DE102014204462A1 - Display device and method for presenting a graphical content that can be seen as a function of the viewing angle - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and a display device (1) for the viewing angle-dependent presentation of graphic contents are proposed. The display device (1) comprises at least a first transparent display means (D1) and a second display means (D2), wherein the second display means (D2) is arranged at a predefined distance (d) behind the first transparent display means (D1), and wherein both the first transparent display means (D1) and the second display means (D2) are arranged to represent the graphic contents offset from one another at least proportionally and / or perpendicular to the distance (d).

Description

State of the art

The present invention relates to a display device and a method for presenting a graphical content that is recognizable by viewing angle on a display device. In particular, the present invention relates to a recognizable presentation of the graphic content from such an angle of view as an authorized user ("viewer") and concealing the graphical content for all other viewing angles.

In certain situations, information on the visual channel should not be made accessible to all viewers. For example, when viewing sensitive data on a laptop display, no one other than the user should be able to view the screen content. Even when entering secret data at publicly available ATMs, concealing the screen contents for bystanders in order to improve data protection is desirable.

DE 10 2010 055 144 A1 discloses an operating device with freely programmable display surface and cover means, wherein the cover means are arranged in the viewing direction flat in front of a display surface and the transparency of the cover means is changeable to mask a content of the display surface.

In the field of vehicle technology, it may be desirable to visually present the speed to the driver alone while, for example, text messages can be displayed to the passenger while driving alone. One known way of making information visible only in certain angular ranges is to block visual axes through fixed structures. For example, a display can be recessed in a well so that it is readable only from a frontal perspective. Another possibility is the use of a type of shadow mask in front of a display, which from different perspectives the view of a part of the display elements ("pixels") releases the underlying display. This construction is used, for example, in the current S-Class from Mercedes Benz.

A disadvantage of the known solutions, on the one hand, that a recessed arrangement is not always desirable for design reasons. On the other hand, there is no way to make information visible to other viewing angles when needed. When using a shadow mask, it is not possible to adjust the reading angle during operation. It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

Disclosure of the invention

The above object is achieved by a display device with the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 10. Furthermore, a user interface, an electronic user terminal, a means of locomotion, a computer program product and a signal sequence for solving the above-mentioned object are proposed.

The display device according to the invention serves the viewing angle-dependent presentation of graphical content. In particular, the display device according to the invention is used to obscure graphical content depending on the viewing angle. It comprises at least a first transparent display means. The transparency may vary depending on the technology to be used. As is known, complete transparency (100% light transmission) is not possible in technical applications, which is not required according to the invention. Even a proportionate transparency is therefore understood in the context of the present invention as "transparency". In addition, the display device comprises a second display means, which is arranged with respect to all viewing directions behind the first transparent display means. The distance between the two display means is predefined, thus known and, in practical applications, will correspond in particular to a fixed distance. Both the first transparent display means and the second display means are arranged to display the graphic contents at least proportionally. In other words, the graphical content to be presented to the authorized user is divided into two sub-graphics, of which a first is displayed on the first transparent display means and a second on the second display means. Alternatively or additionally, the display means may represent the graphical contents offset from each other with respect to the distance between the display means. Due to the transparency of the first display means, corresponding components of the graphic content are complementary with respect to a certain viewing angle and thus result in a clear reproduction of the graphic content. For all other viewing directions or viewing angles, components of the graphic content which are not (completely) mutually corresponding to one another are superimposed. The recognizability of the graphical content is made more difficult in this way for such viewing directions. The present invention thus offers the best possible flexibility for the adaptation of the viewing angle-dependent recognizability to presenting graphic contents.

The subclaims show preferred developments of the present invention. Preferably, the first transparent display means is arranged to display a first partial graphic, which comprises only a part of the information of the graphical content and is otherwise largely transparent. Accordingly, the second display means is arranged to display a second partial graphic which supplements the first partial graphic optically with respect to a predefined viewing angle (for example of an authorized user) to the graphic content. For example, the graphic content is divided into elements, of which subsequently a first subgroup of the first sub-graphic assigned and the remaining elements of the second sub-graphic are assigned. The relative position of the respective elements essentially remains the same. Depending on the viewing angle, there is thus an optical superimposition of the elements on the graphic content or an interference of successively represented elements or defects at such positions, at which neither the first display means nor the second display means represents a graphic element. The size of the elements of the first partial graphic and the second partial graphic can be varied depending on the potential viewing situation. For example, in the event that an authorized and an unauthorized potential viewer is determined before the display device according to the invention, the elements can be dimensioned such that overlap for the unauthorized potential viewer all elements (for example, line by line and / or columns), while between the superimposed Elements are not displayed. Only from the point of view of the authorized viewer, regardless of the size of the elements of the sub-graphics results in a clear representation of the graphical content.

To simplify the trigonometric conditions, it may be preferred for the first transparent display means and the second display means to have viewing surfaces arranged substantially parallel to one another. Within the scope of the present invention, the term "visible surface" is understood to mean that plane which is perceived primarily by the user when generating the visual impression. Nevertheless, it should be noted as a precaution that domed and more complexly designed visible surfaces can also be used for a display device according to the invention. Preferably, the first transparent display means and the second display means may be configured as matrix displays. These may essentially have an identical number of rows and / or an identical number of columns. In this way, the relationship between the viewing angle, the predefined distance between the display means, and any required offset between corresponding sub-graphics is substantially simplified according to a tangent function.

In order to make the optical representation particularly flexible and appealing, the first transparent display means and the second display means may be configured as color displays. In particular, both display means may be arranged to display optional colors from conventional color spaces (eg 56000 colors).

The display device according to the invention may preferably further comprise a graphic signal input, a control signal input and a processing unit. Via the graphic signal input, the display device receives the graphical content to be displayed. About the control signal input of the display device according to the invention, the angle of view of the currently classified as "eligible" user to be notified. In addition, a processing unit is provided, which may comprise, for example, a programmable processor and / or a graphics card. The processing unit is set up to generate a first partial graphic data record provided for display on the first transparent display means as a function of a control signal obtained via the control signal input. For the display on the second display means, the processing unit creates a corresponding second partial graphic data record. According to the control signal obtained ("desired viewing angle α"), the two partial graphic data sets correspond such that when they are displayed on the display means, such an offset of corresponding contents is produced that complete correspondence in the viewing direction of subgraphic elements arranged side by side results exclusively for the desired viewing angle α , In other words, a seamlessly juxtaposed representation of the elements ("pixels") of the graphic signal is generated without opposing partial graphic elements that are arranged one behind the other in the viewing direction ("do not match one another"). To increase the obfuscation of the graphical contents, the size of the undivided components of the first partial graphic data set and the second partial graphic data set can be selected as a function of a viewing angle of an unauthorized potential viewer. At a maximum level of obfuscation, for the unauthorized viewer, half the screen area is filled by completely superimposed contents that do not correspond to each other in the viewing direction, while the other half of the display area does not present any information regarding the graphical content. In other words, it can be made that only completely interfering portions and voids result for the unauthorized viewer. Alternatively or additionally, the two partial graphic data sets may be structured such that the information contained is not redundant held, but the processing unit makes a simple division of the graphical content on the two sub-graphics. In other words, each element required for the graphic content is then included either in the first sub-graphic data set or in the second sub-graphic data set.

Depending on where the determination of the positions of potential observers is performed in front of the display device according to the invention, the control signal can also represent a current viewing angle of an authorized user on the display device. In addition, the control signal may represent a current viewing angle of an unauthorized user on the display device. This is particularly advantageous when the display device itself does not include sensors to determine the positions of present persons. As a result, the display device according to the invention can use positions determined by any peripherals that may be present and can itself be made more cost-effective and more compact.

Further preferably, the display device may be configured to generate, depending on the control signal and a data set representing the predefined distance, an offset, oriented perpendicular to the predefined distance, between corresponding contents of the first partial graphic data set and the second partial graphic data set. In this case, the offset between the corresponding partial graphics is carried out, for example, by the processing unit of the display device according to the invention, or the graphic signal is processed according to the invention.

Furthermore, the display device according to the invention is set up to adapt the authorization according to an authorization signal received via the control signal input to the first partial graphic data record provided for display on the first transparent display means and / or the second partial graphic data record intended for display on the second display means to change the viewing angle dependency of the presentation. Such an evaluation or adaptation of one of the partial graphic data sets or both partial graphic data sets can be carried out, for example, by the processing unit. The authorization signal may in this case include an operating state-dependent change of the authorization (for example, a display content is replaced by a speed signal by the representation of a text message). Alternatively, the position of an authorized user or an unauthorized potential viewer may change in such a way that an adaptation of the representation required for obscuring the graphic contents is required. For this purpose, for example, the offset of the two partial graphics can be increased or reduced. In this way, a currently best possible concealment of the graphic content is guaranteed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of presenting a visual angle-dependent recognizable graphic content on a display device as described in detail above in connection with the first aspect of the invention. The method includes determining a position of at least one user. Subsequently, an authorization of this user is determined and, if the user has authorization, a graphical display is made as a function of the position of the user: A first partial graphic corresponding to the graphic content is displayed on the first transparent display means, and a second partial graphic is displayed on the second display means graphic content corresponding second partial graphic displayed. From the point of view of the authorized user, the sub-graphics overlap visually in such a way that the authorized user receives a display that substantially corresponds to the graphic content, while for other viewing angles, a display that does not correspond to the graphical content results. As described above, for this purpose, an offset between the sub-graphics can be generated, which results from the perspective of the authorized user and the predefined distance between the display means. Alternatively or additionally, the sub-graphics may behave in such a way that they only comprise all the information of the graphic content in the synopsis. The features, combinations of features and the advantages resulting therefrom correspond to those mentioned in connection with the first-mentioned aspect of the invention such that, in order to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above statements.

Preferably, the second partial graphic substantially comprises such optical contents which are missing from the graphic content in the first partial graphic and, in particular, are shown on the first transparent display means substantially completely transparent. In this way, a representation of the graphic content that is as unadulterated as possible results for the authorized user.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a user interface is provided with a sensor for detecting a viewing angle of a user and a display device, as has been described in detail in connection with the first-mentioned aspect of the invention. The user interface can be provided, for example, for a means of transportation (eg a car). Here, the User interface for reproducing information to the driver of the car as part of a human-machine interface (HMI) be provided. The sensor can be designed, for example, as an optical camera whose signals are evaluated by means of a face recognition software. The detected faces may then be examined as to which of the faces correspond to an authorized position communicated via a control signal and which of the faces correspond to an unauthorized position communicated via the control signal. In response to this evaluation, the display device according to the invention can be controlled according to the above explanations in order to disguise the graphical content for the unauthorized user.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an electronic user terminal is proposed, which is set up in particular for mobile data processing (eg a laptop, a tablet PC) and preferably for mobile communication (eg a smartphone, a tablet PC) , The electronic user terminal comprises a housing, a sensor for detecting a viewing angle of a user and a display device, as has been described above in detail in connection with the first-mentioned aspect of the invention. Both the sensor and the display device are arranged in the housing. The sensor can be designed according to the user interface according to the third aspect of the invention as an optical camera. The sensor signals can additionally be evaluated to determine which of the recognized faces of potential viewers of the display device is located nearest. In other words, it can be assumed that the authorized user, who generally holds the user terminal in his hand, is closest to the display device and, accordingly, his face is most closely imaged by the sensor. In this way, the electronic user terminal can completely decide without additional control signals at which position an authorized user resides. Optionally, the electronic user terminal may additionally identify unauthorized potential viewers and optimize the obfuscation described above with respect to that position (s).

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a means of transportation is proposed with a display device configured as described above and / or a user interface as described above. The means of transportation can be designed as a car, truck or as a water and / or air transport. With regard to the features, the combination of features and the advantages resulting therefrom, reference is likewise made to the above statements regarding the means of transport according to the invention.

Finally, a computer program product comprising instructions and instructions representing a signal sequence are proposed. The respective instructions are designed in such a way that, when executed on a programmable processor of a processing unit of a display device according to the invention, they cause the processing unit to carry out the steps of a method according to the present invention. In this way, the method steps as a computer program code having disks are protected. The signal sequence also protects the information technology provision of the instructions in the event that the storage means required for this purpose are outside the scope of the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

1 a schematic representation of a generic device according to the prior art;

2a , b schematic diagrams when viewing angle independent operation of a display device according to the invention;

3 Schematic diagrams when viewing angle-dependent operation of a display device according to the invention;

4 a schematic view of components of an embodiment of an electronic user terminal according to the invention;

5 a schematic representation of an inventively designed means of transport;

6 a detailed view for illustrating the trigonometric conditions for the perspective view according to the invention;

7 a sketch to illustrate a possible division of a graphic content on two sub-graphics;

8th a sketch to illustrate a second possible division of a graphic content on two sub-graphics; and

9 a flowchart illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

Embodiments of the invention

1 shows a generic display device, in which a viewing angle to a displayed by a display D graphical content 2 through a shadow mask 9 is restricted. The shadow mask 9 thus represents a static restriction of the angle of view.

2a shows two successively arranged display means D1, D2 a display device 1 of which the front first display means D1 is made partially transparent. A graphic content 2 in the form of the letter "R" is displayed on the first display means D1, while the underlying second display means D2 does not represent contents. The letter R is therefore unveiled and clearly visible from all angles.

2 B shows the in 2a illustrated arrangement of a display device according to the invention in the event that the graphical content 2 in the form of the letter "R" on the rear second display means D2, while the front first display means D1 is fully transparent. The letter R is therefore also unveiled and clearly visible from all angles.

3 shows the in the 2a and 2 B illustrated arrangement in the case of a viewing angle-dependent presentation of the graphical content 2 , wherein the front first display means D1 only partial sections of the letter "R" as the first partial graphic T1 and the second display means D2, the remaining portions of the letter "R" as a second partial graphic T2 represents. Dashed lines between the sub-graphics T1, T2 show the interfaces between the corresponding elements of the sub-graphics T1, T2. For unobjected recognition of the letter "R", the viewer would have to move to the lower left with respect to the perspective shown until the partial graphics T1, T2 overlap seamlessly with the letter "R".

4 shows components of a display device according to the invention 1 , as could be used, for example, in an electronic user terminal in the form of a tablet. The housing 6 includes a graphics signal input 3 and a control signal input 4 , Both are with a processing unit 5 Information technology connected. Likewise, an optical camera 7 as a sensor for face recognition information technology with the processing unit 5 connected. Two matrix displays D1, D2 as display means are spaced apart at a predefined distance d perpendicular to their visible surfaces. Graphic outputs of the processing unit 5 supply the two matrix displays D1, D2 with partial graphic data records. Through the optical camera 7 determines the processing unit 5 Positions in the vicinity of the display device according to the invention 1 existing persons. The position of the sensory largest detected face orders the processing unit 5 the position of the authorized user. If only one other potential observer is determined, a maximum concealment of a graphic content to be displayed is undertaken for the position of the latter. If several unauthorized potential viewers are determined, depending on their distance from the display device according to the invention 1 made a prioritization of concealment, with a stronger concealment for closer to the display device 1 arranged positions is selected.

5 shows an embodiment of a car according to the invention 10 as a means of transportation. The car 10 comprises a first matrix display D1, a second matrix display D2 and a sensor in the form of an optical camera 7 , A processing unit is in the form of an electronic control unit 5 provided the signals of the camera 7 evaluate and use to generate a viewing angle-dependent veiled screen content on the matrix displays D1, D2.

6 shows a plan view of two successively arranged matrix displays D1, D2 as a display means. Both are arranged at a predefined fixed distance d with respect to a vertical A on their display surface to each other. In the direction of an arrow P, the viewing direction of an authorized user is assumed. This is at an angle α to the vertical A on the display levels of the matrix displays D1, D2. Two identical sub-graphics T1, T2 are shown offset from each other by a distance s. In this way, the representations are superimposed on the authorized user to produce maximum recognizability of the graphic content to be presented. For the angle α of the viewing direction P with respect to the vertical A, the trigonometric relationship tan (α) = s / d results. Depending on the extent of the display surfaces of the matrix displays D1, D2, a (slightly) different angle results for different surface areas, which angle may have to be taken into account when positioning the partial graphics T1, T2.

7 shows a line-by-line and column-by-column interleaving of a graphic content to be displayed on the matrix displays D1, D2. The surface elements belonging to the graphic content of the partial graphics T1, T2 are checkerboard-like on the two matrix displays D1, D2 distributed, wherein one with the graphic content corresponding (dark) element is contained either only in the first sub-graphic T1 or in the second sub-graphic T2. In this way, for the columns C1, C2, C3, C4 of the first partial graphic T1 and the columns m1, m2, m3, m4, a distribution such that the odd-numbered elements of the first row m1, the even-numbered elements of the second row m2, the odd-numbered elements of the third line m3 and the even-numbered elements of the fourth line m4 correspond to the graphic content. For the columns C1 ', C2', C3 ', C4' and the rows m1 ', m2'. m3 ', m4' of the second partial graphic T2 results in the reverse distribution of the elements corresponding to the graphical content.

8th shows an alternative division of the elements corresponding to the graphic content to be presented. In this division results for the first sub-graphic T1 a representation of the graphic content by the complete odd-numbered lines m1 and m3, while the second sub-graphic T2 results in a corresponding representation in the even-numbered lines m2 ', m4'.

9 shows possible steps of an embodiment 1 of the method according to the invention. In step 100 a position of a user with respect to a display device according to the invention is determined. In step 200 an authorization of the user is determined. If the user has the necessary authorization to view the graphic content to be presented, in step 300 depending on the position of the user, a first partial graphic corresponding to the graphic content is displayed on the first transparent display means and in step 400 a second partial graphic corresponding to the graphical content is displayed on the second display means. According to the invention, due to the transparency of the first display means, the partial graphics overlap optically from the point of view of the authorized user in such a way that the authorized user receives a display corresponding to the graphic content, while for other viewing angles a display that does not correspond to the graphical content results.

Although the aspects and advantageous embodiments of the invention have been described in detail with reference to the embodiments explained in connection with the accompanying drawings, modifications and combinations of features of the illustrated embodiments are possible for the skilled person, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the scope of protection the appended claims are defined.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

display device

2

Graphic content to be presented

3

Graphic signal input

4

Control signal input

5

Electronic control unit, processing unit

6

casing

7

Optical camera

9

shadow mask

10

car

100, 200, 300, 400

steps

α

viewing angle

A

Vertical on the visible surface

c

columns

d

Predefined distance

D

display means

D1

First matrix display

D2

Second matrix display

m

row

P

Arrow, viewing direction

s

Offset two sub-graphics to each other

T1

First part graphic

T2

Second partial graphic

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102010055144 A1 [0003]

Claims (16)

Display device ( 1 ) for viewing angle-dependent presentation of graphical content ( 2 ), comprising - at least a first transparent display means (D1), - a second display means (D2), - the second display means (D2) being arranged at a predefined distance (d) behind the first transparent display means (D1), and - both the first transparent display means (D1) and the second display means (D2) are set up, the graphic contents ( 2 ) - at least proportionally, and / or - perpendicular to the distance (d) offset from one another represent. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the first transparent display means (D1) is arranged to display a first partial graphic (T1) and the second display means (D2) is arranged to optically display the first partial graphic (T2) with respect to a predefined viewing angle (α) Content ( 2 ) supplementary second partial graphic (T2).  Display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first transparent display means (D1) and the second display means (D2) have substantially parallel arranged viewing surfaces.  Display device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first transparent display means (D1) and the second display means (D2) are configured as matrix displays which in particular have a substantially identical first number of rows (m1, m2, m3, m4, m1 ', m2'). , m3 ', m4') and a substantially identical second number of columns (c1, c2, c3, c4, c1 ', c2', c3 ', c4').  Display device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first transparent display means (D1) and the second display means (D2) are designed as color displays. Display device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising - a graphic signal input ( 3 ), - a control signal input ( 4 ), and - a processing unit ( 5 ), wherein - the processing unit ( 5 ), depending on a via the control signal input ( 4 ) - a first partial graphic data record intended for display on the first transparent display means (D1) and - a second partial graphic data record provided for display on the second display means (D2) from a via the graphic signal input ( 3 ) to generate graphic signal obtained. Display device according to claim 6, wherein - the control signal displays a current viewing angle (α) of a user on the display device ( 1 ). Display device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the display device ( 1 ) is arranged to generate, depending on the control signal and a predefined distance (d) representing a data set perpendicular to the predefined distance offset (s) between corresponding contents of the first partial graphic data set and the second partial graphic data set. Display device according to claim 6 to 8, wherein the processing unit ( 5 ) is further established, depending on a via the control signal input ( 4 ) to adjust the first partial graphic data set intended for display on the first transparent display means (D1) and / or the second partial graphic data record intended for display on the second display means (D2) for changing the viewing angle dependency of the presentation. Method for presenting a graphical content that can be seen as a function of perspective ( 2 ) on a display device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: - determining ( 100 ) a position of a user, - determining ( 200 ) of an authorization of the user, and if the user has authorization according to the position of the user - Display ( 300 ) one to the graphical content ( 2 ) corresponding first partial graphic (T1) on the first transparent display means (D1) and - displays ( 400 ) one to the graphical content ( 2 ) on the second display means (D2), the partial graphics (T1, T2) overlapping optically from the perspective (α) of the user in such a way that the authorized user has access to the graphic content ( 2 ) receives corresponding display and wherein for other viewing angles results in a non-graphic content corresponding display. Method according to claim 10, wherein the second partial graphic (T2) essentially comprises such optical contents, in particular consisting of such contents which in the first partial graphic (T1) are opposite the graphic content (T1). 2 ) and, in particular, are substantially transparent on the first transparent display means (D1). Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the second partial graphic (T2) is represented by a selected offset (s) oriented perpendicularly to the predefined distance (d) between the display means (D1, D2) with respect to the first partial graphic (T1) tan α = s / d, where α is the user's angle of view, s is the offset, and d is the predefined distance between the display means (D1, D2). User interface, in particular for a means of transportation ( 10 ) comprising - a sensor ( 7 ) for detecting a viewing angle (α) of a user, and - a display device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 9. Electronic user terminal, in particular for mobile data processing, preferred for mobile communication, comprising - a housing ( 6 ), - a sensor ( 7 ) for detecting a viewing angle (α) of a user, and - a display device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, wherein the sensor ( 7 ) and the display device ( 1 ) in the housing ( 6 ) are arranged. Means comprising a display device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and / or a user interface according to claim 13. Computer program product comprising instructions or signal sequence representing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed on a processing unit ( 5 ) a display device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9, the processing unit ( 5 ) to perform the steps of a method according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

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