WO2023016928A1

WO2023016928A1 - Method for operating a display device of a motor vehicle, control device, and motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2023016928A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/072008
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacques Helot; Christian Wall
Original assignee: Audi Ag
Priority date: 2021-08-11
Filing date: 2022-08-04
Publication date: 2023-02-16
Also published as: DE102021120878A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a display device (20) of a motor vehicle (10). A control device (14) carries out a predefined user program (S1) and checks in a first extended position of the display surface element (28, S2) whether a line (46) displayed at a bottom edge of the visible portion of the display surface (36) meets a criterion of completeness predefined by the user program, which criterion specifies a cessation of a relevance of the image information in the lowest line. Only if the lowest line (46) meets the predefined criterion of completeness, the control device (14) generates an adjustment signal (S3) for changing (S5) of the display surface element (28) into an additional extended position of the extended positions, in which the display surface element (28) has an extension height which is changed by the line height.

Description

AUDI AG

patent application

Method for operating a display device of a motor vehicle, control device and motor vehicle

DESCRIPTION:

The invention relates to a method for operating a display device of a motor vehicle. A display device is understood to mean a device or a group of devices that is designed to display information, for example digital image content. Such a display device comprises a display surface element having a display surface on which the information is displayed. The display surface element is that component or that component group which outputs the information and has the display surface for this purpose. The display surface element can preferably be designed as a screen for outputting digital image content, preferably as a touch-sensitive screen.

When using user programs, for example when using a navigation program or a computer game, the user can interact directly or indirectly with the user program in such a way that, for example, he "runs" different navigation instructions in a chronological sequence of navigation while driving, i.e a series of navigation instructions are presented to the driver who follows them step by step. The navigation instructions are therefore gradually becoming obsolete, i.e. losing their relevance. It is common for navigation instructions that have been carried out to be hidden or superimposed by new navigation instructions. In computer programs where it is part of the game that the user assembles "building blocks" line by line, thereby filling lines completely. If they are filled up and therefore no longer relevant, they can be hidden or superimposed.

When there is little information to be shown on a display, the display is too large for the application program, i.e. too large for the display content. The display can then unnecessarily restrict the view to the outside, for example. The sense of space is also worse than it could be.

DE 10 2008 011 876 A1 describes a control unit of a navigation device that acquires audio information when it is determined in a display switching process that a display of a display device is accommodated in a center console portion.

DE 10 2005 017 556 A1 describes a vehicle with a display device that has a display surface on which information can be displayed electronically, with the display device being movably arranged in the vehicle and being able to assume at least two positions.

WO 2015/131 921 A1 describes a method and a device for providing a graphical user interface in a motor vehicle, wherein in a first operating mode of a display device graphic objects are displayed in a fully visible manner on a display area and in a second operating mode of the display device the display area is reduced. whereby the display area is divided into a visible part and a non-visible part. Furthermore, in the second operating mode, an operator action by a user is recorded, with which objects can be moved between the visible and non-visible part of the display area. However, the problem still remains that in a user program with a lot of information arranged line by line, the display area can quickly become confusing due to information that is no longer required.

One of the objects on which the invention is based is to increase the clarity of a display when using an application program that displays information, ie display content, on the display.

The stated object is achieved by the method according to the invention and the devices according to the invention in accordance with the independent patent claims. Advantageous developments are given by the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea of implementing an extendable display in the motor vehicle, which can be extended and retracted at a number of extension heights. The extension position is changed when executing a specified user program as soon as a line of information is no longer required. If the user program is a game, for example, in which elements, for example building blocks shown on the display, have to be "eaten up" or "played away", the display surface element, i.e. the display, can be moved in or out by one row and thus by one line become. In other words, in a user program in which the bottom row (and thus the bottom line) of the visible portion of the display area is always retracted or raised when the information or information in this line is no longer relevant.

For example, the line can no longer be relevant if, for example, a navigation instruction in the bottom line has already been followed or, for example in a computer game, the bottom line has been filled with building blocks if this is used by the user program as an intermediate goal is provided. Due to the fact that the relevant line, which is in particular the most relevant line, always appears at the bottom, the user does not have to search for a long time on the display area, for example to find the current navigation information.

The user program can thus provide a sequence of intermediate goals which are fulfilled or are to be achieved one after the other during the execution of the user program, which then every time fulfills the completeness criterion in relation to the intermediate goal on the bottom line. With regard to the processing or achievement of the entire sequence of intermediate goals, progress has thus been made when an intermediate goal is reached, which could be displayed, for example, as a progress bar. This is now not achieved by a graphic progress bar, but by the extension height of the display device, which is thereby converted into a "mechanical" progress bar. The exit height resulting from the exit position thus represents or signals in particular an internal state of the user program in relation to the proportion of achieved intermediate destinations in the sequence of intermediate destinations overall. In other words, if, for example, X% (e.g. 50%) of the entire sequence of intermediate destinations has been reached, this can be signaled by setting the extension height to X% (i.e. 50% in the example) of the maximum extension height.

In other words, a relation between the display content and the status of the vehicle is established. In this case, the display surface element can preferably have more than two extended positions, in each of which part of the display surface is visible, ideally more than three extended positions. In contrast to a rest position in which the display surface element is fully retracted into an interior paneling element of the motor vehicle, the display surface element with the display surface can be in more than two extended positions, preferably more than three extended positions, protrude from the interior trim element.

In other words, the core of the idea is to couple not only the display, but also the extension height of the display surface element with the user program process, for example with the process of a music player, in which the display scrolls in or out by one line for each song is extended; or a navigation program, wherein the exit position changes upon or after following a navigation instruction displayed in one of the lines; or in a computer game in which an intermediate goal of the game is to fill the individual rows or lines with text or display elements or to "empty" or "eat away" the line graphically.

In other words, a relation is established between the display content and the extended state.

The advantageous result is that the display area adapts itself dynamically to the information that is still relevant and can therefore also be adapted, for example, to free up the view through the windshield more and more the more information from the user program is no longer relevant. This also creates a better sense of space for the occupants. You can also see how far you are with a game or a playlist or during navigation by looking at the height of the display. This advantage also results if the display surface element is extended line by line.

This also visualizes a meaningfulness as to how far the user has progressed in the game, progressed in the music list, or how many navigation steps remain. Information of the user program displayed by the display content is also recorded by the display height and is therefore perceived much more quickly. In other words, the height of the display automatically adapts to the content displayed. The view of the road and the feeling of space are always optimal. You can see at a glance how far you have come with a game or playlist. In addition to a special staging, the joy of use is also significantly increased.

A control device is understood to mean a device, a device component or a device group that is set up to receive and evaluate signals and to generate control signals. The control device can be configured as a control device, for example, or as a control chip or computer program, or a computer program in combination with a control device or a control chip, for example. The control device can preferably be a control device of the motor vehicle.

The motor vehicle according to the invention has a display device which has a display surface element with a display surface, which is mounted with a lower edge on a base side of the display surface on or in an interior lining element of the motor vehicle. This also includes the option that the display device has a housing in which the display surface element can be stowed at least partially or even completely. Such a housing is regarded as part of an interior paneling element of the motor vehicle. In other words, the term “interior lining element” also includes an optional housing of the display device for the display surface element.

The display surface element is arranged such that it can be adjusted into more than two different extended positions, in each of which a display surface is at least partially extended out of the interior equipment element and is available for displaying image content.

The more than two extended positions of the display surface element differ in a respective extension height of the lower edge opposite the upper edge of the display surface element, which also Top edge of the display area can be. The extension height is understood to be the distance between the upper edge and the interior trim element, so that at different extension heights, different portions of a display surface are visible to a person inside and/or outside the motor vehicle. In other words, the extended positions differ in that in each of the extended positions a different proportion of the display surface is extended, spread out, unfolded or stretched out.

The respective extended position thus specifies how far or to what extent the display surface element protrudes from the interior lining element, thus specifies the respective extended height. The available display area has a different size in each extended position. Ideally, the display surface element can be adjusted steplessly into these extended positions. In other words, the extension height and thus the visible portion of the display area vary with the different extension positions. In order to achieve this, each extended position is assigned a predetermined extended height.

The motor vehicle also has an adjustment device for setting the extended positions of the display surface element. An adjusting device is understood to mean an assembly or a component which has, for example, a mechanism for setting the extended position. If the display surface element is, for example, a flexible display, ie a display made of a rollable or flexible material, the adjustment device can have a mechanism for rolling up and down the display surface element. If the display surface element is a rigid screen or a rigid pane, the adjustment device can have rails or a joint mechanism for folding the display surface element in and out, so that the rigid display surface element can be moved from the interior paneling element to the various extended positions. The adjustment device is therefore designed to adjust the extended positions of the To position display surface element, that is to move the display surface element between different extended positions. Optionally, a rest position can also be provided, in which the display surface element is essentially completely or completely retracted into the interior lining element and is thus stowed away.

The control device executes a specified application program, for example a computer game, a music output program, or a navigation program. The specified user program specifies a display content to be output by the display surface element, which provides at least two lines arranged one above the other, with each line displaying information or information. Such pictorially represented information, which can also be referred to as image information, can be, for example, text, one or more symbols, or an image element such as a "building block". In a computer game, such image information may be, for example, an image of a colored brick or other image element, such as an image of a cookie or an image of a stone. In the case of a navigation program, the image information can be navigation information. In the case of a music program, for example, the image information can be text, for example a song title.

For example, in a karaoke program, the visual information may be a text fragment of a song's lyrics, which may be colored as the song plays. In this example, the user program can optionally provide that when the user program is used, each of the lines can be graphically changed in sections depending on a temporal progress of the execution of the user program and/or depending on an operator action by a user, i.e. is colored, for example. This means that each line can be colored in sections, for example, or a display field can be displayed in sections. The rows can be divided into several predetermined sections, depending on the progress over time and / or of the Operator actions can be changed graphically. This can also be the case with a computer game.

In a first extended position of the display surface element, the control device checks whether a line displayed at a lower edge of the visible portion of the display surface, ie the bottom line, meets a completeness criterion specified by the user program. The specified completeness criterion specifies the achievement of an intermediate goal of the user program, which describes the extinction or omission of a relevance or topicality of the image information in this line.

In the case of a navigation program or navigation system, the intermediate destination can be, for example, successfully carrying out or starting a navigation instruction for a driving maneuver displayed in this line. An order in which navigation instructions are to be followed in order to reach a specified navigation destination along a route specified by the navigation system is defined by an arrangement of the rows in which the navigation instructions are displayed from bottom to top. In other words, a next-to-follow navigation instruction that may describe a driving maneuver is displayed on the bottom line. A navigation instruction to be followed immediately after that navigation instruction is displayed on the line above the bottom line and a navigation instruction to be followed again thereafter (especially immediately after) is displayed on the second line above the bottom line, and so on.

The navigation system determines a geo-position of the vehicle, which the navigation system uses to check whether a navigation instruction to be carried out next, which is displayed in the bottom line and to which a geographical area of validity is assigned, has been followed and the completeness criterion for the bottom line is therefore met. The geographical validity can be defined by the navigation program as a be recorded as a polygonal area or as a route segment, with the navigation program being able to determine entry into, being in and exit from this area of validity recorded by the navigation system as being shaped in this way. The control device adds up the line heights of the remaining navigation instructions and determines a required height and/or extended position of the display device in order to visibly display the remaining instructions while maintaining their line height on the display area. Based on the difference between the currently available visible display area and the required visible display area determined by the control device, the control device generates an adjustment signal which the control device transmits to an adjustment device of the display device in order to provide the required display area. The adjusting device sets the new, specified extension height of the display device.

In the event that the navigation system determines that the navigation instruction to be carried out next has not been followed, the navigation system can determine a new route which leads to the predetermined navigation destination and which results in a new order of navigation instructions to be followed, including a next to be carried out navigation hint.

A minimum line height is preferably specified, which is determined by the control unit depending on the application in such a way that the font and/or symbol size displayed in a line complies with a specified minimum size that can be recognized visually by the user, i.e. whether the Display device output line content is still legible / detectable in terms of its font and / or icon size by the user.

As long as the number of lines with their associated information content to be displayed, for example the number of navigation instructions, the number of lines that the display area under Can represent compliance with the specified minimum line height, exceeds (list with overhang), no adjustment signal is transmitted to the adjustment of the display device despite the fulfillment of the completeness criterion. Instead, the content of the bottom line is hidden when the completeness criterion is met and the row of all line contents displayed above moves down the display area by the line height of the bottom line while maintaining the line order (from bottom to top) and display size. The next most relevant line (with the corresponding information content) according to the order of the lines is displayed in the top line that is now free. In other words, the rows “slip” or scroll down by the row height of the bottom row, which is hidden when the completeness criterion is met, without the display area element (display) being adjusted in its extended position.

In the case of a music output program, the user program can, for example, provide for the individual songs in a playlist to be displayed line by line. The intended or predetermined intermediate goal can then be that the songs are alluded to or played along the sequence in order to play the entire playlist. The solution described above with the example of the navigation notes in relation to the minimum font size and the handling of a list with overhang can also be applied to the playlist with songs or pieces of music.

Optionally, e.g. in the karaoke program, successfully changing graphically each of the predetermined sections of the bottom line. In a computer game, the intermediate goal can be that the user arranges components or puzzle pieces displayed on the display area and thus forms rows composed of the components or puzzle pieces line by line.

Only if the bottom line satisfies the specified completeness criterion, i.e. only if the user, when using the user program, has reached the predetermined intermediate goal, the control device generates an adjustment signal and transmits this to the adjustment device of the display device. The generated and transmitted adjustment signal describes a change of the display surface element into another of the extended positions. In the further extended position, the display surface element has an extended height that is changed by the line height, ie in the further extended position the display surface element is retracted by the bottom line or pushed up by one line.

The advantages described above result. Because the relevant line, which is in particular the most relevant line, always appears at the bottom, the user does not have to search for a long time on the display surface to find, for example, the current navigation information, the song currently being played or, for example, a line of text to be sung in a karaoke program.

Preferably, the switch to the further extended position of the display surface element can move into the interior lining element by one line height, so that the line or row shown as the bottommost in the first extended position disappears. In other words, the line that meets the specified completeness criterion is then no longer visible to the occupant because this line or row was moved into the interior trim element. Information that is no longer required, for example a series of "eaten" image elements of the computer game, or a line filled with "building blocks"; a song title that is or has already been played; or, for example, the navigation information that is no longer up-to-date are no longer visible due to the reduction in the visible portion of the display area. It is therefore taken into account that less display area is required.

By entering the interior lining element line by line, the display surface element takes up less space and thus leaves more Clear view of the windshield, for example. At the same time, the mechanical process of retracting and reducing the display area represents the achievement of the intermediate goal and that the user has achieved a partial success. The now smaller visible portion of the display area represents that, for example, only fewer songs are now being played, the navigation goal will soon be reached, or victory in a level of the computer game has come closer.

If the display surface element moves out of the interior lining element by one row height when changing to the further extended position, the previously bottom row is visible as the second lowest row in the new extended position, and a new row becomes visible underneath. The movement of the advancing display surface element can represent partial success in the computer game to the user when he sees what he has already accomplished.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the user program can be a computer game. In the computer game it can be provided that graphic picture elements line by line form a line as picture information or all graphic picture elements are removed from the line. The user program can optionally provide that a line-by-line build-up or breakdown of picture elements depends on at least one operator action by the user, for example an operator input to move a component shown on the display using a joystick or by touching the screen. A preferred computer game is where the user has to “fill up”, “eat away” or “empty” rows or lines with graphically displayed “components” as picture elements. The intermediate goal is then to completely fill up the line with image elements, or to remove all "building blocks" from the line.

Optionally, the application program provides that the specified sections are displayed by an arrangement of on the display surface element displayed building blocks or pieces of the puzzle are changed graphically, the method can be implemented in particular for computer games in which a user can use his dexterity. In combination with the coupling of display content evaluated line by line with the extended positions, the user can measure his skill, for example, by the speed with which the display surface element retracts or extends by all lines.

In the exemplary user program, additional gaming fun can be generated by linking to the extension height of the display surface element, because the skill of the user then also depends on how quickly the display surface element, for example, completely retracts or completely extends. In the case of such user programs, it can optionally be provided that a signal tone sounds upon successful extension into the last extended position (or successful retraction into the last extended position), which can describe the completion of a game level, for example. The height of the display adapts automatically to the content on the display. So you can see at a glance how far you have advanced in the game.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the user program can be a karaoke program in which the intermediate goal is to graphically change specified line sections, which in turn depends on the progress of a song over time, i.e. depends on the progress of the user program over time. The graphical modification of the predetermined line sections can then include, for example, marking a song text. As a result, the display is not only linked to the playing of the song, but also to the extended position of the display, so the intermediate goal is then the playing of this line of the song. According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the user program can be a music player program. The display content describes a play list of a music player program. The specified completeness criterion can then be met if the piece of music mentioned in the bottom line has been partially or completely played. The display surface element can preferably be retracted step by step when playing the playlist. Conversely, in the case of the playlist, when the display surface element is raised line by line, what is/was already being played can still be visible.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the user program can be a navigation program. The display content can then describe a list of navigation instructions from the navigation program. The specified completeness criterion can then be met if the navigation information given in the bottom line is no longer up-to-date.

The control device, which is set up to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention, also belongs to the invention. The control device can have a data processing device or a processor device that is set up to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The control device is preferably designed as a control device, ie as a control device, for example. For this purpose, the processor device can have at least one microprocessor and/or at least one microcontroller and/or at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and/or at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Furthermore, the processor device can have a program code which is set up to carry out the embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor device. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor device. The object set above is achieved by a motor vehicle with a display device as described above, a corresponding adjusting device and an embodiment of the control device according to the invention. The display device and the adjusting device have already been described above.

The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

In a preferred embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the display surface element can be designed as a screen of the display device. The display area is then the screen area. In a further embodiment, the display surface element can consist at least partially of a flexible, foldable and/or rollable material. Such a “flexible” material can be stowed in the housing or interior trim element in a particularly space-saving manner, for example rolled up. In such a configuration, the display surface element—and thus the visible portion of the display surface—can be unrolled and/or unfolded, or rolled up and/or folded together.

A combination of the rollable and/or foldable display surface element, which is designed as a screen, is particularly advantageous. Already known rollable and/or foldable screens can be implemented. The advantage of implementing such a screen in the display device is, in particular, that the extension positions can be set steplessly. The adjustment of the available display area is particularly flexible, custom-fit and user-friendly.

The display surface element can preferably be arranged at least partially in the interior lining element of the motor vehicle. Is this Display surface element arranged at least partially in the interior paneling element of the motor vehicle, the at least two extended positions can differ by that portion of the display surface element that protrudes from the interior paneling element. The

Interior trim element can preferably form the dashboard. It is thereby not necessary to redesign an interior trim element or to construct a separate housing for the display surface element.

According to a further embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, which is particularly preferred, the interior trim element can be located on a window pane of the motor vehicle, preferably on a windshield. The interior trim element can be arranged in such a way that the display surface element is visible from outside the motor vehicle through the window pane in at least two of the extended positions, preferably in most of the extended positions or in all possible extended positions.

If the display surface element is arranged in the interior lining element in such a way that the display surface element changes its extended height along a vertical axis of the motor vehicle by moving it into the defined extended position, or from one of the extended positions, the display surface element is particularly clearly visible in the extended positions.

The invention also includes developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention and the control device according to the invention, which have features as have already been described in connection with the developments of the method according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding developments of the invention Motor vehicle and the control device according to the invention are not described again here.

The invention also includes the combinations of features of the described embodiments. The invention also includes implementations that each have a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, unless the embodiments were described as mutually exclusive.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. For this shows:

1 shows a schematic representation of a first exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention and the devices according to the invention;

2 shows a schematic representation of a second exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention in cross section;

3 shows a schematic representation of a second exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention and of a further exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention;

4 shows a further schematic representation of the second exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, which shows the display surface element in a second extended position;

Fig. 5 is another schematic representation of the second embodiment of the method according to the invention shows the sign panel in a third extended position;

6 shows a further schematic representation of the second exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, which shows the display surface element in a fourth extended position;

7 shows a further schematic representation of the second exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, which shows the display surface element in a fifth extended position;

8 shows a schematic representation of a third exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, which shows the display surface element in a first extended position; and

9 shows a further schematic representation of the third exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, which shows the display surface element in a different extended position.

The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention that are to be considered independently of one another and that each also develop the invention independently of one another. Therefore, the disclosure is also intended to encompass combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those illustrated. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention that have already been described. In the figures, the same reference symbols designate elements with the same function.

1 illustrates the principle of the devices according to the invention and the method according to the invention. 1 shows a motor vehicle 10, for example a passenger car. 1 shows a view of the motor vehicle 10 from the outside and through the windshield 12 into the interior.

The control device 14 can be designed as a control device, for example, or as a control chip, for example. As an option to the representation in FIG. 1 , the control device 14 can also be a component of the display device 20 , for example. The control device 14 of the example in FIG. 1 can preferably have a data memory 22 and a processor device 24, ie for example one or more microchips or one or more microprocessors.

The example in FIG. 1 shows an optional navigation device 16, which can be a component of the control device 14, for example a circuit with navigation software or the navigation software. Alternatively, the navigation device 16 can be a structurally separate component from the control device 14 , for example a navigation device that can communicate with the control device 14 via a data communication link 18 . In the example in FIG. 1, the specified user program can be a navigation program in which the destination address has to be entered divided into several lines. The data communication link 18 may be, for example, a wired data communication link, such as a wire or cable, or a wireless data communication link, such as a WiFi connection or a Bluetooth connection. The data communication of the control device 14 with an adjustment device 26 and the display device 20 can take place via wireless or wired data communication connections 18 . The adjusting device 26 is also shown schematically in FIG. 1 and has components that can be located directly there for adjusting the display surface element 28 . Such means can, for example, be mechanical means, for example a cable pull, a locking bar, one or more rails, or other mechanisms known to those skilled in the art for extending, unrolling or unfolding a display surface. The adjustment device 26 can preferably comprise a motor which can be controlled by control signals from the control device 14 .

In the example of FIG. 1 , the display surface element 28 of the display device 20 is shown in an extended position in which a large part of the display surface element 28 can be seen. For example, the display surface element 28 can be a screen that is rigid, ie cannot be rolled. Accordingly, the displacement or movement or adjustment of the display surface element 28 into the different extended positions can be effected by, for example, pushing or lifting, in the case of a display surface element 28 that can be rolled, for example, by rolling up or unfolding. The display surface element 28 can be moved at least partially or completely out of an interior lining element 30, which in the example of FIG. 1 can be a dashboard, for example, and/or can be moved out and/or in, or can be moved out and in under a scoop, for example.

In other words, the height of an upper edge 34 of the display surface element 28 can be adjusted. The different extended positions therefore differ in the position of the upper edge 34, i.e. in the distance of the upper edge 34, which can delimit the display surface 36, to the lower edge or to the interior trim element 30. The exemplary display surface element 28 in FIG. 1 can preferably be designed as a screen, the display surface of which in the example in FIG. 1 can be directed towards the interior of the motor vehicle, for example, so it cannot be seen in FIG. 1 . In another variant, the display area 36, ie the exemplary screen area, can be directed outwards, or the display area element 28 can be a screen that can output digital image content both to the front and to the rear.

FIG. 2 shows another example of the motor vehicle 10, wherein the interior trim element 30, the exemplary dashboard, can be seen in cross section. The motor vehicle 10 of the example in FIG. 2 can include the features that have already been explained for example in FIG. 1, with the differences in the display surface element 28 described below.

The display device 20 can preferably be a “display-on-demand expandable”, ie a bendable—that is to say, for example, rollable—display that can preferably be continuously adjusted to variable extension heights. This takes place in a situation-specific manner, ie as a function of a corresponding operating request. The display surface element 28 is shown in FIG. 2 in an extended position, in which it is partially extended out of the interior lining element 30 . The lower end of the display surface element 28 retracted into the interior lining element 30 is shown bent, with the arrow P indicating that it can be stowed partially or completely in the interior lining element 30, for example rolled up.

2 indicates that the display surface element 28 can be pushed out of or moved into the interior lining element 30 by a mechanism, for example. Here, for example, the moved out of the interior paneling element 30 Part of the display surface element 28 can be supported by a frame or two side rails, for example.

FIGS. 3 to 7 show an exemplary embodiment in which the user program is a computer game by way of example. The display surface element 28 can preferably be a flexible, extendable display, for example a rollable or flexible display. Suitable flexible displays are known to those skilled in the art. In FIG. 3 it is indicated that a lower part of the display surface element 28 can already have been inserted through a shaft in the interior lining element 30 . The aim of the game can be, for example, to remove elements marked as circles in Figs. 3 to 7 line by line, ie to "eat away" for example. For example, the items represented as a circle may be represented as cookies represented on the display area 36 . In each of the "cookie" rows shown in rows 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, the circular elements can each form a portion of the respective row 38, 40, 42, 44, 46. The computer game is currently being executed in FIG. 3, ie the control device 14 is executing the user program (method step S1; compare also FIG. 1).

3 shows the display panel 28 in a first extended position, so that the line 46 forms the bottom line. By operating actions, for example by operating with a joystick or with the finger, if the display surface element 28 is designed as a touch-sensitive screen, the user can mark the round elements, i.e. the “eat biscuits”, for example, while complying with certain rules. The graphical change of the respective element can then include the round element being hidden and/or marked. Checking S2 whether all elements in line 46 have been successfully removed by the player can be checked by the control device, for example, after each game step or after each operator action. Is the intermediate distance of all rounds When elements in the bottom row 46 are reached (compare FIG. 4, in which only four rows of round elements can be seen), the specified completeness criterion can be met. The control device 14 generates an adjustment signal (S3) and transmits this to the adjustment device 26 (S4). In the example, the adjustment signal can describe that the display surface element is retracted by one line height (S5), as shown in FIG. 5 . The new bottom row is now row 44.

The game and thus the method can be repeated until, as shown in FIG Line 38 indicates, optionally also a further line with, for example, a display field 48 in which, for example, the note "One row left" can be displayed.

7 shows the display surface element 28 after the user has reached all intermediate goals, ie has removed all round display elements of the lines 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 and thus won the game. The text “You have won”, for example, can then be displayed in the display field 48 .

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show an exemplary embodiment in which the user program is a music playback program in which a playlist is displayed on the display area 36 . For example, the name of the playlist or simply “playlist” can be displayed in the display field 48 . In the rows or rows 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 50, 52, the name of a song in the playlist can be displayed.

With each song played, the display is retracted by one row (S5). 9 shows the display area element 28, in which the line 38 is the bottom line. 9 thus shows the display surface element 28 in an extended position, in which the other songs have already been played and the Song displayed in line 38 is either currently playing or remains as the last song to be played.

Overall, the examples show how, for example, a display can be made smaller, for example in a game or when playing a playlist.

There is an extendable display surface element 28 in the motor vehicle 10, for example a display. This exemplary display can be retracted and/or extended at several extension heights.

In one embodiment (Figures 3-7) there may be a game where items need to be "eaten up" or "played away". When a row or row is "eaten" or "played away," a row becomes empty and the display retracts one row (S5).

The height of the exemplary display automatically adapts to the content on the display. So you can see at a glance how far you have advanced in the game.

A further variant is to display a playlist (FIG. 8, FIG. 9). At the beginning the playlist is shown completely or as much of the playlist as possible. For example, if twelve songs are shown at the height of the display, if there are eleven songs left, a row can become free. From that moment on, the display moves in by one row (S5). Then one more row for each song.

In a further exemplary embodiment, when playing a game or playing a playlist, the display can initially be large and become smaller continuously or in steps as the program progresses. In the game, the display could alternatively be larger. The big advantage here is above all that such programs are visually strongly supported by the display height. You can see right away what phase the program is in. Changing the height is intuitive and in games it adds an extra fun factor.

In contrast to the prior art, a direct connection between the display height and the course of a program is established here. As a result, the course of the program (e.g. game, playlist) is visible in an intuitive and direct way. In games, the fun factor is increased.

Claims

27

PATENT CLAIMS: Method for operating a display device (20) of a motor vehicle (10), which has a display surface element (28) with a display surface (36), and wherein the display surface element (28), in contrast to a rest position, has more than two extended positions in which the display surface element (28) and thus a display surface (36) of the display surface element (28) protrude at least partially from the interior lining element (30), is arranged adjustably; wherein the more than two extended positions of the display surface element (28) differ in a respective extended height, and thus that portion of the display surface (36) that is visible to a user in the respective extended position; wherein a controller (14):

- executes a specified application program (S1), which specifies a display content to be output by the display surface element (28), which provides at least two lines (38, 40, 42, 44, 46) arranged one above the other with a respective piece of image information,

- in a first extended position of the display surface element (28), it checks (S2) whether a line (46) displayed at a lower edge of the visible portion of the display surface (36) meets a completeness criterion specified by the user program, which indicates that the Image information in this line (46) specifies as an intermediate destination,

- only if the bottom line (46) meets the specified completeness criterion: an adjustment signal is generated (S3) and transmitted to an adjustment device (26) of the display device (S4), which causes a change (S5) of the display surface element (28) to another describes the extended positions in which the display surface element (28) has an extended height that is changed by one line height. The method of claim 1, wherein during the change (S5) to the further extended position, the display surface element (28) enters the interior trim element (30) by a row height, so that the row (46) that meets the specified completeness criterion is no longer visible is. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the application program provides a sequence of intermediate goals which are to be fulfilled or to be achieved in chronological succession during the execution of the application program, which then each time fulfills the completeness criterion in relation to the intermediate goal standing on the bottom line, wherein through the exit position, the resulting exit height signals an internal state of the user program in relation to the proportion of achieved intermediate destinations in the sequence of intermediate destinations overall. Method according to one of the preceding ones, in which the user program is a computer game in which it is provided that graphic picture elements line by line form a line as picture information or all graphic picture elements are removed from the line. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the user program is a karaoke program in which the intermediate goal is a graphic change in predetermined line sections of a progression in time of the sequence of the user program. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display content describes a playlist of a music player program; and wherein the predetermined completeness criterion is met if a piece of music mentioned in the bottom line has been played in part or in full, with the piece of music currently being played being displayed in the bottom line and an order, in which subsequent pieces of music are played back is determined by a bottom-up arrangement of the lines in which the pieces of music are displayed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the display content describes a list of navigation instructions of a navigation program; and wherein the specified completeness criterion is met if the navigation information given in the respective bottom line is no longer up-to-date and an order in which subsequent navigation information is to be followed in order to reach a specified navigation destination, by an arrangement of the lines, in where the navigation instructions are displayed is set from bottom to top. Control device (24) which is set up to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims. Motor vehicle (10) comprising:

- A display device (20), which has a display surface element (28) with a display surface (36), wherein the display surface element (28) in more than two extended positions in which the display surface element (28) and thus a display surface (36) of the display surface element ( 28) at least partly from the

Interior lining element (30) protrude, is arranged adjustably; wherein the more than two extended positions of the display surface element (28) differ in a respective extended height, and thus in that portion of the display surface (36) that is visible to a user in the respective extended position,

- an adjusting device (26) for adjusting the extended positions of the display surface element (28), and

- a control device (14) according to claim 8. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 9, wherein the display surface element (28):

- Is designed as a screen of the display device (20); and or

- Consists at least partially of a rollable and/or foldable material, so that the portion of the display surface (36) that is visible in the respective extended position is unrolled and/or unfolded. Motor vehicle (10) according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the

Display surface element (28) at least partially in the

Interior lining element (30) of the motor vehicle (10) is arranged, and wherein the more than two extended positions differ by that portion of the display surface element (28) which protrudes from the interior lining element (30); preferably wherein the interior trim element (30) forms the dashboard. Motor vehicle (10) according to one of Claims 9 to 11, wherein the display surface element (28) is arranged in the interior lining element (30) in such a way that the display surface element (28) increases its extension height by being moved into the defined extended position or out of an extended position changes along a vertical axis of the motor vehicle (10).