DE102021118951A1 - A user interface for a vehicle, a vehicle and a method for operating a user interface for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a user interface (1) for a vehicle (2), which is set up to display visible information (3a, 3b, 3b`, 3b"); the user interface (1) comprises a two-dimensional display (7) for displaying Information (3a) on a display section (8) on a front side (13) of the display (7) and an optical front panel (9) comprising a contact surface (10), a three-dimensional display surface (11) for displaying information (3b, 3b' , 3b") and an optical light guide material (12) provided between the contact surface (10) and the three-dimensional display surface (11); wherein the contact surface (10) is arranged to receive light emitted from the display (7); wherein the front panel (9) is integrated into the display (7). The invention also relates to a vehicle and a method for operating a user interface (1) for a vehicle (2).

Description

The present invention relates to a user interface for a vehicle. The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such a user interface and a method for operating a user interface for a vehicle.

A known user interface may include a two-dimensional flat panel display for displaying information and/or a physical button or knob to capture user input and provide physical affordance to the user.

Two-dimensional displays are used to present a variety of information to the driver and/or other passengers of the vehicle. Two-dimensional displays can have touch functionality to capture user input. As a result, the two-dimensional display with touch functionality, also known as a touchscreen, can offer a large number of functions to part of the user interface. While driving, it seems difficult to use the multitude of functions, especially for the driver who has to pay attention to driving the vehicle. In addition, it appears due to a lack of feedback received from a user, e.g. B. the driver, difficult in the case of a touch-sensitive display for the user to perform an accurate input, z. B. a user's finger. For the same reason, the driver is distracted and needs visual and cognitive attention to operate a touch-sensitive display. That is, such a two-dimensional display includes a variety of aspects that need to be improved.

Physical buttons offer a physical affordance that offers important benefits, particularly when used in a vehicle. For example, ease of use through physical stability of a finger interacting with the button, reduced distraction as opposed to using a touchscreen, and familiarity through the physical location and function of the button being significant and consistent. The physical button allows for blind operation as the user remembers and/or feels where they are, how they are being operated and/or what their function is. Thus, a physical button enables a favorable haptic perception compared to a touch-sensitive display. In addition, a physical button can also be an aesthetic feature of the vehicle. However, physical buttons have characteristics that can be detrimental, such as B. a dedicated function and a lack of relation to the digital user interface, e.g. B. to content that is displayed on a two-dimensional display.

A user interface can be improved by haptic feedback. The human body allocates a large part of sensory processing to the somatosensory system; H. Touch, haptic proprioception and perception. That is, the sense of touch provides a rich source of sensory feedback. Thus, the haptic provides important user feedback. As such, haptic feedback is known from mobile phones, which are relatively small, where haptic actuators can be positioned to easily generate haptic feedback that can be felt across a display of the mobile phone by touching a finger to the display. However, the user interface of a vehicle is different: displays are usually much larger than those of a mobile device, e.g. Mounted via a rigid mount, for example, are not hand-held and driving the vehicle introduces vibrations that could interfere with haptic user feedback.

the U.S. 2020/0079216 A1 discloses a control button, the button comprising a side wall with a plurality of light outputs of at least one light segment or a pixel matrix. The control knob can be coupled to a haptic actuator so that haptic feedback can be given to the user. However, the haptic actuator enables mechanical actuation of only the control button without the possibility of locally distinguishable mechanical actuation.

The object of the invention is to provide a user interface with improved mechanical actuation, which can be felt by a user and enables actuation that can be differentiated locally, in particular.

The object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, in the figures and in the description.

The user interface for a vehicle adapted to display visual information includes a two-dimensional display for displaying information on a display portion on a front side of the display and an optical faceplate that includes a contact surface, a three-dimensional display surface for displaying information, and an optical comprising light guide material provided between the contact surface and the three-dimensional display surface, the contact surface being arranged to receive light emitted from the display. Ie the front panel includes the contact surface, which is three-dimensional sional display surface and the optical light guide material. The front panel is integrated into the display. By integrating the front panel into the display, the user interface has a physical, three-dimensional form. The front panel provides physical affordance of the user interface while allowing perceptible information to be output on the three-dimensional display surface. The front panel is located at the front of the display.

According to the invention, the user interface comprises a plurality of haptic actuators adapted to provide localized mechanical actuation of the three-dimensional display surface and/or relative to the optical faceplate. The plurality of haptic actuators allow the user interface to localize the mechanical actuation on the three-dimensional display surface and/or relative to the optical faceplate. The mechanical actuation is localized, i. H. the mechanical actuation does not necessarily actuate the entire user interface and/or the entire two-dimensional display at the same time. Instead, the arrangement of the multiple haptic actuators allows for a more distinguishable mechanical actuation of the user interface on the three-dimensional display surface of the faceplate and/or relative to the faceplate, in contrast to the prior art in which a mechanical actuator is arranged to mechanically operate the button. This means that not only the front panel as such can be driven locally, but also one or more parts of the two-dimensional display can be mechanically actuated locally. The mechanical actuation relative to the optical faceplate can in particular be a mechanical actuation of the two-dimensional display in which the faceplate is integrated. The localized or zoned haptic allows a mechanical actuation to be felt in a specific area of the display and/or at a specific point of the display relative to the faceplate and/or the three-dimensional display area of the faceplate. The faceplate offers physical performance that enriches the two-dimensional display, with haptic effects greatly enriching the tactility of the faceplate. The invention makes it possible to provide rich haptic effects that emanate from the user directly or indirectly from the front panel. The multiplicity of haptic actuators enable wave propagation through and/or the excitation of vibrational modes of the display and/or a substructure to which the display and/or the front panel is attached in a controlled manner, so that a convergence of the haptic effect is achieved locally.

Optionally, the plurality of haptic actuators are located opposite the display portion behind the display to provide an arrangement where the haptic actuators are not visible to the user of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the placement of the haptic actuators does not affect the visual appearance of the user interface.

Optionally, at least one of the plurality of haptic actuators is located behind the display, opposite the faceplate. With this embodiment, it is possible for the front panel to be mechanically operated efficiently and reliably. For example, the actuator can provide a localized haptic effect on the three-dimensional surface of the faceplate independent of potential user input at the display or faceplate.

Optionally, the user interface includes three or four haptic actuators. Optionally, the three or four haptic actuators are arranged in a triangular, trapezoidal or quincunx shape. In this case, the haptic actuators can be arranged in a plane, as opposed to a linear arrangement. This may be useful for locating mechanical actuation in two dimensions, as might be required for locating mechanical actuation on the two-dimensional display and/or the faceplate integrated into the two-dimensional display. However, it is possible that the localization of the mechanical actuation may be achieved by any arrangement of the actuators, where the actuators may excite vibrational modes of the user interface resulting in localization at potentially specific points and/or areas of the user interface. In one embodiment, the haptic actuators are arranged in a quincunx that includes a central haptic actuator, and the central haptic actuator is arranged opposite the faceplate behind the display. This arrangement can be advantageous for a large display where the deflection of vibrations by the display, particularly at the corners, is a problem for the transmission of haptic vibrations. Furthermore, as displays increase in size, the flexibility of the display can negatively impact the propagation of the haptic waves/wavefronts to the faceplate, and the location of the central haptic actuator can circumvent this negative impact.

Optionally, the user interface includes at least one vibration sensor. The vibration sensor can be used to monitor the outputted haptic actuation and compare it to potentially sensed user input to provide a feedback loop to the user interface. Optionally, the feedback loop is used to control the tion of the multitude of haptic actuators. Optionally, the sensor can monitor the force exerted by the user. This data can be used to adjust the GUI accordingly, e.g. B. Force touch GUI effects, and also adjust the haptics according to the applied force.

Optionally, the display and/or front panel are touch sensitive to capture user input. Touch sensing, e.g. g., capacitive, resistive, etc., can include single-touch, multi-touch, or force-touch sensing. This can enhance the user interface and allows the user interface to generate mechanical actuation in response to the sensed user input. Optionally, the user interface is adapted to provide actuation in response to user input. Actuation may assist and/or augment user input. For example, the haptic actuators may provide mechanical actuation at a localized location where the user provides user input. The mechanical actuation may depend on the user input, such as its temporal and/or spatial pattern, intensity, frequency, and/or location.

Optionally, the plurality of haptic actuators are adapted to provide the localized mechanical actuation in a plurality of individually actuatable portions of the faceplate and/or display. This embodiment allows multiple users to perceive haptics, no haptics, or alternate haptics. This can be important for large central touchscreen displays shared by multiple users in the vehicle.

Optionally, the individually addressable sections cover the front panel and/or the display in a non-overlapping manner to enhance different user feedback for different users. For example, if the driver is interacting with the faceplate and the received haptic feedback is localized on the faceplate or is perceived to emanate from the faceplate, a passenger would not simultaneously perceive the driver's actions and/or feedback thereto, or the passenger would Alternative receive haptic depending on the interaction of the driver and/or the interaction of the passenger.

Optionally, the plurality of haptic actuators are adapted to provide the localized mechanical actuation as binary, magnitude, tonal, and/or temporal actuation to provide a variety of possible mechanical actuations. Binary actuation is feedback in the form of a finite haptic, e.g. B. a concise haptic impulse or element with a single frequency or resonant frequency. The magnitude actuation is a feedback where the magnitude of the feedback, e.g. B. frequency, amplitude, force, etc., is scaled according to the magnitude and/or feedback of user inputs, e.g. B. volume setting, resume, ACC speed, ACC warning distance, temperature, scrolling a list, turning a dial, moving an item, etc. Tonal actuation is a haptic with a wide frequency range, texture and/or tone that resembles the vibrations associated with music, e.g. B. Wide bandwidth input signals, musical elements, musical tone, rhythm, duration, pitch, intensity, wood, etc. The temporal actuation is time-dependent, i. H. time-based actuation with longer duration and variations in haptics over duration.

Optionally, the user interface is configured to control the at least two of the plurality of haptic actuators synchronously with one another, with a phase shift relative to one another, or asynchronously to enable a variety of control mechanisms. These control mechanisms can be useful to create a specific mechanical actuation. For example, synchronous activation of the haptic actuators can lead to mechanical actuation and/or vibration of the entire user interface and/or display. However, it is also possible that synchronous activation of the haptic actuators leads to the excitation of specific vibration modes of the user interface and/or the faceplate, which focus mechanical actuation on a specific point, for example on the front panel and/or relative to it. Asynchronous control of the haptic actuators or control with a phase shift can lead to distinguishable mechanical actuation at different points on the user interface. Similarly, the asynchronous control and superimposition of different frequencies can serve to amplify/resonate or conversely dampen the vibrations and perceived haptics in the display panel. This can be an important consideration as larger displays, e.g. with more mass/weight, e.g. including the front panel which has its own mass, the system tends to continue to oscillate after the actuator input has ceased.

The front panel is optionally integrated into the display in such a way that a two-dimensional extent of the three-dimensional display area and/or a two-dimensional extent of the contact surface is smaller than a two-dimensional extent of the display. The front panel is smaller than the display, ie the front panel partially covers the display. The part of the display that is not covered by the front panel is the display section where information is visible in two dimensions.

Optionally, the two-dimensional display includes a pixel array and a cap layer covering the pixel array; wherein the cover layer comprises a recess, which forms a recess of the two-dimensional display, and wherein the contact surface of the front panel is arranged in the depression of the two-dimensional display, i.e. the cover layer comprises a cavity. The faceplate is inserted into the cutout/cavity. This attachment of the front panel to the display can improve the transmission of haptic vibrations through the front panel and/or the display. In addition, arranging the faceplate in the recess reduces the number of optical interfaces between the pixel array and the three-dimensional display surface, which can improve the visual appearance of the information displayed on the three-dimensional display surface.

Optionally, the faceplate is integrated into the display in such a way that a two-dimensional extension of the three-dimensional display area and/or a two-dimensional extension of the contact area is equal to or greater than a two-dimensional extension of the display, i. H. that the faceplate largely overlaps and/or covers the display.

According to the invention, a vehicle includes a user interface. The vehicle may include a steering wheel control (MFL) and/or a personal information display (PID) as a CID or panoramic display, which includes the user interface.

According to the invention, a method of operating a user interface for a vehicle adapted to present visual information comprises; the method of displaying information on a display section on a front side of a two-dimensional display; displaying information on a three-dimensional display surface of an optical faceplate via a contact surface arranged to receive light emitted from the display and an optical light guide material provided between the contact surface and the three-dimensional display surface; wherein the front panel is integrated with the display; and providing localized mechanical actuation of the three-dimensional display surface and/or relative to the optical faceplate through a plurality of haptic actuators. The method of operating the user interface includes the same and/or analogous optional features as described with respect to the user interface as described above.

Further features of the invention result from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. Features and feature combinations as described above and features and feature combinations as disclosed in the figures and described with reference to the figures can be used as such or combined without departing from the scope of the invention.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer von einem Fahrzeug umfassten Benutzerschnittstelle gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 2 einen Ausschnitt einer schematischen Seitenansicht der in gezeigten Benutzerschnittstelle;
• 3 eine schematische Seitenansicht der in den 1 und 2 gezeigten Benutzerschnittstelle; und
• Fig.. 4 eine schematische halbtransparente Vorderansicht der in den 1 bis 3 gezeigten Benutzerschnittstelle.

The figures show:

• 1 a schematic representation of a user interface comprised by a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 2 a section of a schematic side view of in shown user interface;
• 3 a schematic side view of in the 1 and 2 shown user interface; and
• Fig. 4 is a schematic semi-transparent front view of the 1 until 3 shown user interface.

The same and functionally similar elements are used with the same reference symbols in the figures.

1 shows a schematic representation of a user interface 1 included in a vehicle 2. The user interface 1 is adapted to display information 3a, 3b, 3b', 3b" visible to a user 4, and is set up to record user inputs 5 by a user 4. The User 4 can be a driver of the vehicle 2 and/or a passenger of the vehicle 2. The user 4 can also be a passenger of an autonomously driving vehicle 2.

The user interface 1 is arranged in a cabin 6 of the vehicle 2, so that the user 4 can perceive visible information 3a, 3b, 3b', 3b'' output by the user interface 1.

The user interface 1 includes a two-dimensional display 7, also referred to as a display panel, for displaying information 3a on a display section 8. The display section 8 is a section of the two-dimensional display 7 on which the information 3a is displayed two-dimensionally and visibly perceptible. However, the displayed information 3a can also be presented in three dimensions, for example the display 7 can be a 3D simulating one Act display, for example, a stereographic or autostereographic display. The two-dimensional display 7 comprises a pixel arrangement, for example a pixel matrix with a two-dimensional array of individually illuminated colored pixels. The two-dimensional display 7 does not necessarily refer to a geometric shape of the display, for example the display can be curved and/or curved. The two-dimensional display 7, z. B. CID or panoramic display, may be curved or bent about one or more axes, optionally to have a shape that follows a portion of the cabin 6 of the vehicle 2.

The user interface 1 comprises an optical front panel 9 with a contact surface 10, a three-dimensional display surface 11 for displaying information 3b, 3b', 3b" and an optical light-guiding material 12 which is provided between the contact surface 10 and the three-dimensional display surface 11 (see also 2 )." The front panel 9 is arranged on a front side 13 of the display 7 (see also 2 and 3 ). The front panel 9 is integrated into the display 7 in such a way that a two-dimensional extension of the three-dimensional display surface 11 and/or a two-dimensional extension of the contact area 10 is smaller than a two-dimensional extension of the display 7, and that the contact area 10 is set up to be separated from the display to receive emitted light. 7. The faceplate 9 is attached to the display 7 in such a way that the faceplate 9 covers part of the display 7 . The aperture 9 and its arrangement are also in 2 shown and explained in more detail on the basis of this.

Thus, the user interface 1 comprises the two-dimensional display 7 and the optical front panel 9 for outputting the visibly perceptible information 3a, 3b, 3b', 3b". The faceplate 9 is a localized touchpoint/affordance with specific user interface content and enables user interactions. The display 7 and the front panel 9 are touch-sensitive to detect user input 5 as a user interaction on the display section 8 and/or on or relative to the front panel 9. In one embodiment, the front panel 9 is significantly smaller than the display 7, i.e. the larger display 7 has a diagonal of 10 inches to 50 inches and the smaller front panel 9 has a diagonal, a diameter and/or a characteristic length of 1 inch to 4 inches.

The user interface 1 comprises a large number of haptic actuators 14 (in 1 not shown) to provide a localized mechanical actuation 15, as indicated by the dashed concentric rings around the faceplate 9, and a vibration sensor 16. In this schematic representation, the localized mechanical actuation 15 is localized around the faceplate 9, i.e. particularly for the user 4 on the three-dimensional display surface 11 perceptible. If the user 4 touches the display section 8 in this case, the user 4 optionally perceives the mechanical actuation 15 as coming from the front panel 9 . This can help the user 4 to locate the front panel 9, for example for further interaction with the front panel 9. Additionally, this can be an important feedback mechanism for a user to blindly locate a specific area of the display 7 and/or the front panel 9 to locate blindly.

The haptic actuators 14 are controlled by a controller 17 configured to transmit a control signal 18 from the controller 17 to each of the plurality of haptic actuators 14 . The control device 17 is optionally a data processing device. For the determination of the control signal 18, the control device 17 comprises one or more interfaces for receiving and/or one or more data memories for storing data about the state of the vehicle, the information 3a visible on the display section 8, the information 3b, 3b ', 3b'", the three-dimensional display area 11 and/or a user input detected by the user interface 1 5. The function of the plurality of haptic actuators 14 and the mechanical actuation 15 are based on the 2 and 3 explained in more detail.

In 1 For example, the vibration sensor 16, such as a piezoelectric device, can be used to monitor the mechanical actuation 15 delivered and compare it to potentially sensed user inputs 5 to provide a feedback loop to the user interface 1. The vibration sensor 16 can transmit detected vibration sensor signals to the control device 17 . Additionally, the display 7 may provide touch coordinates where the user 4 touched the display 7 to further inform the user interface 1 feedback loop. Based on the feedback, the control device 17 can determine an improved control signal 18 for controlling the haptic actuators 14 . Coordination with other sensory modalities provides an even more distinct and rich multisensory experience.

The haptics, ie the mechanical actuations 15, are typically in the range of 250-300 Hz and are optimized for what a finger can perceive. Large bandwidths can range, for example, from 50 Hz to 1000 Hz or more and the limits of what a finger or other parts of the hand/fingers and body can perceive upon contact, e.g. B. steering wheel, seat, etc., blur compared to a touch screen.

The display section 8 and the three-dimensional display surface 11 form a combined user interface 1 to display information 3a, 3b, 3b', 3b" and to capture user inputs 5 consistently and in combination. The multiple haptic actuators 14 improve user interaction by providing localized mechanical actuation 15 provide.

The user interface 1 can provide multi-sensory feedback such as visual feedback such as that displayed on the two-dimensional display 7, the faceplate 9, other OLED/LCD displays, ambient lighting or projection, the mechanical actuation 15 and/or other tactile feedback, audio feedback such as sound effects or music, and/or or olfactory feedback (not shown).

The user interface 1 provides multimodal interactions, i. H. the haptics through localized mechanical actuation 15 and the visually perceptible display of the information 3a, 3b, 3b` 3b" are combined and can be further improved by using, for example, a head-mounted display with augmented reality or virtual reality display. Various haptic effects can be tailored to the elements of the user interface 1, the functionality and the type of interaction required by the user 4.

2 shows a detail of a schematic side view of in 1 User interface shown 1. 2 is in view of details of the user interface 1 of 1 described.

The front panel 9 is integrated into the two-dimensional display 7 . That is, the two-dimensional display 7 has a contact section 18 that contacts the contact surface 10 of the front panel 9 in order to transmit light emitted by the two-dimensional display 7 at the contact section 18 via the contact surface 10 and the light-conducting material 12 to the three-dimensional display . a surface 11 where the transmitted light contains the information 3b, 3b', 3b'' visible on the three-dimensional display surface 11.

The two-dimensional display comprises a pixel array and a cover layer (not shown in the figures) covering the pixel array. The cover layer has a cavity that forms a depression in the two-dimensional display 7 . The contact surface 10 of the front panel 9 is arranged in the recess of the two-dimensional display 7 . The contact section 18 of the display 7 is thus located in the recess in which the contact surface 10 contacts the contact section 18 of the display 7 .

The three-dimensional display surface 11 comprises a multiplicity of surface sections 11a, 11b, which are separated from one another by an edge 19. The faceplate 9 can be shaped to provide a three-dimensional surface that the user can touch. For example, the three-dimensional display surface 11 can be faceted, e.g. B. Like a jewel, as in the 1 until 4 shown schematically, or have segmented or continuous concave, convex and/or organic surface portions and/or have a symmetrical or asymmetrical, round or rectangular shape (not shown). The placement of the faceplate in the recess may result in a clean and efficient transmission of the mechanical actuation 15 through the faceplate 9 and/or the display 7 in addition to or as an alternative to a rigid attachment, interface and/or connection between the faceplate 9 and the display 7 .

As in 2 shown, the plurality of edges 19 segments the three-dimensional display surface 11 into a plurality of surface portions 11a, 11b. The user interface 1 is adapted to display information 3b, 3b', 3b" such that the information 3b', 3b" visible on the plurality of surface portions 11a, 11b may be interdependent or independent of each other. The user interface 1 is adapted to separately determine the information 3b', 3b", which is visible on the plurality of surface sections 11a, 11b. Ie each segment of the three-dimensional display surface 11 of the front panel 9 can display different information 3b, 3b', 3b " Show.

The faceplate 9 can be made of glass or a polymer. As in particular in 2 indicated schematically, the faceplate 9 is a solid body with no cavity to ensure efficient light transmission. The light that is transmitted from the contact portion 18 of the two-dimensional display 7 to the three-dimensional display surface 11 leaves the faceplate 9 directly at the boundary between the three-dimensional display surface 11 and an environment of the faceplate 9, for example air, typically that in the cabin 6 of the Vehicle 2. That is, the light that is transmitted from the contact section 18 is only transmitted through the solid body of the front panel 9 and has two boundaries, namely from the contact section 18 to the contact surface 10 of the front panel 9 and from the three-dimensional display surface 11 of the front panel 9 in the environment. This reduces the number of boundaries that the light must cross when it travels from the contact portion 18 to the user. As a result, optical losses can be kept at a low level and high-quality light transmission is achieved.

Optionally, the light guide material 12 is a composite of many optical fibers (fiber optic elements or similar light guide material). The light guide material 12 is processed by stretching and compressing it (under heat and pressure) so that the resulting fiber optic elements have a pitch of between 5 and 50 microns or less. This makes the front panel 9 a solid body. The fiber optic elements can be oriented (e.g., through material processing/forming or fabrication of the final 3D faceplate part) to control the viewing angle (i.e., a cone of view with a central axis longitudinal to an axis of the fiber optic element). The viewing angle of a 3D faceplate 9 is determined entirely by the viewing angle of the fiber optic elements that make up the faceplate 9 . The front panel 9 can have high-quality light transmission and a viewing angle adapted to the user's 4 viewing angle for use with a high-resolution two-dimensional display 7, e.g. B. a two-dimensional display 7 with 4k to 8k resolution and / or a pixel density of 600 pixels per inch or more.

3 shows a schematic side view of in FIGS 1 and 2 User interface shown 1.

The user interface 1 comprises the plurality of haptic actuators 14 adapted to provide the localized mechanical actuation 15 of the three-dimensional display surface 11 and/or relative to the optical faceplate 9. The multiplicity of haptic actuators 14 are arranged opposite the display section 8 behind the display 7 . One of the multiple haptic actuators 14 is arranged opposite the front panel 9 behind the display 7 . In this depiction, one of the plurality of haptic actuators 14 is located elsewhere behind the display 7 to allow mechanical actuation 15 of the display 7 relative to the faceplate 9 . The mechanical actuation 15 is indicated by dashed lines. In this embodiment, the mechanical actuators 14 are arranged to provide a mechanical actuation 15 perpendicular to the display 7 to couple the vibration of the mechanical actuation 15 to the user interface 1, wherein the vibration coupled to the user interface 1 results in a localized mechanical operation leads. 15 of the three-dimensional display surface 11 of the faceplate 9 and/or optionally arranged on the display 7 relative to the faceplate 9 . The direction of actuation can be perpendicular to the surface of the display 7, as shown in the figure, and/or parallel to the face of the display 7, i.e. acting sideways (not shown) to prevent the display's vibrations from generating audible sound waves.

Possible attachment methods for attaching the mechanical actuators 14 include applying a rigid connection between the display 7 and the front panel 9, z. B. an adhesive, a pressure sensitive adhesive, fasteners, clamps, screws, snap mechanisms, integration with a plastic molding. The haptics can be transmitted to the front panel 9 by the mechanical actuators 14 via an arrangement of a separate actuation transmission structure, by electromagnets and/or by magnets (not shown). The mechanical actuators 14 can be mounted directly on the front panel 9 or remotely from the front panel 9 or a combination of both, as in 3 shown.

4 shows a schematic semi-transparent front view of the user interface 1 as shown in FIGS 1 until 3 is shown.

The user interface 1 comprises four haptic actuators 14 arranged in a trapezoidal, ie rectangular, manner to allow placement of haptic actuators 14 near edges of the display 7 . This enables efficient propagation of vibrational waves through the user interface 1 and/or the display 7, which may depend on resonance, ie resonant modes of the user interface 1 and/or the display 7. The vibration waves and/or the resonance lead to the localization of the mechanical actuation 15. In this representation, the four haptic actuators 14 are shown, but are arranged behind the display 7, whereas a further haptic actuator 14 is arranged opposite the front panel 9 behind the display 7 and in 4 is not shown (see 3 ). The mechanical actuators 14 can be controlled in such a way that the mechanical actuation 15 is focused on the front panel 9 and/or relative to the front panel 9 . By superimposing vibration waves, it is possible to generate a localized mechanical actuation 15 in several, possibly non-overlapping sections of the user interface 1, ie the front panel 9 and/or the display section 8.

It is possible to apply a stronger mechanical actuation 15 to the three-dimensional display surface 11 of the front panel 9 than to the display section 8. The plurality of haptic Actuators 14 is adapted to provide localized mechanical actuation 15 as binary, magnitude, tonal, and/or temporal actuation to provide a variety of possible mechanical actuations. These activations can be used, for example, to generate time-based, structure-mechanical actuations 15, e.g. when a finger is slid over a user interface element such as a linear slider or rotary knob, as optionally represented by the front panel 9 and/or the display 7, e.g Adjust volume, brightness or another. Property to zoom in, zoom out, scroll etc.

Reference List

1

user interface

2

vehicle

3a, 3b, 3b', 3b"

information

4

user

5

user input

6

cabin

7

two-dimensional display

8th

display part

9

front panel

10

contact surface

11

three-dimensional display surface

11a, 11b

surface section

12

light guide material

13

front

14

haptic actuator

15

mechanical actuation

16

vibration sensor

17

control unit

18

control signal

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant was 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.

Patent Literature Cited

• US20200079216A1 [0006]

Claims (15)

A user interface (1) for a vehicle (2) adapted to display visual information (3a, 3b, 3b`, 3b''); the user interface (1) comprises - a two-dimensional display (7) for displaying information (3a) on a display section (8) on a front side (13) of the display (7), and - an optical faceplate (9) comprising a contact surface (10), a three-dimensional display surface (11) for displaying information (3b, 3b', 3b") and an optical light guide material (12) sandwiched between the contact surface (10) and the three-dimensional display surface (11) is provided; wherein - the contact surface (10) is arranged to receive light emitted by the display (7); in which - The front panel (9) is integrated into the display (7); and where - the user interface (1) comprises a plurality of haptic actuators (14) adapted to provide localized mechanical actuation (15) of the three-dimensional display surface (11) and/or relative to the optical faceplate (9). User interface (1) after claim 1 ; - the plurality of haptic actuators (14) being arranged opposite the display section (8) behind the display (7). User interface (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; in which - At least one of the plurality of haptic actuators (14) is arranged opposite the front panel (9) behind the display (7). User interface (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; in which - The user interface (1) comprises three or four haptic actuators (14). User interface (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; in which - The user interface (1) comprises at least one vibration sensor (16). User interface (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; in which - The display (7) and/or the front panel (9) are touch-sensitive in order to detect user inputs (5); and where - the user interface (1) is adapted to provide actuation (15) in response to user inputs (5). User interface (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; in which - the plurality of haptic actuators (14) is adapted to provide the localized mechanical actuation (15) in a plurality of individually operable portions of the faceplate (9) and/or the display (7). User interface (1) after claim 7 ; - the individually operable sections cover the front panel (9) and/or the display (7) in a non-overlapping manner. User interface (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; in which - the plurality of haptic actuators (14) is adapted to provide the localized mechanical actuation (15) as binary, absolute value, tonal and/or temporal actuation (15). User interface (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; in which - the user interface (1) is adapted to control the at least two of the plurality of haptic actuators (14) synchronously with one another, with a phase shift relative to one another or asynchronously. User interface (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; in which - the front panel (9) is integrated into the display (7) in such a way that a two-dimensional extension of the three-dimensional display area (11) and/or a two-dimensional extension of the contact surface (10) is smaller than a two-dimensional extension of the display (7). User interface (1) after claim 11 ; wherein - the two-dimensional display (7) comprises a pixel array and a top layer covering the pixel array; and wherein - the cover layer comprises a recess which forms a recess in the two-dimensional display (7), and the contact surface (10) of the front panel (9) is arranged in the recess in the two-dimensional display (7). User interface (1) according to any of the preceding Claims 1 until 10 ; wherein the front panel (9) is integrated into the display (7) in such a way that a two-dimensional extension of the three-dimensional display area (11) and/or a two-dimensional extension of the contact surface (10) is equal to or greater than a two-dimensional extension of the display (7) . A vehicle (2) comprising a user interface (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. A method of operating a user interface (1) for a vehicle (2) adapted to display visual information (3a, 3b, 3b") thereto place; the method comprises - displaying information (3a) on a display section (8) on a front side (13) of a two-dimensional display (7); - displaying information (3b, 3b', 3b") on a three-dimensional display surface (11) of an optical faceplate (9) via a contact surface (10) arranged to receive light emitted by the display (7), and an optical light guide material (12) provided between the contact surface (10) and the three-dimensional display surface (11); wherein the faceplate (9) is integrated into the display (7); - providing localized mechanical actuation (15) of the three-dimensional Display surface (11) and/or relative to the optical front panel (9) by a multiplicity of haptic actuators (14).

Images