Display device and means of transport

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display device (1) and a means of transportation with such a display device (1). The display device (1) has a display panel (2) with a plurality of pixels. The display panel (2) has two or more areas (21, 22) with different pixel densities.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device and a means of transport with such a display device.

[0002] The number and area of ​​display devices in vehicles are constantly increasing. Display devices can be found on the market, for example, as instrument clusters for the driver, as central displays, and also as passenger displays. A distinction can be made between self-luminous and non-self-luminous display devices. Self-luminous display devices use a variety of light sources to display images, e.g., µLEDs (LED: Light Emitting Diode) or OLEDs (OLED: Organic Light Emitting Diode). Non-self-luminous transmissive display devices require backlighting to display images. The purpose of the backlighting is to illuminate the display panel as evenly as possible across the entire active surface in order to create the most homogeneous display possible right up to the edges.

[0003] In motor vehicles, there is a trend toward installing so-called pillar-to-pillar displays, i.e., displays that extend across the entire width of the cockpit. These displays are characterized by sizes ranging up to 60 inches. Furthermore, there is a desire to enhance the user experience with ever-increasing new features. One such desired feature is, for example, the ability to display content in 3D, so that user interface elements protrude from the 2D surface or are located behind the 2D plane.

[0004] By design, autostereoscopic 3D displays require a significantly higher pixel density or resolution to display content comparable to a 2D display, for example, in a multiview application or a tracked stereo application. Each view required for the 3D display automatically reduces the perceived 3D resolution relative to a fixed resolution of the underlying display panel.

[0005] For example, while a typical resolution for 2D displays in the automotive sector is in the range of 150ppi to 200ppi, the perceived resolution of current 3D displays is in the order of only 120ppi.

[0006] One way to reduce the discrepancy between the 2D resolution and the perceived 3D resolution is to increase the base resolution of the 3D display device, for example, to values ​​in the range of 400 ppi to 600 ppi. The base resolution is the 2D resolution of the display panel, which is enhanced by 3D optics. Examples of 3D optics include parallax barriers, lenticular lenses, switchable barriers, nanogratings, etc.

[0007] In the automotive sector, this possibility is already being implemented by installing multiple displays with different pixel densities. For example, the display in the instrument cluster can be designed for 3D operation and therefore have a higher resolution than a display in the central area of ​​the cockpit.

[0008] A pillar-to-pillar display, however, consists of a continuous display surface with a constant pixel density. Typical pillar-to-pillar displays, for example, have 8,000 to 10,000 pixels horizontally and 1,000 pixels vertically. Increasing the pixel density of such a display device for 3D display results in a multiplication of the pixel count to, for example, 20,000 or 30,000 pixels horizontally and 2,000 or 3,000 pixels vertically. Such a large number of pixels is virtually impossible to handle by the head unit of a motor vehicle.

[0009] Against this background, US 10,083,538 B2 describes a virtual reality display system that displays images with different resolutions in different parts of a screen. The display system reduces rendering latency by rendering at a lower resolution in selected areas, e.g., at the sides of a screen, where human vision perceives a lower resolution than in the center.

[0010] US 10,958,884 B1 describes a device for generating a variable-resolution image stream on a screen. The device comprises a projector connected to a video source. The projector transmits an image stream in the form of a high-resolution, small image component and a low-resolution, large image component.

[0011] It is an object of the invention to provide a display device that combines a 2D display and a 3D display in a practical manner.

[0012] This object is achieved by a display device having the features of claim 1 and by a means of transport according to claim 9. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0013] According to the invention, a display device comprises a display panel with a plurality of pixels. The display panel has two or more regions with different pixel densities.

[0014] With the solution according to the invention, the pixel density is increased locally only in those areas of the display panel where it is required or desired. The remaining areas of the display panel retain their lower pixel density. Preferably, the area of ​​the areas with higher pixel density is smaller than the area of ​​the areas with lower pixel density. Since a constant high resolution is not used, the requirements for the main unit are reduced. Furthermore, a small number of display drivers are required, which reduces the cost of the display device. In non-self-luminous display panels, an increase in pixel density is associated with lower transmission, which requires a higher backlight power. The solution according to the invention can therefore reduce the required backlight power.

[0015] According to the invention, the areas with higher pixel density have structures for a 3D display. This enables a partial 3D display, i.e., a 3D display in defined areas. Typically, a 3D display is only required in certain areas of the display, e.g., in the area of ​​the instrument cluster, where the 3D content is tracked based on the driver's viewing angle. A head tracking unit, for example, can be used for this purpose. The same applies to the passenger display, which represents the primary display unit for the passenger.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the display panel is self-luminous, and luminance adjustment is achieved by differently configuring light sources in the two or more areas. The different pixel densities in the various areas can lead to differences in luminance within the areas. For self-luminous display panels, this can be compensated for, for example, by installing light sources of different sizes or different brightnesses in the different areas. OLEDs or µLEDs, for example, can be used as light sources.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the display panel is self-luminous, and luminance adjustment is achieved by differently controlling light sources in the two or more areas. Instead of or in addition to using differently configured light sources, luminance adjustment can be achieved via different control characteristics. For example, the current or pulse width modulation can be adjusted.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the display panel is designed to be non-self-luminous, and luminance adjustment is achieved by varying the grayscale configuration in the two or more regions. The different pixel densities in the various regions can lead to differences in the transmittance in the regions. For non-self-luminous display panels, this can be compensated for, for example, by adjusting the grayscale of the display panel. This is particularly advantageous for backlights with laterally arranged light sources that have a global dimming function.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the display panel is designed to be non-self-luminous, and luminance adjustment is achieved by controlling the light sources of a backlight differently. Alternatively, the differences in transmission can also be compensated for by luminance adjustment, in which the light sources of a matrix backlight are controlled differently according to the respective areas, e.g., by applying different currents to the light sources.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the pixel density in the areas with higher pixel density in the horizontal direction or in the horizontal and vertical directions is twice the pixel density in the areas with lower pixel density. This results in simplified switching between a 3D display and a 2D display in the 3D area, which significantly increases the graphics generation performance of the main unit. For 2D operation, two pixels are always combined into one with only doubled pixel density horizontally, or four pixels are always combined into one with doubled pixel density horizontally and vertically.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the pixel density in the areas with higher pixel density in the horizontal direction or in the horizontal and vertical directions is an integer multiple of the pixel density in the areas with lower pixel density. This also leads to simplified switching between a 3D display and a 2D display in the 3D area, which significantly increases the performance of the graphics generation of the main unit. For 2D operation, with only a horizontal integer multiple, for example four times, pixel density, an integer number, for example four, pixels are always combined into one, or with a horizontal and vertical integer multiple, an integer number, for example four times four, pixels are always combined into one.

[0022] Preferably, the resolution in the areas with higher pixel density in the horizontal and vertical directions is higher than in the areas with lower pixel density. The higher resolution in the horizontal direction and the higher resolution in the vertical direction are preferably not identical. This makes it possible to provide a different number of partial images for different horizontal or vertical angle ranges. A variable resolution of the pixel density is also useful here. This allows for a variable arrangement of the viewing angle ranges.

[0023] A display device according to the invention is preferably used in a means of transport. The means of transport may be, for example, a motor vehicle, but alternatively also an aircraft, a rail vehicle, or a watercraft.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the display device extends across the entire width of the cockpit of the vehicle. The solution according to the invention is particularly advantageous for pillar-to-pillar displays. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be used for displays for the passengers in the rear seat of a motor vehicle or for other large-format displays in a vehicle.

[0025] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the figures. Figure overview Fig. 1 schematically shows a display device with multiple display areas; Fig. 2 shows schematically a first embodiment of a display device according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows schematically a detailed view of the display device from Fig. 2; Fig. 4 shows schematically a second embodiment of a display device according to the invention; Fig. 5 schematically shows a third embodiment of a display device according to the invention; Fig. 6 schematically shows a fourth embodiment of a display device according to the invention; Fig. Figure 7 shows schematically a means of transport using a display device according to the invention; and Fig. 8 shows schematically a detailed view of another embodiment of the display device. Character description

[0026] To better understand the principles of the present invention, embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals are used in the figures for like or equivalent elements and are not necessarily described again for each figure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments and that the described features can also be combined or modified without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0027] Fig. 1 schematically shows a display device 1 with multiple display areas. The display device 1 has a display panel 2 and, at least if the display panel 2 is not self-luminous, a background lighting 3 for the display panel 2. In this example, the display device 1 is a so-called pillar-to-pillar display for a motor vehicle, i.e. the display device 1 extends across the entire width of the cockpit of the motor vehicle. Accordingly, the display panel 2 has three display areas. A first display area is the driver area FB, which can serve as an instrument cluster, for example. A second display area is the central area ZB. A third display area is the passenger area BB, which represents the primary display area for the passenger.The display device 1 has, for example, 10,000 pixels in the horizontal direction and 1,000 pixels in the vertical direction, wherein the pixel density is constant over the entire area of ​​the display panel 2.

[0028] Fig. 2 schematically shows a first embodiment of a display device 1 according to the invention. The display device 1 is again a pillar-to-pillar display with a driver area FB, a central area ZB, and a passenger area BB. However, the display panel 2 has two areas 21, 22 with different pixel densities. In a first area 21, which in this example covers the central area ZB and the passenger area BB, the display panel 2 has a lower pixel density of, for example, 200 ppi. This area 21 is intended for a 2D display. In a second area 22, which in this example covers the driver area FB, the display panel 2 has a higher pixel density of significantly more than 200 ppi, for example, 350 ppi. This area 22 is intended for a 3D display or a display that can be switched between 2D and 3D. Accordingly, the second area 22 preferably has structures for a 3D display.

[0029] The various areas 21, 22 can of course also be distributed differently across the display panel 2, e.g. the first area 21 can cover the driver area FB and the central area ZB, while the second area 22 covers the passenger area BB. It is also possible for the first area 21 to cover only the central area ZB, while the driver area FB and the passenger area BB are each covered by a second area 22 with a higher pixel density. Different pixel densities can also be realized in the driver area FB and the passenger area BB, if necessary. In a further embodiment, a higher pixel density is provided only in the central area ZB, while the pixel density is not increased in the driver area FB and the passenger area BB.

[0030] The different pixel density in the various areas 21, 22 can lead to differences in the luminance in the areas 21, 22. For self-luminous display panels 2, this can be compensated for, for example, by installing light sources of different sizes or different brightnesses in the different areas 21, 22. Alternatively or additionally, luminance adjustment can be achieved via different characteristics in the control. For example, the current or the pulse width modulation can be adjusted by a controller 30. For non-self-luminous display panels 2, the different pixel density in the various areas 21, 22 can lead to differences in the transmission in the areas 21, 22. This can be compensated for, for example, by adjusting the grayscale of the display panel 2.Alternatively, the light sources of a matrix backlight can also be controlled differently according to the respective areas 21, 22, e.g. by supplying different currents to the light sources by the controller 30.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows schematically a detailed view of the display device 1 from Fig. 2. The various adjacent areas 21, 22 and the 20 pixels located in both areas are visible. In this example, the pixel density in area 22 with the higher pixel density is four times greater in both the horizontal and vertical directions than the pixel density in area 21 with the lower pixel density. This allows for simplified switching between a 3D display and a 2D display in the 3D area. For 2D operation, four times four pixels 20 are always combined into one.

[0032] Fig. Figure 8 shows schematically a detailed view of another embodiment of the display device 1 similar to Fig. 3. The adjacent areas 21, 22 and the pixels 20 located in both areas are visible. In this example, the pixel density in area 22 with the higher pixel density is four times as high horizontally and twice as high vertically as the pixel density in area 21 with the lower pixel density. This allows for simplified switching between a 3D display and a 2D display in the 3D area. For 2D operation, four times two pixels 20 are always combined into one.

[0033] In the horizontal direction, twice as many different angular ranges can be covered by the 3D display as in the vertical direction. This corresponds very well to the greater need for angular ranges in the horizontal direction, since, for example, the driver can usually adjust their head position further horizontally than vertically. People viewing the display from very different horizontal directions, but whose head positions differ less in height (i.e., vertically), also have a greater need for different angular ranges in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction. This need is more or less pronounced depending on the 3D technology used.

[0034] Fig. 4 schematically shows a second embodiment of a display device 1 according to the invention. In this example, the display device 1 is not a pillar-to-pillar display, but rather a continuous display with a driver area FB and a central area ZB. A passenger area is not provided in this embodiment. The display panel 2 has two areas 21, 22 with different pixel densities. In a first area 21, which in this example covers the central area ZB, the display panel 2 has a lower pixel density of, for example, 200 ppi. This area 21 is provided for a 2D display. In a second area 22, which in this example covers the driver area FB, the display panel 2 has a higher pixel density of significantly more than 200 ppi, for example, 350 ppi. This area 22 is provided for a 3D display or a display that can be switched between 2D and 3D.Accordingly, the second region 22 preferably has structures for a 3D display.

[0035] Fig. 5 schematically shows a third exemplary embodiment of a display device 1 according to the invention. In this example, the display device 1 is also not a pillar-to-pillar display, but rather a continuous display with a central region ZB and a passenger region BB. A driver region is not provided in this exemplary embodiment. The display panel 2 has two regions 21, 22 with different pixel densities. In a first region 21, which here covers the central region ZB and is provided for a 2D display, the display panel 2 has a lower pixel density of, for example, 200 ppi. In a second region 22, which here covers the passenger region BB, the display panel 2 has a higher pixel density of significantly more than 200 ppi, for example, 350 ppi. This region 22 is provided for a 3D display or a display that can be switched between 2D and 3D. Accordingly, the second region 22 preferably has structures for a 3D display.

[0036] Of course, further combinations are also possible. In particular, a region 22 with a higher pixel density can also extend only to a part of a display area BB, FB, ZB. Such a fourth embodiment of a display device 1 according to the invention is shown schematically in Fig. 6 shown.

[0037] Fig.7 schematically shows a means of transport 100 that uses a display device 1 according to the invention. In this example, the means of transport 100 is a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has a display device 1 according to the invention, which is arranged in a dashboard and extends across the entire width of the cockpit. Data on the vehicle's surroundings can be acquired using a sensor system 101. The sensor system 101 can, in particular, comprise sensors for environmental detection, e.g., ultrasonic sensors, laser scanners, radar sensors, lidar sensors, or cameras. The information acquired by the sensor system 101 can be used to generate content to be displayed for the display device 1. Further components of the motor vehicle in this example are a navigation system 102, by means of which position information can be provided, and a data transmission unit 103. By means of the data transmission unit 103, for example,A connection to a backend can be established, for example, to obtain updated software for components of the motor vehicle. A memory 104 is provided for storing data. Data exchange between the various components of the motor vehicle takes place via a network 105. List of reference symbols 1 display device 2 display panel 20 pixels 21 Area with lower pixel density 22 Area with higher pixel density 3 Backlight 30 Control 100 means of transport 101 Sensor Technology 102 Navigation system 103 Data transmission unit 104 memory 105 Network BB passenger area FB driver area ZB Central Department QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 10,083,538 B2

[0009] US 10,958,884 B1

[0010]

Claims

[1] Display device (1) with a display panel (2) with a plurality of pixels (20), wherein the display panel (2) has two or more areas (21, 22) with different pixel densities, wherein the areas (22) with higher pixel densities have structures for a 3D display. [2] Display device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the area of ​​the regions (22) with higher pixel density is smaller than the area of ​​the regions (21) with lower pixel density. [3] Display device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the display panel (2) is self-luminous and luminance adjustment is realized by a different configuration of light sources in the two or more areas (21, 22). [4] Display device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the display panel (2) is self-luminous and luminance adjustment is carried out by differently controlling light sources in the two or more areas (21, 22). [5] Display device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the display panel (2) is designed to be non-self-luminous and luminance adjustment is realized by a different design of gray levels in the two or more areas (21, 22). [6] Display device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the display panel (2) is designed to be non-self-luminous and luminance adjustment is carried out by differently controlling light sources of a background lighting (3). [7] Display device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pixel density in the regions (22) with higher pixel density in the horizontal direction or in the horizontal and vertical directions is twice as large as the pixel density in the regions (21) with lower pixel density. [8] Display device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1-6, wherein the pixel density in the regions (22) with higher pixel density in the horizontal direction or in the horizontal and vertical directions is an integer multiple higher than the pixel density in the regions (21) with lower pixel density. [9] Means of transport (100) with a display device (1) according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Means of transport (100) according to claim 9, wherein the display device (1) extends over the entire width of the cockpit of the means of transport (100).

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