Vehicle-mounted apparatus and method of controlling the same

• US 7,315,291 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2003
• Issued: 01/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd. (Faurecia SA)
• Original Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd. (Faurecia SA)
• Inventors: Tsuda, Shigeru, Koyata, Katsuomi, Yoshihara, Keiichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe; Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shapiro; Leonid
• Application Number:
  US10/687,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20040061662A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,534 Days
• Field of Search: 345/1.1, 345/1.3, 345/5, 455/550.1, 455/575.1, 455/575.4, 455/575.5
• 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 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 a first axis, wherein said second panel is rotatable upside down in an axis perpendicular to said first axis.

2. The vehicle-mounted apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

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.

3. The vehicle-mounted apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an operating switch; and

means for changing a function indication on said operating switch according to whether said second panel is rotated upside down.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. A method of controlling a vehicle-mounted apparatus comprising a first panel having a first display and a second panel having a second display, said method comprising:

adapting said second panel to be opened and closed with respect to said first display about an edge thereof as a first axis and to rotate thereof upside down in an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to said first axis; and

changing a function indication according to at least one of whether said second panel is open/closed and whether said panel is rotated.

7. A method of controlling the vehicle-mounted apparatus comprising a first panel having a first display and a second panel having a second display, said method comprising;

adapting said second panel to be opened and closed with respect to said first display about an edge thereof as a first axis and to rotate thereof upside down in an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to said first axis; and

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

8. A method of controlling a vehicle-mounted apparatus comprising a first panel having a first display and a second panel having a second display, said second panel being adapted to be opened and closed with respect to said first display about an edge thereof as a first axis and to rotate upside down about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to said first axis, said method comprising:

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

switching an input source upon said detecting.

9. A display device, comprising:

a first panel including a first display, said first panel being substantially directly mountable on a surface;

a second panel including a second display, said second panel openable and closeable with respect to said first panel about a first axis located at an edge of said first panel; and

a pivoting mechanism to allow said second panel to be turned upside down in a rotation axis that is perpendicular to said first axis.