DISPLAY AND OPERATOR COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

SYSTEME D'AFFICHAGE ET DE COMMANDE

English Abstract

According to the invention, several display and
operator devices required for additional subsystems are
combined in such a way that the display and operator devices
are integrated into one unit or perform several tasks, thus
reducing the amount of space required. In addition, a uniform
control and display device is provided with an identical
appearance for different vehicles for consistent user
experience. The different functional data and information data
are displayed on a central screen of the control board. The
control board is electrically connected to a navigation unit,
which can be complemented with a GPS, to electrical equipment
for the chassis, and to at least one computer via electric
wires. Additionally or alternatively, an LC display, which
communicates with the computer and on which vehicle-specific
data such as the vehicle speed, engine rpm, dimmed headlights,
left indicator, can be displayed, and is integrated into the
system in the steering wheel.

French Abstract

Selon l'invention, plusieurs dispositifs d'affichage et de commande nécessaires aux systèmes partiels supplémentaires sont assemblés de telle façon que les dispositifs d'affichage et de commande fusionnent ou reprennent plusieurs tâches, afin de limiter leur encombrement. Les différentes données de fonctionnement et d'informations sont représentées sur un moniteur central (4.1) de la boîte de commande (4). La boîte de commande (4) est électriquement reliée par des câbles électriques (6) à une unité de navigation (1) pouvant être complétée par un GPS (2), à un équipement électrique de châssis (3) et à au moins un ordinateur (5). En plus ou en variante, le système (100) abrite un écran à cristaux liquides (7) qui est intégré au manche à balai (8) et permet d'afficher les données spécifiques véhicule comme la vitesse de véhicule (10), le régime moteur (11), les feux de croisement, clignotant gauche (12) etc.. L'écran (7) communique avec l'ordinateur (5).

Claims

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CLAIMS:
1. Display and control system for a combat vehicle,
which is constructed using a modular and standardized design
for different vehicle types, the system comprising:
at least one control box for a driver and a monitor
integrated therein for displaying a plurality functional data
and information data;
key and/or control elements for the switching and
connecting of the desired display on the monitor;
integrated electrical and digital interfaces for the
transmission of chassis data and/or navigation data to
different guidance systems,
wherein chassis warning information, ACT information,
camera images, and navigation data can be represented on the
monitor depending on a selected type of operation.
2. Display and control system for a combat vehicle
according to claim 1, wherein the ACT information is one or
more of:
function monitoring, function verification, error
locating.
3. Display and control system according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the camera images represent reversing, tool
replacement, an excavator operation.
4. Display and control system according to any one of
claims 1 to 3, wherein when used on different guidance systems,
chassis data can be transmitted to nation-specific systems.

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5. Display and control system according to any one of
claims 1 to 4, wherein the camera images can be displayed on
the monitor by means of a picture-in-picture function.
6. Display and control system according to any one of
claims 1 to 5, wherein a liquid crystal (LC) display is
integrated in a steering handle, on which vehicle-specific data
includes one or more of vehicle speed, engine rpm, dimmed
headlights, left blinker light, right blinker light, can be
displayed, wherein the display communicates with the control
box.
7. Display and control system according to any one of
claims 1 to 6, wherein ACT data relating to the
pioneer-specific and recovery-specific devices are displayed.
8. Display and control system according to claim 6 or 7,
wherein an alpha-numeric display can also be integrated on the
control box or the steering handle.
9. Display and control system according to any one of
claims 6 to 8, wherein the vehicle speed can be represented by
means of segments.
10. Display and control system according to any one of
claims 1 to 9, wherein warning and display fields can be
integrated.
11. Display and control system according to any one of
claims 1 to 10, wherein visualization of the navigation data
occurs by means of a compass rose depicted on the monitor and a
display of an orientation of the vehicle.

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12. Display and control system according to any one of
claims 1 to 10, wherein visualization of the navigation data
are a compass direction and a representation of the distance.to
a waypoint.
13. Display and control system according to any one of
claims 1 to 5 wherein vehicle speed can be represented by means
of segments.
14. Display and control system according to any one of-
claims 1 to 5, wherein an alpha-numeric display can also be
integrated on the control box or a steering handle.
15. Combat vehicle with a display and control system
according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

Description

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DESCRIPTION
Display and operator communication system
The invention relates to a display and control concept,
in the form of a modular unit, in particular for combat
vehicles, which may in general also be armored.
Combat vehicles are in general steered by means of
direct or else indirect driver view from the vehicle.
An armored vehicle such as this is disclosed in DE 196
42 386 Cl. The requirements for the displays and
controls for the driver are also continuously becoming
more stringent for combat vehicles, under the influence
of modern technologies. The space available in the
driver area is, however, more than the space required
for this purpose. For example, among other factors,
there is a requirement for integration of a control and
navigation system in order in this way to be able to
additionally provide the driver with navigation data.
Integration of a plurality of display and control units
for different new subsystems is, however, placing
demands on the available stowage space adjacent to the
driver's station and is furthermore preventing
compliance with the general ergonomic requirements,
such as driver leg freedom, protection requirements,
etc.
As described in DE 92 15 019 Ul, control and display
units or consoles are known from the civil vehicle
field, which contain a control computer with a
processor and main memory as well as sensors for
obtaining information from the environment. The control
console in DE 92 15 019 Ul has two screens with
associated keypads. A map can be displayed on one
screen, while a selectable display can be produced on

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the other, of various sensor information items from the
surrounding area.
Aspects of the invention are in this case based on the object
of improving the displays and controls for a driver, in
particular of an armored combat vehicle.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided display and control system for a combat vehicle, which
is constructed using a modular and standardized design for
different vehicle types, the system comprising: at least one
control box for a driver and a monitor integrated therein for
displaying a plurality functional data and information data;=
key and/or control elements for the switching and connecting of
the desired display on the monitor; integrated electrical and
digital interfaces for the transmission of chassis data and/or
navigation data to different guidance systems, wherein chassis
warning information, ACT information, camera images, and
navigation data can be represented on the monitor depending on
a selected type of operation.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a combat vehicle with a display and control system as
described above or detailed below.
The invention is based on the idea of combining a plurality of
display and control devices which are required for the
additional subsystems such that the display and control devices
are fused with one another and carry out a plurality of tasks,
thus avoiding the need for more space. For example, no

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additional monitor is used to display the navigation data. In
fact, this data ban be displayed on a central monitor, which is
preferably a component of the driver control box. In addition,
there is no monitor for the rearward and battlefield camera or
cameras, since these camera images can likewise be displayed on
the central monitor, for example by means of a picture-in-
picture function. By way of example, pictograms can be
displayed on the monitor as a substitute for the script field
indicator for the chassis. A plurality of functional
monitoring processes for specific systems can likewise be
displayed on the same monitor. Keys and control elements to
control the displays etc. are, of course, provided on the
control box.
In a development of the invention, a larger central monitor
than the monitor which was previously included separately at
the driver's station is preferably installed in the driver
control box. Furthermore, the control box has had digital
interfaces added to it, for example in order to transmit
chassis data or else
=

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navigation data to a control system. Chassis warning
information, ACT information (functional monitoring,
functional testing, fault localization), camera images
and navigation data can be displayed on the monitor,
depending on the operating mode.
In a development of the invention, for example, the
engine speed and/or vehicle speed, gear selected, etc.
can be displayed on a preferably round LC display on/in
the central steering yoke, independently of the
monitor. This then replaces the conventional mechanical
steering yoke. Particularly for purposes relating to
ergonomic driver station design, it is also possible to
integrate other displays in the steering yoke.
One major advantage of this modular concept is the
integration of a standard concept in different vehicle
types. In addition to improvement to the concept, this
also results in the field of view being optimized for
all the displays of chassis data, ITS data for the
pioneer-specific and recovery-specific facilities,
camera images (driving in reverse, tool change, digger
operation) and, if desired, navigation data displays.
Particularly when used on other control systems,
chassis data can now be transmitted with
nation-specific systems.
A standard control and display system is provided for
the driver irrespective of what type of vehicle he is
driving, offering integration of all functions and
displays. The capability for better ergonomic design of
the driver's station is assisted by reducing the number
of assemblies in the area of the driver's station. A
larger monitor image allows the information to be
displayed more clearly, and the field of view on the
monitor and LC display is improved. The operational
capability of the concept is improved by the
integration of additional electrical and digital

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interfaces for transmission of chassis and navigation
data to different control systems.
The concept can be widened and narrowed. The navigation
data display can be suppressed while, in contrast, the
chassis data displays can be given priority, or vice
versa. However, it is also possible to additionally
display further information that is particularly
relevant for the driver. The navigation data can be
displayed by means of a compass rose displayed on the
monitor, and a vehicle orientation display can be
provided. Alternatives are the direction of the compass
and display of the distance to a waypoint.
As already mentioned, the data on the LC display can
alternatively or additionally be displayed on the
monitor or on a script field display which can be
positioned separately. The use of segments to display
speed is known from civilian vehicle technology where
the color characteristics of the individual segments
are used to provide information about the vehicle
speed. In the present case, by way of example, a speed
of 5 km/h is defined per segment. The brightness of
this display can be dimmed and, as is likewise known
from the civilian vehicle field, can be controlled
inter alia on the basis of the ambient brightness.
The invention will be explained in more detail using
one exemplary embodiment and with reference to the
drawing, in which:
Figure 1 shows
a display and control system and a
round LC combined display for the
driver's station,
Figure 2 shows display options on the display and
control system monitor,

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Figure 3 shows one possible display of navigation
data on the monitor,
Figure 4 shows the round LC combined display
integrated in the steering yoke, and
Figure 5 shows a script field display as an
alternative to the LC combined display.
Figure 1 shows the newly designed concept of a common
display and control system 100 with the major
assemblies comprising the navigation unit 1 (if
desired) to which a GPS 2 can be added, chassis
electrical system 3, preferably a control box 4 with at
least one monitor 4.1, and a computer 5. This is
preferably a component of a control system within the
vehicle itself, so that existing units in the vehicle
can also be used. These assemblies are connected to the
control box 4 via electrical lines 6. A CAN bus or the
like, in particular, is provided for communication
between the computer 5 and the control box 3.
In one special embodiment, the aim is to include an LC
display 7 in the steering yoke 8. Vehicle-specific data
such as the vehicle speed 10, engine speed 11, dipped
light, left indicator light 12, etc. (Figure 4) can be
displayed on this LC display 7. In this case, the
display 7 preferably communicates via the control box
4, in order to obtain the appropriate information.
Figures 2 and 3 show possible displays of function and
information data for a driver, who is not illustrated
in any more detail, on the monitor 4.1. While Figure 2
characterizes the functional monitoring display,
navigation data is also output in the display in Figure
3. The various displays can be selected etc. with the
aid of the key and control elements 13 on the control
box 4.

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Figure 5 shows a script field display 20, which can
also be integrated in the control box 4 or steering
yoke 8. In this case, the speed is displayed by means
of segments 21. In this case, by way of example, the
last two segments 21.3 have a red background, the four
segments 21.2 before them a yellow one, and the nine
segments 21.1 a green one. Furthermore, the known
warning and display fields 22 can be included. In this
case as well, electrical power is supplied via the
vehicle's own power supply system. The appropriate data
is also provided via the BUS 6 in this case.
=

Representative Drawing