Electronic display assembly

A display assembly includes an LCD that is transparent and has a viewing area and a blocked area which are reconfigurable. The display assembly includes a self-emissive display that is also transparent and extends along and in front of the LCD. A graphics processing unit is coupled with and controls the LCD and the self-emissive display. The LCD is controlled to allow light through the viewing area and the blocked area while the self-emissive display is off in a full analog mode. The LCD is controlled to block light through the viewing area and the blocked area while the self-emissive display is controlled to display an image in a full digital mode. Additionally, the LCD is controlled to allow light through the viewing area and block light through the blocked area while the self-emissive display is controlled to display an image in a hybrid mode.

BACKGROUND

Conventional instrument clusters used in vehicles today commonly include analog gauges (i.e. a gauge motor moves a pointer or needle) to convey information or a characteristic of the vehicle such as the speed of the vehicle. Instrument clusters may also include electronic or digital displays which can be used to display additional information or characteristics in the form of text or graphics (e.g. warning messages). Because instrument clusters are increasingly display a myriad of information, it may be desirable to employ reconfigurable displays that, for example, are capable of showing navigation information in one instance and showing vehicle diagnostic information in another instance.

While electronic displays are advantageous in instrument clusters, it is still beneficial for a vehicle driver to be able to monitor characteristics of the vehicle in which the instantaneous value and rate of change are both important. These characteristics include, but are not limited to vehicle speed and engine RPM. Although digital displays can recreate what a mechanical gauge looks like, many vehicle buyers still prefer to see mechanical gauges. Therefore, display assemblies used in instrument clusters may include transparent displays or combinations of analog gauges and electronic displays. Other uses of such display assemblies having transparent displays include gaming machines, which also may include features or objects located behind the display.

In one example, the display assembly includes a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) that is transparent. A self-emissive display that is also transparent is disposed adjacent to the LCD. A graphics processing unit is used to control the LCD and the self-emissive display. Features or objects are disposed behind the LCD and may be selectively viewed or blocked.

SUMMARY

A display assembly and a system for managing the display assembly are provided. The display assembly includes an LCD that is transparent. The display assembly further includes a self-emissive display that is also transparent and is disposed adjacent to the LCD. A graphics processing unit is used to control the LCD and the self-emissive display. The LCD has a viewing area and a blocked area which are reconfigurable. The self-emissive display extends along and in front of the LCD. The graphics processing unit is coupled with the LCD to control the LCD to selectively allow light to pass through the viewing area while selectively blocking light from passing through the blocked area as the display assembly operates. The graphics processing unit is also coupled with the self-emissive display to control the self-emissive display to selectively display an image or video as the display assembly operates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Display assemblies used for vehicles commonly include electronic or digital displays to display information such as warnings or navigation information. Digital displays used in instrument clusters may also be used to mimic a mechanical gauge to display engine speed or vehicle speed. Since many vehicle buyers still prefer to see mechanical gauges, digital displays may be used in conjunction with mechanical gauges. Alternatively, transparent displays may be placed in front of mechanical gauges.

Currently available transparent displays conventionally maintain a transparent state or emit light. As used in an instrument cluster or otherwise, these display assemblies perform a function of selective backlighting. Such display assemblies do not dynamically allow variable portions of the area behind the display to be viewed while others are blocked. Instead, they either backlight and block an entire area or remain transparent over the entire area.

Other currently available display assemblies may include objects or features located in the background behind a display. These display assemblies may have the capability of blocking the features or objects so that only the contents of the display are visible, however the background is flood lit with white light. As a result of using flood lighting, however, it is often difficult to convey craftsmanship in the display assembly. Therefore, there remains a need for a display assembly that can dynamically enable variable portions of the area behind the entire display to be viewed while other portions are blocked without using flood lighting.

The vehicle24may include a plurality of vehicle systems34. The plurality of vehicle systems34may include systems20such as, but not limited to a lighting system36, a speed gauge system38, a revolution-per-minute system40, a fuel gauge system42, a clock system44, a transmission system46, and an audio system48. It should be appreciated that any sort of system20that indicates information or a characteristic associated with vehicle24may be included as one of the plurality of vehicle systems34.

The mode decider module26determines a mode of the display assembly22. As explained further in this disclosure, the display assembly22may be either in a full analog mode, a full digital mode, or a hybrid mode. The mode decider module26may be configured to decide the mode through various techniques. For example, if the display assembly22is to operate in a specific mode, the mode decider module26may receive a signal indicating the specific mode from the other modules28,30,32or from vehicle systems34of the vehicle24. Alternatively, the mode decider module26may be configured to detect a mode change based on a mechanical or digital indication from the operator of the vehicle24.

The information interfacing module28interfaces with the above-listed vehicle systems34of vehicle24. The information sourced from the information interfacing module28may be provided via digital display or mechanical gauges directed to the plurality of vehicle systems34. The frequency of how often the vehicle systems34are monitored may be determined by an implementation of the system20.

The light and gauge control module30controls the lighting of the display assembly22, including any backlighting or indicator lights. The light and gauge control module30also manages movement of the mechanical gauges based on the information from the vehicle systems34and received by the information interfacing module28.

The display driving module32serves to drive the display assembly22with appropriate signals from the mode decider module26and the information interfacing module28. The display driving module32may be any sort of control circuitry employed to selectively alter the display of the display assembly22. The display driving module32may be implemented in a way so that a physical image is displayed on the display assembly22.

InFIG. 2, the display assembly22of one embodiment is shown. The display assembly22includes an LCD50that is transparent. The display assembly22further includes a self-emissive display52that is also transparent and is disposed adjacent to the LCD50. A graphics processing unit54is used to control the LCD50and the self-emissive display52. The graphics processing unit54includes a first display driver56and a second display driver58. An interface processor60is coupled with the graphics processing unit54to operate the display assembly22. A gauge motor62is electrically connected to the interface processor60. A pointer LED64is also electrically connected to and controlled by the interface processor60.

Each of the above-identified vehicle systems34of the vehicle24may interface with a device, incorporating certain of the aspects associated with the interface processor60. More specifically, the mode decider module26, information interfacing module28, light and gauge control module30, and display driving module32of the system20may be associated with the interface processor60. The interface processor60may be configured to communicate on various bus or networking arrangements used such as, but not limited to Ethernet, CAN, etc. The interface processor60may therefore facilitate communication of information that may be displayed on the display assembly22, or alternatively information that may be shown with objects or features (e.g. mechanical gauges) disposed behind the display. Additionally, the interface processor60may store a current mode associated with the system20or operation associated with each respective vehicle system34. Additionally, the communication with each of the vehicle systems34may be bi-directional, and may be controlled by an input from the operator of the vehicle24.

The interface processor60is adapted to execute computer program modules26,28,30,32for providing functionality described herein. As used herein, the term “module” refers to computer program logic used to provide the specified functionality. Thus, a module can be implemented in hardware, firmware, and/or software. Although, program modules26,28,30,32are stored and executed on the interface processor60in one embodiment, it should be appreciated that the described functionality may be carried out by alternative techniques or mechanisms.

As shown inFIG. 3, the display assembly22of one embodiment is an instrument cluster for a vehicle24and includes a housing66with a backplate68, and pair of sides that extend transversely from the backplate68. The housing66also includes a top70and a bottom72each extending transversely from the backplate68and attached to and extending between the sides. The backplate68and the sides and the top70and the bottom72of the housing66define a cavity74and an opening76. It should be understood that other embodiments of the display assembly22may include other housing66configurations or may not include a housing66at all.

A printed circuit board78is disposed in the cavity74. The printed circuit board78is attached to and extends substantially parallel to the backplate68between the top70and the bottom72and between the sides. The printed circuit board78includes a main wiring connector (not shown) for power and communication with other electronic devices, such as the vehicle systems34. The printed circuit board78also includes a first graphics connector80and a second graphics connector82. However, it should be appreciated that other embodiments may include other structures and arrangements used to electrically interconnect parts of the display assembly22.

The interface processor60(not shown inFIG. 3) is attached to the printed circuit board78and is electrically connected to the main wiring connector to operate the display assembly22and to communicate with the vehicle systems34. For example, the revolutions-per-minute system20could be an engine controller which could communicate the current engine revolutions-per-minute (RPM) to the system20which then manages the display assembly22through the display driver module to display speed of the vehicle24on the display assembly22. Likewise, the speed gauge system38could be an anti-lock braking controller which could communicate vehicle speed obtained from wheel speed sensors to the system20which then manages the display assembly22using the display driver module to display the speed of the vehicle24on the display assembly22. Although an embodiment of the display assembly22includes an interface processor60, it should be understood that the display assembly22may function without an interface processor60or by utilizing a processor coupled to the display assembly22, but disposed remotely.

The gauge motor62is attached to the printed circuit board78and is electrically connected to the interface processor60. The gauge motor62defines an aperture84disposed centrally. The gauge motor62includes a shaft86disposed in the aperture84and extending out of the aperture84. The shaft86of the gauge motor62extends away from the printed circuit board78and the gauge motor62and rotates about an axis as the gauge motor62is driven. A pointer88is attached to and extends radially from the shaft86of the gauge motor62to rotate about the axis as the shaft86is rotated. The pointer LED64is attached to the printed circuit board78and extends from the printed circuit board78into the aperture84of the gauge motor62.

An applique90is disposed in a spaced relationship to the printed circuit board78and extends substantially parallel to the printed circuit board78between the top70and the bottom72and between the sides and defines at least one orifice92. The shaft86of the gauge motor62extends through the orifice92. In an embodiment, the applique90may include printing or graphics to label various features or objects used in the display assembly22. For example, an applique90may be used in a vehicle24instrument cluster to label markings to indicate what speed is indicated by the pointer88.

The LCD50of the display assembly22is transparent as described above. The LCD50of one embodiment of the display assembly22is of the monochrome thin film transistor type, however it should be understood that other types of LCDs may be used. The LCD50is disposed in a spaced relationship to the applique90and extends substantially parallel to the applique90between the top70and the bottom72and between the sides of the housing66.

As mentioned, the display assembly22further includes a self-emissive display52that is transparent. The self-emissive display52is disposed adjacent to and extends along and in front of the LCD50between the top70and the bottom72and between the sides of the housing66. Self-emissive displays52are suitable to this type of application since they generate their own light and there is no need to light the area behind the self-emissive display52with light. The self-emissive display52may be of the type such as, but not limited to electroluminescent, Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED), or Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode (AMOLED) types.

The display driving module32may interface with a device, incorporating certain of the aspects associated with the graphics processing unit54. The graphics processing unit54is attached to the printed circuit board78and is electrically connected to the interface processor60. The first display driver56of the graphics processing unit54is electrically connected to the first graphics connector80and the second display driver58of the graphics processing unit54is electrically connected to the second graphics connector82.

The electrical connection between the printed circuit board78and LCD50is accomplished with a first display cable94extending between and electrically interconnecting the first graphics connector80of the printed circuit board78and the LCD50. Likewise, a second display cable96extends between and is electrically connected to the second graphics connector82of the printed circuit board78and the self-emissive display52.

A mask98is also attached to the sides and top70and bottom72of the housing66. The mask98includes a flange extending transversely and abutting the self-emissive display52. A lens100is attached to the mask98and extending over the opening76to protect the self-emissive display52and the LCD50and printed circuit board78. As with the housing66, printed circuit board78, and interface processor60, it should be appreciated that other embodiments of the display assembly22may not include masks98or lenses100.

As shown inFIG. 4, the LCD50has a viewing area102and a blocked area104. The viewing area102and the blocked area104are reconfigurable. In other words, the viewing area102and the blocked area104may comprise any proportion or amount of the entire area of the LCD50at any given time. The display driving module32of the system20may manage the graphics processing unit54to control the LCD50. As described above, the graphics processing unit54is coupled with the LCD50to control the LCD50to selectively allow light to pass through the viewing area102while selectively blocking light from passing through the blocked area104as the display assembly22operates. Similarly, the graphics processing unit54is also coupled with the self-emissive display52to control the self-emissive display52to selectively display an image or video as the display assembly22operates.

More specifically, the graphics processing unit54is electrically connected to the LCD50control the LCD50to allow light to pass through the viewing area102and the blocked area104in the full analog mode. The graphics processing unit54is also electrically connected to the self-emissive display52to control the self-emissive display52to be off as the display assembly22operates in the full analog mode. Whether the display assembly22operates in the full analog mode, the full digital mode, or the hybrid mode is determined by the mode decider module26of the system20. Because the graphics processing unit54is electrically connected to the LCD50and self-emissive display52, it controls the LCD50to block light through the viewing area102and the blocked area104while controlling the self-emissive display52to display an image or video as the display assembly22operates in the full digital mode. Additionally, the graphics processing unit54controls the LCD50to allow light to pass through the viewing area102and block light through the blocked area104while controlling the self-emissive display52to display an image or video as the display assembly22operates in the hybrid mode. It should be appreciated that the LCD50and self-emissive display52may be controlled using another device configured to drive the displays or using a graphics processing unit54using different arrangement of display drivers56,58. Alternatively, the graphics processing unit54may be in communication with the display driving module32, while being disposed in a separate device.

The pointer LED64is controlled by the interface processor60to be on as the display assembly22operates in the full analog mode and in the hybrid mode and to be off as the display assembly22operates in the full digital mode. The brightness of the pointer LED64may be affected by the signals from lighting system36of the vehicle24as received by the information interfacing module28(e.g. if the driver of the vehicle24adjusts the brightness of the cabin lights). Thus, the light and gauge control module30may control the pointer LED64in response to these signals.

In operation, the mode of the display assembly22is determined by the mode decider module26. The display driver module then manages the LCD50and self-emissive display52through the display drivers56,58of the graphics processing unit54according to the current mode. Various information from the plurality of vehicle systems34associated with vehicle24is received using the information interfacing module28. The information about the status of the vehicle24may be updated in real-time. The display driver module manage the LCD50and self-emissive display52to display this information accordingly. The light and gauge control module30also manages the pointer LED64and gauge motor62to move the pointer88to correspond with the information received.

In most instances, transparent self-emissive displays52do not block light coming from behind them. As shown inFIG. 5, the self-emissive display52of the display assembly22is disposed adjacent to and extends along and in front of the LCD50, so that the LCD50is disposed between the self-emissive display52and the gauge motor62and pointer88. This means that the LCD50may act as a dynamic shutter allowing the gauge motor62and pointer88to be seen where desired, but may be blocked or concealed as well. The LCD50can provide an unlit black background for the self-emissive display52in just the blocked area104of the LCD50, or in both the blocked area104and in the viewable area. Therefore, as an example, the speedometer pointer88or portion thereof of an instrument cluster may be visible during the full analog mode or hybrid mode, but then, may be completely concealed or blocked to display navigation information on the self-emissive display52. Other examples of use include gaming machines (e.g. slot machine) that may for example have a rotary reel disposed behind the self-emissive display52and the LCD50.

The display assembly22may also be easily reconfigured as desired using the system20. As one example, a manufacturer could make one instrument cluster to be used in multiple countries. The self-emissive display52could easily change the unit markings around a mechanical gauge from miles per hour (mph) to kilometers per hour (kph) if the instrument cluster is configured to be used in countries that use that unit of measure. The display driving module32of the system20could change for example what is displayed in response to messages received through the information interfacing module28. Likewise, a single display assembly22could be reconfigured using the system20to be used as an instrument cluster for example in either a sports car or a utilitarian car. The sports car may utilize a tachometer being centrally viewable in the instrument cluster, whereas the utilitarian car may just include a centrally viewable speedometer and no tachometer. In each case, the LCD50and the self-emissive display52could be controlled by the system20through the display driving module32as desired.

Several advantages of one or more aspects of the display assembly22that is disclosed are that it provides a visually pleasing technique of conveying information while at the same time displaying objects or features behind a display. The disclosed display assembly does not flood the background behind the display with white light in order to block objects or features behind the display. The display assembly22also dynamically allows variable portions of the area behind the display to be viewed while others are blocked rather than simply blocking an entire portion of the area behind the display by backlighting the area or alternatively remaining transparent over the entire display. Therefore, the display may be easily customized for a desired application.

The interface processor60for example may include a processor (CPU) and a system bus that couples various system components including a system memory such as read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM), to the processor. Other system memory may be available for use as well. The interface processor60may include more than one processor or a group or cluster of computing systems networked together to provide greater processing capability. The system bus may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. A basic input/output (BIOS) stored in the ROM or the like, may provide basic routines that help to transfer information, such as during start-up. The interface processor60further includes data stores. The data stores may be embodied in many forms, such as a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disk drive, tape drive, or another type of computer readable media which can store data that are accessible by the processor, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, cartridges, random access memories (RAMs) and, read only memory (ROM). The data stores provide nonvolatile storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules26,28,30,32and other data for the computing system.

Embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the herein disclosed structures and their equivalents. Some embodiments can be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules26,28,30,32of computer program instructions, encoded on a tangible computer storage medium for execution by one or more processors. A computer storage medium can be, or can be included in, a computer-readable storage device, a computer-readable storage substrate, or a random or serial access memory. The computer storage medium can also be, or can be included in, one or more separate tangible components or media such as multiple CDs, disks, or other storage devices. The computer storage medium does not include a transitory signal.

As used herein, the term processor encompasses all kinds of apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, a computer, a system on a chip, or multiple ones, or combinations, of the foregoing. The processor can include special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). The processor also can include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, a cross-platform runtime environment, a virtual machine, or a combination of one or more of them.

A computer program (also known as a program, module, engine, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative or procedural languages, and the program can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules26,28,30,32, sub-programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

Obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the appended claims. These antecedent recitations should be interpreted to cover any combination in which the inventive novelty exercises its utility. In addition, the reference numerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are not to be read in any way as limiting.