EP1177566B1 - Device for entering values using a display screen - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for entering values by using a display screen provided for displaying the values and by using at least one element for manually entering values. The device includes a support for the element which is connected to the display screen upstream in a viewing direction. The support includes at least one transparent area which is assigned to the element.

Description

The invention relates to a device for entering values, with a screen for displaying the values and with at least one element for manual entry of the Values arranged in front of the screen. Such a device according to the preamble of claim 1 is e.g. from US-A-5,805,146. As devices for the input of values, for example, apply knobs and Sliding levers connected to a scale at which the set value can be read. The feedback is above the set value quickly detectable and clear. Such systems are well established and need little space. Unfortunately, they are not configurable, i. they can not be easy and be quickly assigned to another task. They are also not remotely controllable. This disadvantage can be caused by the connection with a motor, the knob or the sliding lever moves, be avoided. Such devices are known but expensive and big.

In a further development stage, the device for input from the Display be separated so that the knob or sliding lever and the Display field, which can also be a screen here, are spatially separated. A such device is configurable and remotely controllable. But that's the operation less favorable, given that several such devices in a narrow field are present, the assignment between input element and display element be known or practiced. The elements for entering the values are spatial often as far from the display of values on the screen separately, that an assignment between the item and the ad is not always safe. There are often so many Elements for input exist that confusion suggests. Typical for this Art device are mixing consoles for sound signals, switchboards for power plants or chemical plants, as well as user interfaces for medical equipment etc.

Another known design for such a device with a screen is from the technology of electronic computers, so-called PC's known. It can with a called mouse an arrow to be directed to a box on the screen where For example, a value is selected from a predetermined selection of values can be. Or, it can start from a given value, by one Pulse from the mouse the next provided value can be selected. Such Although execution is configurable and remotely controllable but relatively slow in the Service. The missing direct-acting input button leads to a complicated Service. The simultaneous operation of multiple input units is impossible.

There are also devices with screens are known in which the display and the Enter values directly via the screen, i. who work without a mouse. On such screens, fields are singled out by the program that for example, to be touched with the finger to the choice of a value below make several values. Such systems are termed "touch Screen "are very clear and configurable, faster too operate as with a mouse. However, each input field needs on the screen lots of space. The service is perceived as unpleasant if the serving Finger of the hand a continuous, pushing, away from the body Must perform movement.

From US 5,572,239 a device is known in front of a flat screen Controls such as e.g. Rotary or sliding buttons are arranged, which over a Connecting element such as e.g. a shaft connected to a transducer, which is a Movement or position of the control element in an electrical signal transforms. The transducers are mounted on a carrier, so that ultimately the Controls are mounted on this carrier. The carrier is located in Viewing behind the flat screen and the connection to the Controls are done via breakthroughs in the flat screen.

In this known device are thus in front of the screen controls and behind the screen converter arranged the settings of the controls implement. That always requires a connection through the screen is built through, which means that as a screen no cathode ray tube can be used. Another disadvantage is the fact that by the Use of controls and separate converters altogether a big one Requires space and the installation of such devices, especially in the Application in an audio mixer is expensive.

It is therefore an object of the invention, on the one hand a device of said To create a kind of safe, i. reliable and non-confusing, as well allows quick feedback on values that have an item for manual Input ergonomically favorable can be entered and on the other hand to a constructive structure that takes up little space and easy is to be composed.

For this purpose, in the device according to the invention, the screen is viewed in the viewing direction Carrier for the elements for manual input upstream. If this carrier the Covering the entire screen, it has at least one associated with the element transparent area for displaying values across the screen. The Elements are connected via connections in front of the screen to a computer, which captures the position of the elements for manual entry via data and in At least one area on the screen has a feedback about set Displays values. The screen and the carrier is preferably an element for Attachment of electronic components assigned. The element for attachment electronic components is preferably between the carrier and the screen arranged and, depending on the training, has at least transparent areas, when it covers the whole screen. It can also be placed directly on the carrier (e.g., applied as a foil) or integrated therein. As an element for input For example, encoders, sliders, so-called joysticks, etc. can be linear or be provided in two dimensions or directions adjustable encoder. Such Elements for input either generate a value corresponding to theirs current position or generate a signal, that of an executed movement For example, it matches and increments previous values.

The advantages achieved by the invention are to be seen in particular in that a clear and reliable feedback on just set values to the Operator can be done. The often encountered spatial and thus also visual distance between the place where an ad is displayed on a screen and the place where it is Entering values is reduced to the extent that both elements, for the Display and operation have moved into the same field of view. This can also ever to design multiple ads and multiple items for entry into the same field of view can be moved, so for example with both hands values can be changed simultaneously and the currently valid values for both inputs can be tracked simultaneously. The inventive Device also allows the entry of values in quick succession and is pronounced "handy" or cheap for the operation with the hands. In the Application to mixing consoles for audio engineering, it also takes very much on the Habits of the Tonmeister respect and thus supports their work in positive Wise. The fact that the controls via lines directly to a computer connected, and the lines are mounted directly on the screen results also a particularly simple structure with low space requirements.

Fig. 1 eine Darstellung einer Vorrichtung gemäss dem Stand der Technik,

Fig. 2 einen Schnitt durch einen Teil der Vorrichtung,

Fig. 3 und 4 je einen Schnitt durch eine weitere Ausführung eines Teils der Vorrichtung,

Fig. 5 eine Ansicht der Vorrichtung.

Fig. 6 ein Detail der Vorrichtung und

Fig. 7 ein Blockschema des Aufbaus der Vorrichtung mit einem Rechner.

In the following the invention with reference to an embodiment and figures will be explained in more detail. It shows:

1 is an illustration of a device according to the prior art,

2 shows a section through a part of the device,

3 and 4 each show a section through a further embodiment of a part of the device,

Fig. 5 is a view of the device.

Fig. 6 shows a detail of the device and

Fig. 7 is a block diagram of the structure of the device with a computer.

Fig. 1 shows a known embodiment of a device with a screen 1 of several fields 2, 3, etc., in which a value graphically, for example by Numbers is displayed. These two fields 2, 3 are, for example, knobs 4, 5 can be assigned via the values in the device can be entered. So can the displayed values in the fields 2, 3 changed by turning the knobs 4, 5 become. But you have to know that the fields 2, 3, just the knobs 4, 5 and not about knobs 6, 7 are assigned, which would be just as plausible. In Reality can be the distance between the fields 2, 3 and the knobs 4, 5, 6, 7, as well as the number of available knobs but also much larger than here shown, which increases the uncertainty in the operation.

Fig. 2 shows a section through a part of the inventive device. there If one recognizes a part of a screen 10, a part of an element 11 for Attachment of electronic components and a part of a support 12 for elements for Input of values. Typically, element 11 is referred to herein as so-called printed circuit formed on the conductor tracks, and in particular also an optically operating sensor 13, are attached. In this example, the Sensor 13 together with a band 14, which lies on rollers 15, 16, the axes 17 and 18 are mounted in the carrier 12. The band 14 has at least one mark which, when facing the sensor 13, contains therein an electrical pulse triggers. To enter values, the band 14 on its upper side 19 for example, be moved with a finger. This is a linear one adjustable encoder. The carrier 12 is for example made of a transparent Medium such as glass, plexiglass, mineral glass, etc. formed and the element 11 in cut out in certain areas next to the band 14, transparent or not available. The carrier 12 may, for example, on a cover plate for the Screen or attached to a common housing part. As a sensor 13 is For example, an incremental encoder conceivable.

For entering values, the band 14 is placed on its top 19 e.g. through the Finger driven and moved to a new position, with marks on the band 14 in the sensor 13 trigger pulses that in per se known and therefore not described in detail here in an evaluation unit to values are processed. These values are within a range through the screen 10 or field adjacent to the belt 14.

Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of the device with a knob 20 as Input element. In contrast to FIG. 2, here is another (optional) element, a So-called touch screen as a screen 22 is provided. The knob 20 is on one Carrier 21 rotatably mounted, which is upstream of the screen 22, of which only here a part is recognizable. Between the screen 22 and the carrier 21 is an element 23 for mounting electronic components such as e.g. Tracks, arranged and attached to one of these. This is also a sensor 24 via contacts 25, 26 attached. The carrier 21 therefore also has a recess 27. More here not shown recesses reveal the screen. Also on the carrier 21st is a bearing 28 for the knob 20 via at least one screw 29th attached. On the knob 20 is a coded disc 30 is attached, to the one working optically, sensor 24 has visual contact here. As a sensor 24 For example, a device from Hewlett-Packard, type HEDR-8000 is suitable.

It is also conceivable, the sensor and the leads leading directly to the Surface of the carrier and covered by the knob to arrange covered.

For entering values of the knob 20 is rotated by hand with the Disk 30 runs along and 24 pulses in the optical sensor, which in in itself known and therefore not described here manner in one Evaluation unit to be processed values. These values are determined by the Screen 22 is displayed in an area or field corresponding to the knob 20 is adjacent.

4 shows another possible embodiment wherein the screen 32, here a touch screen, is attached with its side wall 31 immediately adjacent to the carrier 33.

For the purposes of the invention, it is also possible to use sensors which are not optical work but other physical effects like magnetism, ultrasound, etc. exploit.

5 shows a view of a device according to the invention in the direction of view a screen 34 with areas 35 ', 36', 37 ', etc. for displaying set Values and knobs 35, 36, 37, etc. as elements for entering values that are arranged on a support 42. In addition to the above elements for Input can still on the same screen known per se Input elements 38, 39 of another type may be provided, which are based on the "touch-screen" principle. work, or that can be activated with a mouse. The carrier 42 can be formed transparent in principle, so that the underlying screen 34th everywhere, where not the knobs 35, 35, 37 cover this, is visible. It can but also other areas 40, 41 of the carrier 42, e.g. by tracks tracked be arranged above or below the support 42 or attached as a film or formed as a thin or thick film. In these further areas 40, 41, which can cover the screen like a net connecting all the knobs is the screen 34 is covered and thus not visible.

Particularly advantageous is the inventive device in so-called. LCD screens. These have the advantage of having a flat surface and once areas defined by a program always in exactly the same size play. For example, a scale will always be the same size and pictured in the same place. The LED screens can also be very horizontal be incorporated and, for example, a part of a mixing console for audio signals form.

FIG. 6 shows an example of indications as they are in a region 35 ', 36' or 37 'in FIG an audio mixing console. This information relates here e.g. Values for an audio channel for signal processing. With 43 is a graphic value display with Area indications 44 and 45 are designated. At 46 is an indication of the control mode indicating whether the control is automatic or manual. At 47 is the absolute value of a parameter and 48 the measuring unit used specified. In other places 49 are the name of a parameter set, with 50 the name of the parameter and 51 denotes another auxiliary display. additionally For example, the color of the background 52 may be a parameter identification, an alert level etc. indicate.

Fig. 7 shows a block diagram of the inventive device, wherein here as Take a closer look at the situation when using it in an audio mixing console are considered. A user interface 53, as in such mixing consoles common, a variety of controls and indicators such as scales, lamps, etc. on. This consists of a support 54 for controls 55, the configuration of the mixer, for controls 56, which are used to influence parameters which are important for the processing of the audio signals and for one or several screens 57 for displaying values, scales, functions, etc. A graphics calculator 58 is also connected to the screen. About one each Data bus 59, 60 and 61 is a computer 62 to the user interface 53rd connected. In this case, the data bus 59 of the controls 55 to the Calculator 62 Information or commands about the configuration of the mixer or its Change. The data bus 60 is the computer 62 of the controls 56th new values for the parameters for processing the audio signals or the used ones Algorithms. The data bus 61 is the graphics calculator 58 and thus the screen 57 from the computer 62 Information about the current state of the mixer and the audio signals. The computer 62 is via a data bus 63 and a bus 71 also connected to a signal processor 64, the actual audio signals changed, mixed, etc. Therefore, this also has several inputs 65 and outputs 66 for audio signals. The signal processor 64 consists of the actual core of a For example, digital mixing console and is thus known and here not shown further. The signal processor 64 is an algorithm library 67 associated with all the algorithms stored in the processing of the Signals from the inputs 65 are used. This is via a bus 68 with the Computer 62 and connected via a bus 69 to the signal processor 64.

In an audio mixing console of known type, the user interface 53 is suitable Means directly connected to the process computer 64, so that the controls 55, 56 directly affect the processing of the signals for the outputs 66. To according to the invention additional possibilities for the operation of such To create mixing console is between the user interface 53 and the Process computer 64 of the computer 62 turned on, the book on the state, i. all Settings of the mixer and the associated signals, leads. If over the controls 55 the configuration of the mixer is changed, so happens this via corresponding data via the data bus 59 to the computer 62 thereto move, on the one hand via the bus 68 in the algorithms library 67 new algorithms to select and output to the signal processor 64 and on the other hand the Instruct graphic computer 58 via the data bus 61, the displays, scales, etc. on Screen 57 to adapt to the new configuration. Under the term configuration is the entire arrangement provided for the processing of the audio signals understand. It can be represented for example in a block diagram in which all processing such as, amplification, addition of signals, filtering, Level changes, etc. are listed. Such a block diagram, exactly corresponds to a configuration, can be changed by changing the configuration so that then another block diagram applies to the processing, etc. If, on the other hand, the operating elements 56 are actuated, the configuration (the Block diagram) and only values for parameters in the provided algorithms, via the bus 71 to the signal processor 64th submitted and displayed on the graphing computer 58 in the screen 57 also. So For example, such values as shown in FIG. 6 may be changed become. Suppose the turret 70 serves to filter in a filter Specify cutoff frequency, this is changed by turning the knob 70 and at 47 also displayed in values. In addition one recognizes then also in which Channel this change was made etc.

The computer 62 thus serves to control the status of signal paths, level controls, Filtering, the dynamics of changing processors, as well as the size of signals, the Position and the change in the position of input elements, etc. to capture and display on the screen 57 in a suitable form. He also gives the Signal processor 64 control commands for processing the audio and video signals. By This customizable ad is also guided by the user at any time can recognize what changes at different levels be engaging in the existing settings. For example, a change in the Cutoff frequency on a filter block not only the display of the new one Limit frequency, but also the updated display of other values, the depend on, for example, the level, etc.

The controls 55 represent means by which the selection of the algorithms the signal flow in the audio channels can be defined. In the computer 62 are through the stored parts of the program also defines means for assigning the Controls determine, for example, in the sense that a series or Column of knobs on the mixer to set the same parameters serves, while other parameters through elements in other columns or rows to be influenced. It can also mean that individual controls in one Configuration are shut down and can not have any effect, or that with one Control element several parameters can be changed, e.g. through serial Control. It may also simply mean that the language of the label is e.g. can be adjusted at the point 49, etc., or that in parts of the display the Change the color rhythmically or change it.

Claims (10)

1. A device for entering values for the processing of audio signals in a signal processor (64) including a display screen (34, 57) for displaying the values, at least two elements (35, 36, 37, 55, 56) arranged in front of the display screen for manually inputting the values, a carrier (42) for elements (35, 36, 37, 55, 56) for manual inputting, which is provided in front of the display screen in the direction of view, the elements being connected via connections in front of the display screen to a computer (62), which determines the position of the elements for manual inputting by means of data and displays a feedback signal relating to set values in at least one region (35', 36', 37') of the screen, characterised in that the computer (62) is so connected to the signal processor (64) for the processing of the audio signals that the computer can transmit control commands to the signal processor for processing the audio signals corresponding to the settings at the elements for manual inputting.
2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the carrier (42) has transparent regions 35', 36', 37' associated with the elements (35, 36, 37).
3. A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the computer determines the configuration for the processing of the audio signals in the signal processor.
4. A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that associated with the display screen and the carrier there is an element (11) for connecting electronic components, which is arranged for connecting electronic components between the carrier and the display screen.
5. A device as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that the element for connecting electronic components is disposed on the carrier.
6. A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that rotary signal generators (23) are provided as the elements for inputting.
7. A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that manually movable signal generators (14) are provided as the elements for inputting.
8. A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the computer (62) is connected to operating elements (55), which determine the configuration of the device.
9. A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the display screen has further input elements (38, 39) of a different type.
10. A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the computer (62) determines the state of elements such as signal paths, level controllers, filters, processors altering the dynamics, the magnitude of signals, the position and the change in position of input elements etc. by means of displays in regions (35', 36', 37') on the display screen and presents them on the display screen (57) in a suitable form.

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