Display control system for vehicles and control method thereof

Abstract

This application relates to the field of automotive display technology, and in particular to an automotive display control system and its control method. The automotive display control system includes a power converter, a power status monitoring circuit, a reset circuit, and a display processing circuit. The power converter converts the input voltage into a first output voltage. The power status monitoring circuit detects the first output voltage and generates a power good signal when it determines that the first output voltage is in a stable state. The reset circuit triggers a reset signal based on the power good signal. The display processing circuit starts up according to the reset signal and generates a display signal to display an image, wherein the first output voltage serves as the power supply voltage for the display processing circuit. The automotive display control system of this application does not require a microcontroller to control the startup of the display processing circuit and can simultaneously support multiple display interfaces.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of automotive display technology, and specifically to an automotive display control system, and more particularly to an automotive display control system and control method that does not require the use of a microcontroller (MCU), can simultaneously support multiple display interfaces, and has a safe startup mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of vehicle infotainment systems and digital instrument clusters, automotive displays need to support different resolutions and various display interfaces, such as Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS), Mobile Industry Processor Interface-Display Serial Interface (MIPI DSI), and Embedded Display Port (eDP). The display interface is used to connect the display processor and the monitor, transmitting display signals from the display processor to the monitor.

[0003] Figure 1 This displays a traditional automotive display control system. Figure 1The vehicle display control system 10 includes a vehicle power supply 11, a power converter 12, a microcontroller 13, a backlight driver 14, a display processing circuit 15, memory 16, and a display panel 17. The vehicle power supply 11 provides the input voltage Vi. The power converter 12 can be, but is not limited to, a DC-to-DC power converter or a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). The power converter 12 is connected to the vehicle power supply 11 and converts the input voltage Vi into a first output voltage Vo1, a second output voltage Vo2, and a third output voltage Vo3. The microcontroller 13 is connected to the power converter 12 and the backlight driver 14. The third output voltage Vo3 output by the power converter 12 serves as the power supply voltage for the microcontroller 13. The microcontroller 13 provides a first control signal C1, a second control signal C2, and a start signal R1. The backlight driver 14 is connected to the vehicle power supply 11 and the microcontroller 13. The input voltage Vi provided by the vehicle power supply 11 serves as the power supply voltage for the backlight driver 14. The backlight driver 14 generates a drive signal D1 to the display panel 17 based on the first control signal C1 of the microcontroller 13. This drive signal D1 drives the backlight of the display panel 17 (not shown). The memory 16 is connected to the display processing circuit 15 and stores setting and control data S1 related to the display panel 17. The setting and control data S1 includes, but is not limited to, display panel identification information (EDID), gamma correction parameters, display timing parameters, power-on logo pattern, and other setting data required for display initialization. The display processing circuit 15 is connected to the power converter 12, the microcontroller 13, and the memory 16. The display processing circuit 15 can be, but is not limited to, a system-on-a-chip (SoC). The first output voltage Vo1 output by the power converter 12 serves as the power supply voltage for the display processing circuit 15. The microcontroller 13 sends a start signal R1 to start (initialize) the display processing circuit 15. After startup, the display processing circuit 15 generates a display signal M1 for the display panel 17 based on the control signal C1 sent by the microcontroller 13 and the setting and control data S1 stored in the memory 16. The display panel 17 displays an image based on the display signal M1. The second output voltage Vo2 output by the power converter 12 serves as the power supply voltage for the display panel 17. The display panel 17 is connected to the display processing circuit 15 via a display interface (not shown in the figure), which may be, but is not limited to, at least one of a low-voltage differential signal display interface, a mobile industry processor interface-display serial interface, and an embedded display port interface.

[0004] Figure 1The vehicle display control system 10 requires software control of the display processing circuit 15 via the microcontroller 13 to initialize it, which not only increases the complexity and cost of the electronic control unit (ECU) architecture. In addition, during the initial power supply phase of the vehicle power supply 11, the input voltage Vi provided by the vehicle power supply 11 has not yet reached a stable state. If the display processing circuit 15 is initialized at this time, it may cause initialization failure or system abnormality.

[0005] Figure 2 This displays another traditional automotive display control system. Figure 2 The vehicle display control system 20 includes a vehicle power supply 21, a power converter 22, a microcontroller 23, a backlight driver 24, a data converter 25, an image signal generator 26, and a display panel 27. The vehicle power supply 21 provides the input voltage Vi. The power converter 22 can be, but is not limited to, a DC-to-DC power converter or a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). The power converter 22 is connected to the vehicle power supply 21 and converts the input voltage Vi into a first output voltage Vo1, a second output voltage Vo2, and a third output voltage Vo3. The microcontroller 23 is connected to the power converter 22 and the backlight driver 24. The third output voltage Vo3 output by the power converter 22 serves as the power supply voltage for the microcontroller 23. The microcontroller 23 provides a first control signal C1 and a start signal R1. The backlight driver 24 is connected to the vehicle power supply 21 and the microcontroller 23. The input voltage Vi provided by the vehicle power supply 21 serves as the power supply voltage for the backlight driver 24. The backlight driver 24 generates a drive signal D1 to the display panel 27 based on the first control signal C1 from the microcontroller 23. This drive signal D1 drives the backlight of the display panel 27 (not shown). The image signal generator 26 is connected to the data converter 25 to provide a display signal M2 to the data converter 25. The data converter 25 is connected to the microcontroller 23, the image signal generator 26, and the display panel 27. The data converter 25 can be, but is not limited to, a bridge or a sequencer / deserializer module. The data converter 25 is started (initialized) in response to the start signal R1 from the microcontroller 23. After starting, the data converter 25 generates a display signal M1 to the display panel 27 based on the display signal M2 from the image signal generator 26. The display panel 27 displays an image based on the display signal M1. The second output voltage Vo2 from the power converter 22 serves as the power supply voltage for the display panel 27. Display panel 27 is connected to data converter 25 via a display interface (not shown), wherein the display interface may be, but is not limited to, a low voltage differential signal display interface, a mobile industry processor interface-display serial interface display interface, and an embedded display port display interface.

[0006] Compared to Figure 1 The automotive display control system 10 uses a display processing circuit 15 (such as a system single chip) as the core architecture for display processing. Figure 2 The automotive display control system 20 uses a data converter 25 (bridge or sequencer / deserializer module) for display signal conversion and transmission. Functionally, the data converter 25 is primarily responsible for interface conversion and long-distance transmission of display signals. Its function is simpler than that of the display processing circuit 15. Therefore, in applications where only display signal conversion and transmission are required, it can reduce system costs and simplify the system architecture. Furthermore, because the data converter 25 has relatively simplified requirements for system initialization and power management, it is less sensitive to power timing in some cases, reducing the risk of display initialization failure due to power instability.

[0007] However, Figure 2 The disadvantage of the automotive display control system 20 is that it only supports a single display interface and requires an external image source system, such as a graphics processor (GPU), graphics controller, or pattern generator. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an automotive display control system that does not require a microcontroller (MCU), can simultaneously support multiple display interfaces, and has a safe startup mechanism.

[0009] One of the objectives of this application is to provide an automotive display control system and control method that does not require a microcontroller (MCU), can simultaneously support multiple display interfaces, and has a safe startup mechanism.

[0010] According to this application, a vehicle display control system includes a power converter, a power status monitoring circuit, a reset circuit, a display processing circuit, and a display panel. The power converter converts an input voltage into a first output voltage and a second output voltage. The power status monitoring circuit is connected to the power converter. The power status monitoring circuit detects the first output voltage and generates a power good signal when it determines that the first output voltage is in a stable state. The reset circuit is connected to the power status monitoring circuit and triggers a reset signal based on the power good signal. The display processing circuit is connected to the power converter and the reset circuit and is activated based on the reset signal. After activation, the display processing circuit generates a display signal. The display panel is connected to the power converter and the display processing circuit and displays an image based on the display signal. The first output voltage serves as the power supply voltage for the display processing circuit, and the second output voltage serves as the power supply voltage for the display panel.

[0011] In one embodiment, the automotive display control system further includes a backlight driver connected to the display panel. The backlight driver is used to provide a drive signal to drive the backlight of the display panel, wherein the input voltage is the power supply voltage of the backlight driver.

[0012] In one embodiment, the vehicle display control system further includes a memory-connected display processing circuit. The memory is used to store setting and control data related to the display panel.

[0013] In one embodiment, the display processing circuit is connected to the display panel via a display interface.

[0014] In one embodiment, the display processing circuit includes a display driver abstraction layer, which is connected to a reset circuit and a display panel. The display driver abstraction layer includes multiple display interface driver units and activates the display interface driver unit of the corresponding display interface according to the reset signal.

[0015] According to this application, a control method for a vehicle display control system includes the following steps: converting an input voltage into a first output voltage and a second output voltage, wherein the first output voltage serves as the power supply voltage for a display processing circuit and the second output voltage serves as the power supply voltage for a display panel; detecting the first output voltage and generating a power good signal when the first output voltage is determined to be in a stable state; triggering a reset signal based on the power good signal; starting the display processing circuit based on the reset signal and generating a display signal; and displaying an image on the display panel based on the display signal, wherein the second output voltage serves as the power supply voltage for the display panel.

[0016] In one embodiment, the control method further includes driving the backlight of the display panel by providing a driving signal through a backlight driver, wherein the input voltage is the power supply voltage of the backlight driver.

[0017] In one embodiment, the control method further includes using memory to store settings and control data related to the display panel.

[0018] In one embodiment, the display processing circuit is connected to the display panel via a display interface.

[0019] In one embodiment, the display processing circuit includes a display driver abstraction layer, wherein the display driver abstraction layer contains a plurality of display interface driver units and activates the display interface driver unit of the corresponding display interface according to a reset signal.

[0020] The vehicle display control system and control method of this application do not require the use of a microcontroller, can simultaneously support multiple display interfaces, and have a safe start-up mechanism. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This displays a traditional automotive display control system.

[0022] Figure 2 This displays another traditional automotive display control system.

[0023] Figure 3 This application discloses a vehicle display control system.

[0024] Figure 4 This application demonstrates the control method for the vehicle display control system.

[0025] Figure 5 show Figure 3 An example of a display processing circuit.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0027] 10: Vehicle display control system;

[0028] 11: Vehicle power supply;

[0029] 12: Power converter;

[0030] 13: Microcontroller;

[0031] 14: Backlight driver;

[0032] 15: Display processing circuit;

[0033] 16: Memory;

[0034] 17: Display panel;

[0035] 20: Vehicle display control system;

[0036] 21: Vehicle power supply;

[0037] 22: Power converter;

[0038] 23: Microcontroller;

[0039] 24: Backlight driver;

[0040] 25: Data converter;

[0041] 26: Image signal generator;

[0042] 27: Display panel;

[0043] 30: Vehicle display control system;

[0044] 31: Vehicle power supply;

[0045] 32: Power converter;

[0046] 33: Power status monitoring circuit;

[0047] 34: Reset circuit;

[0048] 35: Memory;

[0049] 36: Display processing circuit;

[0050] 361: Upper-level application;

[0051] 362: Display Driver Abstraction Layer;

[0052] 3621: LVDS drive unit;

[0053] 3622: MIPI DSI drive unit;

[0054] 3623: eDP drive unit;

[0055] 37: Backlight driver;

[0056] 38: Display panel;

[0057] C1: First control signal;

[0058] C2: Second control signal;

[0059] C3: First control signal;

[0060] D1: Drive signal;

[0061] D2: Drive signal;

[0062] M1: Display signal;

[0063] M2: Display signal;

[0064] M3: Display signal;

[0065] PG: Good power signal;

[0066] R1: Start signal;

[0067] R2: Reset signal;

[0068] S1: Setting and control data;

[0069] S10, S11, S12, S13, S14, S15, S16: Steps;

[0070] Vi: Input voltage;

[0071] Vo1: First output voltage;

[0072] Vo2: Second output voltage;

[0073] Vo3: Third output voltage. Detailed Implementation

[0074] The present application is described below based on embodiments, but it is not limited to these embodiments. In the detailed description of the present application below, certain specific details are described in detail. It will be fully understood by those skilled in the art without these details. To avoid obscuring the substance of the present application, well-known methods, processes, flows, components, and circuits are not described in detail.

[0075] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Furthermore, in the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0076] Figure 3 This application discloses a vehicle display control system. Figure 3 The vehicle display control system 30 includes a vehicle power supply 31, a power converter 32, a power status monitoring circuit 33, a reset circuit 34, a memory 35, a display processing circuit 36, a backlight driver 37, and a display panel 38.

[0077] Figure 4 This application demonstrates the control method for a vehicle display control system. (See reference...) Figure 3 and Figure 4 The vehicle power supply 31 is a power source installed inside the vehicle, used to provide an input voltage Vi. A power converter 32 connects the vehicle power supply 31 and the power status monitoring circuit 33. The power converter 32 converts the input voltage Vi provided by the vehicle power supply 31 into a first output voltage Vo1 and a second output voltage Vo2, as shown in step S10. The power converter 32 can be, but is not limited to, a DC-to-DC power converter or a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0078] The power status monitoring circuit 33 is connected to the power converter 32 and the reset circuit 34 to detect the first output voltage Vo1, as shown in step S11. After receiving the first output voltage Vo1, the power status monitoring circuit 33 determines whether the first output voltage Vo1 is in a stable state, as shown in step S12. When the power status monitoring circuit 33 determines that the first output voltage Vo1 is in an unstable state, it returns to step S11. When the power status monitoring circuit 33 determines that the first output voltage Vo1 is in a stable state, it proceeds to step S13 to generate a power good signal PG. In one embodiment, the power status monitoring circuit 33 may include, but is not limited to, a comparator and a hysteresis circuit. The comparator is used to compare the first output voltage Vo1 with a reference voltage. When the first output voltage Vo1 is greater than the reference voltage, it is determined that the first output voltage Vo1 is in a stable state. The hysteresis circuit is connected to the output of the comparator to hysteresis the comparator's output to generate the power good signal PG. The hysteresis circuit is used to prevent the power good signal PG from glitching. In other embodiments, the power status monitoring circuit 33 may be implemented by a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) with power stability judgment function.

[0079] The reset circuit 34 is connected to the power status monitoring circuit 33 and the display processing circuit 36, and triggers the reset signal R2 according to the power good signal PG, as shown in step S14. In one embodiment, the reset circuit 34 includes a delay component for delaying the output of the reset signal R2 after the first output voltage Vo1 has stabilized. The memory 35 is connected to the display processing circuit 36 ​​and is used to store setting and control data S1 related to the display panel 38. The setting and control data S1 includes, but is not limited to, display panel identification information, gamma correction parameters, display timing parameters, power-on pattern, and other setting data required for display initialization.

[0080] The display processing circuit 36 ​​is connected to the power converter 32, the reset circuit 34, and the memory 35. The first output voltage Vo1 output by the power converter 32 serves as the power supply voltage for the display processing circuit 36. The display processing circuit 36 ​​is started (initialized) according to the reset signal R2, as shown in step S15. After starting, the display processing circuit 36 ​​retrieves the setting and control data S1 from the memory 35 and generates the first control signal C3 and the display signal M3 accordingly.

[0081] The backlight driver 37 is connected to the vehicle power supply 31 and the display processing circuit 36. The input voltage Vi provided by the vehicle power supply 31 serves as the power supply voltage for the backlight driver 37. The backlight driver 37 generates a drive signal D2 to the display panel 38 based on the first control signal C3 output by the display processing circuit 36. The drive signal D2 is used to drive the backlight of the display panel 38 (not shown in the figure).

[0082] The display panel 38 is connected to the display processing circuit 36 ​​and the backlight driver 37, and displays an image according to the display signal M3 output by the display processing circuit 36, as shown in step S16. The second output voltage Vo2 output by the power converter 32 serves as the power supply voltage for the display panel 38. The display panel 38 is connected to the display processing circuit 36 ​​through a display interface (not shown in the figure), wherein the display interface can be at least one of, but is not limited to, a low-voltage differential signal display interface, a mobile industry processor interface-display serial interface, and an embedded display port display interface.

[0083] The vehicle display control system 30 of this application does not require the use of a microcontroller, and the display processing circuit 36 ​​can support multiple display interfaces simultaneously. In addition, the vehicle display control system 30 of this application implements a safe start-up mechanism through the power status monitoring circuit 33.

[0084] Figure 5 show Figure 3 An embodiment of the display processing circuit 36. Figure 5 The display processing circuit 36 ​​includes an upper-layer application program 361 and a display driver abstraction layer 362. The upper-layer application program 361 is connected to the display driver abstraction layer 362 through a display application programming interface (display API) or a standard interface. The upper-layer application program 361 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of an operating system, a user interface, an image playback program, and a graphics program. The display driver abstraction layer 362 connects the upper-layer application program 361, the reset circuit 34, the memory 35, and the display panel 38. The display driver abstraction layer 362 contains multiple display interface driver units. The multiple display interface driver units include, but are not limited to, an LVDS driver unit 3621, a MIPI DSI driver unit 3622, and an eDP driver unit 3623. The display driver abstraction layer 362 activates the display interface driver unit corresponding to the display interface (not shown) between the display driver abstraction layer 362 and the display panel 38 according to the reset signal R2, so as to transmit the display signal M3 to the display panel 38. For example, when the display driver abstraction layer 362 is connected to the display panel 38 through a low-voltage differential signal display interface, the display driver abstraction layer 362 will start the LVDS driver unit 3621 according to the reset signal R2, so that the LVDS driver unit 3621 transmits the display signal M3 to the display panel 38.

[0085] exist Figure 5 In this embodiment, the display driver abstraction layer 362 is a display interface driver unit for managing different display interfaces, so that the upper-layer application 361 does not need to be aware of the actual connected display interface type.

[0086] From the above description, it can be understood that the control method of the vehicle display control system of this application includes the following steps:

[0087] Step A: Convert the input voltage into a first output voltage and a second output voltage, wherein the first output voltage is used as the power supply voltage for the display processing circuit and the second output voltage is used as the power supply voltage for the display panel;

[0088] Step B: Detect the first output voltage and generate a power good signal when the first output voltage is determined to be in a stable state;

[0089] Step C: Trigger the reset signal based on the good power signal;

[0090] Step D: The display processing circuit is activated based on the reset signal, and a display signal is generated;

[0091] Step E: The display panel displays an image according to the display signal, wherein the second output voltage serves as the power supply voltage for the display panel.

[0092] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application in any way. Although this application has been disclosed above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit this application. Any person skilled in the art can make some changes or modifications to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical solution of this application. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this application without departing from the content of the technical solution of this application shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of this application.

Claims

1. A vehicle display control system, characterized in that, include: A power converter is used to convert an input voltage into a first output voltage and a second output voltage; A power status monitoring circuit, connected to the power converter, is used to detect the first output voltage and generate a power good signal when it is determined that the first output voltage is in a stable state. A reset circuit is connected to the power status monitoring circuit and triggers a reset signal based on the power good signal. The display processing circuit is connected to the power converter and the reset circuit, and is activated according to the reset signal to generate a display signal; the first output voltage is used as the power supply voltage of the display processing circuit. as well as The display panel is connected to the power converter and the display processing circuit, and displays images according to the display signal; the second output voltage serves as the power supply voltage for the display panel.

2. The vehicle display control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle display control system also includes: A backlight driver, connected to the display panel, is used to provide a driving signal to drive the backlight of the display panel; the input voltage serves as the power supply voltage for the backlight driver.

3. The vehicle display control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle display control system also includes: The memory is connected to the display processing circuit and is used to store setting and control data related to the display panel.

4. The vehicle display control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The display processing circuit is connected to the display panel via a display interface.

5. The vehicle display control system as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The display processing circuit includes: The display driver abstraction layer connects the reset circuit and the display panel; the display driver abstraction layer includes multiple display interface driver units and activates the display interface driver unit corresponding to the display interface according to the reset signal.

6. A control method for a vehicle display control system, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The input voltage is converted into a first output voltage and a second output voltage; the first output voltage is used as the power supply voltage for the display processing circuit, and the second output voltage is used as the power supply voltage for the display panel. The first output voltage is detected, and a power good signal is generated when it is determined that the first output voltage is in a stable state. A reset signal is triggered based on the power good signal; The display processing circuit is activated according to the reset signal, and a display signal is generated; and The display panel displays an image according to the display signal; the second output voltage serves as the power supply voltage for the display panel.

7. The control method for the vehicle display control system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The control method of the vehicle display control system further includes: The backlight of the display panel is driven by a backlight driver; the input voltage is used as the power supply voltage of the backlight driver.

8. The control method for the vehicle display control system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The control method of the vehicle display control system further includes: The memory is used to store settings and control data related to the display panel.

9. The control method for the vehicle display control system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The display processing circuit is connected to the display panel via a display interface.

10. The control method for the vehicle display control system as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The display processing circuit includes a display driver abstraction layer, which contains multiple display interface driver units and activates the corresponding display interface driver unit according to the reset signal.

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