Steering member mounted display panel system

Abstract

A steering member mounted display panel system includes: an electronic display panel mounted on a steering wheel; a steering angle sensor for detecting a rotation angle of a steering wheel; a memory for storing information for generating a graphic image; a graphics processing unit configured to extract information for generating a graphic image from the information stored on the memory, apply an image transformation to the graphic image to generate a modified image, the modified image being rotated by an angle equal to and opposite to the rotation angle of the steering wheel detected by the sensor, and displaying the modified image; a biaxial accelerometer configured to sense an angular acceleration of the steering wheel; and a processor configured to determine whether data from the steering angle sensor and the biaxial accelerometer coincide.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to vehicle instrument display panels, and more particularly to display panels located on a rotatable steering wheel. Background Technology

[0002] The desired outcome is to present information to the driver on a display positioned directly in front of the driver and near the bottom edge of the windshield. This position allows the driver to easily shift focus between traffic and the display. Important information is already routinely displayed on the instrument panel located between the steering wheel and the windshield. However, depending on how the driver positions their seat and steering wheel, portions of the steering wheel may obstruct the view of the display, requiring the driver to move their head up, down, left, or right. This can be frustrating and distracting. One known solution is to position the display panel on the steering wheel, for example, mounted on the hub of the steering wheel.

[0003] The problem with fixing the display panel to the steering wheel is that when the steering wheel rotates, the image rotates relative to the vertical line, making it more difficult to read information from the display while the vehicle is turning. A proposed solution is to provide a display control device that rotates the displayed image to compensate for the steering wheel's rotation, keeping the displayed image constant relative to the vertical reference line. This solution relies on information from a steering angle sensor, which may generate erroneous data that could actually cause the displayed image to rotate inappropriately, further complicating information viewing.

[0004] In addition, known vehicle steering component-mounted display panel systems do not adequately address the issue of selecting and activating vehicle functions via a touchpad located on the steering mechanism. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In some aspects of this disclosure, a vehicle steering component mounted display panel system includes: a vehicle steering device, such as a steering wheel; an electronic display panel (e.g., LDC or LED) fixed to the vehicle steering device; a steering angle sensor for detecting the rotation angle of the steering device relative to a vertical reference line (e.g., a line normal to a plane defined by the length and width directions of the vehicle); a memory for storing information for generating a graphic image; a graphics processing unit configured to retrieve the information for generating the graphic image from the memory and apply a two-dimensional graphics transformation to the graphic image to generate a modified graphic image, the modified graphic image being rotated in the opposite angular direction by an angle equal to the detected rotation angle of the vehicle steering device, and display the modified graphic image on the display panel; a dual-axis accelerometer configured to sense the angular acceleration of the vehicle steering device; and a processor configured to determine whether the data from the steering angle sensor and the dual-axis accelerometer are consistent.

[0006] In some aspects of this disclosure, a vehicle steering component mounted display panel system includes: a vehicle steering device; a touchscreen display panel fixed to the vehicle steering device; a steering angle sensor for detecting the rotation angle of the steering device relative to a vertical reference line (e.g., a line normal to a plane defined by the length and width directions of the vehicle); a memory for storing information for generating a graphic image; a graphics processing unit configured to extract information for generating the graphic image from the information stored in the memory, apply a two-dimensional image transformation to the graphic image to generate a modified image, the modified graphic image being rotated in the opposite angular direction by an angle equal to the detected rotation angle of the vehicle steering device, and display the modified graphic image on the display panel. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the disclosed steering component-mounted display system.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a schematic side view of the user and steering component mounted display.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a front view of the steering component-mounted display panel.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a system that features a force sensor for determining user touch commands.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the process flow used to present images on steering component-mounted display systems and to take corrective measures for inconsistencies in steering sensor and accelerometer data.

[0012] Figures 6A to 6CIt is a depiction of image transformations performed by the graphics processing unit.

[0013] Figure 7 A steerable mounting display system with a screen touch sensor and haptic feedback mechanism is shown.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the process flow for evaluating and responding to user touches and the on / off screen sensors adjacent to the functions displayed on the screen. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Vehicle steering component mounted display system ( Figure 1 This refers to a steering device (e.g., a steering wheel) for a vehicle, which has an electronic display fixed to the surface of the steering device (e.g., the hub of the steering wheel), and a vehicle steering component mounted display system may include a memory, a processor (multiple processors), a graphics processing unit (multiple graphics processing units), a sensor (multiple sensors), and other components for displaying images on the display.

[0016] Steering devices include various manual vehicle steering devices, such as: steering wheels having generally circular hand grips connected to a hub; yolk steering devices having generally U-shaped hand grips connected to a hub and arranged laterally in opposite directions; and lever steering devices.

[0017] Display panel 12 ( Figure 2 and Figure 3 It can be any type of electronic display capable of displaying images from a processor and / or graphics processing unit, including: various liquid crystal displays (LCDs), such as light-emitting diode (LED) backlit LCDs, thin-film transistor (TFT) LCDs, and quantum dot (QLED) displays; LED displays, such as organic light-emitting displays (OLEDs) and active matrix organic LEDs (AMOLEDs).

[0018] To facilitate driver 21's activation of vehicle features, the display panel may be a touchscreen display that presents images that allow selection of vehicle features (e.g., sound system volume control, cabin temperature control, etc.) that can be activated via touchscreen.

[0019] Any known steering angle sensor can be used in the disclosed vehicle steering component mounted display panel system, including inductive angle sensors that rely on electromagnetic induction principles, optical sensor types, potentiometer types, and / or Hall effect steering angle sensors.

[0020] The memory can be a non-volatile read-only memory chip (ROM) 30, or other types of memory such as a hard disk drive or optical disc, in which the stored information is retained even when the power is cut off.

[0021] The graphics processing unit can be a separate dedicated chip integrated into the central processing unit, or a general-purpose processor.

[0022] Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) allow users to interact with software applications via a display 12, which is typically driven by a system-on-a-chip (SOC) 16 using a graphics processing unit (GPU) 17 or a microcontroller (MCU). The SOC or MCU uses the GPU to render images in an area of ​​memory called the frame buffer. The SOC or MCU then outputs the image to the connected display. Figure 1 In addition, some displays offer touch functionality, allowing users or operators to activate functions and features on the display simply by touching it.

[0023] Mounting the display in the center of the steering wheel without compensating for steering wheel rotation will cause problems. When the user turns the steering wheel, the image displayed on the display will also rotate. Figure 2 This will make it difficult for users or operators to interact with the display and its touch applications.

[0024] A solution is provided to maintain the orientation of a display mounted in the center of a rotating steering wheel. A circular display 12 is mounted in the center of the steering wheel 14. Figure 3 SOC16 is connected to angle sensor 18, which is attached to the shaft of the rotating steering wheel, and is capable of controlling the steering wheel ( Figure 4 A biaxial accelerometer 20 is provided to measure the rotation angle of the accelerometer.

[0025] When the user or operator 21 rotates the steering wheel by a specific angle (theta, θ), the angle sensor attached to the axis of the rotating steering wheel (hereinafter referred to as the steering angle sensor) senses the rotational change as θ. The dual-axis accelerometer also senses the angular acceleration as θ. The aforementioned SOC uses this information from the accelerometer as a redundancy check for the steering angular velocity sensor readings. Figure 5 ).

[0026] Based on the change in angular position measured by the steering angle sensor ( Figure 6A The SOC uses GPU 22 and applies a two-dimensional image transformation to the image in its frame buffer 24. This image transformation is a rotation effect with a negative θ applied in the opposite direction to the measurement results from the steering angle sensor. Figure 6BThe final result (θ-θ=0) is that the image displayed to the user remains in the same orientation as before the rotation. Figure 6C ).

[0027] Because the SOC maintains the image orientation without any noticeable angular change through image rotation, users can view the display and still read the information shown on it. Furthermore, users can touch the display from the same relative position to activate touch features.

[0028] Furthermore, the SOC utilizes this advantage to support the force sensing element 26 ( Figure 4 The force sensing element 26 is positioned around the display at the user interaction surface 27. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The SOC samples force sensors positioned on the user interaction surface to determine the location where the user presses on the surface. For example, user 21 may touch the user interaction surface near a feature or menu option displayed on the screen. When the user presses on the user interaction surface ( Figure 7 The SOC can provide optional tactile feedback, for example, through a vibrating component 32 (e.g., a motor or linear resonant actuator).

[0029] As in Figure 5 As shown, measurements from the steering angle sensor 18 and accelerometer 20 are acquired and compared. If the data from the steering angle sensor matches the data from the accelerometer, the GPU 22 generates and displays a modified image on the display 12 that compensates for steering wheel rotation. If the data from the steering angle sensor does not match the data from the accelerometer (allowing for some tolerable deviation), appropriate safeguards can be taken for the display. For example, the display can be locked in a neutral position, in which the image is fixed such that it is properly oriented for normal reading when the steering wheel is not physically rotated relative to a reference line.

[0030] The feature's menu options remain in the same position relative to the user, and the SOC, in conjunction with the software, determines where the user presses on the surface. Because the SOC is adjusting in response to the monitor's rotation, it will determine whether the press is actually close enough to the feature to activate it. Figure 8 Furthermore, if the user is touching a force-sensing surface near that feature, the SOC can provide haptic feedback.

[0031] With these advantages, users can either activate the feature directly on the touch display or by pressing near the feature displayed on the force-sensing surface, and optionally receive haptic feedback.

[0032] This solution keeps the display oriented while the user turns the steering wheel. An accelerometer can be used to verify the steering angle sensor readings. When the operator activates the feature by pressing along the force-sensing surface near the display, tactile feedback in the force-sensing surface provides mechanical feedback.

[0033] The foregoing description is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the invention should be determined by referring to the appended claims and their full scope. It is anticipated and intentional that future developments in the art will occur, and that the disclosed apparatus, kit components, and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. Therefore, the invention is capable of modifications and alterations and is limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle steering component mounted display panel system, wherein, The vehicle steering component mounted display panel system includes: Vehicle steering system; An electronic display panel, which is fixed to the vehicle steering device; A steering angle sensor, used to detect the rotation angle of the vehicle steering device relative to a reference line; A memory, the memory being used to store information for generating graphic images; A graphics processing unit configured to: retrieve information from the memory to generate a graphic image; apply a two-dimensional image transformation to the graphic image to generate a modified graphic image, the modified graphic image being rotated along an opposite angular direction by an angle equal to the rotation angle of the vehicle steering device; and display the modified graphic image on the electronic display panel. A biaxial accelerometer, configured to sense the angular acceleration of the vehicle steering mechanism; and A processor configured to determine whether data from the steering angle sensor is consistent with data from the dual-axis accelerometer.

2. The vehicle steering component mounted display panel system according to claim 1, wherein, The electronic display panel is a touch screen display panel.

3. The vehicle steering component mounted display panel system according to claim 1, wherein, The electronic display panel is circular.

4. The vehicle steering component mounted display panel system according to claim 1, wherein, The vehicle steering component mounted display panel system also includes multiple force sensors positioned around the electronic display panel.

5. The vehicle steering component mounted display panel system according to claim 4, wherein, The vehicle steering component mounted display panel system also includes a vibration component to provide tactile feedback associated with the force determined by the force sensor.

6. A vehicle steering component mounted display panel system, wherein, The vehicle steering component mounted display panel system includes: Vehicle steering system; A touchscreen display panel, which is fixed to the vehicle steering device; A steering angle sensor, used to detect the rotation angle of the vehicle steering device relative to a reference line; A memory, the memory being used to store information for generating graphic images; and A graphics processing unit configured to: retrieve information from the non-volatile memory to generate a graphic image; apply a two-dimensional image transformation to the graphic image to generate a modified graphic image, the modified graphic image being rotated along an opposite angular direction by an angle equal to the rotation angle of the vehicle steering device; and display the modified graphic image on the touchscreen display panel.

7. The vehicle steering component mounted display panel system according to claim 6, wherein, The vehicle steering component mounted display panel system further includes: a dual-axis accelerometer configured to sense the angular acceleration of the vehicle steering device; and a processor configured to determine whether data from the steering angle sensor and data from the dual-axis accelerometer are consistent.

8. The vehicle steering component mounted display panel system according to claim 6, wherein, The touchscreen display panel is circular.

9. The vehicle steering component mounted display panel system according to claim 6, wherein, The vehicle steering component mounted display panel system also includes multiple force sensors positioned around the touchscreen display panel.

10. The vehicle steering component mounted display panel system according to claim 9, wherein, The vehicle steering component mounted display panel system also includes a vibration component to provide tactile feedback associated with the force determined by the force sensor.

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