DESCRIPTION: The invention is concerned with a display device for displaying information to a user. The invention is also concerned with a motor vehicle comprising the inventive display device.

Display devices are being used more and more frequently in modern motor vehicles. In order to view a large amount of information, display screens of the display devices need to be larger than that of the display devices used today. However, it is not always desired to have large display screens, as they may block the view through a main window or a wind screen of the mo tor vehicle. Therefore, there are various possibilities to incorporate variations in the sizes of the display devices and/or possibilities to vary the sizes of the display screens of the display devices.

Document US 006 570 628 B1 discloses a display device comprising an en closure, a first display unit and a second display unit. The enclosure is pro- vided with an opening portion through which the first display unit is loaded or unloaded. The first display unit is movably provided between a loading posi tion where said first display unit is completely loaded in the enclosure and a viewing position where information is visually recognized by a driver. The second unit is pivotally supported at its end position by a pivotal shaft at- tached to the enclosure. The second display unit includes a display and a frame member. However, of such a display device involves complex me chanical mechanism for the movement and adjustment of the first display unit and the second display unit. Document DE 10 2016 224 500 B3 discloses a display device for a motor vehicle, comprising a display surface device with a display surface for dis playing a display content, characterized by at least two display regions of the display surface device, and a folding device adapted to fold the display sur- face means. However, such a display device involves a complex mechanical mechanism for the movement and adjustment of the two display regions.

Document DE 10 2007 034 587 A1 discloses a sun visor comprising an inte- grated display for displaying information. The sun visor is provided at a wind shield of the vehicle. A display panel is arranged on the sun visor in such a way that it represents the respective information in an activated condition such that the information is readable from outside the motor vehicle through the windshield. However, the display device can only be used as a sun visor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device to display a variety of information to a user, such that the display device uses the in stalling space effectively. The object is accomplished by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous developments with convenient and non-trivial further embodi ments of the invention are specified in the following description, the depend ent claims and the figures. The invention provides a display device for displaying information to a user. The display device can be a part of a motor vehicle or an accessory, for ex ample, an infotainment device or a navigation device. The display device comprises a base unit, which comprises a front side and a rear side. The front side of the base unit can be a flat surface whereas the rear side of the base unit comprises a base dent region. In connection with the invention, a dent region is a hollow structure or a pit, where the surface of the rear side is recessed in comparison with the surrounding surface. The base dent region can be in form of a shallow or an indented region on the rear side of the base unit. The base unit can function as a foot piece or stand for the actual dis- play.

Accordingly, the display device further comprises a main display unit, which comprises a front side and a rear side. The front side of the main display unit comprises a main display panel. The main display panel can be a liquid crys- tal display panel (LCD) or a display panel with organic light emitting diodes (OLED), e.g., of the type such as the ones used in an LCD television, a com puter monitor, an instrument panel or a mobile telephone, such as a smartphone. In the motor vehicle, the main display panel can be designed as a user interface for an infotainment system and/or a navigation system. Fur- thermore, the main display panel can be used to display information about the functionalities of at least one electric appliance mounted in the motor ve hicle, e.g., an operation status and/or a setting status of a music system and/or an air conditioner. It is further thinkable, that the main display panel can be designed as an electronic interface, e.g., a touch screen, where the user can provide user inputs by touching and/or pressing respective symbols and/or virtual buttons for choosing different set of information to be displayed on the main display panel similar to a smartphone or a touchpad. The main display unit is designed to be integrated or arranged in the base dent region of the base unit. The main display unit is attached to at least one point or to several points on an edge of the base dent region by means of an attaching mechanism, which can be taken from the prior art by a skilled per son, e.g., an attaching mechanism comprising at least one hinge joint. Fur- thermore, the main display unit is designed to rotate about a base axis paral lel to the edge of the base dent region between a main loaded position where the main display panel is completely loaded in the base dent region (i.e. the main display panel is not visible, but rather fully protected), and a main view ing position where information on the main display panel is visually accessi- ble to the user from a predefined head position. In the motor vehicle, this head position may be, e.g., the position of a head rest of a driver’s seat. The arrangement of the main display panel in relation to the base unit may be such that the front side of the main display unit and the rear side of the base unit enclose an angle, such that when the enclosed angle is 0 degrees, then the main display panel is completely located inside the base dent region and/or a main display panel frame is in contact with the rear side of the base unit. It is further thinkable, that the main display panel is switched off by a switching mechanism automatically, as soon as the main display unit is ro tated to the main loaded position. This is of advantage because this ensures conservation of electrical energy, which is needed to operate the main dis play panel, since in the main loaded position the main display panel is not visually accessible to the user. Furthermore, a mechanical mechanism to enable a rotation of the main display unit about the base axis can be a mechanism similar to the one commonly used for a laptop with a flappable screen attached to a keyboard. The mechanical mechanism can be known to a person skilled in art in the corresponding field of technology. For example, the already mentioned at least one hinge joint may be used. The inventive display device effectively comprises an auxiliary display unit. The auxiliary display unit comprises a front side and a rear side. The front side of the auxiliary display unit comprises an auxiliary display panel. The auxiliary display panel can be a liquid crystal display panel or an OLED dis- play panel.

According to the invention, the rear side of the main display unit comprises a main dent region. The main dent region is in form of a shallow or an indented region on the rear side of the main display unit. The auxiliary display unit is integrated or arranged in the main dent region. The auxiliary display unit is integrated or arranged in the main dent region by means of an attaching or a connecting means in the main dent region in a secured manner, so that the auxiliary display unit can be attached to the main display unit effectively. In other words, while the base unit can function as the foot piece or stand for the main display unit, the main display unit can function as the foot piece or stand for the auxiliary display unit.

Furthermore, the auxiliary display panel is designed to be visually accessible to the user from said predefined head position by rotating the main display unit about the base axis into the main loaded position. This is of advantage because it enables the user to change or choose display panels of different types and/or sizes as per requirement, so that an effective use of space, for example in the motor vehicle, can be ensured. For example, at a point of time the information on the main display panel can be visually accessible to the user from the predefined head position, e.g., from a driving seat in a mo tor vehicle. If the user decides to change the display panel, for example to change to a smaller sized panel due to space requirements at a particular point of time, then the user can send an input signal to an electronic control unit by means of an input device. The input signal can be realized by press- ing a button on an input device or by a gesture of the user. After receiving the input signal by the electronic control unit, the main display unit can be rotated by means of the electronic control unit, for example by means of an actuation of a servomotor, about the base axis from the main viewing position to the main loaded position. At this particular point of time, the auxiliary panel which is attached to the main dent region can rotate along with the main display unit and move to the former position of the main display unit, so that the user can be able to view information on the auxiliary display unit from the prede fined head position. It is further thinkable, the main display unit and the auxil iary display unit can be selected and/or adjusted by the user manually. The invention also comprises embodiments that provide features which af ford additional technical advantages. In one embodiment, the auxiliary display unit may be attached to at least one point on an edge of the main dent region. Furthermore, the auxiliary display unit can be rotatable about a main axis parallel to the edge of the main dent region between an auxiliary loaded position where the auxiliary display panel can be completely loaded in the main dent region, and an auxiliary viewing position where information on the auxiliary display panel can be visually ac cessible to the user from the predefined head position, if the main display unit is in the main loaded position. In other words, the auxiliary display unit can be attached to the at least one point on the edge of the main dent region, for example an edge of the main dent region along the width of the main dent region, such that the auxiliary display unit can be rotated or pivoted about the edge of the main dent region. For example, at a point of time the information on the auxiliary display panel may be visually accessible to the user, for ex ample a navigation route. If at a later point of time, the user decides to close the auxiliary display panel, then the user can send an input signal to the elec- tronic control unit by means of the input device. After receiving the input sig nal by the electronic control unit, the auxiliary display unit can be rotated, for example by an actuation of a corresponding servomotor, about the main axis from the auxiliary viewing position to the auxiliary loading position. This is of advantage, because it can ensure that the auxiliary display panel can be pro- tected from wear when not in use, since in this case the auxiliary display unit can be rotated to the auxiliary loading position by means of the electronic control unit. Furthermore, a mechanical mechanism to enable a rotation of the auxiliary display unit about the main axis can be a simple mechanism similar to the one commonly used for a laptop with a flappable screen at- tached to a keyboard. The mechanical mechanism can be known to a person skilled in art in the corresponding field of technology.

In one embodiment, the main display unit can be kept in the main loaded po sition and/or the auxiliary display unit can be kept in the auxiliary loaded posi- tion by means of the electronic control unit. In other words, when the use the main display panel is needed in order to visually access information, then the main display unit can be rotated to the main viewing position by means of the electronic control unit, wherein the auxiliary display unit can be rotated to the auxiliary loading position by means of the electronic control unit. In the case, when the auxiliary display panel suffices the needs of the user, then the main display unit can be rotated to the main loading position by means of the elec tronic control unit, whereas the auxiliary display unit cab be rotated to the auxiliary viewing position by means of the electronic control unit. Further- more, when the display device is not needed by the user, then the user can send the input signal by means of the input device to the electronic control unit. After receiving the input signal by the electronic control unit, both the main display unit can be rotated to the main loading position as well as the auxiliary display unit can be rotated to the auxiliary display position. Hence, an effective use of the space occupied by the display device, e.g., inside the motor vehicle, is ensured, whereas at the same time an effective display of information is ensured.

In one embodiment, a contour and an inner perimeter of the base dent region can correspond to a contour and an outer perimeter of the main display unit. Hence, in the main loaded position, it can be ensured that the main display unit occupies the base dent region effectively. Hence, the space in the motor vehicle occupied by the display device can be used efficiently, since when the main display unit is not required, it can be moved to the main loading po- sition, where a large part of the main display unit can be loaded or sub merged into the base dent region. Furthermore, a contour and an inner pe rimeter of the main dent region can correspond to a contour and an outer perimeter of the auxiliary display unit. This is of advantage because when the auxiliary display unit is rotated to the auxiliary loading position, then the auxil- iary display panel can be completely loaded in the main dent region. Where as the main dent region is maintained at a minimum possible size to ensure that a maximum portion of the auxiliary display unit is loaded in the main dent region. This ensures a lower material loss in the structural construction of the main display unit due to the minimum possible size of the main dent region, which in turn enables a higher strength and stability to the structure of the main display unit. Furthermore, a correspondence of the contour and the in ner parameter of the main dent region to the contour and the outer parameter of the auxiliary display unit can ensure that the rear side of the auxiliary dis play unit and the part of the rear side of the main display unit surrounding the main dent region form a smooth continuous surface. This in turn can ensure a single smooth surface, for example when the main display unit is in the main loading position and the auxiliary display unit is in the auxiliary loading position, which is ergonomic for the user and it ensures a use of the space effectively. In one embodiment, the auxiliary display unit can have a smaller size, in par ticular a display height, than the main display unit. This is of advantage be cause it enables the user to make a choice between a smaller display panel or a larger display panel according to his necessities. For example, during a start of the driving of the motor vehicle, the user would need to view a large set information, such as the navigation route and/or the information about the weather and/or the selection of a playlist of songs from the music system and/or selection of a radio station and/or setting and selection of the audio volume and/or the settings and selection of the air conditioning system. Due to the large set of aforementioned information, the user would prefer a large display panel which can be ensured by means of the main display unit of the display device, which in turn can occupy a large space in the motor vehicle. However, after the respective selections the user might only require to view the navigation route, hence, the user can send an input signal by means of the input device to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit can then rotate the main display unit to the main loading position and rotate the auxiliary display unit to the auxiliary viewing position, which can be of a smaller size than the main display unit. Hence, a smaller space in the motor vehicle can be used by the display device which can ensure a comfortable driving to the user.

In one embodiment, the main viewing position can be designed to be adjust ed by rotating the main display unit between an angle of 45 degrees and 200 degrees about the base axis. This is of advantage because this allows to ad just and/or set the main viewing position of the main display unit according to a head position of the user with respect to the main display panel or the cen ter of the main display panel. In other words, a best possible view of the in formation on the main display panel can be ensured according to a sitting position of the user as per his convenience and/or according to the position of the display device, by rotating and adjusting the main display unit. It is fur ther thinkable, that once the main display unit is rotated to a suitable angle or position, it can then be held in that position intact by means of suitable me chanical mechanism which can be known to a person skilled in the relevant field of technology.

In one embodiment, the auxiliary viewing position can be designed to be ad justed by rotating the auxiliary display unit between an angle of 45 degrees and 200 degrees about the main axis. This is of advantage because this al- lows to adjust and/or set the auxiliary viewing position of the auxiliary display unit according to the predefined head position of the user with respect to the auxiliary display panel or the center of the auxiliary display panel. In other words, the a best possible view of the information on the auxiliary display panel can be ensured according to his sitting position of the user as per his convenience and/or according to the position of the display device, by rotat ing and adjusting the auxiliary display unit. For example, an input signal to rotate and adjust the auxiliary display unit can be sent by the user by means of the input device to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit can then adjust and rotate the auxiliary display unit accordingly. It is further thinkable, that once the auxiliary display unit is rotated to a suitable angle or position, it can then be held in that position intact by a suitable mechanism which can be known to a person skilled in the art. Furthermore, in case the display device is located and/or installed on a dashboard of a motor vehicle, then the user, e.g., the driver of the motor vehicle, can park the motor vehicle at a parking place. A virtual button denoting an online parking ticket of that particular location can be selected, by means of which a digital parking ticket can be procured and can be displayed on the auxiliary display panel. The auxiliary display unit can be then rotated about an to an angle of 180 de- grees, such that the digital parking ticket can be visually accessible to a per son from outside the motor vehicle through, for example a windscreen of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, in case the display device is located and/or in stalled on the dashboard of a motor vehicle. The dashboard of the motor ve hicle can have a curvy surface structure, thus, the auxiliary display unit can be rotated up to 200 degrees, so that the information on the auxiliary display panel can visually accessible to a person from outside the motor vehicle through, for example a windscreen of the motor vehicle. Flence, the display device can be used as a head-up display device. It is further thinkable, that similar to the use of the auxiliary display unit to display the digital parking ticket or as the head-up display device, the main display unit can also be used similarly.

In one embodiment, the front side of the base unit can be attached to a sur face, e.g., a top surface of the dashboard of the motor vehicle. This is of ad- vantage because this enables the user, e.g., the driver of the motor vehicle to have the display device at a convenient position, so that he can have a good view of the information on the main display panel or the auxiliary display panel of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the driver can comfortably reach the display device with his hand, to touch a digital button on the main display panel or the auxiliary display panel to choose or select at least one function ality of the of a wide variety of electric appliances mounted in the motor vehi cle. Furthermore, the display device can be made of a material of similar composition and/or color and/or structure as that of the surface on which the base unit can be attached.

The invention further includes a motor vehicle comprising a display device for displaying information to a user.

In one embodiment, the main display unit of the display device can be kept in the main viewing position during an autonomous driving of the motor vehicle by means of the electronic control unit. This is of advantage because this enables user to view the information on a larger display panel, since the user in this case does not have to worry about controlling a steering wheel. Fur thermore, the auxiliary display unit can be in kept the auxiliary viewing posi tion during a manual driving of the motor vehicle by means of an electronic control unit. This is of advantage because, in this case, the user would need to control the steering wheel of the motor vehicle and hence, would prefer to have space in the motor vehicle, due to which a smaller display panel, e.g. the auxiliary display panel, could suffice the needs of the user. A signal com prising of information about a status regarding the autonomous driving or manual driving can be sent to the electronic control unit by a driver assis tance system. The electronic control unit upon receiving the signal from the driving assistance system can change and/or keep the main display unit in the main viewing position during an autonomous driving of the motor vehicle, whereas in the case of manual driving, the electronic control unit can change and/or keep the auxiliary display unit in the auxiliary viewing position accord ingly.

The invention also comprises the various combinations of the features of the described embodiments, if not stated otherwise.

In the following an exemplary implementation of the invention is described. The figures show:

Fig. 1 a side view of a cross section of an embodiment of a display device;

Fig. 2 a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the display device; Fig. 3 a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the display device; and Fig. 4 a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the display device.

The embodiment explained in the following is a preferred embodiment of the invention. Flowever, in the embodiment, the described components of the embodiment each represent individual features of the invention which are to be considered independently of each other and which each develop the in vention also independently of each other and thereby are also to be regarded as a component of the invention in individual manner or in another than the shown combination. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

In the figures elements that provide the same function are marked with iden tical reference signs.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a cross section of an embodiment of a display device 10. The display device 10 is incorporated in a motor vehicle 45 that may be a passenger vehicle. The motor vehicle 45 may comprise a driver assistance system (not shown in the figure), which can provide, for example, an auto-pilot functionality. In other words, the driver assistance system may drive the motor vehicle 45 autonomously or fully automatically. The motor vehicle 45 can further comprise an electronic control unit (not shown in the figure) to operate the display device 10.

The display device 10 may be designed for displaying information to a user 11 , for example the driver of the motor vehicle 45. The display device 10 can comprise a base unit 12. The base unit 12 can comprise a front side 13 and a rear side 14. The front side 13 of the base unit 12 may be designed to be attached to a surface 15, for example a dashboard of the motor vehicle 45. The rear side 14 can comprise a base dent region 21. The display device 10 can comprise a main display unit 16 comprising a front side 17 and a rear side 18. The front side 17 of the main display unit 16 can comprise a main display panel 19. The main display panel 19 can be a liquid crystal display panel (LCD). The main display panel 19 can display large set information, such as the navigation route and/or the information about the weather and/or selection of a playlist of songs from a music system and/or selection of a radio station and/or setting and selection of the audio volume and/or setting and selection of the air conditioning system. The main display panel 19 can be supported by means of a main display frame 20 to be at- tached to the front side 17 of the main display unit 16. The rear side 18 com prises a main dent region 35.

The main display unit 16 can be integrated in the base dent region 21. The main display unit 16 can be attached to at least one point 22 on an edge 23, as shown in Fig. 2. The main display unit 16 can be attached to the at least one point 22 on the edge 23, so that the main display unit 16 can be rotated about a base axis 25, as shown by a dashed line in Fig. 4, parallel to the edge 23 of the base dent region 21. A double directional arrow 24 denotes the directions of rotation of the main display unit 16 about the base axis 25. The main display unit 16 can be rotated about the base axis 25 between a main loaded position M1 , as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, where the main dis play panel 19 is completely loaded in the base dent region 21 , and a main viewing position M2, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, where information on the main display panel 19 can be visually accessible to the user 1 1 from a prede- fined position Q. The predefined head position Q is shown by means of a point P1 , where the eyes of the user 1 1 are directed towards a point P2 on the main display panel 19. A resulting line of view from the predefined head position Q is depicted by a dashed line 26 joining the point P1 and the point P2 on the main display panel 19. The predefined head position Q may corre- spond to an eye position of the user 11 when the user 1 1 rests his/her head against a head rest of a driver seat. Furthermore, the main display unit 16 can be designed to be adjusted by rotating the main display unit between an angle B1 of 45 degrees and 200 degrees about the base axis 25. This ena bles the user 1 1 to adjust the main display unit 16, in such a manner, so that the user 11 can have good view of the information on the main display panel

19.

For example to change at a particular point of time, then the user 1 1 can send an input signal (not shown in the figure) to the electronic control unit by means of an input device (not shown in the figure). The input signal can be realized by pressing a button on the input device or by a gesture of the user or by an haptic signal. After receiving the input signal by the electronic con trol unit, the main display unit 16 can be rotated by means of the electronic control unit about the base axis 25 from the main loaded position M1 to the main viewing position M2.

Furthermore, a contour 27 and an inner perimeter 28 of the base dent region 21 can correspond to a contour 29 and an outer parameter 30 of the main display unit 16. Hence, in the main loaded position M1 , it can be ensured that the main display unit 16 occupies the base dent region 21 effectively and the main display panel 19 can be completely loaded in the base dent region 21. Furthermore, the display device 10 can comprise an auxiliary display unit 31. The auxiliary display unit 31 can have a smaller size, particularly in a display height as compared to the main display unit 16. The auxiliary display unit 31 can comprise a front side 32 and a rear side 33. The front side 32 of the aux iliary display unit 31 comprises an auxiliary display panel 34. The auxiliary display panel 34 can be a liquid crystal display panel. The auxiliary display panel 34 can display selected set of information from that of the information displayed on the main display panel 19. The selected set of information can include information such as the navigation route. The auxiliary display unit 31 can be integrated in the main dent region 35. The auxiliary display unit 31 can be attached to at least one point 36 on an edge 37 of the main dent region 35.

The auxiliary display unit 31 can be rotated about the main axis 38 parallel to the edge 37. A double directional arrow 40 denotes the directions of rotation of the auxiliary display unit 31 about the main axis 38. The auxiliary display unit 31 can be rotated about a main axis 38 between an auxiliary loaded po sition A1 , as shown in Fig. 2, where the auxiliary display panel 34 is com pletely loaded in the main dent region 35, and an auxiliary viewing position A2, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, where information on the auxiliary display panel 34 can be visually accessible to the user 1 1 from the predefined posi tion Q. The predefined head position Q is shown by means of the point P1 , where the eyes of the user 1 1 are directed towards a point P3 on the auxilia ry display panel 34. A resulting line of view from the predefined head position Q is depicted by a dashed line 39 joining the point P1 and the point P3 on the auxiliary display panel 34. Furthermore, the auxiliary display unit 31 can be designed to be adjusted by rotating the auxiliary display unit 31 between an angle B2 of 45 degrees and 200 degrees about the main axis 38. This ena bles the user 1 1 to adjust the auxiliary display unit 31 by sending an input signal to the electronic control unit by means of the input device in such a manner, so that the user 1 1 can have good view of the information on the auxiliary display panel 34. Furthermore, a contour 41 and an inner perimeter 42 of the main dent region 35 can correspond to a contour 43 and an outer parameter 44 of the auxiliary display unit 31. Hence, in the auxiliary loaded position A1 , it is ensured that the auxiliary display unit 31 occupies the main dent region 35 effectively and the auxiliary display panel 34 can be completely loaded in the main dent re- gion 35.

Fig. 1 shows that the main display unit 16 is in the main viewing position M2, whereas the auxiliary display unit 31 is in the auxiliary viewing position A2. In this case, the user 1 1 can view the information on the main display panel 19 from the predefined head position Q. However, if the user 1 1 chooses to change a display panel by sending the input signal to the electronic control unit by means of the input device, in order to view the information on the aux iliary display panel 34 instead of the main display panel 16. The main display unit 16 can rotated about the base axis 25 from the main viewing position M2 to the main loading position M1 , whereas then the auxiliary display panel 34 can be visually accessible to the user 11 from the predefined head position Q.

In Fig. 2, the main display unit 16 is in the main loading position M1 and the auxiliary display unit 31 is in the auxiliary loading position A1. This can be useful in a case, when the user 1 1 does not require the display device 10 to view information on the display panel, that is the main display panel 19 or the auxiliary display panel 34 of the display device 10. However, as shown in Fig. 3, the user 1 1 can choose the auxiliary display unit 31 to view the information on the auxiliary display panel 34 by sending the input signal to the electronic control unit by means of the input device. In this case, the user 1 1 can rotate the auxiliary display unit 31 from the auxilia ry loaded position A1 , as shown in Fig.2, to the auxiliary viewing position A2. This user 1 1 can adjust the auxiliary viewing position A2 by sending the input signal to the electronic control unit by means of the input device. The elec tronic control unit can then rotate the auxiliary display unit 31 about the main axis 38 to an angle B2, for example 75 degrees, so that the user 1 1 can have an optimal view from the predefined head position Q. Furthermore, the main display unit 16 remains in the main loading position M1 , as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 shows an illustration of the display device 10, where the user 1 1 can choose the main display unit 16 by sending the input signal to the electronic control unit by means of the input device, in order to view the information on the main display panel 19, for example during autonomous driving. In this case, the user 1 1 can send the input signal to the electronic control unit by means of the input device rotate the main display unit 16 from the main load- ed position M1 , as shown in Fig.2 and Fig. 3, to the main viewing position M2. This user 1 1 can adjust the main viewing position M2 by sending an in put signal to the electronic control unit by means of the input device. The electronic control device can rotate the main display unit 16 about the base axis 25 to an angle B1 , for example 80 degrees, so that the user 1 1 can have an optimal view from the predefined head position Q.