Vehicle-mounted apparatus and method of controlling the same

• US 6,956,540 B1
• Filed: 10/18/2000
• Issued: 10/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd. (Faurecia SA)
• Original Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd. (Faurecia SA)
• Inventors: Yoshihara, Keiichiro, Tsuda, Shigeru, Koyata, Katsuomi
• Primary Examiner(s): Shankar, Vijay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shapiro, Leonid
• Application Number:
  US09/690,455
• Time in Patent Office: 1,826 Days
• Field of Search: 345/1.1, 345/1.3, 345 34- 5, 345/76, 345/79, 345/36, 345/45, 345/87, 345716-718, 345168-172, 348/333.06, 341 20- 23, 353/13, 353/14, 340/998, 340/995, 359/805, 359/888, 359/614, 361/680, 361/601, 361/606
• US Class Current: 345/1.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0264 for control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0087 around two axes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0294 Apparatus with multi-functionalities, e.g. radio and telephone

Abstract

By opening and closing the sub display with respect to the main display D1 via a hinge H mounted on the side portion, a variety of uses, such as to display different information on the two different displays, are easily realized, whereby easily supporting diversification of displayed information expected in the future and improvement of the functions. The sub display can be rotated upside down in addition to the horizontal open/close movement with respect to the main display D1, thereby increasing the possible states of use. When the sub display is rotated upside down by 180°, each button B and the markings marked thereon rotates and inverted as well, the marking is shown in the normal orientation, but not inverted orientation as a consequent, thereby facilitating identification and operation of each button. The state of currently selected/connected source is displayed on one of the main display D1 and the sub display.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted apparatus, comprising:

a first panel including a first display, said first panel being mountable onto a surface of a vehicle; and

a second panel including a second display, said second panel being openable and closeable with respect to said first display about a side thereof as an axis, wherein said second panel is rotatable, by a rotatable feature,

wherein said rotatable feature comprises;

an axis of rotation rotating relative to the upside down rotation of said second display;

a first gear provided on said axis of rotation;

a button provided on a surface of said second panel opposite from said second display;

a second gear provided on said button; and

a slide plate with a rack for rotating said second gear according to the relative rotation of said first gear.

4. The vehicle-mounted apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

means for displaying a current audio source on at least one of said first and second displays.

5. The vehicle-mounted apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for detecting a position of said second panel by a predetermined angle in terms of at least one of the open/close actions and the rotation; and

means for switching an input source upon said detecting.

2. A vehicle-mounted apparatus, comprising:

a first panel including a first display, said first panel being substantially directly mountable onto a surface of a vehicle; and

a second panel including a second display, said second panel being openable and closeable with respect to said first display about a side thereof as an axis;

an operating switch; and

means for changing a function indication on said operating switch according to whether said second panel is open or closed,

wherein said second panel can be rotated upside down, said apparatus further comprising;

an axis of rotation rotating relative to an upside down rotation of said second panel;

a first gear provided on said axis of rotation;

a button provided on a surface of said second panel opposite from said second display;

a second gear provided on said button; and

a slide plate with a rack for rotating said second gear according to the relative rotation of said first gear.

3. A vehicle-mounted apparatus, comprising:

a first panel including a first display, said first panel being substantially directly mountable onto a surface of a vehicle; and

a second panel including a second display, said second panel being openable and closeable with respect to said first display about a side thereof as an axis, wherein said second panel is rotatable upside down;

an operating switch; and

means for rotating upside down at least one of said operating switch and a function indication on said operating switch when said second panel is rotated upside down, wherein said means for rotating comprises;

an axis of rotation rotating relative to an upside down rotation of said second panel;

a first gear provided on said axis of rotation;

a button provided on a surface of said second panel opposite from said second display;

a second gear provided on said button; and

a slide plate with a rack for rotating said second gear according to the relative rotation of said first gear.

6. A vehicle-mounted apparatus, comprising:

a first panel including a first display said first panel being substantially directly mountable onto a surface of a vehicle; and

a second panel including a second display, said second panel being openable and closeable with respect to said first display about a side thereof as an axis;

an operating switch; and

means for changing a function indication on said operating switch according to whether said second panel is open or closed, wherein said second panel is rotatable when said second panel is positioned in other than a closed position, and said second display is exposed when said second panel is then positioned into said closed position.

7. A vehicle-mounted apparatus, comprising:

a first panel including a first display, said first panel being substantially directly mountable onto a surface of a vehicle; and

a second panel including a second display, said second panel being openable and closeable with respect to said first display about a side thereof as an axis;

an operating switch; and

means for changing a function indication on said operating switch according to whether said second panel is open or closed, wherein said second panel has a size that allows a portion of said first display to remain visible when said second panel is closed relative to said first panel.

8. A vehicle-mounted apparatus, comprising:

a first panel including a first display said first panel being substantially directly mountable onto a surface of a vehicle; and

a second panel including a second display, said second panel being openable and closeable with respect to said first display about a side thereof as an axis;

an operating switch; and

means for changing a function indication on said operating switch according to whether said second panel is open or closed, wherein said portion of said first display remains visible when said second panel is closed and can be activated to provide a display region when said second panel is closed.