Display device comprising at least two display units

Abstract

The invention relates to a display device, which is designed to be installed in a motor vehicle, having a first display unit (AE1) which is substantially integrated in a second display unit (AE2), wherein the first display unit preferably uses a different method for displaying information than the second display unit, and wherein the first display unit and the second display unit can be supplied with a supply voltage (VS), and wherein the first display unit has a logic circuit (LS), and wherein the logic circuit is configured to monitor a change in at least one bus signal (BS) in particular to monitor the loss of at least one bus signal, and depending thereon to output an indication (H) on the first display unit, and wherein the first display unit has a voltage supply and can additionally be supplied thereby.

Description

[0001] Display device with at least two display units

[0002] The present invention relates to a display device that can be installed in a motor vehicle. In particular, it relates to a display device that can continue to display important information in safety-critical situations, even if the main power supply in the vehicle has failed.

[0003] Conventional display systems in motor vehicles typically consist of one or more display units powered by the vehicle's electrical system. These display units serve to present the driver and passengers with a wide range of information regarding the vehicle's status, the driving situation, and warnings.

[0004] Normally, these display devices function reliably as long as the vehicle's electrical system is powered. However, if the electrical system fails in critical driving situations, for example due to a broken cable or a defect in the alternator / battery, the display units will also fail.

[0005] In such cases, important warnings or information for the driver may no longer be displayed. This can significantly impair driving safety, as the driver is no longer informed about the vehicle's condition and potential hazards.

[0006] To address this problem, there is a need for a display device that can continue to provide important information to the driver even in the event of a power failure. The present invention provides a solution according to the independent claim. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] A display device is provided which is designed to be installed in a motor vehicle, comprising a first display unit which is substantially integrated into a second display unit, wherein the first display unit preferably uses a different method for displaying information than the second display unit, and wherein the first display unit and the second display unit can be supplied by a supply voltage, and wherein the first display unit has a logic circuit, and wherein the logic circuit is configured to monitor a change in at least one bus signal and in particular the loss of at least one bus signal, and wherein the first display unit has a power supply and can additionally be supplied by it.

[0008] The power supply for the first display unit can be a buffer memory. The power supply can be designed to power the first display unit even if the main supply voltage fails. The power supply can be a battery or a capacitor.

[0009] The first display unit can show the message when the supply voltage is lost, particularly based on an effect of image persistence in LCD technology.

[0010] The logic circuit can output the message on the first display unit if the supply voltage fails and / or at least one bus signal fails and / or an undervoltage is detected at the first display unit.

[0011] The first display unit can use a method for displaying information that allows the message to remain visible even without a power supply. The first display unit can utilize a specific area of ​​the second display unit to show the message.

[0012] The first display unit can use E-Ink technology to display the message.

[0013] The first display unit can show the warning in case of a crash, where the bus signal is a crash signal.

[0014] The invention is now also described with regard to the figures. They show:

[0015] Figs. 1a and 1b schematically show a display device according to the invention.

[0016] The invention relates to a display device that can be installed in a motor vehicle. The display device comprises a first display unit that is at least partially integrated into a second display unit. The first display unit preferably uses a different method for displaying information than the second display unit. Both display units, i.e., the first and the second, can be powered by a single supply voltage. Additionally, the first display unit has its own power supply, which can be used to provide supplemental power. This supplemental power supply can be, for example, a buffer storage device such as a battery (e.g., a button cell), an accumulator, and / or a capacitor.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first display unit is provided with a logic circuit. This logic circuit is configured to monitor a bus signal and, in particular, the loss of a bus signal. Depending on a change in the bus signal and / or the loss of the bus signal, the logic circuit can output a message on the first display unit.

[0018] If, for example, the supply voltage or the bus signal fails, the logic circuit can display a corresponding message on the first display unit. The first display unit is preferably designed to allow the message to be displayed even without an applied voltage. E-Ink technology is particularly well-suited for this purpose, but LCD technology can also be used due to the image persistence effect.

[0019] A further advantage of the invention is that the first display unit is designed to display safety-critical information when the supply voltage and / or the bus signal fails. For this purpose, it preferably uses a specific area of ​​the second display unit.

[0020] By using an additional low-voltage power supply, the first display unit can continue to display safety-critical information even if the main power supply fails. When using E-Ink or E-Paper technology, the low-voltage supply is used to load the message to be displayed on the first display unit. The logic circuit and / or the power supply can be designed to detect a loss of power and / or an undervoltage of the supply voltage and, in particular, to activate the power supply to the first display unit. The supply voltage is preferably the vehicle's on-board voltage.

[0021] For example, in the event of a crash and a resulting power failure, the first display unit can show relevant information to the occupants or rescue workers in the form of warnings. The logic circuit can evaluate a crash signal for this purpose. The loss of a signal monitored by the logic circuit can also trigger the display of the warning. The first display unit can be installed not only in the dashboard but also in other suitable locations in the vehicle.

[0022] Another advantageous design provides that the first display unit has an OLED section. In the event of a power failure, this section continues to be powered by the voltage supply and is not disconnected, in order to display the warning with safety-critical information. The energy consumption of this OLED section is designed to be as low as possible.

[0023] Overall, the invention enables important information to continue being displayed to the driver or rescue personnel in safety-critical situations where the main power supply in the vehicle fails. This significantly contributes to increasing vehicle safety.

[0024] Figure 1a shows a schematic representation of the display device AV. It has a second display unit AE1, which is integrated into a second display unit AE2. The first display unit AE1 preferably uses a different method for displaying information than the second display unit AE2.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1b, the first display unit AE1 and the second display unit AE2 are electrically powered by a supply voltage VS. The first display unit AE1 can also have its own power supply S. This can be, for example, a buffer such as a battery or a capacitor. Furthermore, the first display unit AE1 can be equipped with a logic circuit LS that monitors a bus signal BS and, in particular, the loss of the bus signal BS on a bus, e.g., a CAN bus. Depending on the bus signal BS, the logic circuit LS can output a message H on the first display unit AE1. The first display unit AE1 can use a predetermined area of ​​the second display unit AE2 to display the message H. This area remains active even if the supply voltage VS or the bus signal BS is lost.

[0026] The power supply LS enables the first display unit AE1 to display safety-critical information even if the supply voltage VS fails.

[0027] The logic circuit LS monitors various states in order to output the message H in the event of a critical situation.

[0028] For example, the logic circuit LS monitors the supply voltage VS at a terminal of the first display unit AE1, which could be an E-Ink display. If this voltage drops below a defined threshold, indicating undervoltage, the logic circuit LS triggers the display of a corresponding message H, which indicates this fault condition. Additionally or alternatively, the logic circuit LS can monitor the voltage state of the power source, such as the vehicle battery, via a sensor line. Here, too, a message H is output when undervoltage is detected. If such undervoltage is detected, the logic circuit LS initiates the output of a corresponding message H.

[0029] Furthermore, the logic circuit LS can evaluate a so-called SEV signal (safety-critical power supply state) on bus B. This signal indicates a degradation of the vehicle electrical system, i.e., a targeted shutdown of non-safety-relevant consumers. If the logic circuit LS detects this SEV signal, it also triggers the display of a message on the first display unit ÄE1.

[0030] The logic circuit LS can also detect the reading of a dedicated component signal, for example, from a high-voltage converter in the event of impending degradation, and use this as a trigger for displaying the warning message "H". Furthermore, the logic circuit LS can evaluate so-called "AHve" signals, which indicate the proper operation of individual components in the vehicle. If an "Alive" signal fails, which could indicate a component malfunction or, for example, a broken terminal, the logic circuit LS also triggers the display of the warning message "H".

[0031] Thanks to the diverse monitoring functions of the LS logic circuit, the first display unit AE1 can inform the driver early and reliably about critical situations, even if the vehicle's main power supply has failed. This significantly contributes to increased vehicle safety.

[0032] The first display unit AE1 and the second display unit AE2 can be formed as a single unit. The second display unit is also designed as a digital display unit, e.g., as an LCD, OLED, or E-Ink display. It is possible for the first display unit AE1 and the second display unit to use the same technology for displaying content. Furthermore, it is possible for the first display unit AE1 to define a predetermined area of ​​the second display unit AE2.

Claims

Claims 1. Display device (AD) designed to be installed in a motor vehicle, comprising a first display unit (AE1) which is essentially integrated into a second display unit (AE2), wherein the first display unit preferably uses a different method for displaying information than the second display unit (AE2), and wherein the first display unit (AE1) and the second display unit (AE2) can be supplied by a supply voltage (VS), and wherein the first display unit (AE1) has a logic circuit (LS), the logic circuit (LS) being configured to monitor a bus signal (BS) and in particular the loss of at least one bus signal (BS), and depending thereon to output a message on the first display unit, and wherein the first display unit (AE1) has a power supply (S) and can additionally be supplied by it.

2. Display device according to claim 1, wherein the voltage supply (S) of the first display unit is in particular a buffer storage device, and wherein the voltage supply (S) is designed to supply the first display unit (AE1) when the supply voltage (VS) fails.

3. Display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first display unit (AE1) continues to display information for a limited time even after the supply voltage (VS) is switched off, in particular based on an effect of image persistence in LCD technology.

4. Display device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the logic circuit (LS) outputs the message (H) on the first display unit when the supply voltage (VS) fails and / or the at least one bus signal (BS) fails and / or an undervoltage is detected at the first display unit.

5. Display device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first display unit (AE1) uses a method for displaying information which allows a persistent display of the message (H) even without a power supply (S).

6. Display device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first display unit (AE1) uses a predetermined area of ​​the second display unit to display the message (H).

7. Display device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first display unit (AE1) uses an E-Ink technology to display the message (H).

8. Display device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the voltage supply (S) of the first display unit is an additional low-voltage supply, such as a battery or a capacitor.

9. Display device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first display unit (AE1) displays the message (H) in the event of a crash, wherein the bus signal (BS) is a crash signal.

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