Control of vehicle display system

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to a control system 100 for controlling a display system 200 of a vehicle, as well as to a display system 200, a vehicle and a method. The control system 100 co

Description

06 01 26 TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to the control of a vehicle display system. Aspects of the invention relate to a 5 control system, to a display system, to a vehicle, to a method and to computer readable instructions. BACKGROUND It is known to provide deployable display screens in a vehicle cabin. Such deployable display screens typically deploy from a stowed position nested within an instrument panel to a deployed position protruding from the 10 instrument panel and visible to the driver. The display screen will typically deploy upon ignition of the vehicle, or when manually controlled to deploy. However, the driver may commence driving before the display screen is fully deployed. It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. 15 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a control system, a display system, a vehicle, a method and computer readable instructions as claimed in the appended claims. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a control system for controlling a display system of a vehicle according to claim 1. Also disclosed herein is a control system for controlling a display system of a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more processors collectively configured to: receive, from a vehicle locking system of the vehicle, a signal indicative of a change in lock status of the vehicle, and in response to the change in lock status, output a control signal to a deployment actuator of the display system 25 to initiate deployment or stowage of a display within the vehicle. Advantageously, stowage or deployment of a display in response to a change in lock status provides a discreet indicator to the user of the vehicle of its lock status, visible from outside the vehicle. Also disclosed herein is a control system for controlling a display system of a vehicle, the control system 30 comprising one or more processors collectively configured to: receive a door actuation signal indicative of a vehicle door being actuated; and in dependence on the receipt of the door actuation signal, output a control signal to a deployment actuator of the display system to initiate movement of a display from a stowed position to a deployed position within the vehicle. Advantageously, deployment of the screen is not prompted until the user begins to enter the vehicle, enabling the user to experience the theatre of screen deployment, whilst still 35 providing sufficient time for the screen to fully deploy before the user begins to drive. Also disclosed herein is a control system for controlling a display system of a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more processors collectively configured to: receive, from a vehicle locking system of the vehicle, a lock change signal indicative of the vehicle locking system switching between an unlocked state and 40 a locked state; and in dependence on the receipt of the lock change signal, output a control signal to a deployment actuator of the display system to initiate movement of a display between a deployed position and a stowed position within the vehicle. Stowage or deployment of the display screen in response to vehicle locking or unlocking provides a discreet indicator to the user of the vehicle that the vehicle has been successfully locked, visible from outside the vehicle. This improves the security of the vehicle and avoids the user needing to repeatedly lock the vehicle for reassurance. As the display screen is inside the vehicle (as 5 opposed to, e.g., awing mirror), this indication cannot be manually adjusted (either intentionally or accidentally) without gaining entry to the vehicle, therefore the user can have a high confidence in the visual indication. The control system comprises one or more controllers collectively comprising at least one electronic processor having an electrical input for receiving an input signal; and at least one memory device electrically coupled to 10 the at least one electronic processor and having instructions stored therein; and wherein the at least one electronic processor is configured to access the at least one memory device and execute the instructions thereon so as to: receive, from a vehicle locking system of the vehicle, a lock change signal indicative of the vehicle locking system switching between an unlocked state and a locked state; and in dependence on the receipt of the lock change signal, output a control signal to a deployment actuator of the display system to 15 initiate movement of a display between a deployed position and a stowed position within the vehicle. The lock change signal comprises an unlocking signal indicative of the vehicle locking system switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, and the control system is configured to: in dependence on the receipt of the unlocking signal, output a control signal to the deployment actuator of the display system to initiate movement of the display from the stowed position to the deployed position within the vehicle. Advantageously, deployment being initiated on unlocking (or vehicle entry, as below) in contrast to ignition ensures the screen has sufficient time to deploy before the user begins driving, thus the screen is immediately available for use in displaying driving information. 25 Optionally, the control system is configured to: receive a door actuation signal indicative of a vehicle door being actuated; and in response to the door actuation signal, output a control signal to the deployment actuator of the display system to initiate movement of the display from the stowed position to the deployed position within the vehicle. The control system may be configured to: determine whether the vehicle door is a front door or a rear door of the vehicle; and if the vehicle door is a front door, output the control signal to the deployment 30 actuator of the display system to initiate the movement of the display from the stowed position to the deployed position within the vehicle. In this way, deployment of the screen is delayed until the user of the display screen (i.e. driver or front passenger) begins to enter the car so that the driver’s attention is drawn to the display screen by the deployment action. This enables easy identification of the screen by the intended user and enables the user to experience the theatre of deployment, whilst still providing sufficient time for the screen to 35 deploy before the user begins to drive. Optionally, if the vehicle door is a rear door, the control system is configured to retain the display in the stowed position. In some embodiments, the control system may be configured to determine whether the vehicle door is a driver side or passenger side front door, and output the control signal selectively if the vehicle door is a driver side front door. 40 Optionally, the control system is configured to output the control signal to the deployment actuator to move the display from the stowed position to the deployed position such that a time period between initiating and 06 01 26 06 01 26 completing deployment is less than five seconds. Advantageously, the time period is less than a typical minimum time between unlocking or entering the vehicle and beginning to drive. Optionally, the time period is between two seconds and four seconds, e.g. two seconds, three seconds, or 2.5 5 seconds. Two seconds provides sufficient time to minimise the noise caused by deployment, whilst a maximum of four seconds ensures the deployment is quick enough to be completed by the time the vehicle is in motion. The control system is configured to: receive an indication from a proximity detection system that a remote control device forthe vehicle locking system is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle; and in response 10 to receiving the indication, transition from a powered down state to a standby state. In this way, power consumption of the control system is reduced. Optionally, the lock change signal comprises a locking signal indicative of the vehicle locking system switching from the unlocked state to the locked state, and the control system is configured to: in dependence on the 15 receipt of the locking signal, output a control signal to the deployment actuator of the display system to initiate movement of the display from the deployed position to the stowed position within the vehicle. In some embodiments, the control system is configured to receive the locking signal in response to: a determination that a remote control forthe vehicle locking system is more than a predetermined distance from the vehicle; or a user input to the remote control for locking the vehicle. The remote control may comprise a car key, a fob or a mobile user device such as a mobile phone. Advantageously, the display is automatically stowed even if the user does not manually lock the vehicle. Optionally, in the stowed position, the display is situated in a retracted position at least partially within the 25 instrument panel or dashboard of the vehicle; and in the deployed position, the display is situated within the vehicle cabin such that a screen of the display is visible to an occupant of the vehicle in use. The occupant may be a driver of the vehicle. Advantageously, this provides a space efficient storage mechanism, and the deployment status is readily visible from the outside as a locking indication. In the retracted position, the display may be flush with the instrument panel. In the deployed position, the display may extend substantially vertically 30 from the instrument panel. Optionally, the display system is an instrument panel display system. The instrument panel display system may be for displaying one or more of: reverse park camera footage, gear position, vehicle speed, or warning messages associated with a vehicle system. Advantageously, there may be legal requirements to have these 35 displayed during driving, and so the present invention ensures that the screen is visible to the driver by the time that driving begins. According to another aspect there is provided a display system for a vehicle, comprising: a control system as disclosed herein; a display moveable between a deployed position and a stowed position within the vehicle; 40 and a deployment actuator configured to actuate movement of the display between the deployed position and the stowed position in response to receiving a control signal from the control system. 06 01 26 According to another aspect there is provided a vehicle comprising a display system or a control system as described herein. Optionally, the vehicle is battery electric vehicle, BEV. Advantageously, BEVs do not have an associated ignition time and start up sequence is shorter. Therefore, for traditional deployable screens 5 which deploy on ignition, it would be possible for the driver to move the vehicle before screen deployment is complete. Thus, the present invention may be particularly advantageous for a BEV. According to another aspect there is provided a method for controlling a display system of a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving a lock change signal indicative of a vehicle locking system switching between an 10 unlocked state and a locked state; and in dependence on the receipt of the lock change signal, outputting a control signal to a deployment actuator of the display system to initiate movement of a display between a deployed position and a stowed position within the vehicle. Optionally, the lock change signal comprises an unlocking signal indicative of the vehicle locking system 15 switching from the locked state to the unlocked state, and the method comprises: in dependence on the receipt of the unlocking signal, outputting a control signal to the deployment actuator of the display system to initiate movement of the display from the stowed position to the deployed position within the vehicle. Optionally, the lock change signal comprises a locking signal indicative of the vehicle locking system switching from the unlocked state to the locked state, and the method comprises: in dependence on the receipt of the locking signal, outputting a control signal to the deployment actuator of the display system to initiate movement of the display from the deployed position to the stowed position within the vehicle. According to another aspect there is provided computer readable instructions which, when executed by a computer, are arranged to perform a method as disclosed herein. 25 Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in anyway and / or combination, 30 unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 35 One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a control system according to an embodiment; Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a display system fora vehicle according to an embodiment; 40 Figure 3A shows a display in a stowed position; Figure 3B shows a display in a deployed position; 06 01*26 Figure 4 shows an example instrument panel display; Figure 5 shows a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment; Figure 6 shows a flow chart of a method according to a further embodiment; Figure 7 shows a flow chart of a method according to a further embodiment; and Figure 8 shows a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to a deployable display system for a vehicle. Vehicles, such as automobiles, are frequently provided with display screens for displaying content to an occupant, such as camera footage or other sensor data, vehicle information or infotainment content. However, these display screens can be considered to clutter the instrument panel or dashboard of the vehicle. Therefore, some vehicles implement deployable display screens which can be moved between a deployed position for use, and a stowed position where the display screen is less visible, or not visible, to the user, in order to provide a clean aesthetic within the vehicle cabin. Typically, such deployable display screens can be deployed or stowed in response to a manual activation by the user, or upon switching the vehicle on and off. That is, the display screen may be automatically deployed upon vehicle ignition, and stowed when the vehicle is switched off. For some instrument panel, IP, display screens, the information displayed may be important to display to the driver during driving. This type of information may include reverse camera footage, vehicle alerts, or vehicle information such as gear information or vehicle speed. Deploying screens which display this type of information upon ignition could lead to driving commencing before the screen is fully deployed, and this information not being immediately visible to the driver. According to the present invention, the deployment and stowage of the display is instead triggered by the vehicle lock status or vehicle entry. In this way, the driver obtains the benefit of an automatically stowed display screen and experiences the theatre of deployment as they are entering the vehicle, whilst ensuring the screen is in a fully deployed position by the time the driver commences driving. Furthermore, for electric vehicles such as battery electric vehicles, BEVs, the start-up sequence is much shorter than conventional petrol or diesel ignition, which can increase the likelihood of the screen not being fully deployed during driving if implemented conventionally. A further benefit to linking the stowage of the display screen in response to lock status is that the stowed screen can be used as an indicator of lock status when the user is outside the vehicle, to visually confirm that locking has been successful. This provides a more discreet indicator than other lock indicators, such as wing mirror retraction, and furthermore cannot be tampered with from outside the vehicle, providing a higher user confidence in the indication. A control system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 1. The control system 100 comprises one or more controller 110 operable to control a vehicle display system of a vehicle in order to provide the advantages mentioned above. A vehicle display system 200 in accordance with an embodiment is described herein with reference to the accompanying Figure 2. In addition to the control system 110, the display system 200 comprises a display 220 06 01 26 for deployment within a vehicle cabin. The display 220 comprises a screen for displaying content to one or more occupants of the vehicle cabin, such as a driver or a passenger of the vehicle cabin. In some embodiments the display 220 may be an instrument panel display 220 for displaying reverse camera footage, vehicle data, alerts and the like to a driver of the vehicle. 5 With reference to Figure 4, an example display 220 is shown in the form of an instrument panel display 220. The instrument panel display 220 is configured to display one or more instrument panel elements 410, 420, 430 on a screen 222 of the instrument panel display 220. In the illustrated example, the instrument panel elements displayed include reverse camera footage 410, vehicle data 420, and vehicle alerts 430. The vehicle 10 data 420 may include parameters relating to the operation of the vehicle, such as gear change information, vehicle speed or the like. The vehicle alerts 430 may include alerts or warnings indicative of a malfunction or possible malfunction of vehicle systems associated with the vehicle. It will be appreciated that the instrument panel display 220 may be arranged to display additional or alternative elements to those shown, such as infotainment controls, HVAC settings or the like. 15 The display 220 is a deployable display 220. That is, the display 220 is arranged to be moveable between a deployed position 320 and a stowed position 310 in the vehicle cabin, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B. In the illustrated embodiment, the display 220 is an instrument panel display 220 and thus the stowed position 310 and deployed position 320 are illustrated with respect to an instrument panel 300 of the vehicle. Figure 3A shows the display 220 in the stowed position 310. In the illustrated embodiment, the display 220 is situated in a retracted position at least partially within an instrument panel 300, or dashboard of the vehicle 300. The retracted position is such that the display 220 is flush with the instrument panel 300 so that the display 220 is inconspicuous and the line of the instrument panel 300 is smooth when the display 220 is stowed. The 25 display 220 may be stowed such that a rear surface 221 of the display 220 is flush with the instrument panel 300. That is, a front surface 222 or screen 222 of the display is hidden from view. The rear surface 221 of the display may then be patterned to match the instrument panel 300 such that the display 220 blends in with the instrument panel 300 when retracted. 30 In the deployed position 320 shown in Figure 3B, the display 220 is situated within the vehicle cabin such that a screen 222 of the display 220 is visible to an occupant of the vehicle in use. In particular, when the display 220 is an instrument panel, IP, display, the screen 222 is visible to a driver of the vehicle when in the deployed position 320. In the illustrated embodiment, the display 220 extends substantially vertically from the instrument panel 300 in the deployed position 320; however the display 220 may be deployed at any angle with the 35 constraint that the screen 222 of the display 220 is readily visible to the intended user. In some examples, the display 220 may be arranged to be moveable through a combination of linear and rotational motion, such that it can be moved smoothly from the deployed position 320 to the stowed position 310 and vice versa. However, any type of deployable display 220 may be used with an appropriate deployment 40 mechanism. In one alternative arrangement, the display 220 may deploy only through rotational motion between a deployed position in which the screen 222 faces a first direction towards the user and a stowed 06 01 26 position in which the screen 222 faces a second direction away from the user. In another alternative arrangement, the display 220 may deploy through linear motion between a deployed position such as shown in Figure 3B and a stowed position in which the display 220 is retracted within the instrument panel 300 in a “toaster-type” motion. 5 As shown in Figure 2, the display system 200 comprises a deployment actuator 210 configured to actuate movement of the display 220 between the deployed position, such as deployed position 320, and the stowed position, such as stowed position 310. The deployment actuator 210 may be any type of actuator such as an electric motor or the like. The deployment actuator is configured to actuate the movement of the display 220 10 in response to receiving a control signal 155 from the control system 100, as will be explained. The deployment actuator 210 is configured to move the display from the stowed position to the deployed position over a predefined time period, which may be referred to as a deployment time. The deployment time is defined by the time taken between initiating the deployment of the display and completing the deployment 15 of the display, i.e. the time taken for the display 220 to switch from the stowed position 310 to the deployed position 320 once actuated. The deployment actuator 210 is configured such that the deployment time achieved is between two seconds and five seconds, such as a deployment time of three seconds, 2.5 seconds or the like. This range of deployment time beneficially strikes a balance by achieving a smooth deployment experience without excessive noise, whilst ensuring that deployment is typically completed by the time a user of the vehicle begins to drive. That is, the deployment time is selected to be less than a typical time taken between unlocking a vehicle or opening a vehicle door and beginning to drive. The deployment actuator 210 is configured to move the display from the deployed position to the stowed position over a further predefined time period, which may be referred to as a stowage time. The stowage time 25 may be configured to be the same as the deployment time; however in other embodiments the stowage time may be longer or shorter than the deployment time. This is because there is less time sensitivity with respect to stowing the display when the vehicle is not in use, and so the stowage time can be differently configured to benefit the user experience, battery consumption or the like. 30 With reference again to Figure 1, the control system 100 comprises one controller 110, although it will be appreciated that this is merely illustrative and the control system 100 may comprise further controllers 110 in other embodiments. The controller 110 comprises processing means 120 and memory means 130. The processing means 120 may be one or more electronic processing device 120 which operably executes computer-readable instructions. The memory means 130 may be one or more memory device 130. The 35 memory means 130 is electrically coupled to the processing means 120. The memory means 130 is configured to store instructions, and the processing means 120 is configured to access the memory means 130 and execute the instructions stored thereon. The controller 110 comprises an input means 140 and an output means 150. The input means 140 may 40 comprise an electrical input 140 of the controller 110. The output means 150 may comprise an electrical output 150 of the controller 110. The input 140 is arranged to receive a lock change signal 165 from a vehicle locking 06 01 26 system 160 of the vehicle. The vehicle locking system 160 is arranged to lock and unlock the vehicle cabin to secure the vehicle cabin. The lock change signal 165 is an electrical signal which is indicative of the vehicle locking system switching between an unlocked state and a locked state. In the unlocked state, the vehicle cabin is not secured and a person is able to enter the vehicle cabin by actuating a door handle or the like of a 5 vehicle door. In the locked state, the vehicle locking system 160 secures the vehicle cabin and vehicle entry points such as doors and windows cannot be readily opened from outside the vehicle. The output 150 is arranged to output a control signal 155 to the deployment actuator 210 of the display system 200 to initiate movement of the display 220 between the deployed position 320 and the stowed position 310 within the vehicle. 10 The control system 100 may be configured to output the control signal 155 in response to the receipt of the lock change signal 165. In that way, the deployment actuator 210 is controlled to move the display between the deployed position 320 and the stowed position 310 in response to the vehicle being locked or unlocked. This provides a discreet indicator to the user of the vehicle that the vehicle has been successfully locked, 15 visible from outside the vehicle. This improves the security of the vehicle and avoids the user needing to repeatedly lock the vehicle for reassurance. As the display 220 is inside the vehicle cabin (as opposed to e.g. wing mirrors), this indication cannot be manually adjusted (either intentionally or accidentally) without gaining entry to the vehicle, therefore the user can have a high confidence in the visual indication. In some embodiments, the control system 100 is arranged to control the deployment actuator 210 differently depending on whether the lock change signal 165 indicates a locking event or an unlocking event. Stowage of display When the vehicle is locked by the vehicle locking system 160, the lock change signal 165 comprises a locking 25 signal 165 indicative of a locking event. The input 140 is configured to receive a locking signal 165 indicative of the vehicle locking system 160 switching from the unlocked state, providing an unsecured vehicle cabin, to the locked state, providing a secured vehicle cabin. The vehicle locking system 160 may lock the vehicle using any type of locking protocol. For example, the 30 vehicle locking system 160 may be configured to lock the vehicle based on user proximity using a proximity detection system. The proximity detection system is configured to detect a proximity to the vehicle of a device, such as a mobile phone, key fob or the like used as a remote control for the vehicle by the user. The vehicle locking system 160 can then determine whether the device is more than a predetermined distance from the vehicle, and if so, lock the vehicle and output the locking signal 165. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle 35 locking system 160 can lock the vehicle and output the locking signal 165 in response to a locking request from the user. The locking request may be received remotely via the remote control for the vehicle (such as a key fob or mobile phone) and transmitted wirelessly to the vehicle locking system 160. Alternatively, the locking request may be received locally at the vehicle, such as by a user input at a door to the vehicle. 40 The control system 100 is configured to determine whether the received lock change signal 165 comprises a locking signal 165. If the lock change signal 165 comprises a locking signal 165, the control system 100 is 06 01 26 configured to initiate stowage of the display by outputting the control signal 155 to the deployment actuator 210 to initiate movement of the display 220 from the deployed position 320 to the stowed position 310. Thus, the stowage of the display acts as a visual indicator that the vehicle has been successfully locked by the locking system 160. 5 Deployment of display When the vehicle is unlocked by the vehicle locking system 160, the lock change signal 165 comprises an unlocking signal 165 indicative of an unlocking event. The input 140 is configured to receive an unlocking signal 165 indicative of the vehicle locking system 160 switching from the locked state, providing a secured 10 vehicle cabin, to the unlocked state, providing an unsecured vehicle cabin. The control system 100 is configured to determine whether the received lock change signal 165 comprises an unlocking signal 165 or a locking signal 165. If the lock change signal 165 comprises an unlocking signal 165, the control system 100 is configured to initiate deployment of the display by outputting the control signal 155 15 to the deployment actuator 210 to initiate movement of the display 220 from the stowed position to the deployed position. By using the unlocking of the vehicle to trigger deployment, this ensures that the display 220 has sufficient time to deploy before the user of the vehicle begins driving, to ensure that the display 220 is fully visible to the user during driving. The deployment of the display 220 may be subject to additional or alternative triggers, as well as the unlocking of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the input 140 is configured to receive a door actuation signal 175 from a door actuation system 170 of the vehicle. The door actuation signal 175 is indicative of a vehicle door of the vehicle being 25 actuated, i.e., a user opening a door to gain entry to the vehicle cabin. The door actuation signal 175 may be indicative of the actuation of a door handle, or by the movement or position of the vehicle door to an open or ajar position. For example, the door actuation signal 175 may be indicative of the vehicle door reaching a predetermined angle threshold with respect to the vehicle. The control system 100 is arranged to output the control signal to the deployment actuator to initiate the deployment of the display 220 in response to receiving 30 the door actuation signal 175. Thus, the control system 100 may inhibit the deployment of the display 220 until a vehicle door is actuated. Therefore, when the vehicle is unlocked, the control system may delay the deployment of the display 220 until a user begins to enter the vehicle. By delaying the deployment of the display 220 until the user of the display screen begins to enter the vehicle, this ensures that the ultimate user of the display 220 experiences the theatre of deployment, and the user’s attention is drawn to the display as 35 they are entering the vehicle. This is balanced by the desire for the display 220 to be fully deployed by the time driving commences. It has been found that that using the vehicle door opening as a deployment trigger provides sufficient time for the display 220 to fully deploy before the driver is ready to begin driving, whilst also ensuring that the end user experiences the screen deployment. 40 The door actuation signal 175 may comprise an indication of the vehicle door being actuated, i.e., whether the door actuated is a front door or a rear door of the vehicle. It can be advantageous for the control system 100 06 01 26 to selectively trigger the deployment of the display 220 if a front door of the vehicle is actuated, particularly when the display 220 is an instrument panel, IP display 220, as the display 220 will be more readily visible to front occupants of the vehicle. Therefore, the control system 100 may determine whether the vehicle door indicated in the door actuation signal 175 is a front door or a rear door, and only if the vehicle door is a front 5 door, output the control signal 155 to initiate the deployment of the display 220 by the deployment actuator 210. The control system 100 may further distinguish between a driver side front door and a passenger side front door in alternative embodiments, and selectively deploy the display 220 only when the door actuated is a driver side frontdoor, or vice versa. It will be appreciated that the selection of the relevant door for the display 220 may be tailored depending on the type of display 220 and intended end user. 10 Figure 5 illustrates a method 500 according to an embodiment of the invention. The method 500 is a method of controlling a display system of a vehicle, such as the display system 200. The method 500 may be performed by the system 100 illustrated in Figure 1. In particular, the memory 130 may comprise computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor 120, perform the method 500 according to an embodiment 15 ofthe invention. The method comprises receiving 502 a lock change signal from a vehicle locking system. In dependence on the receipt ofthe lock change signal, the method comprises determining 504 if the vehicle locking system has switched between an unlocked state and a locked state. If the vehicle locking system has switched, the method 500 comprises outputting 504 a control signal to a deployment actuator 210 ofthe display system to initiate movement of a display between a deployed position 320 and a stowed position 310 within the vehicle. With reference to Figure 6, there is illustrated a further method 600 according to an embodiment of the invention. The method 600 is a method of controlling a display system of a vehicle, such as the display system 25 200. Specifically, the method 600 is a method of controlling deployment of a deployable display such as the display 220. The method 600 may be performed at least in part by the control system 100. The method 600 begins at block 602. In block 602, the vehicle is locked and parked, and the display 220 is in a stowed position 310. 30 In block 604, it is determined whether a user is approaching the vehicle, i.e. whether a user is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle. This determination is performed by the proximity detection system associated with the vehicle locking system 160. The proximity detection system may utilise Bluetooth, NFC or the like to detect a proximity of a user device such as a mobile phone, key fob or other remote control device 35 forthe vehicle. If the proximity detection system detects that the user is within the predetermined distance, the method proceeds to block 606. If not, the method continues at blocks 602 and 604, and the proximity detection system continues to monitor the surroundings ofthe vehicle. In block 606, the proximity detection system communicates an indication to the control system 100 that the 40 remote control device forthe vehicle is detected within the predetermined distance. The indication comprises 06 01 26 a wake-up signal which causes the controller(s) 110 of the control system 100 to transition from a powered down state to a standby state. In block 608, the control system determines whether a front door of the vehicle is actuated. In block 608 it is 5 determined whether a door actuation signal 175 has been received at the control system 100, and if so, whether the door actuation signal 175 indicates a front door has been actuated. If the door actuation signal 175 indicates that a front door has been actuated, the method proceeds to blocks 616 and 618. In block 616, the vehicle locking system 160 unlocks the vehicle cabin to allow entry to the 10 vehicle. In block 618, the control system 100 outputs the control signal 155 to the deployment actuator 210 to initiate movement of the display 220 from the stowed position 310 to the deployed position 320 within the vehicle. If no front door has been actuated in block 608, the method proceeds to block 610. In block 610, the control system determines whether a rear door has been actuated. If no rear door has been actuated, i.e. no door actuation signal 175 has been received at all, the method returns to block 606 and the control system 15 100 continues to await a door actuation signal 175 in the standby state. If a rear door has been actuated, the method proceeds to block 612. In block 612, the vehicle locking system 160 unlocks the vehicle cabin to allow entry to the vehicle. However, the control system 100 does not yet deploy the display 220 as only the rear door has been actuated. The method proceeds to block 614 in which the control system 100 determines whether a front door has been actuated, i.e., the control system awaits a further door actuation signal 175 indicative of the actuation of a front door. If no front door is actuated, the method loops back to block 612 and continues to await the further door actuation signal 175. When the front door is actuated in block 614, the method proceeds to block 618 and the control system 100 25 outputs the control signal 155 to the deployment actuator 210 to initiate movement of the display 220 from the stowed position 310 to the deployed position 320 within the vehicle. With reference to Figure 7, there is illustrated a further method 700 according to an embodiment of the invention. The method 700 is a method of controlling a display system of a vehicle, such as the display system 30 2 00. Specifically, the method 700 is a method of controlling stowage of a deployable display such as the display 220. The method 700 may be performed at least in part by the control system 100. The method 700 begins at block 702. In block 702, the vehicle is in use, and the display 220 is in a deployed position 320. 35 In block 704, it is determined whether a driver has exited the vehicle. The determination may be made in dependence on receiving a signal from the door actuation system to indicate that the driver side door has been opened. If the driver has not exited the vehicle, the method 700 returns to block 702. When the driver exits the vehicle, the method proceeds to block 706. 40 06 01 26 In block 706, it is determined whether the driver has walked away from the vehicle, i.e., whether the driver is at least a predetermined distance from the vehicle. This determination is performed by the proximity detection system associated with the vehicle locking system 160. As discussed the proximity detection system may utilise Bluetooth, NFC or the like to detect a proximity of a user device such as a mobile phone, key fob or 5 other remote control device for the vehicle. If the proximity detection system detects that the user is further than the predetermined distance from the vehicle, the method proceeds to block 710. If not, the method continues to block 708. In block 708, it is determined whether the user provides any input to lock the vehicle, such as input on the remote control device for the vehicle, or locally at the vehicle. If the user provides an input to lock the vehicle, the method proceeds to block 710. If the user provides no input to lock the vehicle and 10 remains within the predetermined distance, the method returns to block 702 and continues to monitor the proximity of the user to the vehicle. In block 710, the vehicle locking system 160 moves to a locked state to secure the vehicle cabin, and communicates a vehicle locking signal 165 to the control system 100. In block 712, the control system 100 15 outputs the control signal 155 to the deployment actuator 210 to initiate movement of the display 220 from the deployed position 320 to the stowed position 310 within the vehicle. Figure 8 illustrates a vehicle 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 800 comprises a control system 100 as illustrated in Figure 1, or a vehicle display system 200 as illustrated in Figure 2. The vehicle 800 illustrated is a battery electric vehicle, BEV in some embodiments. Implementation of the present invention in a BEV may be particularly advantageous due to the short start-up sequence associated with a BEV which means that deployment of a display when the vehicle is switched on may not provide sufficient time for the display to fully deploy prior to driving. However the present invention may be implemented on any type of vehicle 800 such as a hybrid electric vehicle, HEV or a combustion vehicle. 25 Although the vehicle 800 illustrated is an automobile, the vehicle 800 may alternatively be a different type of vehicle such as a watercraft, aircraft or the like. It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application. 30

Claims

06 01 261. A control system for controlling a display system of a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more processors collectively configured to:5 receive an indication from a proximity detection system that a remote control device for a vehiclelocking system is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle;in response to receiving the indication, transition from a powered down state to a standby state; receive, from the vehicle locking system of the vehicle, a lock change signal comprising an unlocking signal indicative of the vehicle locking system switching from a locked state to an unlocked state; and10 in dependence on the receipt of the unlocking signal, output a control signal to a deployment actuatorof the display system to initiate movement of a display from a stowed position to a deployed position within the vehicle.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to:15 receive a door actuation signal indicative of a vehicle door being actuated; andin response to the door actuation signal, output a control signal to the deployment actuator of the display system to initiate movement of the display from the stowed position to the deployed position within the vehicle.

3. The control system of claim 2, wherein the control system is configured to:determine whether the vehicle door is a front door or a rear door of the vehicle; andif the vehicle door is a front door, output the control signal to the deployment actuator of the display system to initiate the movement of the display from the stowed position to the deployed position within the vehicle.

4. The control system of claim 3, wherein if the vehicle door is a rear door, the control system is configured to retain the display in the stowed position.

5. The control system of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control system is configured to output the 30 control signal to the deployment actuator to move the display from the stowed position to the deployed position such that a time period between initiating and completing deployment is less than five seconds.

6. The control system of claim 1, wherein the lock change signal comprises a locking signal indicative of the vehicle locking system switching from the unlocked state to the locked state, and wherein the control35 system is configured to:in dependence on the receipt of the locking signal, output a control signal to the deployment actuator of the display system to initiate movement of the display from the deployed position to the stowed position within the vehicle.40 7. The control system of claim 6, wherein the control system is configured to receive the locking signalin response to:06 01 26a determination that a remote control for the vehicle locking system is more than a predetermined distance from the vehicle; ora user input to the remote control for locking the vehicle.5 8. The control system of any preceding claim, wherein in the stowed position, the display is situated ina retracted position at least partially within the instrument panel or dashboard of the vehicle; andin the deployed position, the display is situated within the vehicle cabin such that a screen of the display is visible to an occupant of the vehicle in use.10 9. The control system of any preceding claim, wherein the display system is an instrument panel displaysystem.

10. A display system for a vehicle, comprising:the control system of any preceding claim;15 a display moveable between a deployed position and a stowed position within the vehicle; anda deployment actuator configured to actuate movement of the display between the deployed position and the stowed position in response to receiving the control signal from the control system.

11. A vehicle comprising the display system of claim 10 or the control system of claims 1 to 9.

12. A method for controlling a display system of a vehicle, the method comprising:receiving an indication from a proximity detection system that a remote control device for a vehicle locking system is within a predetermined distance of the vehicle;in response to receiving the indication, transitioning from a powered down state to a standby state;25 receiving a lock change signal comprising an unlocking signal indicative of the vehicle locking systemswitching from a locked state to an unlocked state; andin dependence on the receipt of the unlocking signal, outputting a control signal to a deployment actuator of the display system to initiate movement of a display from a stowed position to a deployed position within the vehicle.3013. Computer readable instructions which, when executed by a computer, are arranged to perform a method according to claim 12.

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