TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to infotainment systems which are provided in vehicles for enhancement of user experience. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system and a method for adjusting the orientation of the rotatable infotainment system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] For both information and entertainment purposes, in-vehicle infotainment systems have become popular to include within a vehicle cabin. Such in-vehicle infotainment systems may be implemented within the vehicle cabin to allow a user, e.g., driver or passenger, to perform audio/ video playback, satellite navigation, Bluetooth phone connectivity for calls and messaging, etc.
[0003] Generally, an infotainment system is fixed on an instrument panel in the vehicle cabin adjacent to the driver. Referring to FIGs. 1A and 1B illustrating orientation of infotainment system on the instrument panel of the vehicle in accordance with the existing art. That is, the infotainment system is fixed either in the landscape orientation (FIG. 1B) or in the portrait orientation (FIG. 1A) on the instrument panel. Other systems like air-conditioning, control knobs, charging ports, USB ports, etc. are provided on the instrument panel depending on the orientation of the infotainment system.
[0004] Since the infotainment system is capable of performing various functions, the fixed orientation of the infotainment system on the instrument panel restricts the user experience. For example, for some

functions, like satellite navigation, video playback, video calls, and so forth, users prefer the infotainment system to be in the landscape orientation for wider viewing area and for other functions like audio playback, radio, and so forth, users prefer the infotainment system to be in the portrait orientation for longer viewing area.
[0005] Some infotainment systems are available in the market which are not permanently fixed on the instrument panel but could be moved limitedly. However, due to presence of other control or information related systems in the vicinity of the infotainment system, the movement of such infotainment systems is limited within a confined area. The limited movement of the infotainment system in the confined area is not sufficient to change the orientation of the infotainment systems from portrait to landscape or vice versa.
[0006] Also, changing the orientation of the infotainment system from landscape to portrait or from portrait to landscape may face hindrance from other systems provided in the vicinity on the instrument panel or may affect the working of the other systems. For example, the change in orientation of the infotainment system may affect the operation of air conditioner vents provided in the vicinity of the infotainment system by blocking the airflow coming from the vents.
[0007] In addition to that, the infotainment system may get damaged if obstructed by parts of other systems provided in the vicinity on the instrument panel.
[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for an in-vehicle infotainment system which could be rotatable to change its orientation from portrait to landscape and from landscape to portrait without getting damaged and without affecting the working of other systems provided in the vicinity of the infotainment system on the instrument panel.

SUMMARY
[0009] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system and a method for adjusting the orientation of the in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0010] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system. The system includes a display unit and an electromagnetic actuator mechanism. The display unit is mounted centrally within an instrument panel of a vehicle. Further, the display unit is provided with an orientation-selection button to receive a user input for changing the orientation of the display unit. The electromagnetic actuator mechanism is coupled to the display unit to adjust the display unit in a first display orientation or a second display orientation based on the user input.
[0011] In an aspect, the electromagnetic actuator mechanism is disposed inside the instrument panel and beneath the display unit. The electromagnetic actuator mechanism includes a controller, an output shaft, a translation module and a rotation module. The controller is communicatively coupled to the orientation-selection button to receive the user input for generating a control signal to adjust the display unit in either one of the first display orientation or the second display orientation. The output shaft has one end having suction pad holding the display unit. The translation module is coupled to the controller and the output shaft. The translation module provides linear movement to the output shaft based on the control signal received from the controller. The rotation module is coupled to the controller and the output shaft. The rotation module provides rotational movement to the output shaft based on the control signal received from the controller.

[0012] In an aspect, to adjust the display unit from the first display orientation to the second display orientation or from the second display orientation to the first display orientation, the electromagnetic actuator mechanism is activated to linearly move the display unit towards vehicle cabin, rotate the display unit to bring the orientation to the second display orientation or first display orientation, respectively, and retract the display unit to a base position aligned with the instrument panel of the vehicle.
[0013] In an aspect, the first display orientation is a portrait orientation of the display unit.
[0014] In an aspect, the second display orientation is a landscape orientation of the display unit.
[0015] In an aspect, the orientation-selection button includes a touch button or a push button.
[0016] In an aspect, the display unit includes a plurality of sensors and a graphical user interface (GUI) processor. The plurality of sensors ascertains orientation of the display unit. The graphical user interface processer is coupled to the plurality of sensors to adjust GUI of the display unit as per the ascertained orientation.
[0017] In an aspect, the plurality of sensors includes accelerometer sensor, gyroscope sensor and magnetometer sensor.
[0018] The present disclosure further relates to a method for adjusting the orientation of the in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system, wherein the system includes an electromagnetic actuator mechanism having an output shaft holding a display unit. The method includes the step of receiving a user input, at the electromagnetic actuator mechanism, when a user presses an orientation selection button provided on the display unit; moving, by the electromagnetic actuator mechanism, the display unit linearly away from a base position aligned with an instrument panel; rotating, by the electromagnetic actuator mechanism, the display unit from

the one display orientation to the other display orientation; and retracting, by the electromagnetic actuator mechanism, the display unit towards the base position aligned with the instrument panel.
[0019] In an aspect, the display orientations are either one of a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation.
[0020] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0021] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0022] The illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0023] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate orientation of infotainment system on the instrument panel of the vehicle in accordance with the existing art;
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary electromagnetic actuator mechanism of the infotainment system that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates various components of an exemplary display unit of the infotainment system that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary implementation of the in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates a method for adjusting the orientation of the in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system, according to an implementation of the present disclosure.
[0029] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] A few aspects of the present disclosure are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Example implementations are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows.
Definitions
[0031] In the disclosure hereinafter, one or more terms are used to describe various aspects of the present disclosure. For a better

understanding of the present disclosure, a few definitions are provided herein for better understating of the present disclosure.
[0032] "In-vehicle infotainment system" is defined as a combination of vehicle systems which are used to deliver entertainment and information to the driver and the passengers through audio/video interfaces, control elements like touch screen displays, button panel, handsfree telephony, voice commands, and more.
[0033] "GUI processor" may be defined as a processor for adjusting GUI of a display unit of the in-vehicle infotainment system as per the ascertained orientation.
[0034] "Display data" may be defined as information data such as current parameter values of motor vehicle parameters, operating menus; video data from video streams such as films; or display data for displaying user interfaces with operating elements such as buttons and sliders.
[0035] "Infotainment function" may be defined as functions performed by the in-vehicle infotainment system. These functions include but not limited to phone connectivity for calls and messaging, audio and entertainment functions including radio and media streaming, apps, system settings and in some cases satellite navigation.
[0036] "First display orientation" may be defined as portrait orientation of the display unit with respect to the user's view.
[0037] "Second display orientation" may be defined as landscape orientation of the display unit with respect to the user's view.
[0038] "Base position" may be defined as the position of the display unit on an instrument panel where the display unit rest after adjustment or before initiating the adjustment.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS AND IMPLEMENTA TIONS
[0039] While the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the claims as set forth herein.
[0040] An infotainment system can be used to perform a variety of infotainment functions, such as navigation, media playback, telephony etc. For this purpose, an infotainment system has a display unit with a screen as a user interface, on which display data can be displayed to a user. The display data in connection with the present disclosure means both information data such as current parameter values of motor vehicle parameters, operating menus, video data from video streams such as films, or display data for displaying user interfaces with operating elements such as buttons and sliders.
[0041] Often times, the infotainment system is used to perform multiple functions altogether simultaneously. For example, driver or passenger may choose to use navigation and audio playback at the same time. In cases like this, the screen of the display unit may show both the functions simultaneously. Similarly, situation may arise in which the infotainment system has to perform multiple function by default. For example, while driving, the driver may get an audio/video call. In cases like this, the screen of the display unit may show multiple functions simultaneously.

[0042] The display unit with its screen must be arranged in the instrument panel in such a way that the driver could comfortably use all the functions of the infotainment system. The problem here is that for the multitude of infotainment functions, as provided by the infotainment system, different orientations are favorable. For example, for some functions like satellite navigation, video playback, or the like, user prefers the display unit to be in landscape orientation for wider viewing area and for other functions like audio playback, radio, or the like, user prefers the display unit to be in portrait orientation for longer viewing area.
[0043] Also, when the infotainment system is performing multiple functions and the screen of the display unit is showing multiple functions simultaneously, it is preferred that the display unit is oriented in landscape mode. However, due to space constraints on the instrument panel and presence of other systems in the vicinity on the instrument panel, movement of the infotainment system is restricted.
[0044] To solve the above mentioned issue, an in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system is required which can be adjusted in both portrait as well as landscape orientation on the instrument panel without affecting the working of other control/information systems present in the vicinity on the instrument panel. Further, a method is also required for adjusting the orientation of the in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system.
[0045] In order to achieve this object of the rotatable infotainment system, an in-vehicle automatic rotatable infotainment system is proposed in the present disclosure. The arrangement of the in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system on the instrument panel and method for adjusting the orientation of the in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system is described in more detail below.
[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The in-vehicle rotatable

infotainment system 200 comprises a display unit 201 and an electromagnetic actuator mechanism 202. The infotainment system 200 is mounted centrally on an instrument panel 203 of a vehicle. The display unit 201 of the infotainment system 200 is positioned on the instrument panel 203, where a driver and a front passenger may access the display unit 201 comfortably.
[0047] The display unit 201 is structurally separate from the electromagnetic actuator mechanism 202 and act as a graphical user interface (GUI). For the purpose of being a GUI, the display unit 201 has a screen and a graphical user interface processor for displaying display data. The display data could be video data of a movie or graphic data of an operating/controlling menu of the infotainment system 200.
[0048] In an aspect, the screen of the display unit 201 is a touch screen. In said aspect, various functionality of the infotainment system 200 can be controlled by a touch sensitive surface of the screen.
[0049] Further, the display unit 201 is provided with an orientation-selection button 204. The orientation of the display unit 201 is adjusted by pressing the orientation-selection button 204.
[0050] The electromagnetic actuator mechanism 202 is disposed inside the instrument panel 203 and beneath the display unit 201. The display unit 201 is coupled to the electromagnetic actuator mechanism 202, such that the electromagnetic actuator mechanism 202 is capable of adjusting the orientation of the display unit 201 when a user input is received on the orientation-selection button 204.
[0051] FIG. 3 illustrates various exemplary components of the electromagnetic actuator mechanism 202 of the infotainment system 200 that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The electromagnetic actuator mechanism 202 may include, but not limited to, an output shaft 304, a translation module 302, a

rotation module 303 and a controller 301. One end of the output shaft 304 has a suction pad to hold the display unit 201. The controller 301 is communicatively coupled to the orientation-selection button 204 present on the display unit 201. The controller 301 is configured to receive the user input, from the orientation-selection button 204, for changing the orientation of the display unit 201 and generate a control signal to adjust the display unit 201. The adjustment of the display unit 201 is facilitated by the output shaft 304, the translation module 302 and the rotation module 303 working based on the control signal generated by the controller 301.
[0052] The controller 301 is communicatively coupled to the translation module 302 and the rotation module 303. Also, the translation module 302 and the rotation module 303 are communicatively coupled to the output shaft 304. On receiving the control signal to adjust the display unit 201, from the controller 301, the translation module 302 and the rotation module 303 functions in tandem to adjust the orientation of the display unit 201. After receiving the control signal, the translation module 302 provides linear movement to the output shaft 304 towards the vehicle cabin from the base position aligned with the instrument panel 203. Subsequent to the linear movement of the output shaft 304 towards the vehicle cabin, the rotation module 303 provides rotational movement to the output shaft 304 and change the orientation of the display unit 201 from a first display orientation to a second display orientation or vice versa. Subsequent to change in orientation of the display unit 201, the translation module 302 retract the display unit 201 to the base position aligned with the instrument panel 203.
[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates various exemplary components of the display unit 201 of the infotainment system 200 that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The display unit 201 of the infotainment system 200 may include, but not

limited to, a plurality of sensors 401, a graphical user interface (GUI) processor 402, and a memory 403.
[0054] The GUI processor 402 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the GUI processor 402 is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 403 of the in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system 200. The memory 403 may store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines, which may be fetched and executed to change the orientation of the graphical user interface based on the orientation of the display unit 201. The memory 403 may include any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like.
[0055] The plurality of sensors 401 may include accelerometer sensors 401a, a gyroscope sensor 401b and a magnetometer sensor 401c. The accelerometer sensors 401a are used to measure acceleration force acting on the display unit 201 to determine the display unit's 201 position in space and monitor the display unit's 201 movement. The gyroscope sensors 401b track the rotation or twist provided to the display unit 201. The magnetometer sensors 401c are used to measure the rotation in the magnetic field. The magnetometer sensors 401c detect the magnetic North. Together, the accelerometer sensors 401a, the gyroscope sensors 401b and the magnetometer sensors 401c provide the exact orientation of the display unit 201 with respect to a user view point.
[0056] The plurality of sensors 401, in particular, the accelerometer sensors 401a, gyroscope sensors 401b and the magnetometer sensors 401c are coupled to the GUI processor 402. The sensors 401 and the GUI processor 402 together ensure that the orientation of the graphical user

interface is always in consonance with the orientation of the display unit 201.
[0057] FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary implementation of the in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system 200, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the default orientation of the infotainment system 200 in base position on the instrument panel is first display orientation. To change the orientation of the infotainment system 200 from the first display orientation to the second display orientation, the orientation-selection button 204 is pressed. The orientation-selection button 204 generates the user input which is received by the controller 301 communicatively coupled to the electromagnetic actuator mechanism 202. On receiving the user input from the orientation-selection button 204, the controller 301 sends a control signal to the translation module 302 and the rotation module 303. The translation module 302 and the rotation module 303 function in tandem with the output shaft 304. First, the translation module 302 provides linear movement to the output shaft 304 towards the vehicle cabin from the base position aligned with the instrument panel 203. The linear movement provided to the display unit 201 via the output shaft 304 elevates the display unit 201 above the level of instrument panel 203 and ensures that the display unit 201 does not observe any obstruction from parts of the adjacent systems provided in the vicinity on the instrument panel 203. Second, the rotation module 303 provides rotational movement to the output shaft 304 and change the orientation of the display unit 201 from first display orientation to second display orientation. Third, the translation module 302 retract the display unit 201 to the base position aligned with the instrument panel 203.
[0058] FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 for adjusting the orientation of the in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system 200, according to an implementation of the present disclosure. The order in which the method

600 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any appropriate order to carry out the method 600 or an alternative method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 600 without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 6, the method 600 may be performed by in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system.
[0060] At block 602, the method 600 includes receiving a user input, at the electromagnetic actuator mechanism 202, when a user press an orientation selection button 204 provided on the display unit 201 for adjustment of the display unit 201 from one display orientation to other display orientation.
[0061] At block 604, the method 600 includes moving, by the electromagnetic actuator mechanism 202, the display unit 201 linearly away from a base position aligned with an instrument panel 203.
[0062] At block 606, the method 600 includes rotating, by the electromagnetic actuator mechanism 202, the display unit 201 from the one display orientation to the other display orientation.
[0063] At block 608, the method 600 includes, retracting, by the electromagnetic actuator mechanism 202, the display unit 201 towards the base position aligned with the instrument panel 203.
[0064] Thus, with the implementation of the method 600 of the present subject matter, the in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system provides provision for operating the infotainment system in preferred viewing orientation based on the function in use.
[0065] Further, with the implementation of the present disclosure, the infotainment system could be adjusted as per the need of the viewing orientation based on the function in use. Also, the adjustment of the rotatable infotainment system is ensured in a way that it does not hinder

working of adjacent systems provided in the vicinity of the infotainment system on the instrument panel. During adjustment, the rotatable infotainment system does not observe any obstruction from the adjacent systems provided in the vicinity of the infotainment system on the instrument panel. Since the rotation of the infotainment system is automatic after pressing the orientation-selection button, the driver can completely focus on driving.
[0066] The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0067] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.

WE CLAIM:

1. An in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system (200) comprising:
a display unit (201) mounted centrally within an instrument panel (203) of a vehicle, wherein the display unit (201) is provided with an orientation-selection button (204) to receive a user input for changing the orientation of the display unit (201); and
an electromagnetic actuator mechanism (202), coupled to the display unit (201), to adjust the display unit (201) in a first display orientation or a second display orientation based on the user input.
2. The in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system (200) as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic actuator mechanism (202) is
disposed inside the instrument panel (203) and beneath the display unit
(201), the electromagnetic actuator mechanism (202) comprises:
a controller (301) communicatively coupled to the orientation-selection button (204) to receive the user input for generating a control signal to adjust the display unit (201) in either one of the first display orientation or the second display orientation;
an output shaft (304) with one end having a suction pad holding the display unit (201);
a translation module (302), coupled to the controller (301) and the output shaft (304), to provide linear movement to the output shaft (304) based on the control signal received from the controller (301); and
a rotation module (303), coupled to the controller (301) and the output shaft (304), to provide rotational movement to the output shaft (304) based on the control signal received from the controller (301).

3. The in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein to adjust the display unit (201) from the first display orientation to the second display orientation or from the second display orientation to the first display orientation, the electromagnetic actuator mechanism (203) is to linearly move the display unit (201) towards vehicle cabin, rotate the display unit (201) to bring the orientation to the second display orientation or first display orientation, respectively, and retract the display unit (201) to a base position aligned with the instrument panel (203) of the vehicle.
4. The in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first display orientation is portrait orientation of the display unit (201).
5. The in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second display orientation is landscape orientation of the display unit (201).
6. The in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the orientation-selection button (204) includes a touch button or a push button.
7. The in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display unit (201) includes:
a plurality of sensors (401) to ascertain orientation of the display unit (201); and
a graphical user interface (GUI) processor (402), coupled to the plurality of sensors (401), to adjust GUI of the display unit (201) as per the ascertained orientation.
8. The in-vehicle rotatable infotainment system (200) as claimed in
claim 7, wherein the plurality of sensors (401) includes accelerometer

sensor (401a), gyroscope sensor (401b) and magnetometer sensor (401c).
9. A method (600) for adjusting the orientation of the in-vehicle
rotatable infotainment system (200), wherein the system (200) includes an
electromagnetic actuator mechanism (202) having an output shaft (304)
holding a display unit (201), the method (600) comprising:
receiving a user input at the electromagnetic actuator mechanism (202), when a user presses an orientation selection button (204) provided on the display unit (201) for adjustment of the display unit (201) from one display orientation to another display orientation;
moving, by the electromagnetic actuator mechanism (202), the display unit (201) linearly away from a base position aligned with an instrument panel (203);
rotating, by the electromagnetic actuator mechanism (202), the display unit (201) from the one display orientation to the other display orientation; and
retracting, by the electromagnetic actuator mechanism (202), the display unit (201) towards the base position aligned with the instrument panel (203).
10. The method (600) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the display
orientations are either one of a portrait orientation or a landscape
orientation.