EP3602787A1

EP3602787A1 - Grid plate

Info

Publication number: EP3602787A1
Application number: EP18712593.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ferdinand Maier
Original assignee: FM Marketing GmbH
Current assignee: FM Marketing GmbH
Priority date: 2017-03-22
Filing date: 2018-03-20
Publication date: 2020-02-05
Also published as: US11635891B2; CA3057241A1; US20200026424A1; DE102017106207A1; WO2018172377A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an input device (6) for operating a multimedia device (4) depending on the position of a finger of a user on a pressure plate (24), comprising: - the pressure plate (24) which comprises a lower face (50) and an upper face (48) opposite the lower face (50) and on which the user can move their finger, - a regular grid (15) made of tactile elements (26) which can be haptically sensed by the finger of the user and which are formed on the upper face (48) of the pressure plate (24), and - a sensor (62) which is arranged on the lower face (50) of the pressure plate (24) and is designed to output a button selection signal (42) to the multimedia device (4) depending on the position of the finger on the upper face (48).

Description

The present invention relates to an input device for operating a multimedia device as a function of a position of a finger of a user on a printing plate, a method for detecting control information with the input device and a control device for carrying out the method. From US 2014/0172186 A1 an input device for operating a

Multimedia device depending on a position of a user's finger on different buttons known.

It is an object of the invention to improve the input device.

The object is solved by the independent claims. advantageous

Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, an input device for operating a multimedia device in response to a position of a user's finger on a printing plate, the printing plate with a bottom and a bottom opposite the top on which the user can move his finger, a regular grid for the user's finger tactile detectable tactile elements formed on the top of the pressure plate, and arranged on the underside of the pressure plate sensor which is adapted to output to the multimedia device, a key selection signal depending on the position of the finger on the top. Opposite the input device mentioned above, are arranged on the individual keys for operating the multimedia device and each button is a separate capacitive sensor for detecting the position of the user's finger on the

Assigned input device, the specified input device has only a single input element in the form of the pressure plate and a pressure sensor associated with the position sensor, analogous to a touchpad. The specified

Input device is therefore much simpler structure than the input device mentioned above. Unlike a touchpad, however, the user can

Controls on the pressure plate, the specific functions on the

As a matter of principle, there is no need for a distracting and time-consuming interaction with a screen for selecting a function. Operation of the multimedia device via the specified

Input device is purely intuitive, without the need for a visual interaction with the user's fingers.

In a development of the specified input device, the haptic detectable tactile elements in the top of the printing plate molded troughs. These troughs are easier to feel for the user over bumps because the concave troughs provide a more even pressure distribution for the user's convex fingers. In contrast, the user would basically feel convex protuberances only at a single pressure point on his finger.

In a particular embodiment of the specified input device, the troughs have a maximum width dimension between 5 mm and 15 mm in the direction of the surface of the printing plate. With these length expansions, the wells are optimally adapted to the average finger size of human users.

In a preferred embodiment of the specified input device, the troughs are substantially formed kugelsegmentformig. By the

Ball segment-shaped training is a particularly large contact surface between the user's finger and the trough allows, so that the

User can feel the well well. In a particularly preferred development of the specified input device, the depressions, which are preferably substantially spherical segment-shaped, have a depth expansion between 5% and 15% of the maximum width extension. In this area for the depth extent of the contact surface between the wells and the user's finger is a maximum, so that the user haptically optimally capture each well without the pressure plate itself must be made too thick to a sufficient thickness for the

Provide depth expansion.

In another embodiment of the specified input device, the grid is formed as a structured grid. In this way, the grid is modeled on a menu, whereby the specified input device can be excellently used as a replacement for a touch screen for operating, for example, a smartphone, for example, in a vehicle.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the specified input device, the structured grid is a Cartesian grid. That's the way it is

Input device based on a tile menu, as they are found on conventional smartphone.

In order to make the printing plate with the grid as small as possible and thus to be able to install in areas with limited space, such as a steering wheel, the troughs should abut adjacent to each other.

In yet another embodiment of the specified input device, the pressure plate is movably mounted in a direction vertical to the top and bottom, wherein on the underside of the pressure plate, a push button is arranged, with the pressure of a Tastenbestätigungssignal can be generated. In this way, the generation of the key selection signal for generating an indication of where the user's finger is from generation of another

A button selection signal to trigger a particular function associated with that finger position will disconnect, thereby preventing malfunction. This can be safety-relevant, in particular in the vehicle sector. Basically, however, the function can also by other technical

Strategies are triggered, for example, when the user with a finger on the selected position remains for a certain time. According to another aspect of the invention, a method for acquiring control information with one of the input devices specified comprises the steps of detecting the position of the user's finger on the printing plate, outputting the key selection signal depending on the detected position, and outputting a key confirming signal when a predetermined condition is met wherein the key selection signal in combination with the key confirmation signal is the control information.

According to another aspect of the invention is a control device

set up to perform one of the specified procedures.

In a development of the specified device, the specified

Device a memory and a processor. The specified method is stored in the form of a computer program in the memory and the processor is provided for carrying out the method, if the

Computer program is loaded from memory into the processor.

According to another aspect of the invention, a computer program comprises program code means for performing all steps of the specified method when the computer program is executed on a computer or one of the specified devices.

According to another aspect of the invention, a computer program product includes program code stored on a computer-readable medium and when stored on a computing device

is executed, the specified method is performed.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a display device comprises a screen for displaying a menu of a number of menu elements arranged in a grid and one of the previously indicated

Control devices.

According to another aspect of the invention, a remote control includes a push button having a number of haptically detectable segments arranged in a grid, a position sensor for detecting a position of a user's finger on the grid, and a transmitting interface for sending a user Position signal that depends on the position of a user's finger on the push button and a trigger signal when the push button is pressed by the user. According to a further aspect of the invention, a multimedia system comprises one of the indicated display devices and the aforementioned

Remote control.

The above-described characteristics, features and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they will be achieved, will become more apparent in connection with the following description of the embodiments which will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a multimedia system with a

Playback device and a remote control;

2a shows an upper side of a printing plate in the remote control of Fig. 1,

2b shows a bottom of the printing plate of Fig. 2a,

3a shows an upper side of a capacitive sensor in the remote control of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 b shows an underside of the capacitive sensor of FIG. 3 a, FIG. 4 shows a view of the pressure plate and the capacitive sensor attached thereto from the underside,

5a shows an upper side of a circuit board in the remote control of FIG. 1, FIG. 5b shows an underside of the circuit board of FIG. 5a, FIG.

6 is a view of the pressure plate and the attached capacitive sensor and the circuit board from the bottom, Fig. 7a shows an upper side of a printed circuit board in the remote control of Fig. 1, 7b shows a lower side of the printed circuit board of FIG. 7a, FIG.

Fig. 8 is a view of the pressure plate and the attached capacitive sensor, the circuit board and the circuit board from the bottom, and

Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of an alternative multimedia system with a display device and a remote control.

In the figures, the same technical elements are provided with the same reference numerals and described only once. The figures are purely schematic and above all not reflect the actual geometric conditions.

Reference is made to Fig. 1, which is a schematic representation of a multimedia system 2 with a display device 4 and a

Input interface in the form of a remote control 6 shows. The multimedia system 2 is set up to reproduce media contents to be described in more detail on a screen 8 of the display device 4. The image signals that are necessary for displaying the media contents on the screen 8 are in one

Control device in the form of a set top box 10 generated in a conventional manner and transmitted via a data cable 12 to the screen 8 in a conventional manner. This is not to be discussed for the sake of brevity.

An example of a media content displayed on the screen 8 is a menu 14 indicated on the screen 8 in FIG. 1. The menu 14 comprises a number of twelve menu items 16 arranged in a Cartesian grid 15 referenced in FIG. Of these menu elements 16, not all are provided with their own reference numerals in FIG. 1 for the sake of clarity. With the menu 14, the function of the set top box 10 and the playback of other media content via the remote control 6 can be controlled. Before on this

Control is discussed in detail, the structure of the remote control 6 will be explained in more detail first.

The remote control 6 comprises a metallic housing 18 with a

Through hole 19, inter alia, to reduce weight. In the housing 18 a pressure plate 24 is held from a plastic, which is held in a pressure direction 20 movable in the remote control 6. On this printing plate 24, a number of twelve haptically detectable tactile elements or segments in the form of wells 26 are arranged to the same grid 15 as the grid 15 of the menu 14 on the screen 8. Each of the wells 26 on the remote control 6 is a menu item 16 assigned to the menu.

The remote control 6 further comprises buttons that pierce the pressure plate 24 and are independent of this pushable. This includes an on / off button 28 for activating or hibernating the entire multimedia system 4 or only a part thereof, a volume rocker button 30 for controlling a volume of media playback, and a voice recognition activation button 32 for controlling the multimedia system 2 Language about one

Microphone 34 is activated.

The buttons depressible independently of the printing plate 24 further include a scroll key 36, a second scroll key 38, and a return key 40 which will be discussed later in the description of the control of the function of the set top box 10 by means of the remote control 6. In order to be able to distinguish the pushbutton 24 from the remaining keys 30 to 40, they can optionally have a high gloss finish with respect to the pressure plate 24.

A remote control 6 for controlling the function of the set top box 10

user can place a finger in any of the troughs 26. Below the pressure plate 24 is in the housing 18 of the remote control 6 a

Electronics with a later to be described position sensor in the form of a switching film 62 present, which detects in which of the wells 26 of the user's finger is placed and sends a corresponding position signal 42 to the set top box 10 with a transmitting interface, not shown. To this

Electronics will be discussed later.

The set top box 10 then detects on the basis of the position signal 42, the trough 26 in which the user's finger is located and marks that trough 26th

associated menu item 16 with a highlight 44, which is indicated in Fig. 1 with a hatching. If the user moves his finger and places it in another trough 26, the remote control 6 transmits the movement of the finger over the

Transmit interface with the position signal 42 so that the set top box 10 mitbewegen the highlighting 44 accordingly. In this way, the user can always see in which of the troughs 26 his finger is currently located.

When the user's finger is in a well 26 associated with a menu item 16 that the user wishes to select to control the set top box 10, he depresses the push button 24 about the axis 20. The electronics to be described later of the remote control 6 detects this pressure and also sends via the transmission interface a corresponding trigger signal 46 to the set top box 10, with which the function is activated, the current

highlighted menu item 16 is assigned. Before discussing the electronics of the remote control 6 in more detail, first the pressure plate 24 based on Fig. 2a, the top 48 of the

Pressure plate 24 shows and Fig. 2b, which shows the bottom 50 of the pressure plate 24 will be described in more detail. The troughs 26 are formed substantially spherical segment in the top 48 of the pressure plate 24, so that a user can place his finger in it with a high contact surface between the finger and trough 26. In this way, the troughs 26 are haptically particularly well detectable for the user. The individual troughs 26 each have the maximum width extension

Base circle radius 51, if one considers the respective trough 26 as a spherical segment and the base circle as flush with the surface of the top 48 of

Pressure plate 24 sees. For the sake of clarity, not all of the individual base circle radii 51 are provided with their own reference numerals in FIG. 2a. Especially suitable for tactility are base circle radii 51 between 5mm and 15mm. As not to be seen in the perspective of Fig. 2a ball segment height for the depth extent of the wells 26 have proven to be a good tactility between 5% and 15% of the respective base circle radius to be particularly favorable. In principle, not all troughs 26 must have the same geometric dimensions. Further, the individual wells 26 are placed so that the ball segments overlap and 26 cut edges 53 are formed between the wells. These cut edges 53 are also tactile to detect very clearly for the user, so that he can haptically separate the individual wells 26 when crossing his finger. Of the cut edges 53 are not all provided with a reference numeral in Fig. 2a.

The pressure plate 24 comprises in addition to the already mentioned troughs 26 on the upper side 48 passage openings 52, through which the remaining keys 30 to 40 are guided for piercing the pressure plate 48. On the bottom 50 of the

Pressure plate 24 are formed at the through holes 52 notches 54, in the in Fig. 5a to be seen lugs 89 can engage the keys 28 to 40 to prevent rotation. Further, the pressure plate 24 includes at the bottom 50 securing elements 56 and a snap hook 58, with which the pressure plate 24 can be secured in the remote control 24 against falling out.

Finally, on the underside 50 of the printing plate 24 a hatched adhesive surface 60 is provided, to which a capacitive sensor in the form of a capacitive switching film 62 is aufklebbar, which is shown by way of example in Fig. 3a from its top 64 and 3b from its bottom 66.

The switching film 62 comprises on its upper side 64 an adhesive film 68, via which the switching film 62 on the underside 50 of the printing plate 24 can be adhesively bonded to the adhesive surface 50.

The elements described below are provided for the sake of clarity not in Fig. 3a but only in Fig. 3b with a reference numeral. In the

Switching film 62 are twelve between the top 64 and the bottom 66

Capacitor plates 70 are inserted, which are arranged to the same grid 15, as the grid 15 of the troughs 26 on the top 48 of the pressure plate 48. Each capacitor plate 70 is spaced apart associated with an evaluation 72, which are not all provided with a reference numeral for clarity , From each evaluation 72 leads an evaluation line 74 on the switching film 62 to an interface 76, which then to an evaluation in Form of a in Fig. 7a and 7b to see circuit board 78 is connectable. Also the evaluation lines 74 are not all provided with their own reference numerals for clarity. In Fig. 4, the switching film 62 is shown glued to the underside 50 of the pressure plate 24.

The switching foil 62 in the present embodiment represents a first possibility of information input. The user places his finger in one of the

Troughs 26 on the top 48 of the pressure plate 24 and thus changes the capacity between the immediately below the corresponding trough 26 lying

Capacitor plate 70 and the evaluation electrode 72 directly adjacent thereto. This changed capacitance can detect the circuit board 78 via the evaluation line 74, evaluate and generate the position signal 42 based thereon to generate the highlighting 44 indicated in FIG. 1 on the screen 8.

In order to select or activate the menu element 16 highlighted with the highlight 44, the user presses the pressure plate 24 in the printing direction 20. To detect this pressure, a circuit board 80 is present in the remote control 6, referring to Fig. 5a which shows the circuit board 80 of one

Top 82 shows and Fig. 5b, which shows the circuit board 80 from a bottom 84, will be explained in more detail.

On the top 82 of the circuit board 80, a pressure receiving element 84 for the pressure plate 24 and other pressure receiving elements 86 for the rest

Keys 30 to 40 formed. In Fig. 5a are on some of the others

Pressure receiving elements 86, the keys 28, 30, 32 already placed, which is why these other pressure receiving elements 86 in the perspective of Fig. 5a are not visible. On the keys 30, 32, the aforementioned lugs 89 for producing the rotation can be seen.

The pressure receiving elements 84, 86 opposite on the underside 84 of the circuit board 80 contact dome 88 are arranged, which can be depressed by the pressure receiving elements 84, 86 in order to still in one

descriptive manner on the circuit board 78 an electrical contact

manufacture. For positionally secure mounting of the entire circuit board 80 in the remote control 6 are on this various form-fitting elements, such as notches 90 and

Through holes 92 arranged. Finally, on the circuit board 80, a passage opening 94 is formed, through which the interface 76 of the switching film 62 can be performed.

In Fig. 6, the circuit board 80 is shown mounted on the underside 50 of the pressure plate 24, wherein on the pressure plate 24, the switching film 62 as shown in Fig. 4 is glued.

The circuit board 80 is made of a flexible material. If the user exerts a pressure on one of the pressure receiving elements 84, 86 on the top 82 of the circuit board 80 in the printing direction 20, the pressure on the

Transfer contact dome 88. These are flattened by the pressure and contact on the circuit board 78 a circuit in the manner to be described below.

Reference is made to FIGS. 7 a and 7 b, which show the printed circuit board corresponding to a top side 96 and a bottom side 98.

On the circuit board 78 various electrical components are worn, which are not necessary for a better understanding of the invention behind the execution. As far as the components are therefore not provided with their own reference numerals, they will not be further described.

On the upper side 96 of the printed circuit board 78 are at least equal to the contact domes 88 at the bottom 84 of the circuit board 80 contact elements 100, each with a

Outer ring 102 and an inner ring 104 is arranged. The user presses in the aforementioned manner, a key 30 to 40 and thus over the

Pressure receiving elements 84, 86 one of the contact domes 88 down, then closes the depressed contact dome 88 the corresponding in the printing direction 20 below him outer ring 102 with the inner ring 104 briefly. As a result, a circuit is closed on the circuit board 78. The to the individual

Contact elements 100 belonging circuits are shown in Fig. 7a and 7b of

For clarity, not provided with a reference numeral. The circuits are connected to an evaluation device 106 on the circuit board 78. The evaluation device 106 detects when a one of the

Contact elements 100 associated circuit closed and enters

corresponding signal to a signal generating device 108 from. The

Signal generator 108 then transmits based on this

Trigger signal 46 to the multimedia system. 4

Further, located on the circuit board, a terminal 1 10, to which the

Interface 76 of the switching film 62 can be connected. About the terminal 1 10, the signals on the evaluation lines 74 of the switching film 62 in the

Evaluation device 106 can be guided, which then based on the

Signal generating device 108 drives. Analogous to the transmission of the

Trigger signal 46 then transmits signal generator 108

Position signal 42 in response to this control.

Reference is made to FIG. 9, in which a schematic representation of an alternative multimedia system 2 'with the playback device 4 and the remote control 6 is shown.

The remote control 6 of the alternative multimedia system 2 'is part of a

Steering wheel 1 12 in the cockpit 1 14 of a vehicle not to be seen. Through the steering wheel 1 12 through a dashboard display 1 16 can be seen in the background, in which the display device 4 of the alternative multimedia system 2 'is arranged.

In the remote control 6 of the alternative multimedia system 2 'has the

Grid 15 on the pressure plate 24 only nine troughs 26 which are arranged in three rows and three columns. The user can grip around the steering wheel 1 12 with his hand and put his thumb finger in one of the wells on the pressure plate 24. In the manner already described, the remote control 6 detects in the alternative multimedia system 2 'in which trough 26 the thumb finger lies and transmits the position signal 42. However, the transmission in the vehicle can take place by cable. According to the position signal 42, that of the trough 26 on which the user's thumb-finger lies is correspondingly assigned

Menu item 16 with the highlighting 44 in the cockpit 1 16 displayed. The user presses with his thumb-finger, the pressure plate 24 in the

Print direction 20 is low, which is indicated by the highlight 44

Menu item 16 triggered.

By allowing the user to control his menu 14 through the

Highlighting 44 before each trigger can understand, he needs no direct visual contact with the pressure plate 24 with which the menu 14 is controlled. He can control the menu while driving with the vehicle without having to look at his fingers. It does not matter if the menu 14 is the tile menu of a smartphone or any other menu.

Claims

claims

1 . Input device (6) for operating a multimedia device (4) as a function of a position of a user's finger on a printing plate (24), comprising: - the printing plate (24) having a lower side (50) and an upper side (50) opposite the upper side (50) 48) on which the user can move his finger,

a regular grid (15) of tactile elements (26) haptically detectable for the user's finger, which are formed on the upper side (48) of the pressure plate (24), and

a sensor (62) arranged on the underside (50) of the pressure plate (24) and adapted to output to the multimedia device (4) a key selection signal (42) in dependence on the position of the finger on the upper side (48).

Second input device (6) according to claim 1, wherein the haptic detectable tactile elements (26) in the upper side (48) of the pressure plate (24) molded-in wells (26).

3. input device (6) according to claim 2, wherein the troughs (26) has a maximum width dimension (51) between 5 mm and 15 mm in the direction of

Have surface (48) of the pressure plate (24).

4. input device (6) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the troughs (26) in

Are formed substantially spherical segment.

5. input device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grid (15) is formed as a structured grid.

The input device (6) of claim 5, wherein the patterned grid is a Cartesian grid.

7. Input device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Troughs (26) adjacent to each other (53).

8. Input device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Pressure plate (24) in a direction (20) vertical to the top (48) and Bottom (50) is movably mounted, and wherein on the underside (50) of the pressure plate (24) a push button (84, 88, 100) is arranged, with the pressure of a Tastenbestätigungssignal (46) can be generated.

9. A method for detecting a control information (42, 46) with a

Input device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising:

Detecting the position of the user's finger on the printing plate (24),

Outputting the key selection signal (42) in dependence on the detected position, and

Outputting a key confirmation signal (46) when a predetermined one

Condition is satisfied, wherein the key selection signal (42) in combination with the key confirmation signal (46) is the control information (42, 46).

10. A control device (106, 108) arranged to perform a method

Perform claim 9.