DE102018220647A1 - Method and device for entering a setpoint of a controlled variable for operating a controlled device, as well as vehicle and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for entering a setpoint value for operating a controlled device (170, 180). The device (20, 20 ') is equipped with a touch-sensitive display unit (30, 30'). To enter the information, a slide control (35) is shown on the display unit (30, 30 '), the slide control position being marked by a handle symbol (36) and the desired setpoint being set by touching and moving the handle symbol (36). The method is characterized in that the current actual value (38) of the controlled variable is simultaneously displayed by a bar graph (37) along the longitudinal axis of the slider (35).

Description

The proposal concerns the technical area of so-called user interfaces. In particular, this involves a method and a device for entering information for operating a device. The proposal further relates to a computer program and a motor vehicle that has a device according to the proposal.

The operation of an infotainment system, which is installed in the vehicle, by means of a touch-sensitive screen is permitted while driving and is now often used in motor vehicles. Various functions of the infotainment system can be operated with the touch-sensitive screen, navigation system, telephone, music system and radio, air conditioning, etc. Often entries from databases have to be selected for operation, e.g. for music tracks, navigation destinations, phone book entries, etc. The infotainment system can be operated via the touch-sensitive screen, which is often installed in the vehicle in the center console, or via a mobile device such as a smartphone, which is not permanently installed, but is attached with a special holder becomes.

To operate a touch-based interface, which is permanently installed in the vehicle, while driving, the control panels in the form of "buttons", "sliders", input fields, etc. must adhere to physical minimum sizes so that they are relatively easy to find and still relatively distraction-proof are operating. An important aspect is that the control panels are easy to find and can be found without errors. One problem, for example, is that the individual keys of a classic QWERTY keyboard shown on the display unit cannot maintain this minimum size, at least if one assumes the physical display size of a conventional smart phone. If a much larger display is installed, such as a 15 "touchscreen or larger, the minimum size for buttons according to the NHTSA guidelines to be followed could be adhered to. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the civilian US federal agency for road and vehicle safety that has adopted such guidelines.

From the DE 10 2014 204 890 A1 a method for operating a multi-device vehicle air conditioning is known. The user is shown a representation of a figure and a slider on a display unit. If the user is too cold, a higher temperature is set. All functions to achieve the air conditioning target are then identified by the climate control itself and carried out according to the feasibility.

From the EP 1 291 205 B1 a setting system for a vehicle air conditioning system is known. The setting system comprises a control panel with a touch-sensitive display screen, which is connected to a controller based on a microcomputer, which has control outputs at least to a fan unit, air distribution valves and temperature adjusters of the air conditioning system. The display screen is adapted to show current settings and available setting options for at least (i) the air flow rate, (ii) the air distribution and (iii) the air temperature in the form of analog symbol representations. The air distribution currently set can be changed by moving a point within the area of a triangle.

The known solutions have some disadvantages. This was recognized in the context of the invention. The problem with the known solutions is that with the input method with a slider when the handle of the slider is adjusted, the new setpoint is displayed, but no longer the current actual value. This can make incorrect operations possible because the user could subsequently interpret the current handle position as the actual value. If it is still too cold for him, he could set a further increase in the temperature, but this would lead to excessive heating, which would impair comfort. It would also initiate further operations that are actually unnecessary.

The object of the invention is therefore to improve the input method with the aid of sliders shown on a touch-sensitive display unit. The ease of adjustment should be improved. Another task is to enable a finer setting option, which allows interaction to be as fluid as possible and which fits seamlessly into the operating process.

This object is achieved by a method for entering a setpoint of a controlled variable for operating a controlled device according to claim 1, a device for entering a setpoint of a controlled variable for operating a controlled device according to claim 7, a vehicle according to claim 8 and a computer program according to claim 9 solved.

The dependent claims contain advantageous developments and improvements of the invention in accordance with the following description of these measures.

The proposed method for entering a setpoint of a controlled variable for operating a controlled device consists in that a slider is shown on a touch-sensitive display unit for entering the setpoint, the slider position being marked by a handle symbol and the desired setpoint being touched and moved by the handle symbol is set. A special feature of the method is that the current actual value of the controlled variable is shown by a bar display along the longitudinal axis of the slider. The method has the advantage that the user can see at a glance what the state of the control system is. The position of the handle symbol along the slider axis provides information on which setpoint the controller is set to. The actual status of the controller is intuitively displayed via the fill level of the bar graph along the slider axis. The user can thus see at a glance the state of the controller. If there is still a distance between the handle symbol and the bar display, it is clear that the controller is still in the state of tracking the actual state of the controller to the reference variable. It would not be necessary to readjust the position of the handle symbol. If there is no longer any distance between the handle symbol and the bar display, it is clear that the controller has already been adjusted and the controller only maintains the set state. If this state no longer appears comfortable, the user can change the setting directly according to his wishes.

In an extended version of the method, a contact surface is displayed at the ends of the slider, with which, when touched, the setpoint is finely adjusted in certain incremental steps in a respective direction. This allows fine adjustment of the slider position.

In this regard, it is also advantageous if, when a contact surface is actuated, the setting value readjusted in this way is briefly shown in numerical form on the display unit.

It is also an advantageous embodiment if the bar display is designed as a colored bar display, which additionally reflects the intensity of the current setting according to a color code. A commonly used color code can be used. A color code that would lead from violet to blue, green, yellow to red and, if the controlled variable to be set corresponds to a temperature, would normally reflect a temperature range from cold to hot. For another control variable, such as a ventilation strength, this color code can also be used to e.g. reflect a speed range from slow to fast.

In an advantageous variant of the proposed method, a reference variable for the actual control loop can be calculated from the setpoint input using the slider with the aid of a first conversion table. This has the advantage that there is no need for complex conversions. The conversion table can be easily implemented in terms of program technology in the form of a look-up table.

In a similar form, the current actual value of the controlled variable detected by a sensor or otherwise can be converted into a fill level for the bar display with the aid of a further conversion table.

For the likewise claimed device for inputting a setpoint of a controlled variable for operating a controlled device, it is advantageous that it has a touch-sensitive display unit and a computing unit that is set up to carry out the calculations in order to carry out the steps for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding To execute claims. The computing unit can be programmed accordingly to carry out the method steps.

The corresponding advantages also result for a vehicle that is equipped with a corresponding device. The proposal can be used particularly advantageously if the controlled device concerns seat heating or seat ventilation.

For the implementation of the proposal with a computer program, it is advantageous if the computer program has program steps which carry out the corresponding steps of the proposed method in a computing unit when the program is processed.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.

• 1 ein typisches Cockpit eines Fahrzeuges;
• 2 ein Blockschaltbild des Infotainmentsystems sowie eines Teils der Bordelektronik;
• 3 den Ablauf des Verfahrens zur Eingabe einer Information zur Bedienung eines Gerätes an einem Beispiel der Einstellung der Temperatur der Sitzheizung; und
• 4 den Ablauf des Verfahrens zur Eingabe einer Information zur Bedienung eines Gerätes an einem Beispiel der Einstellung der Stärke der Belüftung einer Sitzbelüftung.

Show it:

• 1 a typical cockpit of a vehicle;
• 2nd a block diagram of the infotainment system and part of the on-board electronics;
• 3rd the sequence of the method for entering information on the operation of a device using an example of the setting of the temperature of the seat heating; and
• 4th the sequence of the procedure for entering information on the operation of a device using an example of setting the strength of the ventilation of a seat ventilation.

The present description illustrates the principles of the disclosure of the invention. It is therefore understood that those skilled in the art will be able to design various arrangements, which are not explicitly described here, but which embody principles of the disclosure according to the invention and should also be protected in their scope.

1 shows the cockpit of a vehicle. A passenger car is shown. However, any other vehicle could also be considered as a vehicle. Examples of other vehicles are: buses, commercial vehicles, in particular trucks, agricultural machinery, construction machinery, motorcycles, rail vehicles, etc. The invention would generally be applicable to land vehicles, rail vehicles and aircraft. In addition, the invention would also be applicable to other regulated devices that have to be operated.

The cockpit of the vehicle 10th In addition to its main purpose of controlling the vehicle, it also serves to operate various other functions of the vehicle. An infotainment system is mentioned here in particular. With the help of the infotainment system, various functions of the vehicle 10th to be served. For example, a radio, a navigation system, a playback of stored pieces of music and / or an air conditioning system, other electronic devices or other comfort functions or applications of the vehicle 10th to be served. The summary of all these components is known as the "infotainment system". In vehicles, especially cars, an infotainment system describes the combination of car radio, navigation system, hands-free system, driver assistance systems and other functions in a central control unit. The term infotainment is a suitcase word made up of the words information and entertainment. Part of the infotainment system is in the area of a center console of the vehicle 10th a display device in the form of a touch-sensitive screen 30th , which is also known as a "touchscreen". This display unit 30th can in particular by a driver of the vehicle 10th , but also by a passenger of the vehicle 10th be well viewed and served. Below the screen 30th there is a control unit 50 consisting of mechanical controls, for example buttons, switches, rotary controls or combinations thereof, such as push rotary controls etc. With the reference number 18th is the driver's seat. The reference number 110 refers to a typical instrument cluster that informs the driver about the driving condition, in particular speed, speed, gear selection, indicators, lights, fuel gauge, etc. As technology advances in autonomous driving, the driver will be relieved of the actual driving task in the future.

2nd shows schematically a block diagram of the vehicle-side infotainment system and an example of some subsystems or applications of the infotainment system. The infotainment system includes a touch-sensitive display unit 30th , a computing device 40 , an operating unit 50 and a memory 60 . The display unit 30th includes both a display area for displaying changeable graphic information and a user interface (touch-sensitive layer) arranged above the display area for entering commands by a user. The display unit 30th can be designed as an LCD touchscreen.

The display unit 30th is over a data line 70 with the computing device 40 connected. The data line can be designed according to the LVDS standard. Via the data line 70 receives the display unit 30th Control data for controlling the display area of the display unit 30th from the computing device 40 . Via the data line 70 are also control data of the commands entered from the touch screen 30th to the computing device 40 transfer. With the reference number 50 the control unit is called. The control elements already mentioned, such as buttons, switches, rotary controls, slide controls or rotary pushbuttons, belong to it.

More and more inputs can be made using the touch-sensitive display unit 30th be made. Input is generally understood to mean the selection of a selected menu option, such as changing a parameter, switching a function on and off, etc. So that such inputs are smooth and distraction-proof while driving, an operating mode is provided according to the invention, in which information can be entered in the manner of an analog slider. For the digital implementation of this operating mode is used by the computing device 40 processed a program module that contains the algorithm of the touch-sensitive input method. This program module is in the memory device 60 is saved and is activated when the corresponding menu item for entering a parameter in the computing device is activated 40 loaded and comes to processing. The implementation by means of an appropriately programmed program module also applies to the other operating modes in which the input of another parameter takes place in a corresponding manner.

The basic functioning of the algorithm for the touch-sensitive input of operating parameters is assumed to be known in the prior art and is therefore not explained in more detail below. The sensor signals from the touch-sensitive screen 30th originate from the data connection shown 70 to the computing device 40 transferred and evaluated there.

The currently set value is saved. In the usual solution, the value is changed by moving the position of the touch. The value is typically changed linearly in accordance with the shift. However, any other form of implementation could also be considered, for example the form of the logarithmic change in the value in accordance with the shift.

The storage device 60 is over a data line 80 with the computing device 40 connected. In the store 60 a pictogram or symbol directory is stored in which the corresponding pictogram or symbol is stored for each menu item.

The other parts of the infotainment system camera 150 , Radio 140 , Navigation device 130 , Phone 120 , Instrument cluster 110 and a communication module 160 for connection to the Internet are via the data bus 100 with the device 20th connected to operate the infotainment system. As a data bus 100 the high-speed version of the CAN bus according to ISO Standard 11898-2 is considered. Alternatively, the use of a bus system based on Ethernet technology could also be considered. Bus systems in which data is transmitted via fiber optic cables can also be used. Examples include the MOST bus (Media Oriented System Transport) or the D2B bus (Domestic Digital Bus).

The block diagram in 2nd still shows part of another data bus 102 . This data bus is often referred to as the comfort bus. Control units are connected here that control certain body functions, such as door controls including window lift controls, air conditioning controls, seat controls, etc. Also the comfort bus 102 is often implemented as a CAN bus. In 2nd are only the control units 170 shown for the seat ventilation function and 180 for the seat heating. With the reference number 190 a gateway is still designated. The various data buses are on it 100 , 102 connected. The gateway 190 has the function of switching the data packets from the various data buses. For this purpose, it also carries out the necessary format conversions in order to convert the data from the data packets of the one data bus into the other format of the other data bus.

The method according to the invention for entering information for operating a controlled device is explained below using the examples of the temperature adjustment in the seat heating and the ventilation setting in the seat ventilation.

The touch-sensitive display unit is used for operation 30th exploited. 3rd shows the temperature setting process for the seat heating by entering the desired temperature using the on the display unit 30th shown slider 35 . The slider shown is supported graphically and is also referred to in international jargon as a touch slider element. With the slider 35 the temperature is finely adjustable. The slider position is represented by a dash that also acts as a handle element 36 is executed. This touch element 36 can be touched and moved by the user with his finger or a stylus. Below and above are two other contact areas 32 and 34 shown. This allows a fine adjustment to be made for the temperature setting. The lower interface 32 is used to decrease the selected temperature in incremental steps. The top touch surface 34 is used to increase the selected temperature in incremental steps. The incremental step is determined by the program with which the slider 35 is realized. An incremental step of 0.5 ° C is mentioned as an example. The handle position 36 specifies the setpoint for temperature control. As is known, temperature controls are not possible instantaneously, but it takes a certain time until the predetermined temperature is reached by either a number of heating phases or cooling phases. That is why there is shortly after adjustment of the slider 35 a discrepancy between actual temperature and target temperature. This is why the slider is displayed as suggested 35 on the display unit 30th the current actual temperature is also displayed. This is done using a bar graph 37 . A colored bar display is preferred 37 used. The selected color should also reflect the current actual temperature.

The following color code with the associated temperature ranges is given as an example. violet blue green yellow red 0 - 9 ° C 10-19 ° C 20-30 ° C 31-40 ° C 41-53.5 ° C

Different intermediate tones can also be used in the color display. The table can be refined accordingly. The length of the color bar 37 also reflects the actual temperature. By looking at the representation of the slider 35 on the display unit 30th the driver can intuitively tell the difference between slider position 36 and the controller actual value 38 detect. If the difference is clearly visible, the driver can see that the set temperature value has not yet been reached. If it is still too cold for him, he will first refrain from increasing the temperature value and will wait until then. If it is already too warm for him, he can immediately reduce the slider position and thus avoid overheating. The fact that the setpoint and actual value are displayed at the same time increases the comfort for the user.

To adjust the slider position, the user can also simply click on a position of the slider 35 tap instead of the handle 36 to move to this position. In the example shown is the slider 35 executed graphically as a vertical bar. It is also possible in another variant, the slider 35 to be carried out graphically as a horizontal bar.

It is also possible to add the temperature value as a number or as a percentage of the maximum setting as a further indication next to the handle 36 or next to the controller actual value 38 display.

The temperature control of the seat heating takes place via known control systems (2-point, PI controller or PID controller). A corresponding control module 184 is in the seat heating control unit 180 intended. To the seat heating control unit 180 are two heating mats 181 and 183 for seat and backrest connected separately. With the reference number 187 is a temperature sensor in the seat surface, which is also connected to the seat heating control unit 180 connected. It can be a temperature sensor with a negative temperature coefficient (e.g. NTC resistor). The actual temperature is thus recorded. The control module 184 ensures that the selected temperature is reached and kept constant.

The control system receives its reference variable via a conversion table 182 . In the conversion table 182 becomes the slider position, corresponding to the handle position 36 assigned a target temperature. The setpoint temperature becomes the control module 184 in the seat heating control unit 180 passed and used as a benchmark. The following table shows an example of a conversion table. Slider intensity [0 ... 100] Command variable for control module [° C] 100 (max) 53.5 98 53 96 52.5 94 52 92 51.5 90 51 5 25th 0 (off) <20

Conversely, the actual intensity must be displayed correctly. This is another conversion table 186 used. With the conversion table 186 an actual intensity is assigned to the measured variable ascertained. Measured actual temperature [° C] Actual intensity [0 ... 100] <20 0 (off) 21 2nd 21.5 4th 22 6 ... ... 52 94 52.5 96 53 98 53.5 100 (max)

The amount of data in the conversion tables is arbitrary. Depending on the desired resolution, the tables are adjusted accordingly. The resolution is expediently limited by the resolution of the graphic control element and the measuring accuracy of the temperature sensor 187 and the resolution of the actuator in the control system (eg PWM value).

The system can also be used to set the seat and backrest separately for each seat. To do this, the system would have to be expanded by a further slider control element, a further temperature sensor and a further control module.

4th shows the second embodiment using the example of the seat ventilation setting. The same reference numbers denote in 4th the same elements as in 3rd and are therefore not explained again. In the variant shown there are two separate fan motors 171 and 173 , one for the seat and one for the seat back, attached in the seat. These fan motors are each equipped with their own control module. That is why the fan motors 171 , 173 via a data bus 106 to the seat ventilation control unit 170 connected. The data bus can be the LIN bus, corresponding to the Local Interconnect Network Bus, which is often used to control body components such as window regulators, door openers, etc. The respective command variable for the control module of the respective fan motor is transmitted via the LIN bus. The seat ventilation intensity is entered using a corresponding slider 35 . The entry can be made in the same way as in the example of 3rd explained.

The regulation of the seat ventilation intensity takes place in the variant shown with the electronics, which is housed in the seat fan motor itself. The internal control module of the seat fan motor measures the actual engine speed using a suitable method, e.g. with a speed sensor or indirectly via the power consumption. The engine speed is proportional to the ventilation intensity. The control module of the seat fan motor ensures that the selected intensity is reached and kept constant.

The control module receives its reference variable again via a corresponding conversion table 172 . In the conversion table 172 becomes the slider 36 assigned a percentage value 0 ... 100%. This percentage value of the shift control creation is assigned to the parameter "Command variable for seat fan motor control [0 ... 100%]". The parameter "Reference variable for seat fan motor control [0 ... 100%]" is sent via the data bus 106 to the electronics of the respective fan motor 171 , 173 transferred, there converted internally with the help of a conversion function into a target engine speed, which is used as a reference variable for the internal seat fan motor control.

The intermediate step via the parameter "Reference variable for seat fan motor control [0 ... 100%]" is advantageous because the vehicle manufacturer can use this to set the ventilation intensity per seat or vehicle project without having to change the electronics in the seat fan motor.

The following table shows an example of two conversion tables. Slider intensity [0 ... 100] Command variable for control module [0 ... 100%] Engine speed [rpm] 100 100 3500 98 98 3400 96 96 3300 94 94 3200 92 92 3100 90 90 3000 6 6 200 0 (off) 0 0

The first two columns form the conversion table 172 . The last two tables form the conversion table used in the motor electronics of the fan motors 171 , 173 is used.

The following table shows an example of the corresponding conversion tables in the other direction. The first two columns correspond to the conversion table that is used internally in the engine electronics. The last two tables correspond to table 176, with which the actual value position for the bar graph 37 is calculated. Actual engine speed [rpm] Actual value of the motor control [0 ... 100%] Slider intensity [0 ... 100] 0 0 0 (off) 200 6 6 3000 90 90 3100 92 92 3200 94 94 3300 96 96 3400 98 98 3500 100 100 (max)

All examples mentioned herein, as well as conditional formulations, are to be understood without being restricted to such specifically mentioned examples. For example, it is recognized by those skilled in the art that the block diagram shown here represents a conceptual view of an exemplary circuit arrangement. Similarly, it can be seen that a flow chart, state transition diagram, pseudo code and the like represent different variants for representing processes which are essentially stored in computer-readable media and can thus be carried out by a computer or processor.

It should be understood that the proposed method and associated devices can be implemented in various forms of hardware, software, firmware, special processors, or a combination thereof. Special processors can include application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), reduced instruction set computers (RISC) and / or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The proposed method and the device are preferably implemented as a combination of hardware and software. The software is preferably installed as an application program on a program storage device. Typically, it is a machine based on a computer platform, which has hardware such as one or more central processing units (CPU), a random access memory (RAM) and one or more input / output (I / O) interface (s). An operating system is typically also installed on the computer platform. The different processes and functions described here can be part of the application program or part that is executed via the operating system.

The disclosure is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments described here. There is room for various adaptations and modifications that those skilled in the art would consider on the basis of their specialist knowledge as well as belonging to the disclosure.

In another embodiment, the slider is on the display unit 30th displayed, however, the input is made via a separate touch-sensitive control unit in the manner of a touchpad, which can be installed as a separate component, for example in the center console. This makes it easier to enter while driving.

The functions of the two control units 170 and 180 can also be combined in a central seat control unit.

Reference symbol list

10th

vehicle

18th

Driver's seat

30th

touch-sensitive display unit

32

Temperature adjuster down

34

Temperature adjuster high

36

Slider handle

37

Bar graph

38

Controller actual value

40

Arithmetic unit

50

Control unit

60

Storage unit

70

Data line to the display unit

80

Data line to the storage unit

90

Data line to the input unit

100

Ethernet bus

102

CAN bus

106

LIN bus

110

Instrument cluster

120

phone

130

navigation device

140

radio

150

camera

160

Communication module

170

Air conditioner

171

Fan motor seat

172

Conversion table ventilation setpoint

173

Fan motor seat back

175

Seat ventilation module

176

Actual ventilation value conversion table

180

Seat heating control unit

181

Heating mat seat

182

Conversion table actual temperature value

183

Heating mat seat back

184

Control module

185

Seat heating module

186

Conversion table temperature setpoint

187

Temperature sensor

190

Gateway

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102014204890 A1 [0004]
• EP 1291205 B1 [0005]

Claims (9)

Method for entering a setpoint of a controlled variable for operating a controlled device (170, 180), a slider (35) being displayed on a touch-sensitive display unit (30) for entering the setpoint, the slider position being marked by a handle symbol (36), the desired setpoint being set by touching and shifting the handle symbol (36), characterized in that the current actual value (38) of the controlled variable is indicated by a bar graph (37) along the longitudinal axis of the slider (35). Procedure according to Claim 1 , At the ends of the slider (35) each a touch surface (32, 34) is displayed, with which a fine adjustment of the setpoint (38) is carried out in certain increments in a respective direction when touched. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2nd , wherein the bar display (37) is designed as a colored bar display, which additionally reflects the intensity of the current setting according to a color code. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a reference variable for the control loop of the device (18) is calculated from the setpoint input using a first conversion table (182). Procedure according to one of the Claims 2 to 4th , the current actual value of the controlled variable being recorded, and the length of the bar graph (37) being calculated with the aid of a further conversion table (186). Device for entering a setpoint of a controlled variable for operating a controlled device (170, 180), characterized in that the device has a touch-sensitive display unit (30) and a computing unit (40) which is set up to carry out the calculations in order to carry out the steps to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims. Vehicle, characterized in that the vehicle (10) has a device Claim 6 having. Vehicle after Claim 7 , wherein the regulated device relates to seat heating or seat ventilation of a seat of the vehicle (10). Computer program, characterized in that the computer program has program steps which, when the program is processed in a computing unit (40), a method according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 carry out.

Images