Apparatus and method for displaying moving images in a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle

• US 9,191,690 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2012
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Eireiner, Thomas, Hinz, Ralf
• Primary Examiner(s): SHANG, ANNAN Q
• Application Number:
  US14/346,628
• Publication Number:
  US 20140223497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 725 75- 77, 709217-232
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/195 Blocking or enabling display functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41422 located in transportation means, e.g. personal vehicle arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62

Abstract

A device for displaying moving images in a motor vehicle displays moving images in a first or second mode. In the first mode the moving images are displayed with normal playback parameters and the refresh rate in the second mode is lower than in the first mode. One of the first and second modes is selected based on a speed of the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A device for displaying moving images in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a moving image source;

a screen configured to display moving images, wherein the screen is coupled to the moving image source; and

a control unit for the screen, wherein the control unit is configured to activate the screen in first mode, in which the moving images are displayed with normal playback parameters, and one second mode,

wherein a speed sensor connected to the control unit, wherein the speed sensor is configured to detect a speed of the motor vehicle and transmit the detected speed to the control unit,

wherein the control unit is configured to select the first mode if the speed is less than a first threshold value,

wherein the control unit is configured to select the second mode if the speed is greater than or equal to a second threshold value that is greater than or equal to the first threshold value,

wherein the refresh rate is lower in the second mode than in the first mode,

wherein a distance sensor is connected to the control unit, wherein the distance sensor is configured to detect a distance of the motor vehicle from an object located in front of the motor vehicle in a direction of travel or from a vehicle travelling in front, and to transmit the detected distance to the control unit, and

wherein the control unit is configured to change the first or the second threshold value according to an isotone function of the distance.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein

the second threshold value is greater than the first threshold value;

the control unit is configured to remain in the first mode if the first threshold value is reached or exceeded, and to switch from the first mode to the second mode if the second threshold value is reached or exceeded;

the control unit is configured to remain in the second mode if the first threshold value is fallen below, and to switch from the second mode to the first mode if the first threshold value is fallen below.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to only function in the second mode if a time span, during which the speed of the motor vehicle is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, is greater than a predetermined minimum value.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein in the second mode the control unit is configured to

reduce the refresh rate when the speed of the motor vehicle increases, and

increase the refresh rate when the speed of the motor vehicle decreases.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the refresh rate in the second mode is 0 Hz.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein

a relative speed sensor is connected to the control unit, wherein the relative speed sensor detects a relative speed of the motor vehicle with respect to a vehicle travelling in front and transmits the detected relative speed to the control unit;

the control unit is configured to change the first or the second threshold value according to an antitone function of the detected relative speed.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the image resolution, color depth, or brightness is smaller in the second mode than in the first mode.

8. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a speed sensor configured to detect a speed of the motor vehicle; and

a device for displaying moving images, comprising

a moving image source;

a screen configured to display moving images, wherein the screen is coupled to the moving image source; and

a control unit for the screen, wherein the control unit is configured to activate the screen in first mode, in which the moving images are displayed with normal playback parameters, and one second mode,

wherein the speed sensor is connected to the control unit and the speed sensor is configured to transmit the detected speed to the control unit,

wherein the control unit is configured to select the first mode if the speed is less than a first threshold value,

wherein the control unit is configured to select the second mode if the speed is greater than or equal to a second threshold value that is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, and

wherein the refresh rate is lower in the second mode than in the first mode,

wherein a distance sensor is connected to the control unit, wherein the distance sensor is configured to detect a distance of the motor vehicle from an object located in front of the motor vehicle in a direction of travel or from a vehicle travelling in front, and to transmit the detected distance to the control unit, and

wherein the control unit is configured to change the first or the second threshold value according to an isotone function of the distance.

9. A method for displaying moving images in a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

displaying the moving images in a first mode with normal playback parameters;

detecting whether a speed of the motor vehicle is less than a first threshold value or greater than or equal to a second threshold value, which is greater than or equal to the first threshold value;

continuing to display the moving images in the first mode is selected if the detected speed is less than the first threshold value;

displaying the moving images in a second mode if the detected speed is greater than or equal to the second threshold value that is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, wherein the refresh rate is lower in the second mode than in the first mode;

detecting, by a distance sensor, a distance of the motor vehicle from an object located in front of the motor vehicle in a direction of travel or from a vehicle travelling in front; and

changing the first or the second threshold value according to an isotone function of the distance.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein

the second threshold value is greater than the first threshold value;

when the moving images are displayed in the first mode

the moving images are continued to be displayed in the first mode if the first threshold value is reached or exceeded, and

display of the moving images is switched from the first mode to the second mode if the second threshold value is reached or exceeded; and

when the moving images are displayed in the second mode

the moving images are continued to be displayed in the second mode if the first threshold value is fallen below, and

display of the moving images is switched from the second mode to the first mode if the first threshold value is fallen below.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the moving images are only displayed in the second mode if a time span, during which the speed of the motor vehicle is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, is greater than a predetermined minimum value.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein in the second mode the refresh rate is

reduced when the speed of the motor vehicle increases, and

increased when the speed of the motor vehicle decreases.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the refresh rate in the second mode is 0 Hz.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

detecting, by a relative speed sensor, a relative speed of the motor vehicle with respect to a vehicle travelling in front; and

changing the first or the second threshold value according to an antitone function of the detected relative speed.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the image resolution, color depth, or brightness is smaller in the second mode than in the first mode.