Configurable display system with an adjustable transparent flexible screen, having a sunshade and augmented reality function

Abstract

The present invention relates to a configurable display system (12) which is on board a vehicle and comprises a frame, a screen (123) and an electronic circuit configured to control a display of graphical content on a display surface (S) of the screen. The frame comprises an upper structure (120), a lower structure (121) mounted in translation relative to the upper structure along an axis of translation (AT), and at least one extendable connecting member (122) connecting the two structures. The display surface is located between a first edge (A1) secured to the upper structure and an intermediate portion (123I) in contact with the lower structure, the display surface extending in a plane parallel to the axis of translation over a height (h) that is variable according to a distance separating the upper structure from the lower structure. This system, which is combined with an infotainment system, also enables an augmented reality and / or sunshade function.

Description

DESCRIPTION Title: Configurable display system with adjustable transparent flexible screen, i-sun function, and reality technical field

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2503254 filed on March 28, 2025, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The invention relates to display systems comprising a screen and sun protection devices integrated into a vehicle, particularly but not exclusively a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a human-machine interface associated with a configurable instrument cluster for a vehicle. Technological background

[0003] Modern vehicles typically feature an instrument cluster mounted on a dashboard in front of the steering wheel. This cluster is configured to display information for the driver, such as vehicle speed, engine RPM, fuel or electrical power consumption, and warning lights to indicate the status of various onboard systems.

[0004] In addition to this, there are one or more screens, often touch-sensitive, allowing access to other functions, for example comfort functions with the management of an air conditioning system and / or lighting settings and / or access to an infotainment system, known as an IVI system (from the English "In Vehicle Infotainment").

[0005] The IVI system is useful, for example, for broadcasting videos when the vehicle is stationary or when the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle that does not require the vigilance or supervision of a driver.

[0006] Therefore, screen and display area requirements differ depending on how the vehicle is used. For example, when the driver is driving, they need access to information about the vehicle's dynamics, such as speed, energy consumption, remaining energy or fuel level, and speed limit information. On the other hand, when the vehicle is parked or in autonomous driving mode, the driver is no longer focused on driving and is therefore available to use the IVI system and, for example, watch a video, preferably on the largest possible screen.

[0007] Regardless of the aforementioned problems, drivers are regularly bothered by the sun, especially when driving towards it. The sun's rays dazzle the driver, who then needs to use a sun visor to block it out. The position of the sun visor depends on the sun's position relative to the vehicle, and when the driver is on a winding road, this position changes significantly and rapidly. Therefore, the driver must frequently adjust the position of the sun visor as the vehicle changes direction, or choose to cover a larger area with it, thus reducing the driver's field of vision. Summary of the present invention

[0008] One object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0009] One object of the present invention is to improve the integration of a screen in a vehicle interior so as to offer more visible surface area without hindering the integration of peripheral components.

[0010] Yet another object of the invention is to propose a solution for improving a sun visor.

[0011] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a configurable display system embedded in a vehicle, said display system comprising: - a variable geometry frame comprising: • a top reinforcement extending along a longitudinal direction, • a lower reinforcement mounted in translation relative to the upper reinforcement along an axis of translation normal to the longitudinal direction, and • at least one connecting element linking the upper reinforcement to the lower reinforcement, at least one connecting element being extensible along the axis of translation, - a rectangular screen of predetermined width, comprising a display area between a first edge of the screen and an intermediate part of the screen, said first edge being arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction and integral with the upper frame, and said intermediate part being in contact with the lower frame on a surface of the lower frame extending parallel to the longitudinal direction, the display area being contained in a foreground and extending from the first edge along the axis of translation over a variable height depending on the distance separating the upper frame from the lower frame, and - an electronic circuit configured to control the display of graphic content on said display surface.

[0012] Such a configurable display system allows for a screen with a variable display area, enabling the display of more or less dense graphic content and varying amounts of information. This display system is configurable to adapt to different modes of use or applications. With its simple kinematics, this display system is reliable and easy to manufacture. Furthermore, it does not require a large integration footprint, thus maximizing the available space in a vehicle interior and / or integrating easily into particularly dense environments.

[0013] According to one variant, at least one connecting element comprises a set of telescopic rods extending parallel to the axis of translation and configured to guide the lower reinforcement in translation relative to the upper reinforcement.

[0014] According to another variant, at least one connecting element includes a cylinder having the axis of translation and configured to guide the lower frame in translation relative to the upper frame, a body of the cylinder being integral with the upper structure and a rod of the cylinder being integral with the lower structure.

[0015] According to a further variant, the cylinder is an electric cylinder.

[0016] According to yet another variant, the screen is a flexible screen, the middle part of the screen partially wrapping the lower frame and another part of the screen, complementary to the display surface and the middle part of the screen, being included in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

[0017] According to yet another variant, the screen is a flexible screen and the lower frame includes a cylindrical part extending along an axis of revolution parallel to the longitudinal direction and free to rotate around the axis of revolution, the intermediate part of the screen being wrapped around the lower frame.

[0018] According to a further variant, the screen is a folding screen, the middle part of the screen comprising a set of accordion-folded flaps, the set of flaps being juxtaposed to the surface of the lower frame.

[0019] According to one variant, the display system further includes a camera configured to acquire images of an environment of the display system and for which the screen is transparent, the graphic content being generated according to the images acquired by the camera.

[0020] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle comprising a display system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the display system being fixed to a roof of the vehicle by means of an intermediate element.

[0021] According to one variant, the vehicle further includes means configured to determine a position of the sun relative to the vehicle, and for which the screen includes pixels of variable opacity, an opacity associated with pixels of the screen being determined according to the position of the sun relative to the vehicle. Brief description of the figures

[0022] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the specific and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 8, in which:

[0023] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates part of a vehicle's passenger compartment with a display system in a first configuration, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates part of a vehicle's passenger compartment with a display system in a second configuration, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates part of a vehicle's passenger compartment with a display system in a third configuration, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] [Fig. 4] schematically illustrates part of a vehicle's passenger compartment with a display system in a fourth configuration, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] [Fig. 5] schematically illustrates elements of the display system of figure 1 seen from a first point of view and in section from a second point of view, according to a first particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] [Fig. 6] schematically illustrates elements of the display system of figure 1 seen from the first point of view, according to a second particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] [Fig. 7] schematically illustrates elements of the display system of Figure 1 viewed from the first point of view, according to a third particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention; and

[0030] [Fig. 8] schematically illustrates part of a vehicle's passenger compartment with a display system in the second configuration and receiving sunlight, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of achievements

[0031] A display system and a vehicle comprising such a display system will now be described in what follows with joint reference to Figures 1 to 8. The same elements are identified with the same reference symbols throughout the description that follows.

[0032] The terms "first," "second" (or "firsts," "seconds"), etc., are used in this document by arbitrary convention to identify and distinguish different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0033] Figures 1 to 4 schematically illustrate part of a vehicle 10 passenger compartment incorporating a display system, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Vehicle 10, equipped with display system 12, corresponds to a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, an electric motor(s), or a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. The vehicle thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle such as a car, a truck, a bus, or a motorcycle. Finally, the vehicle corresponds to an autonomous or non-autonomous vehicle, that is, a vehicle operating according to a predetermined level of autonomy or under the full supervision of the driver.

[0035] According to the specific embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, such a display system is arranged on the roof 15 of the vehicle 10 so as to be positioned within the driver's field of vision when used to display graphic content to the driver. This arrangement makes it possible, for example, to eliminate the need for an instrument cluster mounted on the dashboard 11, for example behind the steering wheel 13, thus freeing up space in the dashboard 11. The dashboard 11 is therefore uncluttered, and the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10 has more volume.

[0036] According to one particular embodiment, vehicle 10 incorporates some of the following embedded systems: • one or more Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) configured to assist a driver, • an infotainment system (IVI) combined with comfort features such as air conditioning, music and / or audio content playback, or the display of graphic content on one or more screens associated with the IVI, • a navigation and geolocation system, also called a GNSS (Geolocation and Navigation by a Satellite System) system, for example a GPS type system (from the English "Global Positioning System" or in French "Système de géo-positionnement par satellites").

[0037] According to this particular embodiment, each of these embedded systems is controlled by one or more computers. These computers form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for providing various services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or passengers in controlling the vehicle 10 via the control of the embedded system(s) in the vehicle 10.Computers communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a CAN data bus (from the English "Controller Area Network" or in French "Réseau de contrôlers"), CAN FD (from the English "Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate" or in French "Réseau de contrôlers à débit de données flexible"), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard), LIN (from the English "Local Interconnect Network" or in French "Réseau interconnecté local") or Ethernet (according to the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0038] The display system 12 includes a digital screen 123, for example touchscreen, and is configured to interact with one or more of these vehicle-mounted systems 10, for example via the IVI system.

[0039] Thus, screen 123 allows you to display: - a selected speed or driving mode, and / or - a vehicle speed of 10, and / or - a distance travelled by the vehicle 10, and / or - an engine speed, also called a "rev counter", and / or - instantaneous electrical power consumption, and / or - a level of remaining fuel or energy, and / or - autonomy, and / or - information about an audio program currently being broadcast, and / or - mapping and guidance information, and / or - weather information, and / or - a video.

[0040] The display 123 of the display system 12 is configured to display different types of this information in configurable display modes, also called configurations. The display system 12 is configured to offer different configurations, each with a different area of ​​the display surface S of the display 123.

[0041] For example, a first display mode or configuration (Figure 1) corresponds to sporty driving, for example, on a racetrack. The driver of vehicle 10 then needs access to a limited amount of information, for example, the engine speed and vehicle speed, and does not need access to comfort or infotainment information. Therefore, a large display area is not required. The visible area of ​​the digital screen is then minimal. The digital screen is then positioned in front of the driver, for example, behind the steering wheel.

[0042] A second display mode or configuration (Figure 2) corresponds to driving under normal conditions. The driver of vehicle 10 then needs access to information such as engine speed and vehicle speed, as well as speed limits, guidance data, comfort information, and infotainment. Therefore, the display area S must be larger than that available in the first configuration. The display area S is thus increased by extending further, for example, by lowering it from the roof 15 and thus occupying a larger portion of the driver's field of vision.

[0043] A third display mode or third configuration (figure 3) corresponds to a use not requiring the screen 123 or the display system 12, the display system is then folded against the roof 15 of the vehicle to disappear from the driver's field of vision of the vehicle 10.

[0044] A fourth display mode or configuration (Figure 4) corresponds to a use that does not require the screen 123 but does require the use of the display system 12, for example, to block out the sun to prevent the driver of the vehicle 10 from being dazzled by sunlight. The display system 12 is then oriented relative to the roof 15, for example, rotated around a pivot axis A P approximately vertical, to block a side window, which in this example corresponds to the driver's door window.

[0045] Obviously, the invention is not limited to a display system 12 arranged on the roof 15 in front of the driver of the vehicle 10, but extends to a display system arranged in front of a passenger of the vehicle 10, and arranged on the roof 15 but also on a vertical pillar of the vehicle 10 or on another fixed part of the passenger compartment so as to allow the display system screen to be arranged in the field of vision of any occupant of the vehicle 10.

[0046] Figures 5 to 7 illustrate various specific and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. Thus, these figures 5 to 7 are representative of elements of the display system 12 shown opposite Figures 1 to 4.

[0047] Figure 5 schematically illustrates elements of the display system 12 seen laterally (left part of figure 5) and in section along a section AA (right part of figure 5), according to a first particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 6 schematically illustrates elements of the display system 12 seen laterally, according to a second particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 7 schematically illustrates elements of the display system 12 seen laterally, according to a third particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] The display system 12 includes a variable geometry frame to support its various constituent elements. This frame comprises an upper frame 120 extending along a longitudinal direction AL, and a lower frame 121 mounted in translation relative to the upper frame 120 along a translational axis A. T normal to the longitudinal direction AL, and a connecting member 122 linking the upper reinforcement 120 to the lower reinforcement 121, this connecting member 122 being extensible along said axis of translation A T .

[0051] The upper frame 120 is, for example, a profile configured to cooperate either directly with an element of the vehicle 10 to which it is attached, or indirectly via an intermediate element connecting it to the vehicle 10.

[0052] According to a particular embodiment, the intermediate element 151 is mounted on a fixed element of the vehicle 10 so as to be rotatable relative to the vehicle in all directions and comprises, for this purpose, a ball joint or spherical portion, which is inserted into a similarly spherical housing with a diameter almost equal to the diameter of the ball joint of the intermediate element 151. The upper frame 120 is then free to rotate in all directions relative to the vehicle 10, for example, relative to the roof 15 if the housing is located in the roof 15. Optionally, the upper frame 120 comprises a cylindrical portion fitted into the intermediate element 151 so as to allow rotation of the upper frame 120, and thus of the display system 12, relative to the intermediate element 151. The cylindrical portion of the upper frame 120 extends, for example, along the longitudinal direction A Lof the upper reinforcement 120, making it free to rotate relative to the intermediate element around the longitudinal direction A L The display system is then tiltable relative to the intermediate element 151 and therefore relative to the roof 15. In addition, the ball joint allows the display system 12 to be freely oriented in all directions, thus offering an infinite number of adjustments to the position of the display system 12 in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10.

[0053] The lower reinforcement 121 is distinct from the upper reinforcement 120 and comprises an external surface extending parallel to the longitudinal direction A L. It is for example made using a profile, and is connected to the upper reinforcement by means of the connecting member 122. The connecting member 122 is then configured to adjust a distance between the upper reinforcement 120 and the lower reinforcement 121 and to maintain this distance once the relative position of the lower reinforcement 121 with respect to that of the upper reinforcement 120 has been adjusted.

[0054] According to a particular embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, such a connecting member 122 comprises a set of telescopic rods extending parallel to the translation axis A Tand configured to guide the lower reinforcement 121 in translation relative to the upper reinforcement 120. The telescopic rods interlock, guided by the sliding of their outer surface against the inner surface of a cylindrical housing. The extension length of the connecting element is defined, for example, by the number of telescopic rods and their respective lengths. This technical solution allows for a large extension length while maintaining a very short connecting element when all the telescopic rods are retracted, i.e., retracted into their circular housings. One end of the connecting element 122 is then fixed to the upper reinforcement 120, and a second end of the connecting element, opposite the first end, is fixed to the lower reinforcement 121.The guidance of each of the telescopic rods allows them to be kept coaxial along a translation axis A. T , the translation axis A T being normal to the longitudinal direction A previously defined. Thus, the lower reinforcement 121 is movable in translation along the axis of translation A T relative to the upper frame 120. According to a particular embodiment, means for locking the telescopic rods against rotation relative to each other around the axis of translation A TFor example, they are added to prevent the lower reinforcement 121 from rotating relative to the upper reinforcement 120. According to another specific embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the frame comprises two connecting members 122 arranged side by side or translated relative to each other along the longitudinal direction AL. These two connecting members 122 thus both allow the lower reinforcement 121 to be guided in translation relative to the upper reinforcement 120, preventing any rotation of the lower reinforcement 121 relative to the upper reinforcement 120. Furthermore, the lower reinforcement 121 is guided in translation along the translation axis A T is more precise, the bending of each connecting element 122 is reduced and any phenomenon of buttressing is prevented.

[0055] According to another specific embodiment (not illustrated), such a connecting element 122 comprises a cylinder having as its axis the translation axis A Tand configured to guide the lower frame 121 in translation relative to the upper frame 120, a body of the cylinder being fixed to the upper structure 120 and a rod of the cylinder being fixed to the lower structure 121. Optionally, this cylinder is electrically actuated, for example according to an order received from a computer and defined via a human-machine interface or via parameters associated with driving modes.

[0056] According to yet another particular embodiment (not illustrated), such a connecting member 122 comprises a cross brace, for example made using two connecting rods of the same length linked together at their center by a pivot-type connection, the two connecting rods extending in the same plane normal to the axis of the pivot. Each connecting rod is, for example, connected at one of its ends to the upper reinforcement 120 and at the other end to the lower reinforcement 121 by means of a sliding connection; for example, each connecting rod includes at its end a lug that fits into a rail fixed to the upper reinforcement 120 or the lower reinforcement 121, the rail extending along the longitudinal direction A.

[0057] The display system 12 also includes a rectangular screen 123 of predetermined width L. The screen 123 is mounted on the frame and configured so that part of its surface is used as a display area S.

[0058] A first edge Ai of the screen 123 is arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction A and is integral with the upper reinforcement 120. In other words, a portion of the screen 123, including one of its lateral edges, is fixed to the upper reinforcement 120 and is therefore fixed relative to the latter. The screen 123 then comes into contact with an external surface of the lower reinforcement 121; an intermediate portion 123i of the screen 123 is thus in contact with the lower reinforcement 121 on a surface of the lower reinforcement extending parallel to the longitudinal direction A. It is the part of the screen 123, called the first part, between the first edge Ai and the intermediate part 123i, this first part being included in a foreground, which is then used as a display surface S, that is to say to display graphic content, the rest of the screen 123 not being used to display graphic content.The intermediate section 123i thus defines a boundary between the first section, comprising the display area S, and a second section comprising an area of ​​the screen 123 not used to display graphic content. Note that the area of ​​the intermediate section is included within the display area S or within the unused area, or may even be partially included within each of these areas.

[0059] The size of this display surface S, and more specifically its height h, depends on the distance between the upper frame 120 and the lower frame 121. Thus, the height h of the display surface S is minimal when the connecting member is retracted, maximal when the connecting member is deployed, and can be adjusted to set the height h of the display surface S between these two extreme values.

[0060] In order not to obstruct the user's view of the screen 123 and to make only the display surface S visible, the unused part of the screen 123 is masked or hidden.

[0061] For this purpose, according to the first specific embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the screen 123 is a flexible screen. Such a flexible screen 123 is, for example, of the type: • LED (from the English "light-emitting diode"), in other words it includes light-emitting diodes, • Flexible micro LEDs, using microscopic inorganic LEDs as pixels, • OLED (from the English "organic light-emitting diode"), in other words it includes organic light-emitting diodes, • of the FOLED type (from the English "flexible organic light-emitting diode"), in other words flexible with organic light-emitting diodes. Such types of flexible screens do not require backlighting and can therefore be easily integrated and have the advantage of being able to be curved, in particular to be rolled up on themselves or around objects.

[0062] The intermediate section 123i partially encloses the lower frame 121, and another portion of the screen 123, complementary to the display surface S and the intermediate section 123i, lies in a second plane parallel to the first plane. Note that the section plane AA is then the median plane located between the first and second planes. Thus, the intermediate section 123i is the portion of the screen 123 that is folded or partially wrapped around the lower frame 121.The lower frame includes, for example, a cylindrical external surface so that the rear face of the screen 123 easily conforms to this shape and comes into contact with it, the radius of curvature of the external surface being defined according to a minimum radius of curvature that the screen can follow without deteriorating, in particular after several movements of the screen following several changes of configuration, i.e. following several displacements of the lower frame 121 relative to the upper frame 120. In order for the second part to remain taut and for the screen 123 to slide on the external surface of the lower frame 121, tensioning means are arranged, for example, between a second edge A2 of the screen 123, the second edge A2 being opposite the first edge Ai, and the upper frame 120, for example by using tension springs anchored around the second edge A2 in the upper frame 120.Thus, the flexible screen 123 remains taut regardless of the distance separating the upper frame 120 from the lower frame 121. Note that a second height h' of the second part varies antagonistically with the height h of the display surface S, the second height h' increasing when the height h of the display surface decreases and the second height h' decreasing when the height h of the display surface increases.

[0063] According to the second particular embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the screen 123 is also a flexible screen. The intermediate part 123i wraps around the lower frame 121. For this purpose, the lower frame comprises a cylindrical portion or a portion providing a bearing surface for the rear face of the cylindrical screen 123, extending along an axis of revolution A R parallel to the longitudinal direction A and free to rotate about this axis of revolution A R. This rotating cylinder is in particular put under tension, for example by means of a torsion spring anchored in the rotating mobile cylinder and a fixed part of the lower frame 121, so as to tension the screen 123 regardless of the distance separating the upper frame 120 from the lower frame 121. The torsion spring is for example inserted in the cylinder in order to minimize the volume occupied by this tensioning mechanism.

[0064] According to the third specific embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the screen 123 is a folding screen, the intermediate part 123i comprising a set of accordion-folded flaps. This set of flaps is then juxtaposed with the surface of the lower frame 121, which is, for example, flat and configured to receive these overlapping flaps. Thus, the height h of the display surface is defined by a minimum height plus the height of each unfolded flap, that is, each flap aligned in the foreground.

[0065] To control the display of graphic content on the variable-height display surface S, the display system 12 includes an electronic circuit 124 configured to control this display, notably by exchanging information with the vehicle's onboard systems 10, for example, by exchanging information with system I VI. The electronic circuit 124 therefore serves as a human-machine interface (HMI) with the onboard systems and controls the screen 123, that is, it commands the individual pixels of the screen 123 to display specific graphic content. In one particular embodiment, the electronic circuit 124 is attached to the back of the screen 123. The electronic circuit 124 includes, in particular, a processor and memory.The processor is connected to a means of determining the relative position of the lower frame 121 with respect to the upper frame 120 in order to determine the height h of the display surface and thus to control the set of pixels included in the first part of the screen so that they display the expected graphic content.

[0066] One such means of determining the relative position of the lower armature 121 with respect to the upper armature 120 is, for example, an inductive type sensor, a photoelectric sensor, or any sensor known to a person skilled in the art capable of measuring a distance between a few centimeters and several tens of centimeters with an accuracy on the order of a millimeter.

[0067] Such a display system 12 optionally includes an envelope (not shown), corresponding for example to a casing or receptacle receiving the various elements associated with the kinematics of the display system 12 described above and revealing the visible surface S of the screen 123. The envelope is notably of variable height so as to follow the movements of the lower frame 121 and is, for example, made up of two shells, a lower shell attached to the lower frame 121 which slides relative to an upper shell attached to the upper frame 120.

[0068] According to one particular embodiment, the screen 123 is transparent, and the display system further comprises, or is connected to, a camera 17. The camera 17 is configured to acquire images of the environment of the display system 12. Thus, the processor of the electronic circuit 124 receives data representing the images acquired by the camera 17 and is able to determine graphic content that allows a representation of the environment of the display system 12 to be overlaid on the display surface S, as the user would see it if the display system 12 were not present. This makes it possible to mask the non-transparent or opaque parts of the display system 12, for example, the frames 120, 121, and / or a connecting element 122, by representing the environment behind these opaque elements as it would be perceived by the user in their absence.The graphic rendering also makes it possible to make opaque elements of the display system 12 disappear from the user's point of view, the graphic content being generated according to the images acquired by the camera or according to data representative of these images and received from the camera 17.

[0069] In addition, a transparent screen allows the overlay of graphic content enabling augmented reality, that is to say, certain information is displayed as graphic content superimposed on the environment visible through the display surface S. The camera 17 then allows this graphic content to be positioned on the display surface S so that it corresponds to particular elements of the environment, for example detected in the images acquired by the camera 17.

[0070] According to another specific embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, the screen 123 is transparent and comprises pixels with variable opacity, i.e., pixels for which the level of transparency is controlled, for example, by the processor of the electronic circuit 124. The vehicle 10 further comprises means configured to determine the position of the sun relative to itself, i.e., in a reference frame associated with the vehicle 10. Such means include, for example, a geolocation system, which is able to determine the position of the vehicle 10 and the position of the sun based, in particular, on the current day and time. Another means includes, for example, an interior camera 14, configured to acquire images representing the face 99 of an occupant of the vehicle 10, for example, its driver, and measuring the luminance of their face 99, particularly around the eyes, to determine the areas exposed to excessive brightness.An opacity associated with pixels on the screen 123 is then determined based on the relative position of the sun or parts of the face exposed to excessive brightness. This increases the opacity of pixels located between the sun and the user's face 99, thereby reducing the brightness passing through the display surface S and consequently reducing glare for the user. The display system 12 then acts as a sunshade.

[0071] Such a display system allows for a digital screen with variable geometry, elegantly integrated into a vehicle's interior. Its surface area varies according to several predefined configurations, adapting to the graphic content to be displayed and the needs of the vehicle's occupants. This type of mechanism is simple to implement because it is compact and uses familiar mechanical components such as telescopic rods or a hydraulic cylinder and simple guide elements. Furthermore, features such as augmented reality or a sunshade function enhance the user experience and driving comfort.

[0072] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a configurable display system which would include additional secondary elements without going outside the scope of the present invention.

[0073] The present invention also relates to an instrument cluster comprising such a display system.

[0074] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-powered vehicle, comprising the display system previously presented associated, for example, with an infotainment system.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Configurable display system (12) embedded in a vehicle (10), said display system (12) being characterized in that it comprises: - a variable geometry frame comprising: • a top reinforcement (120) extending along a longitudinal direction (A ), • a lower reinforcement (121) mounted in translation relative to the upper reinforcement (120) along an axis of translation (A T ) normal to the longitudinal direction (A), and • at least one connecting member (122) linking the upper reinforcement (120) to the lower reinforcement (121), said at least one connecting member (122) being extensible along said axis of translation (AT), - a rectangular screen (123) of predetermined width (L), comprising a display surface (S) situated between a first edge (Ai) of the screen (123) and an intermediate portion (123i) of the screen (123), said first edge (Ai) being arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction (A) and integral with the upper frame (120), and said intermediate portion (123i) being in contact with the lower frame (121) on a surface of the lower frame extending parallel to the longitudinal direction (A), the display surface (S) being situated in a foreground and extending from the first edge (Ai) along the translation axis (AT) over a height (h) that varies according to a distance separating the upper frame (120) from the lower frame (121), and - an electronic circuit (124) configured to control a display of graphic content on said display surface (S).

2. Display system (12) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one connecting member (122) comprises a set of telescopic rods extending parallel to the axis of translation (A T ) and configured to guide the lower reinforcement (121) in translation relative to the upper reinforcement (120).

3. Display system (12) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one connecting member (122) comprises a cylinder having as its axis the translation axis (A T ) and configured to guide in translation the lower frame (121) relative to the upper frame (120), a body of the cylinder being integral with the upper structure (120) and a rod of the cylinder being integral with the lower structure (121).

4. Display system according to claim 3, wherein said cylinder is an electric cylinder.

5. Display system (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the screen (123) is a flexible screen, the intermediate part (123i) partially enveloping the lower frame (121) and another part of the screen (123), complementary to the display surface (S) and the intermediate part (123i), being included in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

6. Display system (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the screen (123) is a flexible screen and the lower frame comprises a cylindrical portion extending along an axis of revolution (AR) parallel to the longitudinal direction (AL) and free to rotate about said axis of revolution (A R ), the intermediate part (123i) being wrapped around the lower frame (121).

7. Display system (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the screen (123) is a foldable screen, the intermediate part (123i) comprising a set of accordion-folded flaps, said set of flaps being juxtaposed to said surface of the lower frame (121).

8. Display system (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a camera (17) configured to acquire images of an environment of the display system (12) and for which the screen (123) is transparent, said graphic content being generated according to the images acquired by the camera (17).

9. Vehicle (10) comprising a display system (12) according to claim 8, said display system (12) being fixed to a roof of the vehicle (10) by means of an intermediate element (151).

10. Vehicle (10) according to claim 9, further comprising means configured to determine a position of the sun relative to said vehicle (10), and for which the screen (123) comprises pixels of variable opacity, an opacity associated with pixels of the screen (123) being determined as a function of said position of the sun.

Images