Vehicular display system

• US 20020196201A1
• Filed: 01/09/2001
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rosen Products LLC
• Original Assignee: Rosen Products LLC
• Inventors: Rosen, John B.
• Application Number:
  US09/757,319
• Publication Number:
  US 20020196201A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/7
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/67 Foldable or movable displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/53 Movable instruments, e.g. slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0045 with visible part, e.g. flush mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0288 Apparatus made of several modules independently mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A display system is provided, such display system including a display with a generally horizontal display surface, and a reflecting element with an opaque reflective surface configured to reflect an image presented by the display for viewing by the vehicle occupant. The display system is configured to be mounted adjacent the front console, typically with the display embedded in the front console and the reflecting element mounted above the display at an angle relative thereto.

Claims

1. In a vehicle having a forward region, a display system comprising:

a display mounted in the forward region of the vehicle, the display including a generally horizontal display surface configured to present an image; and

a reflecting element including an opaque reflective surface configured to reflect the presented image for viewing by a vehicle occupant.

2. The display system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a front console, the display being embedded in the front console.

3. The display system of claim 1, wherein the reflecting element is mounted above the display.

4. The display system of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface selectively extends from the display at a predetermined angle relative to the display surface to reflect the presented image for viewing by the vehicle occupant.

5. The display system of claim 4, wherein the reflecting element is pivotal between a stowed orientation wherein the reflective surface is generally parallel with the display surface, and a deployed orientation wherein the reflective surface extends from the display at a predetermined angle relative to the display surface to reflect the presented image for viewing by the vehicle occupant.

6. The display system of claim 4, wherein the display is pivotal relative to the front console.

7. The display system of claim 1, which further comprises an image source operatively connected to the display to provide the image for presentation on the display surface.

8. The display system of claim 7, wherein the image source is a video camera.

9. The display system of claim 8, wherein the video camera is configured to provide a rear view from the vehicle.

10. The display system of claim 8, wherein the video camera is configured to provide an interior view of the vehicle.

11. The display system of claim 10, wherein the video camera is trained on a rear seat passenger area of the vehicle.

12. The display system of claim 8, wherein the video camera is configured to provide a forward view from the vehicle.

13. The display system of claim 7, wherein the image source is a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera.

14. The display system of claim 7, wherein the image source is a navigation system.

15. The display system of claim 7, wherein the image source is a vehicle processor configured to provide an image including vehicle status information.

16. The display system of claim 1, wherein the display is a flat panel display.

17. The display system of claim 1, wherein the display is mounted in front of a driver of the vehicle.

18. The display system of claim 1, wherein the display is mounted in front of a front seat passenger of the vehicle.

20. The display system of claim 19, wherein the direct view display is embedded in the front console.

21. The display system of claim 19, wherein the reflecting element is mounted above the display.

22. The display system of claim 19, wherein the reflecting element is pivotal between a stowed orientation wherein the reflective surface is generally parallel with the display surface, and a deployed orientation wherein the reflective surface extends from the front console at an acute angle relative to the display surface to reflect the presented image for viewing by the vehicle occupant.

23. The display system of claim 19, wherein the display is pivotal relative to the front console.

24. The display system of claim 19, which further comprises an image source operatively connected to the display to provide the image for presentation on the display surface.

25. The display system of claim 24, wherein the image source is a video camera.

26. The display system of claim 24, wherein the image source is a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera.

27. The display system of claim 24, wherein the image source is a navigation system.

28. The display system of claim 24, wherein the image source is a vehicle processor configured to provide an image including vehicle status information.

29. The display system of claim 19, wherein the direct view display is a flat panel display.

30. The display system of claim 19, wherein the display is mounted in front of a driver of the vehicle.

31. The display system of claim 19, wherein the display is mounted in front of a front seat passenger of the vehicle.

19. In a vehicle having a front console, a display system comprising:

a direct view display mounted on the front console, the direct view display including an upwardly-facing display surface configured to present an image; and

a reflecting element including an opaque reflective surface configured to selectively extend upwardly from the front console at an angle relative to the display surface so as to reflect the presented image for viewing by a vehicle occupant.

32. A vehicle comprising:

a driver seat configured to be occupied by a driver, the driver having a central field of view and a peripheral field of view when viewing a vehicle path;

a dashboard forward of the driver seat; and

a display system including a dashboard-mounted, upwardly-facing display surface configured to present a real image and an opaque reflective surface which selectively extends upwardly from the dashboard at an angle relative to the display surface in the peripheral field of view of the driver when the driver is viewing the vehicle path, the reflective surface being configured to reflect the real image for presentation to the driver.

33. The vehicle of claim 32, wherein the reflective surface is outside of the driver'"'"'s central field of view when the driver is viewing the vehicle path.

34. The vehicle of claim 32, wherein the reflective surface is pivotal between a stowed orientation wherein the reflective surface is generally parallel with the display surface, and a deployed orientation wherein the reflective surface extends from the dashboard at an acute angle relative to the display surface to reflect the presented image for viewing by the driver.

35. The display system of claim 32, wherein the display is pivotal relative to the dashboard.

36. The vehicle of claim 32, which further comprises an image source operatively connected to the display surface to provide the image for presentation on the display surface.

37. The vehicle of claim 36, wherein the image source is a camera.

38. The vehicle of claim 36, wherein the image source is an onboard processor configured to produce an image.

40. The display system of claim 39, wherein the vehicle occupant is a driver having a central field of view and a peripheral field of view when viewing a vehicle path, and wherein the reflective surface is positioned in the peripheral field of view of the driver when the driver is viewing the vehicle path.

41. The display system of claim 39, which further comprises an image source operatively connected to the display surface to provide the image for presentation on the display surface.

42. The display system of claim 41, wherein the image source is a camera.

43. The display system of claim 41, wherein the image source is an onboard processor configured to produce an image.

39. In a vehicle having a dashboard, a display system comprising:

a direct view display mounted on the dashboard, the display including a generally upwardly-facing display surface configured to present a real image;

a reflecting element including an opaque reflective surface which extends upwardly from the dashboard at an angle relative to the display surface to reflect the presented image for viewing by a vehicle occupant, the reflecting element thus having a proximal end adjacent the display surface and a distal end spaced from the display surface; and

a visor projecting from the distal end of the reflecting element to shade the reflecting element from ambient light.

44. In a vehicle having a dashboard, a display system comprising:

an image source;

a flat panel display embedded in the dashboard, the flat panel display including a control module operatively connected to the image source to condition an image for presentation on the display, and an upwardly-facing display surface spaced from the control module and configured to present the image; and

a reflecting element including an opaque reflective surface which selectively extends upwardly from the dashboard at an angle relative to the display surface to face a vehicle occupant, the reflective surface being configured to reflect the presented image for viewing by the vehicle occupant.

45. The display system of claim 44, wherein the reflective surface is pivotal between a stowed orientation wherein the reflective surface is generally parallel with the display surface, and a deployed orientation wherein the reflective surface extends from the dashboard at an acute angle relative to the display surface to reflect the presented image for viewing by the driver.

46. The display system of claim 44, which further comprises an image source operatively connected to the display surface to provide the image for presentation on the display surface.

47. The display system of claim 46, wherein the image source is a camera.

48. The display system of claim 46, wherein the image source is an onboard processor configured to produce an image.

49. A display system comprising:

a base including a flat panel display with an upwardly-facing display surface; and

a mirror including an opaque reflective surface, the mirror being pivotally mounted to the base for pivot between a stowed orientation wherein the reflective surface is generally parallel with the display surface, and a deployed orientation wherein the reflective surface extends upwardly from the display surface at an angle relative to the display surface to reflect the presented image for viewing of the presented image on the reflective surface.

50. In a vehicle having a front console, a display system comprising:

a display mounted at the front console, the display including a display surface facing other than rearwardly of the vehicle and configured to present a focused image thereon;

a reflecting element mounted at the front console and including an opaque reflective surface configurable to reflect the focused image for viewing within the vehicle.

51. The display system of claim 50, the display surface being a flat panel display substantially parallel to the immediate surrounding upper surface of the front console.

52. The display system of claim 51, the reflecting element being configured for orientation at an acute angle relative the display.

53. The display system of claim 52, the reflecting element having a first position with the reflecting element oriented for reflecting the focused image for viewing by a vehicle occupant, and a second position with the reflecting element oriented substantially parallel to and covering the display.

54. The display system of claim 50, the vehicle further having an operator position, the reflecting element being pivotally mounted relative to the display to provide a range of pivotal locations of the reflecting element relative to the display to accommodate the angle of viewing from the operator position.

55. The display system of claim 54, the reflecting element having a first position wherein the reflecting element is oriented at an acute angle relative to the display.

56. The display system of claim 55, the reflecting element further having a second position with the reflecting element oriented substantially parallel and covering the display.

57. The display system of claim 50 further comprising:

a visor affixed to the reflecting element.

58. The display system of claim 50 further comprising:

an image source operatively connected to the display and including at least one source of image signals.

59. The display system of claim 58, the source of image signals including at least one video camera operatively connected to the display.

60. The display system of claim 59, the at least one video camera being orientated to provide a rear view from the vehicle.

61. The display system of claim 59, the at least one video camera being orientated to provide an interior view of the vehicle.

62. The display system of claim 59, the vehicle further having a rear seat, the at least one video camera being orientated to provide a view of the rear seat in the vehicle.

63. The display system of claim 59, the at least one video camera being oriented to provide a front view from the vehicle.

64. The display system of claim 59, the image source further including a video control module operatively connected with and between the display and the at least one video camera.

65. The display system of claim 64, the vehicle further having electric turn signals, the at least one video camera including a first video camera oriented to provide a view from the left side of the vehicle and a second video camera oriented to provide a view from the right side of the vehicle, the video control module being configured to present the image from the first video camera on the display when the left turn signal is activated and to present the image from the second video camera on the display when the right turn signal is activated.

66. The display system of claim 58, the at least one source image signals including a forward-looking infrared camera.

67. The display system of claim 58, the at least one source image signals including a navigation system.

68. The display system of claim 58, the at least one source of image signals including a vehicle processor configured to generate an image depicting vehicle status information.

69. The display system of claim 50, the display being embedded in an upper surface of the front console.

70. In a vehicle having a front console and an operator position behind the front console, a display system comprising:

a display pivotally mounted relative to the front console, the display including a display surface facing other than rearwardly of the vehicle and configured to present a focused image thereon;

a reflecting element mounted at the front console and including an opaque reflecting surface configurable in a range of pivotal locations relative to the display to reflect the focused image and to accommodate an angle of viewing from the operator position; and

an image source operatively connected with the display, the image source including at least one video camera operatively connected with the display and a video control module operatively connected with and between the display and the at least one video camera.

71. The display system of claim 70, the at least one video camera being oriented to provide a rear view from the vehicle.

72. The display system of claim 70, the at least one video camera being orientated to provide an interior view of the vehicle.

73. The display system of claim 70, the vehicle further having a rear seat, the at least one video camera being oriented to provide a view of the rear seat in the vehicle.

74. The display system of claim 70, the at least one video camera being orientated to provide a front view from the vehicle.

75. The display system of claim 70, the vehicle further having electric turn signals, the at least one video camera including a first video camera oriented to provide a view from the left side of the vehicle and a second video camera orientated to provide a view from the right side of the vehicle, the video control module being configured to present the image from the first video camera on the display when the left turn signal is activated and to present the image from the second video camera on the display when the right turn signal is activated.

76. The display system of claim 70, the image source including a forward-looking infrared camera.

77. The display system of claim 70, the image source including a navigation system.

78. The display system of claim 70, the image source including a vehicle processor configured to generate an image depicting vehicle status information.

80. The display system of claim 79 further comprising:

a visor at the reflecting element positioned to shade the opaque reflective surface and the display surface from light through the front windshield.

81. The display system of claim 79, the display surface being a flat panel display substantially parallel to the immediately surrounding upper surface of the front console.

82. The display system of claim 81, the reflecting element in the first position being orientated at an acute angle relative to the display.

83. The display system of claim 82, the reflecting element further having a second position with the reflecting element orientated substantially parallel to and covering the display.

84. The display system of claim 79, the reflecting element being pivotally mounted relative to the display and the first position providing a range of pivotal locations relative to the display to accommodate the angle of viewing from the operator position.

85. The display system of claim 84, the reflecting element in the first position being oriented at an acute angle relative to the display.

86. The display system of claim 85, the reflecting element further having a second position with the reflecting element orientated substantially parallel to and covering the display.

87. The display system of claim 79 further comprising:

an image source operatively connected with the display.

88. The display system of claim 79, the display being embedded in the upper surface of the front console.

90. The vehicle of claim 89, the display surface being a flat panel display substantially parallel to the immediately surrounding upper surface of the front console.

91. The vehicle of claim 90, the reflecting element being configurable in a first position with the reflecting element oriented at an acute angle relative to the display.

92. The vehicle of claim 91, the reflecting element further being configurable in a second position with the reflecting element oriented substantially parallel to and covering the display.

93. The vehicle of claim 89, the reflecting element being pivotally mounted relative to the display to provide a range of pivotal locations relative to the display to accommodate the angle of viewing from the operator position.

94. The vehicle of claim 93, the reflecting element being configurable in a first position with the reflecting element oriented at an acute angle relative to the display.

95. The vehicle of claim 94, the reflecting element further being configurable in a second position with the reflecting element oriented substantially parallel to and covering the display.

96. The vehicle of claim 89, the display being embedded in the upper surface of the front console.

79. In a vehicle having a front windshield, a front console extending toward the front window and an operator position behind and facing toward the front console, a display system comprising:

a display mounted at the front console, the display including a display surface facing other than rearwardly of the vehicle and configured to present a focused image thereon; and

a reflecting element pivotally mounted relative to the display at the front console and including an opaque reflective surface configured to reflect the focused image, the reflecting element having a first position providing a range of pivotal locations relative to the display to accommodate vertically the angle of viewing from the operator position, the reflecting element being pivotally mounted between the display and the front windshield.

89. A vehicle comprising:

a front console;

an operator position behind the front console in the vehicle; and

a display system including a display mounted at the front console, the display including a display surface facing other than rearwardly of the vehicle and configured to present a focused image thereon and a reflecting element mounted at the front console and including an opaque reflective surface configurable to reflect the focused image for viewing from the operator position.

97. A vehicle comprising:

a front console;

an operator position behind the front console of the vehicle; and

a display system including a display pivotally mounted relative to the display at the front console, the display including a display surface facing other than rearwardly of the vehicle and configured to present a focused image thereon, a reflecting element mounted at the front console and including an opaque reflective surface configured to reflect the focused image, the reflecting element being configurable in a range of locations to reflect the focused image for viewing by a vehicle occupant and to accommodate the position of the operator, and an image source operatively connected with the display, the image source including at least one source of image signals operatively connected with the display and a video control module operatively connected with and between the display and the at least one source of image signals.

98. The vehicle of claim 97, the at least one source of image signals including at least one video camera operatively connected with the display.

99. The vehicle of claim 98, the at least one video camera being oriented to provide a rear view from the vehicle.

100. The vehicle of claim 98, the at least one video camera being oriented to provide an interior view of the vehicle.

101. The vehicle of claim 98 further comprising:

a rear seat, the at least one video camera being oriented to provide a view of the rear seat in the vehicle.

102. The vehicle of claim 98, the at least one video camera being oriented to provide a front view from the vehicle.

103. The vehicle of claim 98 further comprising:

electric turn signals, the at least one video camera including a first video camera oriented to provide a view from the left side of the vehicle and a second video camera oriented to provide a view from the right side of the vehicle, the video control module being configured to present the image from the first video camera on the display when the left turn signal is activated and to present the image from the second video camera on the display when the right turn signal is activated.

104. The vehicle of claim 98, the at least one source of image signals including a forward-looking infrared camera.

105. The vehicle of claim 98, the at least one source of image signals including a navigation system.

106. The vehicle of claim 98, the at least one source of image signals including a vehicle data processor configured to generate an image depicting vehicle status information.