DE102015008184A1 - Motor vehicle operating device with blind-operated touchscreen - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating device (3) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a touch screen (4) with a surface element (8) which forms a contact surface (15). The touch screen (4) should be able to be operated in a distraction-free manner in critical driving situations. The invention provides for this purpose that a signal input (19) for receiving a state signal (20) of the motor vehicle (1) is provided and a control device (10) is designed, based on the state signal (20) between a first driving state (21) and a second driving state (22) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the surface element (8) has at least one elastic region (16) and an adjusting device (18) is adapted to the at least one elastic region (16) respectively in the first Driving state (21) in a first position flush with an edge region (17) of the surface element (8) and in the second driving state (22) in a raised or lowered second position with respect to the edge region (17).

Description

The invention relates to an operating device for a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle with the operating device according to the invention and a method for operating an operating device in a motor vehicle. By the operating device in the motor vehicle, a touch screen (touch screen) is provided. A user may touch a surface element of the touchscreen with a touch object, such as his or her finger or a wand, at any point of contact. Depending on the touch coordinates of the touch point, a touch signal is generated.

Touchscreens in motor vehicles, especially in terms of distraction of the driver during a journey always questioned. To navigate a touch screen and select the correct icon or control panel, the driver must turn their attention away from the traffic and look at the touch screen. Due to the smooth touch screen surface, a tactile orientation is not possible. For a quick visual orientation, especially in the design of the graphical user interface that is displayed by means of the touch screen, paying attention to a distraction-poor presentation. However, not all degrees of freedom in the design of a touch screen can be used precisely because of the distraction. Again and again, the graphical user interface must be designed or designed to be restrictive due to possible distraction of the user.

From the DE 10 2005 038 161 A1 is a touch screen for a motor vehicle, in which an input is not already done by simply touching the touch screen, but by pressing the touch screen. In other words, the user must exert a predetermined minimum force on the touchscreen to effect generation of a control signal. As a result, the user with a finger first on the touch surface of the touch screen only slide along and thus orient spatially better in the selection of a displayed on the touch screen panel.

From the US 2008/0024459 A1 is a touchscreen with haptic feedback known. If a user operates the touch screen by selecting or pressing a control surface, the touch screen is set into a vibratory motion by means of an actuator which the user feels on the finger. As a result, the user feels that his input has been successfully recognized and implemented by the operating device.

From the US 2012/0194466 A1 is a touch screen with haptic feedback known that generates different haptic signals, so-called haptic textures on a control surface of the touch screen.

The invention has for its object to provide in a motor vehicle a distraction-controllable operating device.

The object is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are given by the features of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, an operating device for a motor vehicle is provided which, in a manner known per se, has a touchscreen (touch screen) with a surface element which forms a contact surface. Furthermore, the touchscreen has a sensor device for generating a touch signal as a function of touch coordinates of a contact point. The touch location is the location where a user touches the touch surface with a touch object, such as a finger or a wand.

This known per se structure or this per se known embodiment of a touch screen is further developed according to the invention for solving the above object as follows. The operating device has a signal input for receiving a status signal of the motor vehicle. A control device of the operating device is designed to distinguish between a first driving state and a second driving state of the motor vehicle on the basis of the state signal. The controller may be provided based on, for example, a microcontroller or microprocessor.

Furthermore, the surface element of the touchscreen has at least one elastic region. In other words, at least a portion of the surface element is non-destructively deformable. The at least one elastic region is, in particular, a partial region of the surface element, that is to say not the entire surface element. In particular, a plurality of elastic regions are provided.

An adjusting device of the operating device is designed to hold the at least one elastic region in each case in the first driving state in a first position, in which the elastic region terminates flush with a peripheral region of the surface element surrounding it. The respective edge region of the elastic region is that part of the surface element which adjoins the elastic region and this encloses. In other words, the operating surface of the surface element in the first driving state may be formed overall as a flat or flat surface or plate.

In contrast, in the second driving state, the adjusting device holds the at least one elastic region in a second position. In the second position, the respective elastic region is raised or sunk in relation to its edge region. In other words, each elastic region of the surface element is formed or shaped, for example, as a curvature or a hollow, and can accordingly be felt on the contact surface as a three-dimensional structure. A position of the respective edge region of the surface element remains unchanged in the first and in the second driving state. In other words, only the respective elastic region is moved into the raised or lowered second position with respect to the edge region and held there when the motor vehicle changes from the first driving state into the second driving state.

The surface element thus has a variable shape which is set as a function of the current driving state. The invention provides the advantage that in the first driving state, a flat touch screen is available, which allows the known per se of a touch screen controls. In the second driving state, the elastic regions as tactile formations of the operating surface of a driver even without looking verastbar and thereby allow a blind operation of the touch screen by the driver feels by sensing his desired or desired or selected area of the touch screen. The driver can thereby feel without haptic controls, namely held in the second position elastic regions. By holding is meant here that the respective position for the duration of the respective driving condition is fixed. In other words, the two positions are not, for example, end positions of a vibratory movement.

The invention also includes optional developments, by the characteristics of which additional benefits.

According to a development, the first driving state indicates that a driving speed of the motor vehicle is less than a predetermined limit speed, and the second driving state indicates that the driving speed is at least the limit speed. The limit speed is preferably less than 10 km / h, in particular less than 6 km / h. In particular, the first driving state indicates that the motor vehicle is stationary, and the second driving state indicates that the motor vehicle is driving or rolling. As a result of the development, there is the advantage that the driver is provided with a haptic orientation in the form of the raised or lowered elastic regions on the touchscreen during a journey at a driving speed greater than the limit speed. In the first driving state, when it is particularly safe to look at the touch screen, the control options of a flat or smooth or elevation and sunk control panel are ready by the touch screen is provided with flush elastic regions.

In accordance with a further development, the adjusting device is designed to deform the at least one elastic region in each case for changing between the first position and the second position by pressure of a liquid or of a gas or of a gel by the adjusting device on a rear side of the surface element facing away from the contact surface is set. In other words, the elastic region is inflated, for example, as a bladder or sucked in case of sinking. Additionally or alternatively, a solid-state element can be provided which is moved along an adjustment direction perpendicular to the contact surface and presses against the respective elastic region or pulls against it. For example, as a solid state member, a punch member or rod may be pressed against the surface member to move the elastic portion from the first position to the second position. In the same way, a stamp element can pull against the surface element in order to set a sink or sink as the second position.

According to a development, the control device of the operating device is designed to generate a control signal for at least one device of the motor vehicle. In other words, by means of the control signal, the at least one device of the motor vehicle can be operated by means of the operating device. As a device can z. For example, an infotainment system (information entertainment system) may be provided. However, the control device only generates the control signal in the second drive mode if an amount of an operating force with which the touch object, for example the finger, presses against the at least one elastic region of the surface element is greater than a predetermined threshold value. In other words, a predetermined release force, which is greater than the threshold value, is necessary to trigger an operator action, that is, to generate the control signal. In other words, the generation of the control signal takes place as a function of both the touch signal of the operating point and the amount of the operating force. This results in the advantage that the user can touch the control surface with his finger to on the touch screen that of him to search for desired or desired control panel on the basis of the deformed elastic regions, without thereby triggering a wrong control signal or undesirable a control signal when touching the touch screen. A control panel is a graphical operating element for triggering a control signal for the device to be operated.

For detecting the operating force, a pressure sensor can be provided in a manner known per se. For example, the pressure sensor may detect a pressure in the described liquid or gas or gel. A force measurement can also be realized in such a way that a change in the size of the touched user interface is detected. The more a user pushes the operating surface with his finger, the wider the contact surface of the finger on the operating surface becomes.

According to a development, the control device is designed to generate the control signal in the first driving mode independently of an amount of the operating force. In other words, the control signal is generated only in response to the touch signal. As a result, a pressure-independent triggering or generation of the control signal is possible solely by touching the control surface independently of the operating force expended in an advantageous manner. As a result, the control device is faster in response. In addition, for example, an operation by means of wiping movements on the touch screen can be realized.

According to a development, a movement device is provided which represents a haptic actuator. The movement device is designed to generate a haptic signal on the contact surface by vibrating and / or pushing at least the surface element. The control device is designed to activate the movement device during or with the generation of the control signal. In other words, upon successful triggering of the control signal by the user, the haptic signal is communicated to the latter as feedback at the contact surface. A frequency of the vibration is in particular in a range greater than 0.1 hertz, in particular greater than 1 hertz. In the context of the invention, a shock or a vibration means a one-time deflection of the surface element from a rest position and a subsequent and final return of the surface element to the rest position. The duration of the impact is in total less than 500 milliseconds in particular. The movement device can, for example, have an electromagnet with a linearly movably mounted armature and / or a piezo element and / or a rotation motor with imbalance for generating the vibration and / or the impact. The movement of the surface element can take place perpendicular to the contact surface and / or in a plane of the contact surface. It may be a translatory and / or rotational movement.

According to a development, the control device has an operating mode in which, in both the first driving state and in the second driving state, it displays a control panel in the at least one elastic region by means of a screen of the touchscreen. In other words, the screen content is the same in the first driving state and the second driving state. The control panel can be displayed, for example, as a graphic symbol, for. B. as a so-called button (button) or slider (slider). In particular, each control panel is limited to the respective elastic region. This development has the advantage that the user sees the same image content both in the first driving state and in the second driving state, wherein the user in the second driving state for the operation of the operating device but tactile or haptic additionally by the second position of the at least one elastic region is supported.

The invention also includes a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle according to the invention has an embodiment of the operating device according to the invention. The operating device is coupled to at least one device in order to control the at least one device. In the context of the invention, the device may be, for example, an infotainment system (information entertainment system), an air conditioning system or a telematics system or a landing gear control system. The control is operation-dependent, that is, depending on a user's operation at the touch surface of the operating device.

The invention also includes a method for operating an operating device in a motor vehicle. By means of a control device, control panels are displayed by means of a touchscreen, and depending on a contact point on a surface element of the touchscreen, a control signal is generated for at least one device of the motor vehicle. By displaying the panels, the user is provided with a graphical user interface for operating the at least one device. In order to simplify the operation of the user interface for different driving conditions of the motor vehicle, the invention provides that depending on a current driving condition of the motor vehicle, a shape of the surface element is adjusted by at least one elastic region of the surface element in a first driving state in a flush with a the elastic region surrounding edge region final first position and in a second driving state of the motor vehicle in held with respect to the edge portion recessed or raised second position. Thus, in the first driving state, the driver is provided with a touchscreen with a known planar touchscreen operating area, while in the second driving state a position of the displayed control panels can tactilely be sensed by the sunken or raised at least one elastic area of the driver.

The method according to the invention also includes refinements which have features which have already been described in connection with the developments of the operating device according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding developments of the method according to the invention are not described again here.

The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car.

In the following an embodiment of the invention is described. For this purpose, the single FIGURE (FIG.) Shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention with an exploded view of an operating device of the motor vehicle.

The exemplary embodiment explained below is a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the described components of the embodiment each represent individual features of the invention that are to be considered independently of one another, which also each independently further develop the invention and thus also individually or in a different combination than the one shown as part of the invention. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

In the figure is a motor vehicle 1 represented, which may be, for example, a motor vehicle, especially a passenger car, act. The car 1 can a device 2 or a plurality of devices, the (not shown) users of the motor vehicle by means of an operating device 3 of the motor vehicle 1 can serve. At the device 2 For example, it may be an infotainment system, an air conditioning system of the motor vehicle 1 or a telematics system or a landing gear control.

To operate the device 2 can a user on a touch screen 4 the operating device 3 in a conventional manner operating symbols or panels 5 for example, with your finger or another Berührobjekt select by touching. In the figure, for clarity, only two panels 5 shown. The control panels 5 be through a screen 6 of the touchscreen 4 displayed. To the screen 6 are further a sensor device 7 and a surfel 8th arranged. The sensor device 7 and the surfel 8th are transparent, allowing the user through them to the screen 6 can look, that is, the control surfaces 5 through them by a user in the vehicle interior viewable or visible.

The sensor device 7 For example, it may comprise a capacitive sensor matrix, by means of which, in a manner known per se, touch coordinates of a contact point on the touchscreen 4 as a touch signal 9 to a control device 10 the operating device 3 be signaled.

The control device 10 may for example be realized on the basis of a microcontroller or microprocessor. The control device 10 also controls the screen 6 and generated for the device 2 control signals 11 depending on an operation or an operator action of the user on the touch screen 4 , Upon or after generating a control signal 11 controls the controller 10 also a movement device 12 through which the touch screen 4 with active movement device 12 a vibration 13 or makes a push motion. This provides a haptic feedback to the user when operating the touchscreen 4 generated. The movement device 12 This may for example have a knocker against the touch screen 4 encounters. The knocker can z. B. be formed by an electric coil with movable iron core or permanent magnets. It can also be a surface shift in a plane of the touch screen 4 respectively. It can also be a vibration generated in the touch screen. Corresponding actuator devices for realizing the movement device 12 are known per se from the prior art.

The sensor device 7 can also realize a so-called "force-press", that is in addition to the touch signal 9 can through the sensor device 6 also a pressure signal or force signal 14 which is generated by the user with the touch object on the surface element 8th exerted operating force or correlated with the operator.

Through the surface element 8th is a touch surface 15 of the touchscreen 4 formed by the user when operating the operating device 3 touched with the touch object. The surface element 8th has elastic areas 16 on, which are configured destructively deformable. The surface element 8th can do this for example from a elastic plastic layer or plastic film may be formed, for example, on a support plate or the sensor device 7 can be glued, with the elastic regions 16 Loose, that is tack-free, on the carrier or the sensor device 7 issue. Thus, the elastic regions 16 each of a border area 17 surrounded, which can be deformed only by destruction, by the carrier or the sensor device 7 is replaced.

An adjusting device 18 the operating device 3 can the elastic areas 17 between a plan, flush with the border areas 17 adjacent first position and a raised or lowered second position with respect to the edge regions 17 that is, with respect to a surface plane of the operating surface 15 deform. For this purpose, by the adjustment 18 for example, a liquid or a gas or a gel in each case between the elastic region 16 and the sensor device 7 be pumped. It can also be for any elastic range 16 in motor movable punch element by the adjustment 18 be provided.

The operating device 3 has a signal input 19 on, over which the operating device 3 a status signal 20 of the motor vehicle 1 receives. The status signal 20 For example, a current driving speed of the motor vehicle 1 specify. Depending on the status signal 20 distinguishes the control device 10 between a first driving state 21 and a second driving condition 22 , In the first driving condition 21 controls the controller 10 the adjustment 18 such that the elastic regions 16 in the first position, that is a touch screen 4 with a flat control surface 15 is provided. In the second driving state, the control device controls 10 the adjustment 18 such that the elastic regions 16 are deformed such that they each with respect to the edge region 17 stand out or arched or curved or raised. As a result, the elastic regions form 16 one by touch or tactile from the edge areas 17 distinguishable region.

The user can in the second driving state 22 without looking an elastic area 16 by touching and by pressing the control surface 16 in the elastic area the control surface 5 which is displayed underneath, activate or select. It can be provided that the generation of the associated control signal 11 only occurs if additionally based on the pressure signal 14 by the control device 10 it is detected that an operator of the user pressing the elastic range 16 is greater than a predetermined minimum value.

In the first driving condition 21 On the other hand, the user is in the form of a touch screen formed or designed in a known manner 4 with flat or flat operating surface 15 to disposal. He can thus all by means of a touch screen 4 possible operator inputs, in particular wiping movements or sliding movements, unhindered execute.

Through the described combination of the techniques "Force-Press", that is operator-dependent actuation or release on the one hand and a touch screen with deformable designed control surface 15 it is possible for the driver, while driving a physical operating part offer, namely a raised or recessed elastic region. However, this is realized on the basis of a touch screen, which can continue to be used in the first driving state in a conventional manner.

The driver can feel with this haptic feelable display or the haptic feelable display without looking haptic highlighted panels. These do not trigger, as is usual with a touch screen, merely by contact, but only after a "force press", that is to say at a minimum pressure force or minimum contact force of the user on the control surface 15 , Optionally, subsequently a haptic feedback by means of the movement device 12 be generated.

This allows the driver to simulate or emulate a total of one physical keypad while driving. In the state what can be defined as the first driving state, however, the driver can on the same control surface 15 offered a touch screen, which allows the example of the smartphone familiar operation.

The distraction while driving, that is in the second driving state, can thus be minimized, while the driver can use a familiar operating modality in the state.

Overall, the example shows how can be provided by the invention, a haptic touch screen with force-pressing (force-dependent triggering) and haptic feedback.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely 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.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102005038161 A1 [0003]
• US 2008/0024459 A1 [0004]
• US 2012/0194466 A1 [0005]

Claims (9)

Operating device ( 3 ) for a motor vehicle ( 1 ), comprising: a touchscreen ( 4 ) with a surface element ( 8th ), which has a contact surface ( 15 ) and with a sensor device ( 7 ) for generating a touch signal ( 9 ) depending on touch coordinates of a touch point at which a user the surface element ( 8th ) touches a Berührobjekt, characterized in that a signal input ( 19 ) for receiving a status signal ( 20 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) and a control device ( 10 ) of the operating device ( 3 ) is adapted to use the state signal ( 20 ) between a first driving state ( 21 ) and a second driving state ( 22 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ), wherein the surface element ( 8th ) at least one elastic region ( 16 ) and an adjusting device ( 18 ) is adapted to the at least one elastic region ( 16 ) in each case in the first driving state ( 21 ) in one with the elastic region ( 16 ) surrounding edge area ( 17 ) of the surface element ( 8th ) flush first position and in the second driving state ( 22 ) in a respect to the edge region ( 17 ) to hold a raised or lowered second position. Operating device ( 3 ) according to claim 1, wherein the first driving state ( 21 ) indicates that a driving speed of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) is less than a predetermined limit speed, and the second driving state ( 22 ) indicates that the vehicle speed is at least the limit speed. Operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjusting device ( 18 ) is adapted to the at least one elastic region ( 16 ) in each case to change between the first position and the second position, by the adjusting device: a) at one of the contact surface ( 15 ) facing away from the back of the surface element ( 8th ) a pressure of a liquid or a gas or a gel is adjusted and / or b) a solid element along an adjustment direction perpendicular to the contact surface ( 15 ) is moved. Operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device ( 10 ) is adapted to receive a control signal ( 11 ) for at least one device ( 2 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) and in this case the control signal ( 11 ) in the second driving mode ( 22 ) to generate only if an amount of an operating force, with which the Berührobjekt against the at least one elastic region ( 16 ) of the surface element ( 8th ) is greater than a predetermined threshold. Operating device ( 3 ) according to claim 4, wherein the control device ( 10 ) is adapted to the control signal ( 11 ) in the first driving mode ( 21 ) regardless of an amount of operating force to produce. Operating device ( 3 ) according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein a movement device ( 12 ), which is designed to be vibrated and / or cleated at least by the surface element ( 8th ) a haptic signal at the contact surface ( 15 ), and wherein the control device ( 10 ) is designed to generate the control signal ( 11 ) the moving device ( 12 ) to activate. Operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device ( 10 ) is set up in the first driving state ( 21 ) as well as in the second driving state ( 22 ) by means of a screen ( 6 ) of the touchscreen ( 4 ) each have a control surface ( 5 ) in the at least one elastic region ( 16 ). Motor vehicle ( 1 ) with an operating device ( 3 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating device ( 3 ) with at least one device ( 2 ) is coupled to the service-dependent control of the same. Method for operating an operating device ( 3 ) in a motor vehicle ( 1 ), whereby by a control device ( 10 ) by means of a touchscreen ( 4 ) Control surfaces ( 5 ) and depending on a touch point on a surface element ( 8th ) of the touchscreen ( 4 ) a control signal ( 11 ) for at least one device ( 2 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) is generated, characterized in that in dependence on a current driving state of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) a shape of the surface element ( 8th ) is adjusted by at least one elastic region ( 16 ) of the surface element ( 8th ) each in a first driving state ( 21 ) in a flush with an elastic region ( 16 ) surrounding edge area ( 17 ) final first position and in a second driving state ( 22 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) in a respect to the edge region ( 17 ) submerged or raised second position.

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