Display module with image storage in internal memory

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for displaying data, the method being implemented in a display module comprising a screen and a control module capable of controlling luminous elements of the screen based on data on a data interface. The display module includes a memory storing at least one image. The method comprises the following steps: - upon detection (202; 203) of unavailability of data on the data interface and receipt of a power signal on at least one power interface, access (204) by the control module to said at least one image in the memory; - control (205) of said luminous elements by the control module to display said at least one image. FIG. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Display module with image storage in internal memory

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of visual data display, particularly image data. The invention applies in particular, but not exclusively, to images displayed for lighting functions, such as an aesthetic function or a signaling function in a motor vehicle.

[0002] It is known to use display modules comprising a screen inside or outside a motor vehicle to perform a signaling function or for aesthetic reasons. For example, this could be a welcome display when the vehicle is started, but also a signaling or aesthetic display while the vehicle is running.

[0003] Such a display module generally receives still images or a series of images from a video, via a data channel from a vehicle control module, for example from a graphics processing unit, or GPU, for "Graphical Processing Unit", such as a graphics card.

[0004] In the event of unavailability of data on the data channel, for example due to a fault or a start-up time of the graphics card, the display module generally does not display any image, which causes an interruption of service, or a delay, in the aesthetic or signaling function.

[0005] There is therefore a need to allow better continuity or responsiveness in the performance of lighting functions performed by a display module, particularly for motor vehicles.

[0006] To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a method for displaying data, the method being implemented in a display module comprising a screen and a control module capable of controlling luminous elements of said screen according to data received by the display module on a data interface, the display module comprising a memory storing at least one image, the method comprising the following steps: - upon detection of a data unavailability on the data interface and reception of a power signal on at least one power interface, access by the control module to said at least one image in memory: - control of said light elements by the control module to display said at least one image.

[0007] Local storage of at least one image in the display module ensures continuity of lighting, aesthetic, or signaling function during The unavailability of data on the input interface. In case of a delay in receiving data on the data interface, it allows for better responsiveness in displaying a light function.

[0008] According to some embodiments, the unavailability of data on the data interface can be a failure to receive data on the data interface or a receipt of data containing errors.

[0009] Thus, the method according to the invention makes it possible to ensure better continuity or responsiveness in the display and this, for several causes of unavailability of data on the data interface, including when the received data is corrupted or contains errors.

[0010] According to embodiments, when the detection of data unavailability on the data interface is a consequence of initial operating conditions in which data is received on the data interface and a power signal is received on said at least one power interface, the detection of unavailability may include the detection of an interruption in data reception on the data interface and the control module may access at least one first image in memory and may control said light elements to display said at least one first image.

[0011] Thus, it is permissible to display a default first image in the event of data unavailability. The first image may indicate that the display device is in default safety mode, or FSO, or may freeze the lighting function that was performed under the initial operating conditions.

[0012] In addition or alternatively, when the detection of unavailability is a consequence of initial operating conditions in which no data is received on the data interface and no power signal is received on said at least one power interface, the detection of unavailability may be a detection of an absence of data on the data interface while a power signal is received on said at least one power interface, the control module may access at least one second image in memory and may control said light elements to display said at least one second image.

[0013] The responsiveness associated with the lighting function provided by the display module is thus improved. Indeed, the lighting module generally receives data from a GPU whose startup time imposes a delay in the reception of data on the data interface.

[0014] In addition, said at least one second image may be a series of second images forming an animation.

[0015] This makes it possible to perform a welcome animation when starting the display module, which is advantageous, especially when the display module is integrated into equipment such as automotive equipment.

[0016] In addition or alternatively, the method may further include, following the display of said at least a second image, the reception of calibration data from the screen, and the storage in memory of the calibration data by the control module.

[0017] Such an embodiment is advantageous, particularly during the initial startup of the display module. The calibration data then allows for improvement of the image display stored in memory.

[0018] According to embodiments, the method may further include receiving an update of said at least one image on the data interface, and writing by the control module into memory to replace said at least one image with the update.

[0019] It is thus made possible to update the image stored in memory, which makes it possible to improve the personalization of the light functions performed by the display module and to vary the default image or the light animation displayed in case of unavailability of data and reception of power.

[0020] According to embodiments, the method may further include storing said at least one image in the memory of the display module, before a first commissioning of said display module.

[0021] Thus, it is not necessary to configure the display module when it is first put into service.

[0022] A second aspect of the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to the first aspect of the invention, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

[0023] A third aspect of the invention relates to a display module comprising: - a memory storing at least one image; - at least one power interface capable of receiving a power signal; - a data interface capable of receiving data; - a screen comprising a plurality of luminous elements; - a control module capable of controlling the screen's light elements according to the data received on the data interface, of detecting an unavailability of data on the input interface, and capable of, upon detection of unavailability when receiving a power signal, accessing said at least one image in memory and controlling the light elements to display said at least one image.

[0024] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig.1] illustrates a display system according to embodiments of the invention;

[0026] [Fig.2] is a diagram illustrating the steps of a method for displaying an image according to embodiments of the invention.

[0027] The description focuses on the features that distinguish the method and the display module from those known in the state of the art.

[0028] Fig. 1 illustrates a display system 1 for a motor vehicle according to embodiments of the invention.

[0029] The display system 1 includes a display module 100 capable of performing at least one lighting function, including either an aesthetic function and / or a signaling function. The signaling function includes displaying data for informational purposes to a user. The display module 100 may be integrated into the exterior equipment of a motor vehicle, particularly for a signaling function, or into the interior equipment of a motor vehicle, particularly for a driver signaling function, or for an aesthetic function such as displaying a welcome message when the vehicle is started. There are no restrictions on the equipment that integrates the display module 100, which may be a body panel, a headlight, a door, a dashboard component, or any other interior or exterior equipment of a motor vehicle.

[0030] The display module 100 includes a control module 101 capable of controlling a screen 102, based in particular on image or video data received via a first interface 105, referred to as the data interface 105 in the following.

[0031] No restrictions are attached to the screen technology 102, which may include an array of individually controllable light elements.

[0032] According to some embodiments, each of the light-emitting elements may be a light-emitting semiconductor chip with dimensions ranging from 150 µm to 300 µm. Such a chip is called a miniLED. Alternatively, and preferably, each of the light-emitting elements comprises at least one light-emitting semiconductor chip with dimensions smaller than 150 µm, for example, between 5 µm and 80 µm. Such a chip is called a microLED. Such chips may be mounted, directly or indirectly, on a substrate, such as a ceramic substrate.A ceramic substrate is defined as a substrate made of a material with a crystalline, partially crystalline, or amorphous structure, such as glass or alumina, composed of essentially inorganic substances, and formed by a molten mass that solidifies upon cooling, or formed and matured, simultaneously or subsequently, by the action of heat and / or pressure. Advantageously, the ceramic substrate is an alumina (Al₂O₃) or aluminum nitride (Al₂O₅) substrate. It should be noted that glass substrates (based on borosilicate) are more commonly used due to their dielectric properties and manufacturing cost. The substrate can have a thickness ranging from 400 to 500 mm. 600 pm, for example, be equal to 500 pm. Alternatively, the substrate can be of the high-density printed circuit board type, HDI PCB, with a thickness between 400 and 600 pm, for example equal to 500 pm, in the case of driving light sources in active matrix, or between 900 and 1100 pm, for example equal to 1mm, in the case of driving light elements in passive matrix.

[0033] Alternatively, the light-emitting elements may be of the organic LED or OLED type, for example with active matrix control, also known as AMOLED. As a further alternative, the light-emitting elements may be LCD cells, for "Liquid Crystal Display".

[0034] As indicated, the control module 101 can control the screen's light elements in active matrix or, preferably, in passive matrix.

[0035] In an active matrix, the control module 101 controls control elements respectively associated with each of the light elements or a group of light elements. Each light element is thus associated with an active control element. Advantageously, each light element is mounted and connected to the control element to which it is associated. For example, each control element comprises a thin-film transistor, also called a TFT, to which the associated light element, or group of associated light elements, is mounted and connected. The plurality of light elements of the screen 102 and the plurality of active control elements together form an active matrix.Alternatively, the substrate's emitting face may include one or more thin connecting sublayers, in particular with a thickness of less than 50 µm, incorporating a plurality of active control elements, each active control element being arranged to control at least one of the light elements with which it is associated, and each light element being mounted and connected directly to the substrate's emitting face, substantially directly above a control element of the thin connecting sublayer(s) to which it is connected. Each control element may be of the microintegrated circuit type comprising at least one transistor and a memory.

[0036] In a passive matrix configuration, the control module 101 is capable of sequentially connecting and disconnecting each of the light elements to a power supply, received via a first power supply interface 107.1 described later, and to ground. In this case, the light elements can be mounted directly on the emitting face of the substrate, forming a passive matrix, and control units 103 can be arranged to control the passive matrix according to control instructions received by the control module 101. To implement such a passive matrix, the display module 100 can include a plurality of devices for controlling the power supply provided to the light elements, the control devices being able to be mounted on the face opposite the emitting face of the substrate. Each control device can be mounted on the opposite face near a through hole to control the power supplied to a light element on the other side of the through hole, on the light-emitting face of the substrate.

[0037] A set of control devices can be controlled by a control unit 103, each control unit being an integrated circuit. For example, such integrated circuits 103 can control several hundred light elements via their respective control devices. The light elements of the screen 102 are thus divided into subsets of light elements, each subset of light elements being controlled by the control module 101 via a dedicated control unit 103.

[0038] For example, each control unit 103 can control a 16*48 matrix, i.e., 768 light elements. The display module 100 can thus comprise several dozen control units 103, for example, between 20 and 40 control units 103, in particular 30 control units 103.

[0039] Preferably, the control module 101, the control units 103 and the light elements of the screen 102 are arranged on the same substrate, which reduces the footprint since the number of cables is then restricted to the cables coming from the interfaces 105, 106, 107.1 and 107.2 described below.

[0040] The control module 101 is thus responsible for distributing control signals between the control units 103, so as to allow a coherent display of an image obtained from the different subsets of light elements. The control module 101 thus forms a real-time controller. This type of control is well known and is not described further in this description.

[0041] Note that in the embodiment where the light elements are controlled in active matrix, the display module 100 does not include the control units 103, the control module 101 directly controlling the control elements associated with the light elements.

[0042] A display module 100 is distinguished from a lighting module capable of projecting light. In the display module 100, the luminous elements of the screen 102 are placed directly opposite a protective glass so as to be directly visible from outside the display module 100. Conversely, in a lighting module, the luminous elements emit light which is projected outside the lighting module by an optical projection system which may include one or more lenses and / or mirrors, and the luminous elements are not directly visible from outside the lighting module.

[0043] The display module 100 of [Fig. 1] further comprises:

[0044] - a data interface 105 capable of receiving data, such as still images or a video stream, from a graphics control module 120, or GPU, such as a graphics card for example. The control module is thus able to send image or video data, from which the control module 101 determines control signals intended for the control elements 103, in the passive matrix embodiment. The data interface 105 is generally unidirectional, and is able to receive image data from the GPU 120, without being able to send data back;

[0045] - a diagnostic interface 106, allowing the control module 101 to exchange, bidirectionally, diagnostic data with the GPU 120 or with another vehicle control module, such as a centralized control module of the ECU type for "Electronic Control Unit" in English.

[0046] The luminous elements of the screen 102 are powered by a power supply 110 from the vehicle via a first power supply interface 107.1. The control module 101 is powered by a power supply 110 from the vehicle via a second control power supply interface 107.2.

[0047] The power supply 110 can also power the GPU 120, via a power cable not shown in [Fig.1].

[0048] The control module 101 may preferably include a processor such as a microcontroller. In particular, the control module 101 may include a Field Programmable Fate Array (FPGA), Application Specified Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) chip. These elements are configured by means of a suitable computer program to implement the steps described with reference to [Fig. 2].

[0049] The display module 100 may further include a memory 104 such as Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), or any other type of memory (Flash, EEPROM, etc.). Alternatively, the memory 402 includes several memories of the aforementioned types. Preferably, the memory 402 is non-volatile memory. Preferably, the memory 104 is Flash memory.

[0050] An interruption of a lighting, signaling, or aesthetic function, or a delay in the implementation of such a lighting function, can occur in prior art solutions. This is particularly the case when starting the vehicle. Indeed, during such a start-up, the power supply 110 supplies the display module 100 as well as the GPU 120. However, the activation of the GPU 120 imposes a delay on the reception of data via the data interface 105 by the display module 100. During this delay, the control module 101 receives no image data and therefore cannot control the screen 102 to display an image or animation. This results in a delay in the display of an image or animation, which is particularly This is detrimental in the case of a welcome function or "welcome scenario." In another context, if there is a fault on the data interface 105, for example, if the received data is interrupted, or if corrupted or error-laden data is received, the lighting function performed by the display module 100 is interrupted. The display module 100 can then enter a fail-safe mode, or built-in fail-safe mode, also called FSO, for "Fail Safe Operation."

[0051] To avoid such interruptions or delays in lighting functions, the present invention proposes storing a still image or a video / animation in memory 104, the image or video being displayed in the event of data unavailability on the data interface 105, as will be better understood from the description in [Fig. 2]. Unavailability may be a lack of data stream, due to a startup delay or a failure of the GPU 120, or may be the reception of corrupted or error-laden data.

[0052] The control module 101 is thus capable of reading data stored in memory 104, including stored images or videos. Optionally, the control module 101 may also be capable of writing to memory 104, particularly for updating stored images or videos, or for storing calibration data for the display 102. Specifically, during the initial vehicle start-up, calibration data can be received by the control module 101 via the data interface 105 or the diagnostic interface 106. This calibration data can describe the operation of the display's light elements, or it can compensate for differences in power or color between the light elements. There are no restrictions on such calibration data.In addition, the control module 101 can receive an image update or an update of a series of images forming an animation via the data interface 105, and can store such an update, replacing the previous image or series of images, in memory 104.

[0053] Figure 2 presents a diagram illustrating the steps of a data display method implemented by a display module 100 according to embodiments of the invention.

[0054] At a step 200, at least one image is stored in memory 104. Such an image may be a still image, by default, or may be a series of images forming an animation, such as a welcome animation. For example, memory 104 may store a first image that is a default image to be displayed in case of an interruption in data reception on the data interface 105, as described later. In addition or alternatively, memory 104 may store at least a second image, preferably a series of second images forming a Welcome animation, to be displayed when the vehicle is started, during the period during which no data is available on the data interface 105, due to the start-up of the GPU 120. Preferably, the duration of the animation is equal to, or within 10% of, the start-up time of the GPU 120.

[0055] At a step 201, the display module 100 is in initial operating conditions. The adjective "initial" refers to conditions that precede steps 202 and 203 described below. In first initial conditions, the display module 100 is powered by the power supply 110 and receives data on the data interface 105 from the GPU, and the control module 101 controls the display's light elements 102 based on the received data. The first initial conditions can thus be nominal operating conditions. In alternative second initial conditions, the display module 100 is not powered by the power supply 110 and receives no data from the GPU 120. Such initial conditions can, in particular, correspond to a situation in which a motor vehicle, including system 1, is switched off.

[0056] At step 202, the control module 101 detects a data unavailability on the data interface 106, and at step 203, the control module 101 detects that the display module 100 is powered by the power supply 110. The detections of data unavailability and power supply unavailability are thus cumulative conditions that must be met simultaneously for the implementation of step 204 described later. A data unavailability can correspond to: - to the absence of data on the input interface, either due to a delay in the ignition of the GPU 120, or due to an interruption in the reception of data; or - to the reception of corrupted data or data containing errors on the data interface 105.

[0057] Following steps 202 and 203, the control module 101 reads at least one of the images stored in memory 104, at step 204

[0058] Unavailability can thus be an interruption in data reception or the detection of errors in the received data, following the initial conditions. Indeed, the data channel is fragile, and such interruptions can occur. In the event of such an interruption in data reception or the detection of errors, despite continuity in the power supply received by the display module 100, the control module 101 can read the first default image at a step 204, and can control the screen 102 so as to display the default image at a step 205. The aforementioned unavailability can follow the activation of a FSO (Fault-Safe Operation) mode. The activation of the FSO mode can be initiated by the control module 101 upon detection of a fault on the data interface 105, such as a lack of data, or upon detection of a fault, or errors can occur in the received data itself, or upon receipt of a fault message on the diagnostic interface 106, for example, from the GPU 120 itself. When the control module 101 detects a fault on the data interface 105 or in the received data, activation of FSO mode can be signaled to the GPU via the diagnostic interface 106.

[0059] Alternatively, the unavailability of data on the data interface 105 may be a delay in receiving data, particularly following the starting of a vehicle including system 1. In this case, power is received by the display module 100 as soon as the vehicle is started, but the GPU 120 generally takes several seconds to start up, which creates a fault in receiving data on the data interface 105. Such a fault is thus a consequence of the second initial conditions, in which the power supply 110 and the GPU 120 are initially off. Upon detection of a lack of data reception, following the second initial conditions and while power is received on interface 107.1, the control module 101 can read said at least one second image in memory 104, at step 204, and can control the light elements of the screen 102, so as to display said at least one second image.As previously explained, this at least second image can be an animation such as a welcome animation, allowing such an animation to be displayed while the GPU is being powered on.

[0060] The control module 101 is thus capable of differentiating between detections in steps 202 and 203 that are subsequent to the first initial conditions and detections in steps 202 and 203 that are subsequent to the second initial conditions, when the memory stores the first image, and said image at least one other image. Alternatively, the control module 101 is only capable of implementing steps 202 and 203 following the first initial conditions, or following the second initial conditions, when the memory 104 stores only the first image or said image at least one other image.

[0061] In an optional step 206, the control module 101 can receive an update of at least one image stored in memory 104, via the data interface 105. Such an update can be received, in particular, during the initial conditions described above, when data is received on the data interface 105 and the display module 100 is powered. The image update can be received from the GPU 120 or from another module, such as a cellular data receiver module in a motor vehicle, for example. A signal can be received on the diagnostic interface 106 indicating that the data received on the data interface 105 is image update data. Such a signal can indicate whether the update concerns the first image or at least a second one. image, when memory 104 stores multiple images. Upon receiving such an update, control module 101 can write to memory 104 in order to replace the image with the updated image.

[0062] According to another optional step 207, the control module 101 can receive calibration data. Such calibration data can, in particular, be received following the initial startup of the display module 100, and following the display of a third image, referred to as the calibration image, or alternatively, following the display of at least a second image. Thus, the memory 104 can also store a third image to be displayed during the initial startup of the vehicle, that is, during the initial execution of steps 202 and 203 following the second initial conditions. In this case, an external device can evaluate calibration data based on the display of the third image, or at least a second image, on the screen 102, and communicate this data to the display module 100.Indeed, the light elements can exhibit variations in power and / or color, and storing calibration data in memory 104 at step 207 allows the control module 101 to take into account the calibration data when driving the light elements of the screen 102. Alternatively, the calibration data is used by the control module 101 to modify the images stored in memory 104, and it is then not necessary to take into account the calibration data when driving the screen 102.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of example; it extends to other variants.

Claims

Claims

1. A method of displaying data, the method being implemented in a display module (100) comprising a screen (102) and a control module (101) capable of controlling luminous elements of said screen as a function of data received by the display module on a data interface (105), the display module comprising a memory (104) storing at least one image, the method comprising the following steps: - upon detection (202; 203) of unavailability of data on the data interface and receipt of a power signal on at least one power interface (107.1; 107.2), access (204) by the control module to said at least one image in the memory; - control (205) of said light elements by the control module to display said at least one image, wherein when the detection (202) of the unavailability of data on the data interface (105) is consecutive to initial operating conditions (201) in which data is received on the data interface and a power signal is received on said at least one power interface, the detection of the unavailability comprises the detection of an interruption of reception of data on the data interface, and the control module accesses (204) at least a first image in the memory and controls (205) said light elements to display said at least one first image,and wherein when the detection (202) of the unavailability is subsequent to initial operating conditions in which no data is received on the data interface and no power signal is received on said at least one power interface (107.1; 107.2), the detection of the unavailability is a detection of an absence of data on the data interface (105) while a power signal is received on said at least one power interface (107.1; 107.2), and the control module accesses at least one second image in the memory and controls said light elements to display said at least one second image.,

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the unavailability of data on the data interface (105) is a failure to receive data on the data interface or a reception of data with errors.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which said at least one second image is a series of second images forming an animation.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising, following the display of said at least one second image, the reception (207) of calibration data from the screen, and the storage in the memory (104) of the calibration data by the control module (101).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising receiving (206) an update of said at least one image on the data interface, and writing by the control module (101) in the memory (104) to replace said at least one image with the update.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising storing (200) said at least one image in the memory (104) of the display module (100), before a first commissioning of said display module.

7. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor (101).

8. Display module (100) comprising: - a memory (104) storing at least one image; - at least one power supply interface (107.1; 107.2) capable of receiving a power supply signal; - a data interface (105) capable of receiving data; - a screen (102) comprising a plurality of light elements; - a control module (101) capable of controlling the light elements of the screen according to the data received on the data interface, of detecting an unavailability of the data on the input interface, and capable of, upon detection of the unavailability upon receipt of a power supply signal, accessing said at least one image in the memory and controlling the light elements to display said at least one image, the control module being configured to, when the detection (202) of the unavailability of data on the data interface (105) is consecutive to initial operating conditions (201) in which data is received on the data interface and a. power signal is received on said at least one power interface, access at least one first image in the memory and control (205) said light elements to display said at least one first image, and the control module being configured to, when the detection (202) of the unavailability is consecutive to initial operating conditions in which no data is received on the data interface and no power signal is received on said at least one power interface (107.1; 107.2), access at least one second image in the memory and control said light elements to display said at least one second image.

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