Central Information Display and MINI joystick

Central Information Display and MINI joystick

In the new MINI, the display and operating concept has been adopted from BMW vehicles. This means that the leading operating system in vehicles is also available in this class of vehicle (UKL1+) for the first time. At the same time, a clear brand-typical differentiation with regard to BMW has been achieved. The display and operating concept features:

• clear differentiation and optimised structuring of the driving area in the areas of driving and comfort
  
• sense of calm in the inside of the vehicle due the lowest possible number of switches despite more functions
  
• simple, logical operation
  
• ergonomic placement and layout of the display and control
  
• Integrative approach: all convenience functions are made accessible to the front passenger
  
  

Brief description of components

The following components are described for the display and operating concept:

Central Information Display

With optional extra 609 ”Navigation system, Professional” the vehicle is equipped with a Central Information Display (CID). At the same time, a Car Communication Computer (CCC) is fitted.

The CID is 6.5 inches high. The resolution is 640 x 240 pixels with 16-bit colour depth.

The Central Information Display (CID) and the central instrument cluster (KOMBI) are both control units. These control units are plugged into one another and fitted together in the dashboard.

The Central Information Display is connected to the Car Communication Computer across an LVDS line. The CID is also connected to the K-CAN.

The CID contains a photo-transistor for brightness control of the LC display (depending on the surrounding brightness). The LC display is heated.

MINI joystick

The MINI joystick is the central control for all menus on the Central Information Display. The joystick is located in the centre console behind the gearstick or selector lever in the case of automatic gearboxes.
Two buttons are arranged in front of the joystick:

• ”Home” button
  calls up the main menu
  
• ”Browse” button
  browses through the last 3 menus opened
  
  

The MINI joystick is connected across the K-CAN with the Car Communication Computer. The signal for the locating lamps (terminal 58g e.g. for the buttons) is transferred on the bus.

System functions

The following system functions are described for the Central Information Display and the MINI joystick:

• Operations logic at the CID
  
• Brightness control of the CID
  
• Function and operations logic of the MINI joystick
  
  

Operations logic at the CID

The user guidance on the CID is adapted to the MINI CI (corporate identity).

The display of the main menu consists of the following four menu items:

• Navigation
  
• Communication
  
• Entertainment
  
• Setup
  
  

The status bar permanently displays the most important information for the various functions, for example the reception level of the telephone or the time (as of ignition on).

Brightness control of the CID

The CID is a display with a so-called ”transflective” surface. Transflective is a word combination of ”transmissive” and ”reflective”. The surface reflects the daylight that strikes it and makes other displays unreadable. This reflection means that the daylight is included in the light volume of the display. The display gains brilliance. Under poor lighting conditions or in darkness, readability is ensured by the transmissive back lighting.

The display is also heated. This improves readability and ensures that the optimised operating temperature is reached quickly even at low ambient temperatures. For brightness control of the display, a photo-transistor is integrated in the CID. For brightness control, the CID also evaluates the following signals:

• Dimmer signal from the footwell module (dimmer setting) via the K-CAN
  
• Signal via the K-CAN from the central photocell in the instrument cluster
  

The display brightness (offset of brightness) can be set.
Condition: the photo-transistor works with a modulation between 1 % and 50 %. If the modulation of the photo-transistor is greater than approx. 50 %, only the photo-transistor regulates the display brightness.

For brightness setting, the optional extra "Brightness" must be selected in the ”Setup” menu in the CID.

Function and operations logic of the MINI joystick

The signals from the buttons are read in by the MINI joystick. The joystick transforms the signals into messages on the K-CAN. The messages are processed by the CCC. The CID receives the signals for display on the LVDS line (Low Voltage Differential Signalling). The LVDS data line involves technology that reliably transfers graphical data over a longer distance.

The joystick is tilted from the rest position, to which the joystick always returns when it is released.

The joystick has the following directions of movement:

• Tilting in 4 directions: Navigation in the menu
  
• Turn: selection of functions
  
• Press: confirm
  
  

Notes for Service department

General information

The value for the display brightness is personalised on the remote control. The set value for offset of the brightness is stored in the remote control. The stored value (offset of the brightness) is transferred from the currently used remote control into the data memory of the CID.

Note! Excess temperature with unfavourable operation conditions!

With unfavourable operation conditions, the temperature in the CID can rise strongly. In this case, the CID lowers its brightness. In extreme cases, the CID switches off its backlighting completely.

Reasons for excessive temperature in the CID can be:

• High outside temperature
  
• Strong sunlight
  
• Strong heat from the heating duct
  
  

No liability can be accepted for printing or other errors. Subject to changes of a technical nature