WO2004008467A1 - Method for operating functional groups and/or functions, and operator device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for operating functional groups and/or functions comprising a number of operator elements (10-13; 14-18) which are provided with display fields (20-23; 24-28). Different functional groups and/or assignments of functions are generated in the inventive display fields (20-23; 24-28) of the operator elements (10-13; 14-18) according to the operator control level.

Description

 Method for operating function groups and / or functions and

operating device

The invention relates to a method for operating function groups and / or functions with a number of operating elements, in particular touch elements, the operating elements having display fields, a method for identifying operating elements with a controllable display field and an operating device for operating function groups and / or functions with Operating elements, the operating elements having display fields.

Methods and devices for identifying control elements in motor vehicles are widely known. Depending on the equipment of the respective motor vehicle, the corresponding operating elements for the correspondingly designed devices or applications in the dashboard area or elsewhere are arranged within the same. In many cases, the control elements are provided with labeling fields that are fixed and at least backlit in the dark. The labeling fields are provided with the corresponding representations, which are assigned to the functions or functions of the specific facilities or applications.

A disadvantage of such controls is that the controls are predefined in terms of their fixed function. The arrangement of the control elements or the presence of the control elements or the number of control elements is directly linked to the respective equipment of the respective vehicle.

A control element for performing at least one function is known from DE 199 51 100 A1. A display device for displaying the operating function is provided for each function assigned to the operating element. This makes it possible to assign several selectable functions to an operating element and to use it for different operating functions at different locations. It is thus possible to provide the same control element both for operating the seat heating and for switching on the rear window heating of the motor vehicle.

Further methods and devices are known from various prior art documents. DE 298 16 517 U1 is an electronic one Display known, in which an otherwise analog pointer instrument is shown on a display.

Switch arrangements are known from US Pat. No. 5,867,149, which also have a permanently assigned function.

From DE 198 20 797 A1 a device with a push button is known, the lettering changing when the push button is pressed. It should reliably detect whether the device is switched on or off.

A keyboard and display system is known from DE 43 38 171 C1. Here, display areas and key areas are separated from each other, and pressing a key changes the respective display on a separate display.

In the case of devices of this type, also in the case of the document mentioned first, it is nevertheless not prevented that individual control elements are overloaded in the vehicle. Overloading with a large number of operating elements also has safety-related disadvantages due to the lack of convenience of operation. A large number of control elements generally leads to driver distraction when he actuates or even has to actuate it while driving.

In addition, the operation is complicated by the fact that the function assignments are not always clear.

The invention is therefore based on the object of reducing the number of operating elements for operation, in particular in a motor vehicle, without restricting the functionality.

The object is achieved with the features of claims 1, 7 and 13.

Training and further education are presented in the subclaims.

The essence of the invention is that different function group and / or function assignments are generated on the display fields of the control elements depending on the operating level. In this case, primary function groups which can be operated are advantageously assigned to the operating elements in a first superordinate operating level. In those below the higher operating level Operating levels are assigned to at least one of the operating elements a function group or function that is assigned to the primary function group that was selected by actuating the corresponding operating element in the higher operating level.

According to one embodiment of the invention in the motor vehicle, the operating elements in the first higher operating level are adjustable devices. How, for example, the mirror or seat adjustment is assigned and in at least one operating level below it, the control elements are assigned setting options for these devices.

In another embodiment, the control elements are part of a multi-function control device for menu-driven operation of one or more electronic and / or electrical devices and / or applications, for example multimedia applications. In this or a further embodiment, the operating elements can be assigned progressively and / or rolling list entries in at least one operating level. Such list entries can be, for example, telephone book entries or stored destinations of a navigation device.

According to one embodiment of the operating device according to the invention, the display fields of the operating elements have an optically active layer with pixels that can be electrically excited to light up. Alternatively, there are either light emission displays or field emission displays.

Another embodiment provides that the display fields of the control elements have an optically active view with molecular structures or nanostructures, the orientation of which can be changed by an electric field, the ends of the molecular structures or nanostructures having different colors or brightness, so that depending on the orientation the structures can be presented in a directional pattern. So-called light-emitting polymers are also conceivable. These can be miniaturized so that a suitable small display area is integrated on the control elements or buttons.

In addition, the display fields of the control elements can have an optically active layer with molecular structures or nanostructures, the orientation of which can also be changed by applying an electrical field, the molecular ones Structures or nanostructures change their optical transparency depending on an applied electric field. This corresponds to the principle of so-called LCD displays.

An advantageous embodiment of the operating device according to the invention provides that the operating elements are formed on a display device designed as a touchscreen.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings and described in more detail below.

It shows:

Figure 1: a multiple button arrangement with exemplary function assignment.

Figure 2: a control element with a display in cross section and

Figure 3: a multiple button arrangement of a multifunction control device.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary operating device of a plurality of function keys, which are shown here by way of example and, moreover, can be arranged anywhere in the vehicle. The keys 10-13 are provided with display fields 20-23 according to their function.

The keypad can be used to control a device such as, for example, the electric window regulators or the electrically adjustable exterior mirrors in the automobile. The display on the buttons can be changed by an electronic control. The display of the keypad can thus be adapted to the respective status levels A, B of the system. The changeable display creates a menu for staggered status levels.

The advantage here is that the arrangement and the procedure according to the invention considerably reduce the number of control elements of complex systems and thereby increase the clarity of control panels and, at the same time, reduce their space requirements. The greater clarity and the smaller space requirement as well as the reduction in distraction of the driver during operation are of great importance in the automotive application. This principle of the control element with variable labeling can also be applied to other types of electronic switches, such as. B. rocker arms, rotary switches or keyboards or combination switches can be transmitted as desired.

Figure 2 shows a technical embodiment of an inventive control element, designed as a button of the control device according to the invention. The technical implementation of the control element is shown in cross section. Each operating element consists of a movable element 43, which is slidably arranged in a vertical guide 40 and closes an electrical contact 41 against the return spring 42. The carrier 44 for an optically active layer 45 is integrated in the control element. The carrier 44 can itself contain an electronic control for the optically active layer, or can serve as a conductive connecting link to a remote electronic control. The optically active layer is protected against contamination or damage from the outside by a transparent layer 46. Font and / or symbols can be displayed in different ways. The optically active layer consists of electronically stimulable pixels with which the labeling or symbols are displayed.

The optically active layer contains molecular or similarly small nanostructures, the orientation of which can be changed electrically in an electrical field. The structure consists of ends with different colors or brightness, so that a visible pattern is displayed depending on the orientation.

Similar to what has just been described, however, molecular structures are also possible, which change their optical transparency depending on the applied electric field, whereby a pattern or writing can be represented. These alternatives differ in appearance essentially by the type of lighting. Equally, however, they contain the functions according to the invention in their entirety.

3 shows an example of an operating device according to the invention in a multifunction operating device of a motor vehicle for operating a plurality of electronic and / or electrical devices. In the exemplary embodiment, these are the air conditioning system, various AUDIO devices, such as radio receivers, CD changers, navigation devices and telephones. The operation of other electronic and / or electrical devices or applications is conceivable. In addition to the control device according to the invention, the multifunction control device can additionally have a display device (display) and further control elements, for example menu-independent control elements. In the exemplary embodiment, the operating device according to the invention has a plurality of operating elements 14-18 with display fields 24-28. In a first superordinate menu level, the control elements 15-18 are each assigned one or more devices to be operated. A so-called return function is assigned to the control element 14 in this and every other menu level, ie with the aid of this control element it is possible to return from a subordinate level B, C, D to a superordinate menu level A, B, C. In the main menu A, the control element 14 can be assigned, for example, an on / off function of the entire multifunction control device. The display panel 24 of the control element 14 preferably shows the menu level to which it can be jumped back by its actuation.

The functioning of the remaining control elements 15-18 within the menu operation is explained in more detail below. As already mentioned, one or more devices to be operated are assigned to each of the operating elements 15-18 in the level of the main menu A. The assignment is shown in the display fields 25-28. If the control element 17 is now actuated in this level, to which the navigation device is assigned via the display field 27, individual functions or function groups of the navigation device are assigned to the control elements 15-18 in the menu level B below. The display field 24 of the operating element 14 shows that the main operating level B of the navigation device is assigned to the operating device. At the same time you can return to the main menu A by pressing this control element 14.

In the first operating level B of the navigation device, the operating elements 15-18 are assigned the functions or functional groups “destination input”, “route settings”, “map display” and “start route guidance”. Other or further functions and a different number of operating elements are conceivable. It is also possible that no function is assigned to one or more operating elements in a menu level.

If the control element 15 is now actuated with the function assignment "destination input", the control elements 15-18 receive the functions "input of a city", "input of a street", "destination from memory" and "destination from map". The control element 14 indicates that the operating device is in menu C "destination entry", it is in turn assigned a return function to a next higher level B or to main menu A.

If control element 17 is now pressed with the function “destination from memory”, control elements 15-17 are assigned a list selection of the memory. If the list contains more than three entries, control elements 15 to are assigned via control element 18 with the function assignment “next” 17 further entries assigned from the list. This can be renewed via the control element 18 until there are no more list entries.

Claims

PAT EN TAN SPEECH 1. Method for operating function groups and / or functions with a number of control elements (10-13; 14-18), in particular touch elements, the control elements (10-13; 14-18) display fields (20-23; 24-28 ), in particular in a motor vehicle, characterized in that different function group and / or function assignments are generated on the display fields (20-23; 24-28) of the operating elements (10-13; 14-18) depending on the operating level 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that operable primary function groups are assigned in a first operating level (A) to the operating elements (10-13; 14-18) and in further operating levels (B, C, D) lying below the first operating level. at least one of the control elements (10-13; 14-18) is assigned a function group and / or function assigned to the primary function group selected by actuating one of the control elements in the first control level (A). 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the controls (10-13) in the first control level (A) as primary function groups adjustable devices, in particular mirrors, of the vehicle are assigned and in the control level (B) below the controls (10-13) Setting options of the facilities can be assigned. 4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the application in a multifunction control device for operating one or more electronic and / or electrical devices and / or applications. 5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the control elements (14-18) in at least one operating level (D) list entries are assigned progressively and / or scrollable. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one control element (10-13; 14-18) in at least one operating level is assigned its function in a rolling or shifting manner. 7. A method for identifying control elements (10-13; 14-18), in particular touch elements with a controllable display field (20-23; 24-28), in particular in a motor vehicle, characterized in that on the control elements (10-13; 14-18) Fonts and / or symbols are generated electronically in such a way that different function group and / or function assignments are generated on the display fields (20-23; 24-28) of the control elements (10-13; 14-18) depending on the operating level. 8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that operable primary function groups are assigned in a first operating level (A) to the operating elements (10-13; 14-18) and in further operating levels (B, C, D) lying below the first operating level. at least one of the control elements (10-13; 14-18) is assigned a function group and / or function assigned to the primary function group selected by actuating one of the control elements in the first control level (A). 9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the controls (10-13) in the first control level (A) as primary function groups adjustable devices, in particular mirrors, are assigned to the vehicle and in the control level (B) below Control elements (10-13) setting options of the facilities can be assigned. 10. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by the application in a multi-function control device for operating one or more electronic and / or electrical devices and / or applications 11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the control elements (15-18) in at least one control level (D) list entries are assigned progressively and / or by scrollable. 12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that at least one control element (10-13; 14-18) in at least one operating level is assigned its function in a rolling or shifting manner. 13. Operating device for operating function groups and / or functions with operating elements (10-13; 14-18), in particular touch elements, the operating elements (10-13; 14-18) having display fields (20-23; 24-28), in particular for a motor vehicle, characterized in that different function group and / or function assignments can be generated on the display fields (20-23; 24-28) of the control elements (10-13; 14-18) depending on the operating level. 14. Operating device according to claim 13, characterized in that in a first operating level (A) the operating elements (10-13; 14-18) operable primary function groups are assigned and in further under the first operating level (A, B, C, D) horizontal operating levels of at least one of the operating elements (10-13; 14-18) are assigned to one of the primary function groups selected by actuating one of the operating elements in the first operating level (A). 15. Control device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the control elements (10-13) in a first control level (A) as primary function groups adjustable devices, in particular mirrors, of the vehicle are assigned and in the control level (B) below it Control elements (10-13) setting options of the adjustable devices are assigned. 16. Control device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the control device is part of a multi-function control device for operating one or more electronic or electrical devices and / or applications. 17. Operating device according to claim 16, characterized in that the operating elements (14-18) in at least one operating level (D) are assigned to list entries in a progressive and / or scrollable manner. 18. Control device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the function group and / or function assignment of the control elements (10-13; 14-18) corresponds to the respective status depth of the control and menu structure of the multi-function control device. 19. Control device according to one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the display fields (20-23; 24-28) of the control elements (10-13; 14-18) have an optically active layer with pixels that can be electrically excited to light up. 20. Control device according to one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the display fields (20-23; 24-28) of the control elements (10-13; 14-18) an optically active layer (45) with molecular or nanostructures whose Orientation is electrically changeable, wherein the ends of the molecular or nanostructures have different colors or brightness, so that depending on the orientation, a visible pattern can be displayed. 21. Control device according to one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the display fields (20-23; 24-28) of the control elements (10-13; 14-18) an optically active layer with molecular or nanostructures, the orientation of which can be changed electrically is, wherein the molecular or nanostructures change their optical transparency depending on an applied electric field. 22. Operating device according to one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the operating elements (10-13; 14-18) are formed on a display device designed as a touchscreen.