 162, and a passenger operating system 163.

[0056] The cockpit system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may use a camera to determine whether there is a passenger in the passenger seat. When it is determined that no passenger is present, the second IVI display and the concealed button may be deactivated. At this time, the operating system of the passenger 163 of the operating system may also be deactivated ( Figure 2 (a)). When it is determined that a passenger is present, the second IVI display and the concealed button 140 may be activated. At this time, the operating system of the passenger 163 of the operating system may also be activated ( Figure 2 (b)).

[0057] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the front display 100 can achieve a dead front effect, which makes the disabled display area indistinguishable from the part outside the disabled display area when at least one of the multiple display areas is disabled.

[0058] It can also be configured such that when the concealment button is disabled, the area of the concealment button and the area other than the concealment button are indistinguishable.

[0059] In Figure 2 In the embodiment shown in (a), the second IVI display and the concealment button are disabled (202). The driver-operated display and the first IVI display are activated, and their edges can undergo a gradient effect to provide a more natural dead front effect. The first IVI display can display the driver application 201.

[0060] In Figure 2 In the embodiment shown in (b), the second IVI display 203 and the concealment button 140 are activated (204). The second IVI display 203 can display the passenger application, and the concealment button 140 can also be activated (204) to allow the passenger to adjust the brightness and volume of the second IVI display. The concealment button will be described in more detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0061] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a concealment button according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 3 the embodiment shown, the configuration of the concealment button in the standard mode 311 and the exposed part of the concealment button in the low mode 313 are shown.

[0062] The concealment button according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can include at least one button configured to be touchable, as shown in the standard mode 311 in Figure 3 . In Figure 3 , by way of example, buttons for adjusting volume, buttons for adjusting screen brightness, and a power button are shown. However, this is only exemplary, and the concealment button can include various buttons.

[0063] In this embodiment, the + and - volume buttons 141 can be buttons for adjusting the volume of the speaker pointing to the passenger seat or the volume of the multimedia displayed on the second IVI display. The + and - buttons 142 for adjusting screen brightness can be buttons for adjusting the screen brightness on the second IVI display or the concealment button. The power button 143 can be a button for controlling to activate or deactivate the concealment button.

[0064] Each button can be configured in an engraved form such that the shape of the button is permanent. The shape of the button can be formed by a method such as laser engraving, and no other display elements need to be added. Manufacturing the button by engraving has the advantages of reducing the unit production cost and simplifying the manufacturing process. That is to say, the concealed button can have an engraved outer surface.

[0065] In the low mode 313, the front display moves downward, and thus the concealed button also moves downward such that the bottom of the concealed button is covered by the transparent panel. In Figure 3 the embodiment of, in the low mode 313, the power button is covered by moving downward, and the remaining uncovered part is shown.

[0066] In this case, the function of the power button covered by the transparent panel can be taken over by another uncovered button. This will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 6 this.

[0067] Figure 4 FIG. is a diagram showing an exemplary use of the second IVI display 130 and the concealed button 140 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 (a) is a diagram showing the state in which the concealed button is activated, and Figure 4 (b) is a diagram showing the state in which the concealed button is deactivated. Figure 4 Based on the assumption that the passenger is in the vehicle.

[0068] First, the second IVI display can display passenger applications, as in the embodiment shown in Figure 4 (a). Although Figure 4 (a) shows the air conditioning system control, multimedia applications, and map applications, this is only exemplary, and various passenger applications can be configured. The concealed button 140 can be activated.

[0069] Next, when the passenger plays a video on the second IVI display and selects to play the video in full screen mode (S410), the video can be played in full screen, as in the embodiment shown in Figure 4 (b). Here, the concealed button 140 can be automatically deactivated so as not to interfere with content viewing ( Figure 4 (b)). Although Figure 4 shows an embodiment in which the concealed button is deactivated during full-screen video playback on the second IVI display, when playing a video in full screen on the first or second IVI display, or even when playing a video in a part of the front display, the concealed button can be automatically deactivated.

[0070] Finally, to reactivate the deactivated concealed button 140, when it is detected that a passenger's hand approaches the concealed button (S420), the concealed button can be activated. The approach can be detected in various ways, such as monitoring with a camera, using an infrared sensor, or using a proximity detection sensor.

[0071] Figure 5 FIG. is a diagram illustrating control of a front display according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] First, in Figure 5 the illustrated embodiment, the display position is preferably set to a height at which the bottom line of the display active area of the first IVI display on the front display 100 in the standard mode 311 is not covered by the transparent panel 150.

[0073] Next, in Figure 5 the illustrated embodiment, the low mode 313 is applied based on a low signal, and the front display can be moved downward to ensure a forward view (S320). In this case, as described above, it can be configured to provide simplified information by light emitted from the bottom of the display through the transparent panel 150.

[0074] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the low mode 313, there is an area covered due to the downward movement of the display in the lower part of the concealed button 140, and considering the nature of the concealed button 140, it may not be efficient to use light from the bottom of the concealed button 140 to provide information through the transparent panel 150. Therefore, unlike the IV displays 120 and 130, the concealed button 140 can be configured such that the position of the existing concealed button remains in an uncovered area in the low mode 313.

[0075] Figure 5 An embodiment of implementing the operating system 160 in a projection manner using the internal projector 410 is shown. To implement the display-type operating system 160, a light-emitting display, such as a light emitting diode (LED) display, can be used. However, there are many curves / surfaces in the interior space of a mobile device (especially a vehicle), and considering the internal characteristics, it is difficult to implement a light-emitting display.

[0076] Therefore, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the internal projector 410 in front of the mobile device can be used to configure the operating system 160 in a projection manner. As Figure 5 shown, the operating system 160 can be advantageously and freely implemented even in a space with various curves / surfaces.

[0077] Figure 6 FIG. is a diagram illustrating a method of operating a concealed button in a low mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6(a) shows the position of the front display in the standard mode, and Figure 6 (b) shows the position of the front display in the low mode and the method of operating the front display. Figure 6 (c) shows the deactivated second IVI display and the hidden button.

[0078] First, as Figure 6 (a) shows, the front display can be positioned at a height where all buttons are visible, as described above for the standard mode. Then, when the user inputs a low mode signal (S610), the front display moves downward such that its bottom is covered by the transparent panel 150.

[0079] Figure 6 (b) shows the front display that has moved downward such that its bottom is covered by the transparent panel.

[0080] The second IVI display 130 can have a screen that is scaled down to fit the uncovered portion in the low mode or displays rearranged information.

[0081] As described above, there is also an area covered due to the downward movement of the display in the lower part of the hidden button 140, and in view of the nature of the hidden button 140, it may not be efficient to use the light from the bottom of the hidden button 140 to provide information through the transparent panel 150. In the case of the hidden button 140, unlike the IV displays 120 and 130, the existing position of the hidden button can be kept in the area that is not covered in the low mode.

[0082] Figure 6 (b) shows an embodiment in which the power button is covered by the transparent panel 150. In this case, at least one of the uncovered buttons can be configured to further implement the function of the covered button. For example, the function of the power button can be executed by long-pressing the button for adjusting the screen brightness in the hidden button (S620). This is merely exemplary, and it can be configured to execute the function of the power button by touching the center button of the hidden button or by gradually reducing the brightness and then applying the last touch.

[0083] When the transparent panel includes a touch input function, the light from the power button can be transmitted through the transparent panel to provide information to the driver and passengers, and the function of the power button can be implemented by touching the light transmission position (i.e., the hidden button area).

[0084] In Figure 6In the embodiment shown in (c), the second IVI display and the concealed button are shown to be deactivated in the low mode. In this case, when a passenger touches the screen (S630), when the proximity detection sensor detects the passenger approaching the screen, or when the camera detects that the passenger is attempting to use the screen, the screen can be automatically activated, thereby increasing the usability.

[0085] Figure 7 FIG. is a diagram showing a change in the concealed button based on the indoor illuminance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 7 the embodiment, the screen brightness of the front display at each illuminance is shown. The cockpit system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an illuminance sensor.

[0086] Figure 7 (a) shows the front display with the lowest brightness. The brightness of the concealed button, the operating system, and the display screen can be reduced according to the indoor illuminance.

[0087] Figure 7 (b) shows the front display with the intermediate brightness. Figure 7 (c) shows the front display with the highest brightness. Although only three levels are shown in Figure 7 , the brightness of the screen can be continuously changed according to the indoor illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor. Obviously, the brightness of the screen can be intentionally adjusted by each operation button.

[0088] According to the above embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of changing the cockpit layout according to the display mode and a cockpit system using the method can be effectively configured.

[0089] By providing a concealed button for the passenger, convenience can be increased and an aesthetic effect can be achieved, and the concealed button can be activated or deactivated according to the presence or absence of the passenger.

[0090] The usability can be increased by providing a concealed button that is automatically deactivated during video playback and automatically activated when the user approaches it.

[0091] As described above, detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been given so that those skilled in the art can implement and practice the present disclosure. Although the above description has been made with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, those skilled in the art can use the configurations described in the above embodiments in combination with each other.

[0092] Therefore, the embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the present disclosure, but rather to give the broadest possible scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A cockpit system for a vehicle, the cockpit system comprising: a front display disposed in front of a driver seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle, the front display including a display area and a concealed button included in at least one of the display areas; a camera, the camera being used to monitor the driver's seat or the passenger seat; as well as A controller, the controller being configured to: determining whether an occupant is in the driver seat or in the passenger seat; controlling at least one of the display areas of the front display; In response to the hidden button being deactivated, making the display area including the hidden button indistinguishable from other display areas; as well as The hidden button is activated only when the occupant is detected in the passenger seat by the camera.

2. The cockpit system according to claim 1, in, The hidden button includes at least one button configured to be touchable, and Wherein, the concealed button is configured in the form of an engraving having a permanent shape.

3. The cockpit system according to claim 1, in, The front display also includes a first in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) display and a second IVI display, and Wherein, the hidden button includes: a button configured to adjust screen brightness of the second IVI display; and A button configured to adjust the volume of multimedia played on the second IVI display.

4. The cockpit system according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is also configured to automatically deactivate the hidden button in response to detecting a video being played on the front display.

5. The cockpit system according to claim 1, further comprising: Proximity detection sensor, The controller is further configured to deactivate the hidden button in response to the proximity detection sensor detecting that a user is approaching the hidden button.

6. The cockpit system according to claim 1, further comprising: a see-through panel configured to provide information to the driver and the passenger by transmitting light from a lower area of ​​the front display after the front display moves downward when a low mode is applied, wherein, in response to applying the low mode, the front display moves downward, and Wherein, in response to applying the low mode, the button located below the hidden button is covered by the see-through panel.

7. The cockpit system according to claim 6, wherein: In the low mode, at least one exposed button among the concealed buttons is configured to further implement the function of the button located in the lower portion.

8. The cockpit system according to claim 6, wherein: The see-through panel is configured to implement a function of the button located in the lower portion in response to the concealed button area being touched.

9. The cockpit system according to claim 1, further comprising: Illuminance sensor, The front display measures the indoor brightness through the illumination sensor and adjusts the brightness of the display area according to the measured brightness.

10. A vehicle comprising: A cockpit system, comprising: a front display disposed in front of a driver seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle, the front display including a display area and a concealed button included in at least one of the display areas; a camera configured to monitor the driver seat or the passenger seat; and A controller, the controller being configured to: determining whether an occupant is in the driver seat or in the passenger seat; controlling at least one of the display areas of the front display; In response to the hidden button being deactivated, rendering the display area including the hidden button indistinguishable from other display areas; and The hidden button is activated only when the occupant is detected in the passenger seat by the camera.

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