# US 12,111,464 B2 · Display device for a motor vehicle, method for operating a display of a motor vehicle, control module, and motor vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,111,464 B2 - Document ID: US12111464B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/298,293 - Filed: 2019-11-15 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-11-30 - Assignees: Audi AG - Applicants: Audi AG - Inventors: Jacques Helot - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12111464B2 ## CPC - G02B 27/0101: {characterised by optical features (G02B27/0172 takes precedence)} - B60K 35/22: Display screens - B60K 35/53: Movable instruments, e.g. slidable - B60K 35/60: Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10) - B60K 35/81: for controlling displays - 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 - B60K 2360/182: Distributing information between displays - B60K 2360/27: using semi-transparent optical elements - B60K 2360/34: Backlit symbols - B60K 2360/343: Illumination of matrix displays - B60K 2360/349: Adjustment of brightness - G02B 26/02: for controlling the intensity of light {(G02B26/004 takes precedence)} - G02B 2027/0118: {comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility} - G02F 2201/44: Arrangements combining different electro-active layers, e.g. electrochromic, liquid crystal or electroluminescent layers - G09F 9/3023: {Segmented electronic displays} - G09G 2300/023: Display panel composed of stacked panels - G09G 2380/10: Automotive applications - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS - G09G: ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION (arrangements for transferring data between digital computers and displays G06F3/14; static indicating arrangements comprising an association of a number of separate sources or light control cells G09F9/00; static indicating arrangements comprising integral associations of a number of light sources H01J, H01K, H10H, H05B33/12; scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission, details thereof H04N1/00) ## Abstract A display screen unit of a display device includes a display surface having a plurality of subareas, and a sight protection element configured to set a degree of transparency for each of the plurality of subareas. The display device further includes a back lighting module having at least one illumination element directed to the display screen unit, and a controller configured to set the display screen unit in a display mode, in which the sight protection element sets the degree of transparency for each of the plurality of subareas. The controller may be configured to provide a back light by controlling the back lighting module based on a movement of the display screen unit from a stowed position to a deployed position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A display device for a motor vehicle, comprising: a display screen unit, including: a display screen element configured as one display surface dividable into a plurality of subareas which respectively display, and a sight protection element which is a switchable foil or a switchable film having a surface subdivided into a plurality of subareas of the sight protection element that correspond to the plurality of subareas of the one display surface so that a degree of transparency of at least one subarea of the sight protection element, of the plurality of subareas of the sight protection element, is switchable to be set for the at least one subarea of the sight protection element; a back lighting module including at least one illumination element directed to the display screen unit; and a controller configured to set the display screen unit in a display mode, in which the sight protection element is switched to set the degree of transparency for the at least one subarea of the sight protection element, wherein the display mode includes the controller being configured to: determine at least one subarea of the one display surface, from among the plurality of subareas of the one display surface, which displays a graphical element, and change a degree of transparency of the at least one subarea of the sight protection element corresponding to the at least one subarea of the one display surface which displays the graphical element, from among the plurality of subareas of the sight protection element, so that a degree of transparency of remaining subareas of the sight protection element is different compared to the at least one subarea of the sight protection element which corresponds to the at least one subarea of the one display surface which displays the graphical element, and control the at least one illumination element of the back lighting module to illuminate the remaining subareas of the sight protection element, from among the plurality of subareas of the sight protection element based on a movement of the display screen unit from a stowed position to a deployed position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display mode includes the controller being configured to: change the degree of transparency of the remaining subareas of the sight protection element to a transparent state, such that the remaining subareas of the sight protection element have a degree of transparency of at least 25%. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display mode includes the controller being configured to: change the degree of transparency of the at least one subarea of the one display surface which displays the graphical element to a degree of transparency of less than 25%. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The display device according to claim 1, wherein in the stowed position the display screen unit is stowed into a trim panel of the motor vehicle, and in the deployed position the display screen unit is in the display mode and at least partially extended out of the trim panel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The display device according to claim 1, wherein the back lighting module includes at least one of a rod, a matrix, or a surface on which the at least one illumination element is provided. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The display device according to claim 5, wherein the back lighting module includes a plurality of rods with the at least one illumination element on each of the plurality of rods. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The display device according to claim 1, wherein the back lighting module includes a plurality of groups, each of the plurality of groups including a plurality of illumination elements, from among the at least one illumination element, and each group among the plurality of groups is respectively directed to a corresponding subarea among the plurality of subareas. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The display device according to claim 1, wherein the back lighting module is segmented into segments, and each of the segments includes at least one illumination element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A motor vehicle, comprising: a trim panel; and the display device according to claim 1. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The motor vehicle of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to: control the at least one illumination element of the back lighting module to illuminate the remaining subareas of the sight protection element without illuminating the at least one subarea of the one display surface which displays the graphical element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The motor vehicle of claim 10, wherein in the stowed position the display screen unit is stowed into the trim panel, and in the deployed position the display screen unit is in the display mode and at least partially extended out of the trim panel. ### Claim 12 A method of operating a display device of a motor vehicle, the display device including a display screen unit including a display screen element configured as one display surface dividable into a plurality of subareas which respectively display, and a sight protection element which is a switchable foil or a switchable film having a surface subdivided into a plurality of subareas of the sight protection element that correspond to the plurality of subareas of the one display surface, a back lighting module including at least one illumination element directed to the display screen unit, and a controller, the method comprising: setting, by the controller, the display screen unit in a display mode, in which the sight protection element is switchable to set a degree of transparency for at least one subarea of the sight protection element, from among the plurality of subareas of the sight protection element, wherein the display mode includes: determining at least one subarea of the one display surface, from among the plurality of subareas of the one display surface, which displays a graphical element, changing a degree of transparency of the at least one subarea of the sight protection element corresponding to the at least one subarea of the one display surface which displays the graphical element, from among the plurality of subareas of the sight protection element, so that a degree of transparency of remaining subareas of the sight protection element is different compared to the at least one subarea of the sight protection element which corresponds to the at least one subarea of the one display surface which displays the graphical element, and controlling the at least one illumination element of the back lighting module to illuminate remaining subareas of the sight protection element, from among the plurality of subareas of the sight protection element, based on a movement of the display screen unit from a stowed position to a deployed position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein the display mode further comprises: changing the degree of transparency of the remaining subareas of the sight protection element to a transparent state, such that the remaining subareas of the sight protection element have a degree of transparency of at least 25%; and/or changing the degree of transparency of the at least one subarea of the one display surface which displays the graphical element to an opaque state. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein in the stowed position the display screen unit is stowed in a trim panel of the motor vehicle, and in the deployed position the display screen unit is in the display mode and at least partially extended out of the trim panel. ### Claim 15 A controller for a display device of a motor vehicle, the display device including a display screen unit including a display screen element configured as one display surface dividable into a plurality of subareas which respectively display, and a sight protection element which is a switchable foil or a switchable film having a surface subdivided into a plurality of subareas of the sight protection element that correspond to the plurality of subareas of the one display surface, and a back lighting module including at least one illumination element directed to the display screen unit, the controller comprising: a memory configured to store instructions; and a processor configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory to: set the display screen unit in a display mode, in which the sight protection element is switchable to set a degree of transparency for at least one subarea of the sight protection element, from among the plurality of subareas of the sight protection element, wherein for the display mode, the processor is further configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory to: determine at least one subarea of the one display surface, from among the plurality of subareas of the one display surface, which displays a graphical element, change a degree of transparency of the at least one subarea of the sight protection element corresponding to the at least one subarea of the one display surface which displays the graphical element, from among the plurality of subareas of the sight protection element, so that a degree of transparency of remaining subareas of the sight protection element is different compared to the at least one subarea of the sight protection element which corresponds to the at least one subarea of the one display surface which displays the graphical element, and control the at least one illumination element of the back lighting module to illuminate remaining subareas of the sight protection element, from among the plurality of subareas of the sight protection element, based on a movement of the display screen unit from a stowed position to a deployed position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The controller according to claim 15, wherein for the display mode, the processor is further configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory to: change the degree of transparency of the remaining subareas of the sight protection element to a transparent state, such that the remaining subareas of the sight protection element have a degree of transparency of at least 25%, and/or change the degree of transparency of the at least one subarea of the one display surface which displays the graphical element to an opaque state. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The controller according to claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory to control the back lighting module to illuminate the determined at least one subarea based on the movement of the display screen unit from the stowed position, in which the display screen unit is stowed in a trim panel of the motor vehicle, to the deployed position, in which the display screen unit is in the display mode and at least partially extended out of the trim panel. ### Claim 18 A display device for a motor vehicle, comprising: a display screen unit, including: a display screen element configured as one display surface dividable into a plurality of subareas which respectively display, and a sight protection element which is a switchable foil or a switchable film having a surface subdivided into a plurality of subareas of the sight protection element that correspond to the plurality of subareas of the one display surface so that a degree of transparency of at least one subarea of the sight protection element, of the plurality of subareas of the sight protection element, is switchable to be set for the at least one subarea of the sight protection element; a back lighting module including at least one illumination element directed to the display screen unit; and a controller configured to set the display screen unit in a display mode, in which the sight protection element is switched to set the degree of transparency for the at least one subarea of the sight protection element, wherein the display mode includes the controller being configured to: determine at least one subarea of the one display surface, from among the plurality of subareas of the one display surface, which displays a graphical element, and change a degree of transparency of the at least one subarea of the sight protection element corresponding to the at least one subarea of the one display surface which displays the graphical element, from among the plurality of subareas of the sight protection element, so that a degree of transparency of remaining subareas of the sight protection element is different compared to the at least one subarea of the sight protection element which corresponds to the at least one subarea of the one display surface which displays the graphical element, control the at least one illumination element of the back lighting module to illuminate the remaining subareas of the sight protection element, from among the plurality of subareas of the sight protection element corresponding to the changed degree of transparency of the at least one subarea of the sight protection element, and control the at least one illumination element of the back lighting module to illuminate the remaining subareas of the sight protection element without illuminating the at least one subarea of the one display surface which displays the graphical element.