A display module that stores images in its internal memory.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for displaying data, the method being performed on a display module including a screen and a control module suitable for controlling lighting elements of the screen in response to data on a data interface. The display module includes a storage device for storing at least one image. The method includes the steps of: detecting (202, 203) a lack of availability of data on the data interface; and upon detecting receipt of a power supply signal on at least one power supply interface, accessing (204) the at least one image in the storage device using the control module; and controlling (205) the lighting elements to display the at least one image using the control module.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of display of video data, especially image data, and is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to images displayed to perform a luminous function, for example an aesthetic or signaling function in an automotive vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to utilize display modules including screens inside or outside an automotive vehicle to perform signaling functions or for aesthetic reasons. For example, this can be a matter of a welcome display that is displayed when the vehicle is started, and a signaling or aesthetic display that is displayed when the vehicle is turned on.

[0003] Such a display module typically receives a sequence of still or video images over a data channel from the vehicle's control module and a graphics processing unit (GPU), for example a graphics card.

[0004] For example, if data is not available on the data channel due to a graphics card failure or boot time, the display module will generally not display any images, causing service interruptions or delays in aesthetic or signaling functions. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to be able to better achieve continuity or responsiveness of the light-emitting function performed by the display module, particularly in automotive vehicle applications. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a method for displaying data, the method being carried out on a display module comprising a screen and a control module capable of controlling light emitting elements of said screen depending on data received by the display module on a data interface, the display module including a memory device for storing at least one image, the method comprising the following steps: - upon detecting the absence of data on the data interface and the receipt of a power signal on at least one power interface, accessing said at least one image in storage by the control module; - controlling the light emitting elements to display the at least one image using a control module; The process includes:

[0007] Storing at least one image locally within the display module can ensure continuity of lighting, aesthetic or signalling functions when data is not available on the input interface, thereby allowing for better responsiveness in displaying lighting functions when there is a delay in receiving data on the data interface.

[0008] In an embodiment, the unavailability of data on the data interface may be the absence of receipt of data on the data interface or the receipt of data containing errors.

[0009] Thus, the method of the present invention can ensure better continuity or responsiveness in display for many reasons that can make data unavailable on a data interface, including when the received data is corrupted or contains errors.

[0010] In an embodiment, if the detection of unavailability of data on the data interface is a result of an initial operating condition in which data is received on the data interface and a power signal is received on the at least one power interface, the detection of unavailability may include detecting an interruption in data reception on the data interface, and the control module may access at least one first image in a storage device and control the light-emitting element to display the at least one first image.

[0011] It is therefore possible to display a first default image when data is unavailable, which can indicate that the display device is in a fail-safe (FSO) mode or suspend the light-emitting function that was performed under initial operating conditions.

[0012] Additionally or as a variant, if the detection of unavailability is a result of an initial operating condition in which no data is received on the data interface and no power signal is received on the at least one power interface, the detection of unavailability may be a detection of a power signal being received on the at least one power interface while no data is present on the data interface, and the control module may access at least one second image in the storage device, preferably different from the first image, and the control module may control the light-emitting elements to display the at least one second image.

[0013] Responsiveness associated with the lighting functions performed by the display module is thus improved. Specifically, the lighting module generally receives data from the GPU, and the start-up time of the GPU causes a delay in receiving data on the data interface.

[0014] Additionally, the at least one second image may be a series of second images forming an animation.

[0015] In this way it is possible to create a welcome animation when the display module is started up, which is particularly advantageous when the display module is integrated into equipment such as motor vehicle equipment.

[0016] Additionally or as a variation, the method may further include receiving screen calibration data by the control module following display of said at least one second image, and storing the calibration data in a storage device.

[0017] Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous when the display module is first booted, and the calibration data allows for improved display of images stored in the memory device.

[0018] It will be appreciated that if the second image is different from the first image, it is possible to display the second image for a welcome scenario when all components of the automotive vehicle have not yet been initialized, and the first image indicates that the display device is in a fail-safe (FSO) mode. In this way, when the display device displays the first image, the user can observe any malfunctions in the communication between the vehicle and the display device with just a simple visual inspection, while still benefiting from the welcome scenario using the second image.

[0019] Additionally, the method may further include waiting a predetermined time after displaying the at least one second image when receiving data on the data interface, and if no data is received after the predetermined time has elapsed, the first image is displayed instead of the second image.

[0020] Such an embodiment makes it possible, when the second image is displayed when the display module is booted, to display the first image, for example, to indicate a malfunction of the communication between the vehicle and the display device, or to display a default image corresponding to the capabilities of the display function, which is advantageous when the second image corresponds to a welcome scenario and may not meet regulatory constraints of automatic vehicle signaling devices, for example, images of the welcome scenario may have properties related to colorimetry or photometry that conflict with such regulatory constraints.In another example, in the particular case where at least one second image is a sequence of images forming an animation, the standards in force in most countries at the time of filing do not allow the animation to be displayed while the vehicle is being driven.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the method may further include receiving an update of the at least one image over a data interface and writing, by the control module, to a storage device to replace the at least one image with the update.

[0022] This allows for updating images stored in the memory device and allows for improved customization of the lighting functions performed by the display module, displaying default images or lighting animations when data and power cannot be varied.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the method may further include storing the at least one image in a storage device of the display module before first use of the display module.

[0024] Therefore, there is no need to configure the display module when it is first used.

[0025] A second aspect of the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, perform the method according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0026] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a display module, the display module comprising: - a storage device for 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 including a plurality of light-emitting elements; - a control module capable of controlling a plurality of light emitting elements of a screen in response to data received on a data interface, capable of detecting unavailability of data on an input interface, and capable of accessing said at least one image in a storage device and controlling the plurality of light emitting elements to display said at least one image upon detecting unavailability upon receiving a power signal; Includes.

[0027] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 3A-3D illustrate method steps for displaying an image according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Emphasis will be placed herein on features that differentiate the method and display module from those known in the prior art.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a display system 1 for an automotive vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] The display system 1 includes a display module 100 capable of performing at least one light-emitting function among aesthetic and / or signaling functions. The signaling function includes displaying data to provide information to a user. The display module 100 can be integrated into an exterior component of a motor vehicle, particularly for a signaling function, or into an interior component of the motor vehicle, particularly for a signaling function intended to inform the driver or for an aesthetic function, such as displaying a welcome message when the vehicle is started. There are no restrictions on the component into which the display module 100 is integrated, and it can be a body part, a headlight, a door, a dashboard element, or any other interior or exterior component of the motor vehicle.

[0032] The display module 100 includes a control module 101 capable of controlling a screen 102 in response to image or video data received in particular via a first interface 105 , hereinafter referred to as a data interface 105 .

[0033] The technology of the screen 102 is not limited and the screen 102 can include an array of individually controllable light emitting elements.

[0034] In an embodiment, each of the light-emitting elements can be a light-emitting semiconductor chip measuring 150 μm to 300 μm. Such chips are called mini-LEDs. Alternatively, each of the light-emitting elements includes at least one light-emitting semiconductor chip, preferably measuring less than 150 μm, e.g., 5 μm to 80 μm. Such chips are called micro-LEDs. Such chips can be directly or indirectly mounted on a substrate, such as a ceramic substrate. By ceramic substrate is meant a substrate made of an essentially inorganic material, such as glass or alumina, with a crystalline, partially crystalline, or amorphous structure, formed by a molten mass that solidifies as it cools, or formed simultaneously or subsequently by the action of heat and / or pressure. Advantageously, the ceramic substrate is a substrate made of alumina (Al2O3) or indeed aluminum nitride (AIN). It should be noted that glass (borosilicate glass) substrates are more commonly used due to their dielectric properties and manufacturing costs. The substrate can have a thickness of 400 μm to 600 μm, e.g., around 500 μm. In a variant, the substrate may be an HDI PCB having a thickness of 400 μm to 600 μm, for example around 500 μm, for active matrix light source control, and a thickness of 900 μm to 1100 μm, for example around 1 mm, for passive matrix control of the light emitting elements.

[0035] As a variant, the light emitting element may be, for example, an active matrix controlled organic light emitting diode (OLED) (also known as AMOLED). As another variant, the light emitting element may be an LCD cell (LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display).

[0036] As shown, the control module 101 can control the light emitting elements of the screen using an active matrix, or preferably a passive matrix.

[0037] If an active matrix is ​​used, the control module 101 commands a respective control element associated with each light-emitting element or group of light-emitting elements. Each light-emitting element is thus associated with one active control element. Advantageously, each light-emitting element is mounted on and connected to an associated control element. For example, each control element comprises a thin-film transistor (TFT) to which the associated light-emitting element or group of associated light-emitting elements is mounted and connected. The plurality of light-emitting elements and the plurality of active control elements of the screen 102 together form an active matrix. As a variant, the output side of the substrate can comprise one or more thin connection sub-layers, in particular with a thickness of less than 50 μm, containing a plurality of active control elements, each active control element being arranged to control at least one of the associated light-emitting elements, each light-emitting element being mounted on the output side of the substrate and directly connected to, and substantially perpendicular to, the control element controlling the one or more thin connection layers to which it is connected. Each control element can be a microelectronic circuit comprising at least one transistor and a memory.

[0038] If a passive matrix is ​​used, the control module 101 can sequentially connect and disconnect each of the light-emitting elements to and from power and ground received via a first power interface 107.1, described below. In this case, the light-emitting elements can be mounted directly on the emission side of the substrate forming the passive matrix, and the control unit 103 can be configured to control the passive matrix in response to control commands received by the control module 101. To create such a passive matrix, the display module 100 can include a number of devices for controlling the power supplied to the light-emitting elements, optionally mounted on the side of the substrate opposite the emission side. Each control device can be mounted near an opposite through-hole to control the power supplied to a light-emitting element on the emission side of the substrate opposite the through-hole.

[0039] The set of controllers may be controlled by a control unit 103, each control unit possibly being an integrated circuit. For example, such an integrated circuit 103 may in particular control hundreds of light emitting elements via respective controllers therein. The light emitting elements of the screen 102 are thus divided into subsets of light emitting elements, each subset of light emitting elements being controlled by the control module 101 via a dedicated control unit 103.

[0040] For example, each control unit 103 may be able to control an array of 16 x 48, i.e. 768, light-emitting elements. The display module 100 may thus include several tens of control units 103, for example 20 to 40 control units 103, in particular 30 control units 103.

[0041] Preferably, the light emitting elements of the control module 101, the control unit 103 and the screen 102 are located on the same substrate, which reduces the bulk by limiting the number of cables to those connected to the interfaces 105, 106, 107.1, 107.2 described below.

[0042] The control module 101 is thus responsible for distributing control signals between a plurality of control units 103 to enable a consistent display of images obtained using different subsets of light emitting elements. The control module 101 thus forms a time controller. This type of control is well known and will not be described in more detail here.

[0043] It should be noted that in embodiments in which the light emitting elements are controlled using an active matrix, the display module 100 does not include a control unit 103, and the control module 101 directly controls the control elements associated with the light emitting elements.

[0044] Display module 100 differs from lighting modules, which can project light. In display module 100, the light-emitting elements of screen 102 are positioned directly opposite a protective pane so that they are directly visible from outside display module 100. In contrast, in lighting modules, the light-emitting elements emit light that is projected outside the lighting module by projection optics, which may include one or more lenses and / or mirrors, and the light-emitting elements are not directly visible from outside the lighting module.

[0045] The display module 100 in FIG. a data interface 105 capable of receiving data such as still images or video streams from a graphics control module 120 or GPU, for example a graphics card; the control module is therefore capable of transmitting image or video data from which the control module 101 determines control signals for the control elements 103 in passive matrix embodiments, the data interface 105 being generally unidirectional and capable of receiving image data from the GPU 120 but not transmitting data back; a diagnostic interface 106 that allows the control module 101 to exchange diagnostic data bidirectionally with the GPU 120 or with another control module of the vehicle, such as a central ECU (ECU stands for Electronic Control Unit); Further includes:

[0046] The light emitting elements of the screen 102 are powered by the vehicle's power supply 110 via a first power supply interface 107.1, while the control module 101 is powered by the vehicle's power supply 110 via a second control power supply interface 107.2.

[0047] Power supply 110 may further provide power to GPU 120 via a power cable not shown in FIG.

[0048] The control module 101 may preferably include a processor such as a microcontroller element, in particular a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), which are configured with a suitable computer program to carry out the steps described with reference to FIG.

[0049] The display module 100 may further include a memory device 104, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), or any other type of memory, such as flash or EEPROM. In a variant, the memory device 402 includes multiple memories of the aforementioned types. The memory device 402 is preferably a non-volatile memory. The memory device 104 is preferably a flash memory.

[0050] Prior art solutions may experience interruptions to lighting, signaling, or aesthetic functions, or delays in performing such lighting functions, particularly when the vehicle is started. Specifically, when the vehicle is started, the power supply 110 provides power to the display module 100 and the GPU 120. However, when the GPU 120 boots, a delay occurs in the display module 100 receiving data via the data interface 105. During this delay, the control module 101 does not receive image data and therefore cannot control the screen 102 to display images or animations. This results in delays in the display of images or animations, which is particularly inconvenient in welcome scenarios. In another context, in the event of a fault on the data interface 105, for example, if the received data is interrupted or if corrupted or erroneous data is received, the lighting function performed by the display module 100 is interrupted. The display module 100 may then enter a fail-safe (FSO) mode (FSO stands for fail-safe operation).

[0051] To avoid such interruptions or delays in lighting functionality, the present invention provides for storing in storage device 104 the still images or video / animation to be displayed when data is unavailable on data interface 105, which will be better understood by reading the description of Figure 2. Unavailability can be the absence of data flow due to a delay or failure in starting up GPU 120, or it can be the receipt of corrupted or erroneous data.

[0052] The control module 101 thus has read access to the data stored in the storage device 104, in particular the stored images and videos. Additionally, optionally, the control module 101 has write access to the storage device 104, in particular to update the stored images and videos or to store calibration data associated with the screen 102. In particular, when the vehicle is first powered on, calibration data can be received by the control module 101 via the data interface 105 or the diagnostic interface 106. These calibration data can describe the behavior of the light-emitting elements of the screen 102 or can compensate for power or color differences between the light-emitting elements. There are no restrictions on the nature of the calibration data. Furthermore, the control module 101 can receive image updates, or updates of a series of images forming an animation, via the data interface 105 and store such updates in the storage device 104, replacing the previous image or series of images.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a diagram illustrating the steps of a method for displaying data performed by the display module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] In step 200, at least one image is stored in storage device 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, storage device 104 may store a first image that is a default image displayed when the receipt of data on data interface 105 is interrupted, as described below. Additionally, or as a variation, storage device 104 may store at least one second image, preferably a series of second images forming a welcome animation, that is displayed when the vehicle is started and during the time when no data is available on data interface 105 because GPU 120 is booting. Preferably, the length of the animation is equal to the boot time of GPU 120 or within 10% of the boot time of the GPU.

[0055] In step 201, the display module 100 is under initial operating conditions. The adjective "initial" designates a condition prior to steps 202 and 203, which will be described below. Under a first initial condition, the display module 100 is powered by the power source 110 and receives data from the GPU over the data interface 105, and the control module 101 controls the light-emitting elements of the screen 102 in response to the received data. Thus, the first initial condition may be a nominal operating condition. Under a different, second initial condition, the display module 100 is not powered by the power source 110 and does not receive data from the GPU 120. Such an initial condition may correspond, in particular, to a power-off state of an automotive vehicle including the system 1.

[0056] In step 202, the control module 101 detects that data is not available on the data interface 106, and in step 203, the control module 101 detects that the display module 100 is powered by the power supply 110. Therefore, the detection of data not being available and the detection of the fact that power is being supplied are cumulative conditions that must be met simultaneously to execute step 204, which will be described below. - the absence of data on the input interface due to a delay in powering on the GPU 120 or an interruption in receiving data, or receiving corrupted or erroneous data on the data interface 105; It can correspond to.

[0057] Following steps 202 and 203, in step 204 the control module 101 obtains read access to at least one of the images stored in the storage device 104.

[0058] The unavailability, therefore, may be an interruption in data reception following a first initial condition or the detection of an error in the received data. Specifically, the data channel is a “vulnerable” channel, and such interruptions are possible. If such an interruption in data reception is detected or an error is detected, the control module 101 may obtain read access to the first default image in step 204 and control the screen 102 to display the default image in step 205, even if power continues to be received by the display module 100. The aforementioned unavailability may be due to the activation of FSO mode. The activation of FSO mode may be initiated by the control module 101 upon detecting a fault on the data interface 105, such as the absence of data, detecting a defect or error in the received data itself, or even receiving a fault message from, for example, the GPU 120 over the diagnostic interface 106. If the control module 101 detects a fault on the data interface 105 or a defect in the received data, the activation of FSO mode may be flagged to the GPU via the diagnostic interface 106.

[0059] As a variant, the unavailability of data on data interface 105 may be a delay in receiving data, particularly after a vehicle including system 1 is powered on. In this case, power is received by display module 100 as soon as the vehicle is powered on, but GPU 120 typically takes several seconds to boot, which causes a failure in receiving data on data interface 105. Such a failure is therefore the result of a second initial condition in which power supply 110 and GPU 120 are not initially turned on. If the absence of data reception is detected, while power is being received on interface 107.1 following the second initial condition, control module 101 may obtain read access to the at least one second image different from the first image in storage device 104 in step 204 and control light-emitting elements of screen 102 to display the at least one second image. As described above, the at least one second image may be an animation, such as a welcome animation, allowing such animation to be displayed while the GPU is booting.

[0060] Thus, the control module 101 can differentiate between detections in steps 202, 203 that are the result of a first initial condition and detections in steps 202, 203 that are the result of a second initial condition if the storage device stores the first image and said at least one second image. As a variant, the control module 101 can execute steps 202, 203 only after the first initial condition or only after the second initial condition if the storage device 104 stores only the first image or only said at least one second image.

[0061] In optional step 206, control module 101 may receive an update of at least one image stored in storage device 104 via data interface 105. Such an update may be received when data is received on data interface 105 and display module 100 is powered, particularly under the first initial condition described above. The image update may be received from GPU 120 or from another module, for example, a module that receives cellular data for an automotive vehicle. A signal may be received on diagnostic interface 106 indicating that the data received on data interface 105 is image update data. Such a signal may indicate whether the update relates to a first image or to the at least one second image, if storage device 104 stores multiple images. Upon receiving such an update, control module 101 may obtain write access to storage device 104 to replace the image with the image update.

[0062] In another optional step 207, the control module 101 can receive calibration data. Such calibration data can be received in particular following the initial boot of the display module 100 and following the display of a third image, referred to as a calibration image, or, as a variant, following the display of at least one second image. Thus, the storage device 104 can further store a third image to display when the vehicle is first powered on, i.e., when steps 202 and 203 are first executed under second initial conditions. In this case, the external device can evaluate the calibration data in response to the display of the third image or in response to the display of at least one second image on the screen 102 and send these data to the display module 100. In particular, the light-emitting elements can exhibit power and / or color variations, and the storage of the calibration data in the storage device 104 in step 207 allows the control module 101 to take the calibration data into account when controlling the light-emitting elements of the screen 102. As a variant, the calibration data is used by the control module 101 to modify the images stored in the storage device 104, without the need to take the calibration data into account when controlling the screen 102.

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

Claims

1. A method for displaying data, said method being carried out on a display module (100) comprising a screen (102) and a control module (101) capable of controlling light emitting elements of said screen in response to data received by said display module on a data interface (105), said display module comprising a storage device (104) for storing at least one image, said method comprising the following steps: - detecting (202, 203) that data is not available on the data interface and, upon detecting the reception of a power signal on at least one power interface (107.1, 107.2), accessing (204) said at least one image in said storage device by said control module, - controlling said light emitting elements by said control module to display said at least one image (205); A method comprising the steps of:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the unavailability of data on the data interface (105) is the receipt of no data or erroneous data on the data interface.

3. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein when the detection (202) of data unavailability on the data interface (105) is a result of an initial operating condition (201) in which data is received on the data interface and a power signal is received on the at least one power interface, the detection of unavailability includes detecting an interruption in data reception on the data interface, and the control module accesses (204) at least one first image in the storage device and controls (205) the light-emitting elements to display the at least one first image.

4. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein if the detection of unavailability (202) is a result of an initial operating condition in which no data is received on the data interface and no power signal is received on the at least one power interface (107.1, 107.2), the detection of unavailability is a detection of a power signal being received on the at least one power interface (107.1, 107.2) while no data is present on the data interface (105), and the control module accesses at least one second image in the storage device and controls the light emitting elements to display the at least one second image.

5. 5. The method of claim 3 combined with claim 4, wherein said at least one second image is different from said first image.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the at least one second image is a sequence of second images forming an animation.

7. 7. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving (207) screen calibration data by the control module (101) following the display of the at least one second image, and storing the calibration data in the storage device (104).

8. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving (206) an update of the at least one image on the data interface and writing by the control module (101) to the storage device (104) to replace the at least one image with the update.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising storing (200) the at least one image in the storage device (104) of the display module (100) before a first use of the display module (100).

10. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor (101), perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. a storage device (104) for storing at least one image; at least one power interface (107.1, 107.2) capable of receiving a power signal; a data interface (105) capable of receiving data; a screen (102) including a plurality of light-emitting elements; a control module (101) operable to control the plurality of light emitting elements of the screen in response to the data received on the data interface, to detect when the data is unavailable on the input interface, and to access the at least one image in the storage device and control the plurality of light emitting elements to display the at least one image upon detecting when a power signal is received; A display module (100) comprising:

Images