GB2379074A

GB2379074A - Driver's information device

Info

Publication number: GB2379074A
Application number: GB0217040A
Authority: GB
Inventors: V Stephanie Zwingmann
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 2001-08-09
Filing date: 2002-07-23
Publication date: 2003-02-26
Anticipated expiration: 2022-07-23
Also published as: GB2379074B; DE10138129A1; ITMI20021795A1; GB0217040D0

Abstract

A car radio or the like is provided with an attachment plate disposed in a receptacle on the radio. The attachment plate can be moved from one position in which one side is concealed and another where the other side is concealed. The plate carries a display on one or both sides and the arrangement is such that valuable equipment can be hidden from view to discourage theft. In one embodiment the attachment plate can be removed and replaced in a reversed state. Alternatively, the plate can be rotated through 180{ by motor. In this case the attachment plate is rotatably mounted on holding elements 34, 35 located within the receptacle 30.

Description

1 2379074

DESCRIPTION

DRIVER'S INFORMATION DEVICE

The preset invention is concerned with information devices for drivers.

Driver's information devices, in particular car radio devices, are known which have an attachment piece, which comprises a flat front side and a flat rear side, wherein the attachment piece is disposed on a receptacle of the driver's information device.

DE 198 03 178 Al discloses a car radio having a removable operating part, wherein the operating part can be removed for the prevention of theft. The removed operating part can preferably have the function of a socalled Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). This would act as an extra incentive to carry the 5 operating part. However, there is a risk that any operating part left behind in a vehicle will be stolen because of its additional functionality and the ability to use it as an individual part. Moreover, functions of the car radio and of the PDA are to be integrated on one display surface. This will also encourage a user to utilize the functions of the Personal Digital Assistant during a journey.

In accordance with the present invention, in a first position of the attachment piece the front side of the attachment piece points towards the driver's information device and is concealed and in a second position of the attachment piece the rear side of the attachment piece points towards the driver's information device and is concealed and the attachment piece can be alternated between the first and second position. In contrast, a driver's information device according to the present invention has the advantage that the driver's information device has an attachment piece of 30 which in a first position the front side faces the observer and in a second position

as to allow usage, in particular usage of the further functions outside the vehicle also. In particular, the operation as a mobile arithmeticlogic unit allows, e.g. management of appointments and messages. For this purpose, the driver's information device advantageously comprises a radio communications interface 5 which can be used for contacting a data network, e.g. The Internet, preferably via a mobile telephony interface. Furthermore, a data exchange with the driver's information device is preferably also performed via a radio communications interface, e.g. via a so-called Blue-Tooth interface which enables radio contact to be established between the driver's information device and the attachment piece l o inserted into the receptacle.

It is also advantageous to insert a data carrier card into an orifice of the attachment piece. This type of data carrier card is used e.g. for identifying a user with respect to a mobile telephony network.

The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Exemplif ed embodiments of the invention are explained in detail in the 20 description hereinunder and are illustrated in the drawing, in which

Figure 1 shows a basic circuit diagram of a driver's information device in accordance with the invention, 25 Figure 2 shows an aspect of a first exemplified embodiment of a driver's information device in accordance with the invention without the attachment piece inserted into the receptacle, Figure 3 shows an aspect of a second exemplified embodiment of a driver's so information device without an attachment piece inserted,

possible to achieve a functional separation of various functional groups which are integrated into the driver's information device.

It is also possible to provide a touch-sensitive display at least on one side of the s attachment piece, since a display which is designed e.g. as a touch-screen allows ease of operation.

It is also advantageous to dispose on an attachment piece a device for holding an operating pencil which can also be used to select very small operating fields with

l o ease, in particular when the vehicle is stationary. In this case, it is particularly advantageous when removing the operating pencil to move the attachment piece automatically to the particular position, in which the side having a touch-sensitive display faces the observer.

5 It is also advantageous to provide the rear side of the attachment piece with a transparent protective cover, as this provides protection for the display disposed behind it, and in particular where the display is disposed behind the protective cover and the display light is switched off the rear side has a smooth surface, so that a display for the user is not visible from the outside. Therefore, when the JO driver's information device is switched off, the functionality of the attachment piece is also not visible to an observer located outside the vehicle.

It is also advantageous to store the attachment piece in the receptacle such that it can be rotated 180 by a motor. This renders it possible to change automatically 2s from the first position of the attachment piece to the second position of the attachment piece. In this case, it is particularly advantageous to dispose a rotational device in side walls of the receptacle, since in this way it is not necessary to increase the installation depth of the driver's information device.

30 It is also advantageous to design the attachment piece so that it can be removed, so

signals received via the first antenna 3 are processed in a receiving device 4 and output as audio signals via a loudspeaker 5 in the driver's information device.

Furthermore, the installation device 2 has an arithmetic-logic unit 6 which is used in particular as a navigation device. Via a second antenna 7, a vehicle position is s determined by means of a satellite location system, e.g. the Global Positioning System (GPS). By accessing a digital map stored preferably on a data carrier in a data carrier drive 8, the arithmetic-logic unit 6 calculates a route from the current vehicle position to a destination which has been input. Data is input via operating elements which are disposed on an attachment piece 9 located in a receptacle of the installation device 2. Any commands input via the operating elements of the attachment piece 9 are transmitted via a radio communications interface 10 from the attachment piece 9 to the installation device 2 and in particular to the arithmetic-logic unit 6. By means of a storage battery in the vehicle, the installation device 2 is supplied with an operating voltage via a voltage supply 11.

5 By way of a voltage supply 12, the attachment piece g is supplied by the installation device 2 with an operating voltage and storage batteries disposed in the attachment piece 9 are charged up via the voltage supply 12. The installation device 2 is also connected to a data bus 13 in the vehicle, so that it is also possible to actuate further devices in the vehicle via the attachment piece 9. The 20 attachment piece 9 further comprises a radio communications interface 14 for connection to a mobile telephony network which can connect the attachment piece 9, into which preferably a second arithmetic-logic unit 15 is integrated' to a data network, e.g. The Internet. The voltage supply 12 can be interrupted, if the attachment piece 9 is removed from the receptacle of the driver's information 25 device I and is used outside the vehicle.

Figure 2 illustrates an aspect of a front side of the installation device 2 of the driver's information device l which front side is visible in the central console of the vehicle. Disposed between a first operating element 21 and a second operating 30 element 22, which are preferably designed as rocker buttons and/or rotary knobs,

Figure 4 shows an aspect of a first side of an attachment piece in accordance with the invention, Figure S shows a side view of a longitudinal side of an attachment piece in 5 accordance with the invention, Figure 6 shows a side view of a narrow side of an attachment piece in accordance with the invention, and lo Figure 7 shows an aspect of a second side of a attachment piece in accordance with the invention.

A driver's information device in accordance with the invention can be used in a 5 multiplicity of vehicles, e.g. in aeroplanes, ships, rail vehicles and motor vehicles for road use. The driver's information device according to the invention will be explained hereinunder using the example of a driver's information device provided for a motor vehicle. Generally, a driver's information device of this type is designed as an individual installation device to which connections for external 20 components are connected which can be actuated or selected e.g. via a bus system in the vehicle. The temm driver's information device can thus be used to refer both to the individual installation device and to the installation device in connection with the external components such as e. g. sensors and antennae. The installation device can be fixedly integrated into the vehicle or can be mounted in an 25 installation compartment, from which it can be removed and replaced.

Figure 1 illustrates a basic circuit of a driver's information device 1 in accordance with the invention. An installation device 2 which is preferably inserted into a central console of the motor vehicle in a standardised installation compartment is 30 connected to a first antenna 3 for the reception of a broadcast program. The

The release element 29 is preferably designed as a push button which is mechanically connected to the latching hooks 28.

Figure 3 illustrates a further exemplified embodiment for receiving the attachment 5 piece into the installation device 2. Like reference numerals designate like elements in this case and hereinunder also. A installation device 2' is provided with a receptacle 30, into which it is possible to insert an attachment piece on to the base surface 24 of the receptacle 30 in the same manner as into the receptacle 20 explained with reference to Figure 2. On a first side wall 32, facing the first lo operating element 21, and on an opposite-lying second side wall 33, facing the operating element 22, of the receptacle 30 a first holding element 34 is disposed on the first side wall 32 and a second holding element 35 is disposed on the second side wall 33.

5 The holding elements 34,35 engage into the two opposite-lying short narrow sides of an attachment piece which is to be inserted. The holding elements 34,35 can be moved along the side walls. Preferably, the two holding elements 34,35 are always located at the same height. Furthermore, the holding elements can also be rotated about an axis of rotation 37 which is illustrated by broken lines and 20 which extends perpendicularly to the side walls 32,33 of the receptacle 30. The attachment piece is supplied with voltage preferably via electrical contacts which are disposed in the holding elements 34, 35.

If an attachment piece is inserted into the receptacle 30, then by actuating a 25 change-over button 36 disposed on the front side of the installation device 2', the attachment piece in the receptacle can be rotated about 180 , so that instead of the front side the rear side is facing the observer. For this purpose, the attachment piece which otherwise terminates flush with the front side 23 of the installation device 2 in the area of the operating elements 21,22, is rotated 90 by turning the 30 holding elements 34,35, so that a narrow side of the attachment piece pointing

is a receptacle 20 on the front side of the installation device 2. A base surface 24 of the receptacle 20 is provided in such a manner as to be recessed with respect to another front side 23 of the installation device 2 by the amount of the thickness of an attachment piece to be inserted into the receptacle 20, said front side 23 is 5 raised over the base of the receptacle 20 in a surrounding area of the operating elements 21, 22 and preferably terminates approximately flush with the mounting frame or mounting panel of the installation device 2. In a first exemplified embodiment, the surface of the receptacle 20 has a compartment 25 provided therein for receiving a data carrier, which compartment is illustrated by broken o lines and serves to receive preferably a magnetic andlor optical data carrier. The compartment 25 is used e.g. for access to the data carrier drive 8. In one preferred exemplified embodiment, a data carrier compartment 31 is disposed below the first operating element 21 and a storage element can be input into said compartment. The arrangement directly on the front surface of the attachment 5 piece also renders it possible to gain access without rotating the attachment piece.

In addition to magnetic storage media or semiconductor storage elements, it is possible e.g. to use small hard disc drives having a large storage capacity. The data carrier can be ejected from the data carrier compartment 31 by means of a push button 38 disposed adjacent to the data carrier compartment 31.

An upper edge 26 of the receptacle 30 and an opposite-lying lower edge 27 of the receptacle 20 are provided with latching hooks 28, of which, for reasons of clarity in the drawing, only one is designated with a reference numeral, said latching hooks latch into the respective corresponding side walls of the attachment piece 25 when inserting the attachment piece into the receptacle 20. The attachment piece can be inserted by a user such that either the front side or the rear side of the attachment piece points towards the base surface 24 of the receptacle 20. By actuating a release element 29, which is disposed in an upper part of the attachment piece above the first operating element, the latching hooks 28 are 30 retracted, so that the attachment piece can be removed from the receptacle 20.

this to the arithmetic-logic unit 6. The arithmetic-logic unit 6 will then automatically trigger a rotation of the attachment piece 40 towards the rear side which will be explained with reference to Figure 7. In turn, an operating symbol which is shown in a display on the second attachment piece side can be used to 5 trigger rotation of the attachment piece. The operating pencil 50 can then be returned to the holding sleeve 43 and upon being removed once again it is possible to trigger further rotation of the attachment piece. This ensures that in the event the operating pencil 50 is not required, provision is made to hold it accordingly on the device, so that the operating pencil 50 cannot be lost.

In one exemplified embodiment, the first display 41 is designed as a touch sensitive display. Arranged on the surface of the first display 41 are functional fields 44, 44', 44" which represent functions of the driver's information device 1.

The functions which are allocated to the functional fields 44, 44', 44" are selected

5 preferably by means of the operating elements 21, 22. A function symbol 45, a compact disc in the illustration of Figure 4, designates a selected function in the driver's information device 1, in this case playing music from a data carrier inserted into the data carrier drive 8. The first display 41 further comprises a time display 46, a battery charge status display 47 and a message transmission display 20 48. The battery charge status display 47 indicates the charging status of a storage battery installed in the attachment piece 40. As a consequence, the user is able to tell whether the attachment piece 40 can be operated by battery after it has been removed from the receptacle 20, 30. The message transmission display 48 shows the receipt of a text message which has been transmitted via a radio 25 communications interface, e.g. the receipt of an e-mail. The first display 41 is limited to controlling the functions of the driver's information device or of the vehicle. By actuating the changeover button 36 in relation to the exemplified embodiment explained in accordance with Figure 3, by removing the operating pencil 50 from the holding sleeve 43 or by releasing and rear vardly inserting the so attachment piece as in the case of the exemplified embodiment in accordance with

towards the lower receptacle edge 27 is now facing the observer. In this case, the holding elements 34, 35 are located in an upper position in the receptacle 30 which is preferably located between the compartment 25 and the upper receptacle wall 26. In a further step, the holding elements 34, 35 are moved to a lower 5 position 39, 39' illustrated by broken lines. In this case, the attachment piece is not rotated, so that the lower receptacle edge 27 faces the observer. Upon reaching the lower position 39, 39', the attachment piece is then rotated about the axis of rotation 37 which has also been displaced in unison with the holding elements 34, 35, so that the narrow side which previously faced the lower o receptacle edge 27 now faces the upper receptacle edge 26. The rear side of the attachment piece now faces the observer. The rear side terminates flush with the front side 23 of the installation device 2. If a user would now like to make the front side of the attachment piece visible in the receptacle 30, then he/she actuates the change-over button 36 once again, wherein the reverse procedure is performed 15 and the front side of the attachment piece then faces the observer. By actuating the release element 29, it is possible, preferably by retracting the holding elements 34, 35, to remove the attachment piece from the receptacle 30 and then to reinsert it. 20 Figure 4 illustrates an attachment piece 40 in a view of a flat front side. Disposed on the front side is a flat, first display 41 which is designed preferably as a liquid crystal display. The first display 41 is surrounded by a frame 42, wherein a holding sleeve 43 for receiving an operating pencil 50 is disposed on a lower edge of the first display 41. The operating pencil 50 can be used for the purpose of 5 operating a touch-sensitive display. In a preferred exemplified embodiment, a sensor element 49 is inserted into the holding sleeve 43 of the operating pencil.

The sensor element 49 can be used to detect whether the operating pencil 50 is inserted into the holding sleeve 43. If the front side of the attachment piece 40 with the first display 41 is facing a user and if the operating pencil 50 is removed, 30 the sensor element 49 will record the removal of the operating pencil 50 and relay

management of appointments stored in the attachment piece 40. The connection of a headset/microphone combination to the headset/microphone plug connection 57 renders it possible to use the attachment piece 40 as a mobile telephone, in that an ear piece serves as a loudspeaker and a microphone is used for picking up 5 sound. For example, it is possible to insert into the data carrier orifice 58 a chip card which identifies the attachment piece 40 with respect to a mobile telephony network and thus enables the calculation of charges. Furthermore, it is possible to integrate into the attachment piece a mass storage medium [not illustrated in the drawing] comprising a data carrier, which takes up the least amount of space 0 possible, for the purpose of storing further data. Furthermore, it is also possible to insert into the data carrier orifice 58 further data carriers, e.g. music data carriers, as storage cards or as magnetic and/or optical data carriers. As a consequence, by means of the headset/microphone plug connection 57 the attachment piece 40 can also be used as a portable music player.

In Figure 6, a narrow side 60 having an orifice 61 is provided, wherein the orifice 61 comprises latching elements 62, into which the second holding element 35 can latch. As a consequence, the attachment piece 40 is held on the second holding element 35. Opposite the orifice 61, a further orifice [not illustrated in the 20 drawing] for receiving the first holding element 34 is disposed on the narrow side opposite the narrow side 60. The front side having the first display 41 preferably comprises a transparent protective cover 63 which is enclosed by the frame 42 and serves to protect the first display 41. When the attachment piece 40 is removed from the receptacle and the second display 53 is operated by means of the 25 operating pencil 50, the protective cover 63 allows the attachment piece 40 to be held in the hand, wherein the protective cover 63 can be touched by a person's hand without damaging the first display 41 or leaving marks thereon. In a preferred exemplified embodiment, the transparent protective cover 63 has a slight dark colour to it, so that when the light of the first display 41 integrated into the 30 attachment piece 40 is switched off the transparent protective cover 63 appears

Figure 2, it is possible to change from the front side of the display device to the rear side of the display device, as illustrated in Figure 7.

The rear side likewise comprises a frame 52 which surrounds a second display 53.

5 The second display 53 also shows the message transmission display 48, the battery charge status display 47 and the time display 46. By touching a first symbol 59 or a second symbol 54, it is possible to invoke functions of the arithmetic-logic unit 15. For example, by actuating the first symbol 59 illustrated as a globe, it is possible to establish a mobile telephony connection to a data l o network via the radio communications interface 14. Actuation of the second symbol 54 which represents a calender renders it possible to change to the management of appointments for a user of the driver's information device. By selecting the message transmission display 48, it is possible to show the transmitted message in the second display 53. Actuation of a change-over symbol 5 51 serves to trigger the rotation of the attachment piece 40 to the side having the first display 41. The second display 53 is preferably designed as a touch-sensitive display, preferably as a touch-screen liquid crystal display. In a further exemplified embodiment [not illustrated in the drawing], the rear side can also be a synthetic material protective cover without a display which serves merely to No cover the receptacle 20 and 30 respectively.

In the first position of the attachment piece 40, the front side is visible as shown in Figure 4 and in the second position the rear side is visible as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 5 illustrates a view of a narrow side 55 of the attachment piece 40. A data plug 56, a headset/microphone plug-in connection 57 and a data carrier orifice 58 are provided in the narrow side. The data plug 56 provides a data connection to a further arithmetic-logic unit [not illustrated in the drawing], by means of which it is possible to exchange data from the arithmetic-logic unit 15 of the attachment piece 40 with the further arithmetic logic unit. Therefore, by means of the data so connection to the further arithmetic-logic unit it is possible to update e.g. the

1. Driver's information device, such as a car radio device, having an attachment 5 piece, wherein the attachment piece comprises a flat front side and a flat rear side, wherein the attachment piece is disposed on a receptacle of the driver's information device, and wherein in a first position of the attachment piece the front side of the attachment piece points towards the driver's information device and is concealed and that in a second position of the attachment piece the rear side lo of the attachment piece points towards the driver's information device and is concealed and wherein the attachment piece can be alternated between the first and second position.

2. Driver's information device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receptacle is an 5 orifice in a front side of the driver's information device and that the attachment piece can be inserted into the receptacle.

3. Driver's information device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a display is disposed on the front side anchor on the rear side of the attachment 20 piece.

4. Driver's information device as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one car radio function can be displayed on a first display and at least one schedule and/or message function can be displayed on a second display disposed on the opposite 25 side of the attachment piece.

5. Driver's information device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein a touch-

sensitive display is disposed on at least one side of the attachment piece.

30 6. Driver's information device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein

dark in colour.

In addition to manually effecting rotation of the attachment piece 40 in the receptacle 20, 30, the attachment piece can also be rotated automatically about 5 180 . For example, when the vehicle ignition is switched off, the attachment piece is automatically moved to the designated position, in which either a rear side panel or a darkened front side faces towards the vehicle compartment and the other side of the attachment piece is covered in the receptacle. Furthermore, e.g. even upon receipt of a message, the side on which the message is directly shown o can be turned towards the front automatically. Furthermore, the drive status of the vehicle, i.e. whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion, can be a variable which determines whether the first display 41 or the second display 53 is covered by the receptacle or points towards the internal compartment of the vehicle.

Claims

15. Driver's information device substantially as hereinbefore described,

with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings

a holding device for holding an operating pencil is disposed on the attachment piece. 7. Driver's information device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the holding device s is provided with a sensor element and that by means of the sensor element it is possible to determine whether the operating pencil in inserted in the holding device. 8. Driver's information device as claimed in any of the preceding claims? wherein l o the rear side of the attachment piece is covered by a transparent protective cover.

9. Driver's information device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment piece can be rotated 180 by motor.

5 lo. Driver's information device as claimed in claim 9, wherein a rotational device is disposed in side walls of the receptacle.

I 1. Driver's information device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment piece is removable.

12. Driver's information device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the attachment piece can be operated as a mobile arithmetic-logic unit.

13. Driver's information device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, 25 wherein a data carrier card can be inserted into an orifice of the attachment piece.

14. Driver's information device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a radio communications interface for connecting the driver's information device to a mobile telephony network is disposed in the driver's information 30 device.