In-Vehicle Timing Controller Sub Image Generator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional timing controllers in image display systems cannot display real-time information, such as vehicle speed, during an undisplayable state or when the link between the timing controller and graphic controller is disconnected, limiting the presentation of critical information to drivers.

Innovation Solution

An in-vehicle timing controller with a sub image generator that uses vehicle signals, such as speed or battery voltage, to create sub image data, allowing for the display of real-time information on the panel, even in abnormal states, by integrating a main input interface, image processing circuit, and an abnormality detector, and utilizing segment-type characters to reduce memory requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the timing controller uses a conventional failsafe display pattern, then the display panel can show information in an undisplayable state, but the information displayed is predetermined and cannot present real-time vehicle information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay availability in undisplayable stateVSAvoidability to display real-time information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image data processing by separating it into two independent sources: main image data from the graphic controller and sub image data from the vehicle signal. The timing controller can independently process and display sub image data (such as vehicle speed) even when the main image data path is unavailable, thus providing real-time information while maintaining display availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The timing controller is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both a main input interface for graphic controller data and a sub input interface for vehicle signals. This allows the same display panel to serve dual purposes: displaying general graphical interfaces when available and showing critical real-time vehicle information when the graphic controller connection fails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the timing controller receives image data only from the graphic controller, then the display shows graphical interfaces, but no real-time vehicle information can be displayed during link disconnection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay content flexibilityVSAvoidinformation availability during failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The timing controller is pre-configured with a sub input interface and sub image generator capability that can immediately activate when the main input interface fails. Vehicle signal processing circuits are already in place and can generate sub image data without requiring system reconfiguration, enabling immediate display of real-time vehicle information upon link disconnection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary sub image generation path that acts as a backup mediator between vehicle signals and the display panel. When the main graphic controller path is unavailable, this intermediary path becomes active, translating vehicle signals into displayable image data and ensuring continuous information availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the timing controller integrates sub image generation capability, then real-time information can be displayed in undisplayable states, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay functionality during abnormal stateVSAvoidtiming controller structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sub image generation functionality directly into the timing controller's existing image processing architecture. The sub input interface, sub image generator, and image processing circuit are integrated within the same device, allowing shared resources such as processing circuits and display output pathways, thereby reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate backup systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The timing controller's image processing circuit is designed with universality to handle both main image data from the graphic controller and sub image data from vehicle signals through the same processing and output pathways. This multi-functional design avoids duplicating entire processing chains, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to display real-time information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11186294B2In-vehicle timing controller and vehicle using the same

Publication Date: 2021.11.30 ROHM CO LTD

AI summary

There is provided an in-vehicle timing controller, which includes a main input interface configured to receive input image data from an image processor, an input pin configured to receive a vehicle signal indicating a state of a vehicle from the vehicle, a sub image generator configured to generate sub image data based on the vehicle signal, and an image processing circuit configured to generate output image data to be displayed on a display panel based on at least one of the input image data and the sub image data.