Display module with integrated proximity sensor

• US 9,916,014 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2014
• Issued: 03/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Zietz, Heath D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Gerald
• Application Number:
  US14/250,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20150293611A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,432 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0325 using a plurality of light emitters or reflectors or a plurality of detectors forming a reference frame from which to derive the orientation of the object, e.g. by triangulation or on the basis of reference deformation in the picked up image

Abstract

A display module includes an electronic display screen and a sensor operable to detect radiation reflected to a surface of the electronic display screen. A method of detecting an object is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A display module comprising:

a substantially rectangular panel having a front side and an opposing rear side, the panel comprising first and second layers, the first layer comprising;

a substantially planar and substantially rectangular electronic display screen coupled to the second layer, the electronic display screen comprising at least one of;

a thin film transistor display and a liquid crystal display;

the second layer comprising;

a substantially planar and substantially rectangular light guide;

a radiation source configured to emit radiation in a direction that is away from the panel;

a radiation sensor positioned between the first and second layers, the radiation sensor being operable to detect radiation emitted from the radiation source and which is reflected from an object, back toward the panel;

wherein the panel additionally includes a light guide operable to illuminate the electronic display screen; and

a controller operable to cause the electronic display screen to display content in response to determining a proximity of the object relative to the panel;

wherein;

the controller is configured to cause the electronic display screen to display a first content in response to determining the object is located at a first distance relative to the electronic display screen, and cause the electronic to display a second, different content in response to determining the object is located at a second, different distance relative to the electronic display screen, the electronic display screen displaying information for both the first and second contents.

2. The display module as recited in claim 1, wherein the radiation source is a light emitting diode operable to emit infrared radiation, and the radiation sensor is operable to detect infrared radiation.

3. The display module as recited in claim 2, wherein the at least one radiation source includes four light emitting diodes positioned about a perimeter of the panel.

4. The display module as recited in claim 1, wherein the light guide is arranged between the electronic display screen and the radiation sensor.

5. The display module as recited in claim 1, wherein the radiation sensor is positioned at a perimeter of the light guide.

6. The display module as recited in claim 5, wherein the radiation sensor is arranged adjacent to a backlighting device positioned at the perimeter of the light guide.

7. The display module as recited in claim 1, wherein the light guide is positioned adjacent to a rear face of the electronic display screen opposite the forward face.

8. The display module as recited in claim 1, wherein the radiation sensor is integrated into a layer of the electronic display screen.

9. The display module as recited in claim 1, wherein the radiation sensor is positioned onto a layer within the electronic display screen.

10. The display module as recited in claim 1, comprising a housing configured to mount the panel and to receive the radiation sensor within a chamber defined by the housing.

11. The display module as recited in claim 1, wherein the controller is electrically coupled to the radiation source and the radiation sensor.

12. The display module as recited in claim 1, wherein the radiation sensor is positioned within a region defined by a perimeter of the panel.

13. The display module as recited in claim 12, wherein the radiation sensor is centered on the electronic display screen.