DE102012218410A1 - Input / output unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a human-machine interface for a vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to a flexible and inexpensive input / output unit for a vehicle. An input / output unit (100) for a vehicle is described, the input / output unit (100) being a mechanical input means (101); a touch and / or proximity sensitive layer (112); and comprises a control unit. The mechanical input means (101) is associated with a vehicle function. Furthermore, the mechanical input means (101) has a release pin (103) which can be brought into contact with the touch and / or proximity sensitive layer (112) at a first position. The touch and / or proximity sensitive layer (112) is set up to generate a first electrical control signal when the trigger pin (103) contacts the touch and / or proximity sensitive layer (112) at the first position. The first electrical control signal is associated with the first position. The control unit is set up to associate the first electrical control signal with the vehicle function on the basis of the first position.

Description

The invention relates to a human-machine interface. In particular, the invention relates to a flexible and cost-effective input / output unit z. B. for a vehicle.

Vehicles (eg motor vehicles or automobiles) usually have information and communication systems (IK systems), which in a centralized manner vehicle functions such. B. functions for radio, audio, navigation, telephony, climate control, windows, seating position, door or trunk opening etc. can provide. To control the various functions, such systems typically have a plurality of physical buttons and / or controls and a screen. The screen can z. B. can be used to display a menu of the information and communication system, and the plurality of physical buttons and / or controls can be used for navigation within the menu and for selecting / initiating certain functions.

The design of the man-machine interfaces (also called input / output units) of the IK systems of different vehicles (vehicle types) usually differs considerably. In particular, the arrangement of the various input means (eg, mechanical keys, mechanical rotary knobs, mechanical slider, etc.) and the arrangement of the various output means (eg, screen, illumination of the mechanical input means, etc.) differ. The different design (or design) requires different electronics that translate the operation of a mechanical input device into control signals for the IK system. This leads to high costs since a specific electronics component has to be developed and produced for each type of input / output unit.

The present document describes an input / output unit (eg for the IK system of a vehicle) whose design or design can be changed with reduced effort. This makes it possible to provide different input / output units for different types of vehicles in a cost effective manner. The input / output unit described in this document can be used in a variety of applications. However, the input / output unit described in this document has mechanical input means which allow haptic feedback, which is particularly advantageous in blind operation in vehicles. Consequently, an application of the input / output unit described in this document in vehicles (eg in automobiles) is particularly advantageous. More generally, the input / output unit described in this document is particularly advantageous for applications where reliable haptic feedback of the input (eg, for blind operation) is desirable or required.

In one aspect, an input / output unit (especially for a vehicle) is described. The input / output unit can, for. B. be used for an IK system of the vehicle and / or attached to the center console of the vehicle. Typically, the input / output unit comprises a plurality of (mechanical) input means and optical and / or pictorial output means (eg, illuminations of the input means, displays of the input means, a screen, etc.). The input means and the output means are usually arranged as a user interface. The layout (i.e., design) of the user interface typically depends on the vehicle type.

The input / output unit may comprise, for example, a mechanical input means. The mechanical input means may, for. B. a mechanical button, a knob and / or a slider act.

In addition, the input / output unit includes a touch and / or proximity sensitive layer. The touch and / or proximity sensitive layer is typically located behind or under the mechanical input means. The contact and / or proximity-sensitive layer may, for. One or more of: a resistive layer, a capacitive layer, or an inductive layer. In addition, the touch and / or proximity sensitive layer may allow predefined resolution of postions on the touch and / or proximity sensitive layer, e.g. B. a predefined resolution of 1 mm or less in both directions of the contact and / or proximity-sensitive layer (the X and the Y direction). Typically, the touch and / or proximity sensitive layer is configured to be placed behind or under a plurality of mechanical input means and used with this plurality of input means. Typically, a user interface includes just one touch and / or proximity sensitive layer.

Furthermore, the input / output unit may include a control unit. The control unit may be configured to permit an association between one or more mechanical input means, their positioning on the user interface and the functions to be triggered by the input means (eg vehicle functions). This can be z. B. by user interface-specific control tables, which are stored in the control unit.

The mechanical input means is typically associated with a function (eg, a vehicle function). In other words, the input means may allow the user to trigger a particular function (eg, a vehicle function). In particular, the mechanical input means may be designated (at a particular time or in a particular context) to trigger exactly one function (eg, a vehicle function).

The mechanical input means may include a trigger pin (also called a finger). The input means is typically designed so that the trigger pin can be brought into contact with the contact and / or proximity-sensitive layer at a first position. In this case, "bringing into contact" includes the case of a touch (in particular in the case of resistive layers) and the case of a sufficient approximation (in particular in the case of capacitive layers).

The touch and / or proximity sensitive layer may be configured to generate a first electrical control signal when the trigger pin contacts the touch and / or proximity sensitive layer at the first position (ie, as the trigger pin approaches the layer and / or or the layer touches). In this case, the first electrical control signal is typically associated with the first position. In other words, the electrical control signal generated by the touch and / or proximity sensitive layer is typically dependent on the first position or indicates the first position. For example, the first electrical control signal indicates the coordinates (eg, the X and Y coordinates with respect to the layer) of the first position.

The control unit may be configured to associate the first electrical control signal (based on the first position) with the function (eg, with the vehicle function). In particular, the control unit may be configured to determine from the first electrical control signal that the mechanical input device has come into contact with the layer at the first position. The control unit may comprise a control table and / or function table which associate with the first electrical control signal the function associated with the input means (eg vehicle function).

The use of a touch and / or proximity sensitive layer and a controller makes it possible to provide a mechanical user interface that does not require specific electronics components. The implementation of the mechanical input to an electronic control signal, which triggers the function of the input means, takes place in a flexible and cost-effective manner by the generic touch-sensitive and / or proximity-sensitive layer.

The mechanical input means may further comprise an approximating pin which may be brought into contact with the touch and / or proximity sensitive layer at a second position. The second position is different from the first position. The second electrical control signal is associated with the second position, i. H. the second electrical control signal indicates the second position. The proximity pin may be configured to cause the generation of a second electrical control signal by the touch and / or proximity sensitive layer when a user touches the mechanical input means. Thereby, the input means may be arranged to detect two different events: the touch of the input means by the user (the touch event) and the operation of the input means by the user (the actuation event). By touching the input means, the user z. B. requesting a functional description of the vehicle function (which is output, for example, on a screen of the user interface). By the operation of the input means, the user z. B. trigger the vehicle function.

In a capacitive touch and / or proximity-sensitive layer of the proximity pen z. B. be designed in an electrically conductive manner, so that the grounding touch of the user is forwarded via the proximity pin to the touch and / or proximity-sensitive layer and so makes contact. As an alternative or in addition, the proximity stylus of the contact-sensitive and / or proximity-sensitive layer can be closer than the trigger pin, and thus already cause the generation of a control signal before the trigger pin. For example, the mechanical input means may comprise a mechanical key which may be actuated by the user such that the trigger pin and the proximity sensor Pen in the direction of the contact and / or proximity-sensitive layer to be moved. In particular, in a non-actuated state of the key, the proximity pen may be closer to the touch and / or proximity sensitive layer than the trigger pin. For example, the proximity pin of the contact- and / or proximity-sensitive layer may be so close that even a slight touch of the button results in a contact of the layer, and thus the second control signal is generated. Thus, a touch event can also be detected with a resistive layer.

The use of an approximate stylus is advantageous because it allows touch events to be realized without the use of dedicated proximity sensors in the mechanical input means. In other words, through the use of an approximate stylus, the touch and / or proximity sensitive layer may also be used to detect touch events (in addition to detection of actuation events).

As already indicated, the mechanical input means may comprise a rotary knob. In this case, the trigger pin may be contacted with various positions on at least a portion of a circle with the touch and / or proximity sensitive layer. The layer may be configured to generate position-dependent electrical control signals that may then be translated by the control unit into corresponding vehicle functions (eg, a temperature change).

The mechanical input means may comprise a slider. In this case, the trigger pin may be brought into contact with various positions in line with the touch and / or proximity sensitive layer. The line can z. B. include one or more straight and / or one or more curved line sections. The layer may generate a position dependent electrical control signal which is then converted by the control unit into a vehicle function associated with the slider.

The input / output unit may further include a display layer. The display layer may be configured to generate an optical output for the mechanical input element. In particular, the display layer may provide some or all of the user interface output means. The display layer can, for. B. be arranged below or above the contact and / or proximity-sensitive layer. In particular, the display layer with the contact-sensitive and / or proximity-sensitive layer can form a touch screen (also referred to as touchscreen). Typically, the display layer may represent a predefined number of pixels. For example, the display layer may have a sufficiently large resolution (a sufficiently large number of pixels) to also serve as a screen for outputting information (navigation, station display, etc.). The display layer may comprise a LED, OLED or LCD layer. Furthermore, the display layer may possibly output different colors with a predefined color depth.

The display layer may be configured to output corona illumination around the mechanical input means or on the mechanical input means. The corona illumination (eg intensity and / or color) may depend on the first position. In particular, with rotary or sliders can be given by the corona illumination a visible feedback on the setting of the controller. The mechanical input means may be translucent at a dispensing location. In other words, the mechanical input means may be configured at the dispensing location to direct light from the display layer to the surface of the mechanical input means, thereby becoming visible to a user. At the issuing office, it may be z. B. act around a border of the input means, so that a corona illumination can be provided on the input means by the display layer. Alternatively or additionally, the display layer may be configured to output a key display at the issuing location (eg, an operation indication for a key and / or information regarding the function associated with the input means). Similar to the Corona illumination, the key display may depend on the first position. For example, in the case of controllers, information (eg temperature display) regarding the setting of the controller can be specified in the key display. Alternatively or additionally, the key display may be animated (i.e., the key display may change in time even without changing the first position).

As stated above, the use of mechanical input means and a touch and / or proximity-sensitive layer makes it possible to create user interfaces (eg for IK systems in vehicles) in a flexible and cost-effective manner. For example, the input / output unit may include a plurality of mechanical input means associated with a corresponding plurality of vehicle functions. The variety of mechanical input means is on a mechanical user interface arranged. Furthermore, the plurality of mechanical input means comprise respective trigger pins which can be brought into contact with respectively other positions of the (single) touch and / or proximity sensitive layer. The touch and / or proximity sensitive layer may be configured to generate electrical control signals when the trigger pins of the plurality of mechanical input devices contact the respective positions. The electrical control signals are typically position dependent and thus provide information about one or more actuated input means. The control unit may be configured to associate the electrical control signals based on the respective positions with the vehicle functions corresponding to the plurality of mechanical input means. In another aspect, IK system for a vehicle is described. The IK system includes z. B. the input / output unit or user interface described in this document.

In another aspect, a vehicle is described that includes one or more of the input / output units or user interfaces described in this document. In particular, the vehicle may have an input / output unit which is arranged on the center console of the vehicle.

In another aspect, a method is described that corresponds to the input / output unit described in this document.

In another aspect, a software (SW) program is described. The SW program can be set up to run on a processor and thereby perform the method described in this document.

In another aspect, a storage medium is described. The storage medium may include a SW program that is set up to run on a processor and thereby perform the method described in this document.

It should be understood that the methods, devices and systems described herein may be used alone as well as in combination with other methods, devices and systems described in this document. Furthermore, any aspects of the methods, apparatus, and systems described herein may be combined in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined in a variety of ways.

Furthermore, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments. It shows

1a to 1c an exemplary mechanical button having a touch-sensitive layer;

2a to 2 B an exemplary rotary control with a touch-sensitive layer;

3 an exemplary slider with a touch-sensitive layer; and

4a to 4b exemplary touch-screen input / output units.

Today, as explained in the introduction, vehicles today usually have information and communication systems whose various functions can be controlled by means of physical keys and on the basis of a screen as input / output user interface (also called input / output unit). In particular, the information and communication systems (IK systems) may have function keys that can be flexibly linked to commonly used functions to allow a user to directly select and directly trigger a frequently used function. Example functions include a call function (eg, to call a particular phone number), a radio function (eg, to play a particular radio station), a music playback function (eg, to play a particular predefined playlist), a navigation function (e.g. B. to determine a route to a predefined destination), a driver position function (eg for automatically setting the seat position of a particular driver), a closing function (eg for closing / opening doors or the trunk) etc ..

Furthermore, input-output units may have other or alternative mechanical input means, such as. B. knob or slider (especially to control the volume or temperature). The various mechanical input means are arranged differently depending on the vehicle type on the center console of the vehicle, thus forming a vehicle type-specific input / output unit (or a vehicle type-specific user interface). Any vehicle type specific Input / output unit typically requires the development and manufacture of specific electronics that convert mechanical inputs to electronic signals. This results in considerable costs.

A purely mechanical solution for input / output units is typically inflexible in terms of retrofitting / re-working. Furthermore, for each mechanical control element (i.e., for each mechanical input means) usually a complex electronics is required. Furthermore, controls usually have no attractive display effects. On the other hand, a pure touch screen solution offers no haptic feedback and is therefore unsuitable for blind operation. However, a blind operation is required especially in vehicles, since the controls must be operated mostly by the driver while driving. The haptic feedback is to enable the driver to operate the control without having to direct the view from the road.

In the present document it is proposed to use the mechanical input means in connection with a touch-sensitive layer, wherein the touch-sensitive layer enables the conversion of the mechanical input into electronic control signals. In particular, it is proposed to use mechanical input means for input on so-called touch screens (also called touch screens). The touch screens take over the task of the electronic component for the implementation of mechanical inputs in electronic control signals. Furthermore, the touch screens can also provide the output means of the input / output unit. The combination of mechanical input means and a touch screen achieves that different mechanical control surfaces (for a variety of different vehicle types) can be provided in a cost effective manner since the same touch screen can be used for the different mechanical control surfaces.

1a shows an exemplary arrangement 100 which is a mechanical button 101 and a touch screen 110 includes. The touch screen 110 includes a touch-sensitive layer 112 that is set up, a touch and / or an approach of a physical body to the layer 112 to detect. Furthermore, the touch-sensitive layer 112 established, the position of the touch or the approach on the layer 112 to investigate. The position can z. As x / y coordinates relative to the layer 112 with a certain resolution (eg in mm steps). The touch-sensitive layer 112 can z. B. comprise a resistive layer that detects touches (pressure) of any physical body and determines the position of the touch. Alternatively or additionally, the touch-sensitive layer 112 a capacitive layer, which detects an approach and / or contact of a conductive physical body and determines the position of the approach and / or touch. Further examples of touch-sensitive layers 112 are z. B. an inductive layer or an optical layer.

Furthermore, the touch screen 110 a display layer 113 include. The display layer 113 can be set up to allow colored issues. For example, the display layer 113 a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode display (LED) and / or an organic LED display (OLED) include. The display layer 113 may provide a pre-defined resolution of image pixels (eg 640x480 pixels or 1440x1080 pixels). For example, the display layer in each direction (ie, x and / or y direction) may include more than 100, more than 200, more than 300, or more than 400 image pixels. The display layer 113 may be used to provide illumination of the mechanical input means, displays associated with or on the mechanical input means, and / or an output screen.

The mechanical button 101 is through the mechanical guidance 102 positioned locally. In the mechanical leadership 102 can it be z. B. act on the structure of the instrument panel on the center console of the vehicle. Furthermore includes the mechanical button 101 a pen 103 (also called fingers), which when pressed the button 101 towards the touchscreen 110 is moved. When the touch-sensitive layer 112 can already detect approximations, so the pen 103 be designed so that that of the button 101 averted end of the pen 103 after pressing the button 101 within the distance 111 from the touch-sensitive layer 112 is positioned, and so on the layer 112 an approximation is detected. The use of a layer 112 , which already detects an approach and determines its position, has the advantage that there is no actual contact between layer 112 and pen 103 must come, so no wear of the layer 112 occurs. When using a layer 112 that requires an actual touch (pressure), the pen can 103 be designed so that after Press the button 101 there is a touch. The pencil 103 is used in this document as a trigger pin 103 designated.

The key 101 can another pen 104 which can be used to approximate a user's finger to the key 101 or a touch of the user's finger with the button 101 to detect. The pencil 104 is used in this document as a proximity pen 104 designated. The proximity pen 104 may be designed such that already a touch (or an approach) of the key 101 with the user's finger on the layer 112 can be detected. In response to this touch or approximation, the IK system may be used by the user e.g. For example, you can play a functional description of the function using the corresponding key 101 can be triggered. This is particularly advantageous with function keys that can be assigned with different functions. So the user can decide if he wants the button 101 Press and thus trigger the function or not.

The proximity pen 104 in 1a is longer than the trigger pin 103 so that a touch and / or approach already before triggering the button 101 can be detected. Furthermore, the proximity pen 104 in a guided tour 105 with a compression spring 106 arranged so that the proximity pen 104 not the complete actuation of the button 101 with special needs. Alternatively or additionally, in the case of proximity-sensitive layers 112 already a different length of the pins 113 and 114 sufficient to reliably disambiguate the two events "touching the button" and "triggering the button".

The use of a trigger pin 113 and from a proximity pen 114 is advantageous because so by a single touch-sensitive layer 112 two states of the button 101 (ie the events "touching the button" and "triggering the button"). In particular, this makes it possible to access a dedicated proximity or touch sensor on the surface of the button 101 to renounce.

1b shows a top view of the touch screen 110 and a mechanical button arranged thereon 101 , The button includes an approximate stylus 104 and a trigger pin 103 , Furthermore, the button includes 101 a trip indicator 107 indicating if the button 101 is triggered or not. Such a trip indicator 107 is typically provided by a dedicated LED. In the illustrated example, the trip indicator 107 through the touch screen 110 be implemented. In particular, after triggering the button 101 the display layer 113 of the touch screen 110 at the position of the trip indicator 107 output one or more pixels in a specific color. The light of the one or more pixels can z. B. via a window in the key 101 at the location of the trip indicator 107 be issued. So can a trip indicator 107 be realized without the use of specific LEDs.

The key 101 out 1b further includes a button display 108 , The key display 108 can z. B. a function of the button 101 and / or play a particular setting. In the illustrated example, the key display includes 108 z. B. a temperature display ( 18 Degree). The button display may be through the display layer 113 of the touch screen 110 at the position of the key display 108 will be realized. This eliminates the need for key-specific display means. The key 101 can be at the location of the button display 108 have a viewing window that has a view of the display layer 113 of the touch screen 110 allows. Alternatively or additionally, the key 101 Also included are optical elements (eg, lenses and / or optical fibers) that facilitate transmission of the light from the display layer 113 to the surface of the button 101 enable. By using the display layer 113 for button displays 108 can also have animated button displays 108 (as in 1c shown).

2a shows a side view of an exemplary rotary control 201 , The dial 201 is in a leadership 201 (eg the structure of the user interface of the IK system) and has one or more release pins 303 , In addition, the knob can 201 also via an approximate pen 304 feature. By turning the knob 201 becomes a trigger pin 303 on a circle from a first position over or on the touch-sensitive layer 112 to a second position over or on the touch-sensitive layer 112 emotional. This movement can be from the layer 112 can be detected and the first and second positions can be determined. The different positions then lead to different control signals for the vehicle's IK system.

2 B shows a top view of the knob 201 out 2a , The regulator 201 can be a regulator display 208 include, like the button display 108 through the display layer 113 can be realized. Alternatively or additionally, the rotary control 201 a corona illumination 207 which are around the knob 201 is arranged around. The corona illumination 207 can through the display layer 113 of touch screen 110 to be provided. The display layer 113 can z. B. be set, the corona illumination 207 from the rotary position of the rotary control 201 to make dependent. In particular, z. B. the color of the corona illumination 207 from the rotary position of the rotary control 201 be dependent (eg a blue illumination 207 at a low temperature rotary position and a red illumination 207 at a rotational position corresponding to a higher temperature).

The dial 201 out 2 B is completely on the touch screen 110 , It should be noted that a rotary knob 201 (as well as other input means) on the edge of the touch screen 110 can be arranged and only a part of the knob 201 (or the input means) above the touch screen 110 is located, for. B. only the part on which a pin 103 . 203 . 104 . 204 located. This makes it possible to use touch screens 110 to use, which have a smaller area than the user interface, which includes the input means.

3 shows the top view of an exemplary slider 301 , The slider 301 includes a trigger pin 303 and a controller display 308 , The controller display 308 can through the display layer 113 be provided and from the position of the slider 301 (In particular, the position of the trigger pin 303 ) be dependent. The slider 301 can (as by the arrows 320 displayed), so that the trigger pin 303 over or on different positions of the layer 112 can be positioned. The different positions are detected and lead to different control signals for the IK system.

In the 1 to 3 were different mechanical input means 101 . 201 . 301 described with a touch screen 110 can interact. The touch screen 110 or the entire input / output unit may include a control unit that controls the position of the pins 103 . 104 . 203 . 204 . 303 from one or more of the input means 101 . 201 . 301 certainly. Each position can be assigned to one of the input means 101 . 201 . 301 be associated with corresponding control signal. Thus, different control signals can be generated via the various input means, which can be used to control functions in the vehicle. For example, the control unit may include a control table, the touches and / or approximations at certain positions of the layer 112 assigns different control signals. The IK system can then assign respective functions of the vehicle to the control signals. X position V-Position Proximity / touch control signal X1 Y1 N Key 1 - approximation X2 Y2 B Button 1 - triggering X3 to X4 Y3 to Y3 B Knob 1 - position X3 to X4 Y3 to Y3 B Slider 1 - Position X5 Y5 B Button 2 - triggering Table 1 control signal function Key 1 - approximation Display of the description of the function assigned with key 1 Button 1 - triggering Triggering the function assigned with key 1 Knob 1 - position Control of the temperature as a function of the detected position of the rotary control Slider 1 - Position Control of speaker volume depending on the detected position of the rotary control Button 2 - triggering Triggering the function assigned with key 2 Table 2

Table 1 shows an exemplary control table that has certain approximate and / or touch locations on the layer 112 assigns different control signals. Table 2 shows an example function table that associates the different control signals with a respective function of the vehicle.

Thus, through the use of a touchscreen 110 (in particular through the use of a touch-sensitive layer 112 ) the inputs from different mechanical control surfaces are converted into electrical control signals. The modified design of the mechanical user interfaces can be illustrated by control tables that are specifically tailored to the mechanical user interface. This eliminates the need for specific electronic components that are tuned to a respective mechanical user interface. By adapting software (eg by adjusting the control tables), a generic touch screen can be adapted to different mechanical user interfaces.

4a and 4b show different mechanical user interfaces 400 related to a generic touch screen 110 provide different input / output units for vehicles. The mechanical user interfaces 400 out 4a and 4b comprise a different arrangement of mechanical input means 401 , In addition, the mechanical user interfaces include 400 recesses 402 providing direct access to the touch screen 110 enable. So can the touch screen 110 also be used as a screen (eg as a screen for a navigation device or for a radio).

The generic touch screen 110 is tuned by software (eg by the above-mentioned control tables) to the respective mechanical user interface. In particular, one or more input regions 411 of the touch screen 110 be defined, the respective input means 401 correspond. Also, one or more output regions 412 of the touch screen 110 be defined in which the touch screen 110 is used as a screen (and / or in which the touch screen 110 expenditure 107 . 108 . 207 . 208 . 308 in connection with the input means 101 . 201 . 301 generated). The user interface 400 out 4a represents z. B. two knobs 201 . 401 available (for volume control and left / right balance control). In addition, the user interface provides 400 out 4a a slider 301 . 401 for temperature adjustment available. Touches / approximations in the corresponding input regions 411 are translated via the control table (see Table 1) into control signals, which then trigger the implementation of the respective function. Similarly, the user interface includes 400 out 4b three knobs 201 . 401 and four buttons 101 . 401 ,

The present document describes mechanical operating elements and an operating concept. The described operating concept includes a touch display 110 (also called touch screen) and mechanical controls 401 to sense an input and to visualize an output. It is proposed purely mechanical controls (without explicit control electronics) on a z. B. capacitive touch display 110 applied. The coupling between the mechanical input means 401 and the touch display 110 takes place by means of (possibly non-contact) sensor finger 103 . 104 . 203 . 303 that from the touch screen 110 can be evaluated.

By using a touch screen 110 can be a flexible visual design of the mechanical controls 401 respectively. Ie. the lighting and displays on and around the mechanical elements 401 around can through the touch screen 110 be generated and using lenses, mirrors, light guides, etc. on the controls 401 be projected. Examples are z. B. Symbolic illumination in any color and shape (RGB), animation on control surfaces (eg moving rear wiper, see 1c ), a luminous corona (eg, temperature controller stepless red / blue), and a digital temperature display on a controller 401 ,

The advantage of the input / output unit described in this document is that it eliminates the specific electronics for mechanical controls and that the use of a generic touch screen provides a design-flexible modular system, resulting in significant cost reductions. Furthermore, by the use of mechanical controls 401 further provided a haptic feedback for a blind operation (which is particularly advantageous in vehicles). In addition, the use of a flexible touch screen allows the possibility of attractive display effects on and around the mechanical controls 401 ,

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and figures are intended to illustrate only the principle of the proposed methods, apparatus and systems.

Claims (10)

An input / output unit ( 100 ) for a vehicle, wherein the input / output unit ( 100 ) comprises: - a mechanical input means ( 101 ); A contact and / or proximity sensitive layer ( 112 ); and a control unit; wherein - the mechanical input means ( 101 ) is associated with a vehicle function; The mechanical input means ( 101 ) a trigger pin ( 103 ), which at a first position with the contact and / or proximity-sensitive layer ( 112 ) can be brought into contact; The contact and / or proximity sensitive layer ( 112 ) is adapted to generate a first electrical control signal when the trigger pin ( 103 ) the contact and / or proximity sensitive layer ( 112 ) contacted at the first position; - the first electrical control signal is associated with the first position; and - the control unit is configured to associate the first electrical control signal with the vehicle function. The input / output unit ( 100 ) according to claim 1, wherein - the mechanical input means ( 101 ) an approximate pen ( 104 ), which at a second position with the contact and / or proximity-sensitive layer ( 112 ) can be brought into contact; The second position is different from the first position; - the proximity pen ( 104 ), the generation of a second electrical control signal by the contact- and / or proximity-sensitive layer ( 112 ) when a user activates the mechanical input means ( 101 ) touched; and - the second electrical control signal is associated with the second position. The input / output unit ( 100 ) according to claim 2, wherein - the mechanical input means ( 101 ) a mechanical button ( 101 ) which can be actuated by the user such that the trigger pin ( 103 ) and the proximity pen ( 104 ) in the direction of the contact and / or proximity-sensitive layer ( 112 ) are moved; and - in a non-actuated state of the button ( 101 ), the proximity pen ( 104 ) of the contact and / or proximity-sensitive layer ( 112 ) is closer than the trigger pin ( 103 ). The input / output unit ( 100 ) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein - the mechanical input means ( 101 ) a knob ( 201 ); and - the trigger pin ( 103 ) with different positions on at least one piece of a circle with the contact- and / or proximity-sensitive layer ( 112 ) can be brought into contact. The input / output unit ( 100 ) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein - the mechanical input means ( 101 ) a slider ( 301 ); and - the trigger pin ( 103 ) with different positions in a line with the contact- and / or proximity-sensitive layer ( 112 ) can be brought into contact. The input / output unit ( 100 ) according to any preceding claim, wherein the contact and / or proximity sensitive layer ( 112 ) - one or more of: a resistive layer, a capacitive layer, an inductive layer; and / or a predefined resolution of positions on the contact and / or proximity-sensitive layer ( 112 ); and / or the predefined resolution 1 mm or less in both directions of the contact and / or proximity-sensitive layer ( 112 ). The input / output unit ( 100 ) according to any preceding claim, wherein - the input / output unit ( 100 ) a display layer ( 113 ); and the display layer ( 113 ), an optical output for the mechanical input element ( 101 ) to generate. The input / output unit ( 100 ) according to claim 7, wherein the display layer ( 113 ) - below or above the contact- and / or proximity-sensitive layer ( 112 ) is arranged; and / or - with the contact and / or proximity-sensitive layer ( 112 ) a touch screen ( 110 ) forms; and or - can display a predefined number of pixels; and / or - an LED, OLED or LCD layer comprises; and / or - can output different colors with a predefined color depth. The input / output unit ( 100 ) according to one of claims 7 to 8, wherein - the display layer ( 113 ) is adapted to the mechanical input means ( 101 ) or on the mechanical input means ( 101 ) output a corona illumination; and / or - the corona illumination is dependent on the first position; and / or - the mechanical input means ( 101 ) is translucent at a dispensing location; and / or the display layer ( 113 ) is arranged to issue a key display at the issuing office; and / or - the button display is animated; and / or - the key display is dependent on the first position. The input / output unit ( 100 ) according to any preceding claim, wherein - the input / output unit ( 100 ) a plurality of mechanical input means ( 401 ) associated with a corresponding plurality of vehicle functions; The plurality of mechanical input means ( 401 ) on a mechanical user interface ( 400 ) is arranged; The plurality of mechanical input means ( 401 ) Release pins ( 103 ), each with different positions of the contact and / or proximity-sensitive layer ( 112 ) can be brought into contact; The contact and / or proximity sensitive layer ( 112 ) is adapted to generate electrical control signals when the trigger pins ( 103 ) of the plurality of mechanical input means ( 401 ) contact the respective positions; and - the control unit is set up, the electrical control signals due to the respective positions with the, the plurality of mechanical input means ( 401 ) associate vehicle functions.

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