FR2951558A1 - Device for controlling e.g. raising movements of glass pane of front door in motor vehicle, has control unit directly controlling movements of electric apparatus by displacement of fingers or hand on or near touch-sensitive faceplate - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a transparent capacitive touch-sensitive faceplate (10) arranged on an inner surface of a glass pane (12) of a vehicle, where the faceplate is in a form of a flexible film. An electronic control unit is connected to the faceplate. The control unit directly controls different types of movements of an electric apparatus by displacement of fingers or a hand of a user on or near the faceplate along a predefined direction corresponding to the desired movements.

Description

The invention relates to a device for controlling the movement of an electric apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for controlling the movement of a window or a vehicle seat. The use of touch screen for the control of various electrical devices, including equipment and vehicle accessories is in itself known. US 6,157,372 discloses a device for controlling a plurality of devices or equipment including a vehicle. It includes a touch screen, a control screen and electronics connected to the touch screen and vehicle equipment such as a power seat, a power window, an audio system and a heating control device. and air conditioning. This control device is designed so that the selection of the equipment to be controlled is made by recognizing one or more digital alpha characters virtually drawn on the slab by corresponding movements of the finger. The control of the selection of the equipment is done by display on the screen. Once the selection of the equipment made, such as a power window, the movement of the equipment, in this case the glass, is then controlled by the movement of the finger on the touch screen. An upward movement of the window is for example controlled by a movement of the finger upwards and a downward movement by a movement of the finger downwards. The touch screen may be of the capacitive or resistive type and is typically mounted on the dashboard or on the steering column so as to be within reach of the driver.

This control device has the particularity of controlling various devices and has, however, the disadvantage that it requires a fairly demanding manipulation on the part of the user to select the equipment to be controlled. Indeed, the driver or user of the device must first draw a character on the touch screen corresponding to the name of the equipment to be controlled in order to select it and then only act by moving the finger to order really the equipment. This double manipulation can be perceived as constraining by the user, especially given the lack of intuitive nature of the first operation. The document FR 2 847 058 A1 discloses a tactile device for adjusting a parameter of a vehicle equipment, the parameter having values whose variations are continuous, such as, for example, the sound volume of an audio system, air conditioning or still the speed regulation. The device comprises at least three detection means grouped next to each other to create a tactile surface. The operating logic of the device is such that the activation of one of the detection means corresponds to a predetermined reference value, the simultaneous activation of two detection means corresponds to a value calculated by interpolation between the predetermined values of the means of detection. detection, and the successive activation of three finger slip detection means corresponds to a value incremented or decremented according to the direction of movement of the finger. The teaching of this document is particularly designed for the setting of a parameter that can take a series of values but is not really adapted to the control of equipment or apparatus with movements in translation, tilting or rotation in one direction and the other as typically a window or the constituent elements (seat, backrest, ...) of a seat. The tactile detection means are typically arranged on a control lever of the vehicle near the steering wheel. The touch surface is therefore linear, which greatly reduces the possibilities of use. US 2007/0235297 A1 discloses a control panel of an electrically adjustable seat. The panel is placed directly on the seat, an interior trim panel or an armrest. The panel has a series of discrete detection areas forming a tactile surface with a very coarse resolution. This teaching also provides for the use of the panel like a touch screen. In this case, a displacement of a finger on the surface of the panel at the location illustrating the element of the seat to be adjusted, gives the order to adjust or move the element in question in the direction corresponding to that of the movement of the finger. This variant, although more intuitive, however, requires the creation of a touch panel with specific areas for the various elements of the seat that are to be controlled. This makes the realization and the integration of the panel fairly expensive and, in addition, requires the user a visual identification at the panel of the control area corresponding to the item to adjust. The object of the invention is to provide a control device, in particular for a window of electrically controlled vehicle and / or a vehicle seat with electric adjustment, overcoming at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages. More particularly, the invention aims to provide an ergonomic advantage control device, easy to use and intuitive. The invention consists of a device for controlling the movement of an electrical apparatus, in particular a window or a vehicle seat, comprising a touch screen and electronic control means, the device being configured so as to control the movement of the apparatus directly by moving one or more fingers or a hand on or near said slab in a predefined direction corresponding to the desired movement. Contrary to the teaching of the state of the art, the control is more intuitive because it is activated directly by a movement of finger (s) or hand in a direction corresponding at least approximately to the movement to be controlled, without requiring a selection by another prior movement. The ergonomics of this control device is greatly improved. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the movement control of the apparatus directly by the movement of the finger or the hand is done without prior action at the touch screen, holding the finger or one of the fingers on the slab at the end of displacement preferentially having the effect of maintaining the movement control until said finger of the slab. These measures, like the previous measures, give the control device increased ergonomics, greatly simplifying the user's movement control operations of the device. According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the apparatus to be controlled comprises several parts able to be moved and the device is configured so that the orientation and / or the shape of the displacement of the finger or fingers directly controlling the movement of the device selects the part of the device to be moved.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is a vehicle window and the touch screen is of the transparent type and sized to be disposed on a major part of the surface of the window. According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device is configured so that the predefined direction of movement of the finger or fingers to directly control the movement of the window corresponds essentially to the direction of movement to be controlled. According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device is configured so that an approaching movement of the finger or one of the fingers towards the slab controls the stopping of the movement of the pane. According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the touch screen is disposed on the surface of the window so as to be adjacent to at least a portion of the upper edge of the window and the device is configured so that a movement finger or fingers on or towards the edge of the window, preferably corresponding to a series of supports, can control a rising movement of the window. According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is a height-adjustable vehicle seat with an adjustable seat substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a backrest whose inclination is adjustable. According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device is configured so that a movement of the finger or one of the fingers in a substantially horizontal direction selects the control of the seat and the direction of movement of the finger controls the sense of movement. According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device is configured so that a movement of the finger or one of the fingers in a substantially vertical direction selects the height adjustment control of the seat and the direction of movement of the finger control the direction of movement. According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device is configured so that a displacement of the finger or one of the fingers approximately describing an arc of a circle in a generally horizontal general direction, preferably in combination with the contact of another finger with the slab under the described circular arc, selects the recline control of the backrest and the direction of movement of said finger controls the direction of movement. According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the inclination of the seat cushion is adjustable and in that the device is configured so that a movement of the finger or one of the fingers approximately describing an arc according to an essentially vertical general direction, preferably in combination with the contact of another finger with the slab at the rear of the arc described, selects the tilt control of the seat and the direction of movement of said control finger the sense of movement.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the seat comprises a headrest adjustable in height and in that the device is configured so that a displacement of two fingers, preferably spaced apart from each other, parallel according to a substantially vertical direction selects the control of the headrest and the direction of movement of said fingers controls the direction of movement.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the seat comprises an adjustable lumbar support and in that the device is configured so that a movement of two fingers, preferably spaced apart from each other, parallel in one direction essentially horizontal selects the control of the lumbar support and the direction of movement of said fingers controls the direction of movement. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with the aid of the description and the drawings, among which: FIG. 1 illustrates the constituent layers of a capacitive touch screen. Figure 2 schematically illustrates the construction of the central layer of the slab of Figure 1. Figure 3 illustrates the section of the touch screen of Figure 1 and its interaction with a user and a control unit. Figure 4 illustrates the operating principle of another type of capacitive touch screen.

FIG. 5 illustrates a window of a motor vehicle equipped with a control device according to the invention as well as the possibilities of control by a user. Figure 6 illustrates a motor vehicle seat equipped with a control device according to the invention. Figure 7 illustrates the different options for adjusting a seat. Figure 8 illustrates the control of the translational movement of the seat. Figure 9 illustrates the control of the height displacement of the seat. Figure 10 illustrates the control of the inclination of the seat cushion.

Figure 11 illustrates the control gesture of the inclination of the seat cushion. Figure 12 illustrates the control of the inclination of the seat back. Figure 13 illustrates the control gesture of the inclination of the seat back. Figure 14 illustrates the control of the lumbar support at the seat back. Figure 15 illustrates the control of the height of the headrest of the seat.

There are several touch screen technologies, a non-exhaustive list: Resistive technology (4, 5, 7 or 8 wires), matrix resistive technology, standard or analog capacitive technology, projected capacitive or matrix technology. The resistive technology (4, 5, 7 or 8 wires), measures the voltage variations induced by the contact between 2 resistive films, these films being at rest separated by a thin space. The pressure produced by a stylus or a finger generates voltages proportional to the spacing with respect to the edges of the conductive films, corresponding then to specific positions on the touchscreen. Matrix resistive technology, consists of 2 films, one having conductive horizontal lines (or resistive) regularly spaced or not, and the other having vertical lines also conductive (or resistive) regularly spaced or not.

These 2 films are separated by a thin space. The pressure of a stylus or a finger puts in contact horizontal and vertical lines, allowing a localization of the place of contact on the slab. Resistive technologies may be able to detect single supports or multiple supports. They do not allow approach detection. Resistive technologies has the disadvantage of requiring a flexible film on the contact surface, which does not facilitate integration on a window. But this does not exclude their use in the context of this invention. Capacitive touch technology and more flexible and more suitable than technologies.

It is based on local capacitance changes made by the presence of a conductive element (such as a finger) on a capacitive field, whether projected or not. The capacity variation measurement can cover a multitude of input configurations ranging from keys, cursors and touch dies to proximity sensors for safety applications. These technologies allow multiple support detection, and for projected capacitive technology, it also allows proximity detection. FIG. 1 illustrates the principle of construction of a first type of projected capacitive touch screen 10. It essentially consists of five layers, namely a central layer 4 covered on a first face with a set of regularly spaced vertical electrodes 5 or no and on the second side of horizontal electrodes 3 regularly spaced or not. The assembly is then covered by protective layers 2 and 6 on each side. The protective layers may be glass or plastic.

The layers 2 and 6 may also constitute the glazing itself and the layer 4 may be the transparent insulation usually used in laminated glazing. The electrode groups 3 and 5 are then more or less transparent electrodes, for example an embodiment of these thin layers based on ITO (Indium Thin Oxide).

The description given in FIG. 2 illustrates the principle and is not limited to rectilinear electrodes or to orthonormal grid topologies. Capacitance measurement technology can be a measure of self capacitance or mutual capacitance indifferently. The present invention is not limited to defined methods of measuring capacitance. Capacitive technology in general, and projected capacitive technology in particular are particularly suitable for use in the context of the present invention. The principle of use of the slab by a user is illustrated in Figure 3. This illustrates a side view of the edge of the slab and the finger of a user contacting the outer layer 2 of the slab 10. electrical connection between the central layers and the control unit 8 is schematically illustrated by a single connection knowing that this connection is in fact as shown in Figure 2. When the user approaches a finger of the outer surface of contact 2, a capacitance is formed between the finger and the grid, more particularly between the grid wires that are closest to the finger. This capacitance is detected by the control unit, which enables it to detect the presence of the finger with respect to the grid consisting of layers 3, 4 and 5. FIG. 4 illustrates a second type of capacitive touch screen, more particularly a Capacitive surface touch screen. The transparent slab 10 comprises a uniform conductive coating on a transparent support. Electrodes 11 placed at the corners of the slab distribute a low voltage current evenly over the entire conductive layer, thereby creating a uniform electric field. When a user approaches his finger from the surface and touches it, this has the effect of attracting the current from each corner of the electric field. The control unit calculates the coordinates of the touch by measuring the current at the level of the electrodes 11. The transparent touch panels described above are particularly suitable for being affixed to a support of an electrical appliance in order to control the electric appliance. in question. This preserves the initial aesthetic appearance of the electrical device while ensuring ease and ergonomics of control of the device. The control unit associated with the touch screen is configured to detect single movements directed from one edge to an opposite edge of the slab corresponding to a motion control of the apparatus. These simple movements are then converted into control commands of the device, these orders corresponding to actions of the device that correspond in one way or another to the control movements on the touch screen. The control of the apparatus is thus greatly simplified. Advantageously, for at least one of the simple control movements, the detection of said movement selects the function of the apparatus to be controlled as well as the direction of activation of said function. FIG. 5 illustrates a window 12 of a motor vehicle covered on its inner side at least partially with a transparent touch-sensitive panel 10 as described above. In the case of the representations of FIG. 5, the touch screen extends from a lower part of the window to its upper edge. In the longitudinal direction of the glass, the slab does not necessarily extend over the entire length of the glass. However, it is desirable for reasons of comfort of control and aesthetics that the slab covers the entire inner surface of the window. The slab 10 is typically made of at least slightly flexible plastic material. It may, however, also include an outer protective glass surface to provide a glass finish comparable to that of a glass without a touch screen. The touch screen 10 is typically bonded to the surface of the window. The control unit (not shown) and the touch screen are configured to detect a general movement of a finger from top to bottom and vice versa, this movement being generally vertical. The detection of a sliding movement of a finger substantially vertically from top to bottom will initiate the sequential opening of the window, that is to say will control the descent of the window. The detection of a sliding movement of a finger substantially vertically from bottom to top will control the closing of the window, that is to say, a rising movement of the window. The control unit and the touch screen are also configured to detect an approach of a finger or hand to the contact window without particular movement in the plane of the window or the slab or a parallel plane. The detection of this movement will stop the closing or opening movement of the glass previously triggered for example by a movement of the finger as described above. The movements or gestures of the hand are interpreted by filtering algorithms, preferably at the level of the control unit. The motion detection as described above can also be applied to movements near the touch screen but without contact. Such non-contact movements are illustrated in the second view according to the edge of the window in FIG. 5. The detection can also be applied to movements of the complete hand as illustrated in the third view according to the edge of the window. Figure 5. Ideally, the different types of movements illustrated in the three views according to the edge of the window in Figure 5 will be detectable to provide a high level of flexibility and comfort of use of the control device. It should be noted that other movements than those described above can be considered in order to control the window. Indeed, one could consider to detect more complex or more unusual movements in relation to particular situations of the window as the fully open position of the window. Typically when the window of a front door of a vehicle is fully open, that is to say, fully retracted into the volume of the door, there is no access to the inner surface of the glass or in any case, there is no access to an inner surface of the glass large enough to detect a movement from the top to the bottom of a hand or a finger on or along the surface in question. In this case, it is possible to configure the control device of the window to detect the presence of a finger, a hand, or a suite of supports (to avoid a nuisance tripping when the user rests his arm on the open portion) on the upper edge of the window, this detection then serving to activate the ascent of the window. FIG. 6 illustrates a vehicle seat 14 equipped with a touch screen 10. The seat 14 typically comprises a seat 18, a backrest 16 and a headrest 17. The seat 18 is surrounded, at its lower part at least, a hubcap 20 often made of plastic. The touch screen 10 of the type as described in connection with Figures 1 to 4 is disposed on a side face of the trim 20, preferably to the front portion to facilitate access to the occupant of the seat. As for the glass, the touch screen is transparent so as to merge with the surface of the hubcap 20. The touch screen 10 may comprise layers of flexible plastic material so as to marry the potentially non-planar shape of the hubcap 20 or to include one or more layers of glass. The hubcap 20 may be provided with a flat area intended to receive the touch screen 10. It should be noted that the touch panel described above in connection with the seat of Figure 6 and the window of Figure 5 controls the electrical apparatus on which the slab is disposed. However, it is conceivable to provide a touch screen on a separate support of the device to be controlled insofar as it makes sense from an ergonomic point of view. It may be necessary to provide a pictogram near the touch screen or directly on the touch screen to signal the user the functionality of the slab in question. The various adjustment movements of a seat 14 are illustrated in FIG. 7. It is possible to distinguish, from the bottom to the top and in view of the different arrows, the height, translation and inclination adjustments of the seat. , the adjustment of the lumbar support 19, the adjustment of the inclination of the backrest 16 and the height adjustment of the headrest 17. The adjustment control action in horizontal translation of the seat 18 is illustrated in FIG. 8. A sliding of the finger on the touch screen in a generally horizontal direction from the rear to the front is interpreted by the control unit as an order to translate the seat 18 in translation forward. Holding the finger on the touch screen at the end of sliding maintains the order in question. Moving the finger away will interrupt the order and the movement of the seat will be stopped. A sliding of the finger on the touch screen in a generally horizontal direction from front to rear controls, similarly, a translational movement of the seat to the rear. The height adjustment control action of the seat 18 is illustrated in FIG. 9. Similarly to the movement of the finger to control the adjustment in horizontal translation, a sliding of a finger on the touch screen in an approximately vertical direction is order the height adjustment of the seat 18.

Logically, a sliding of the finger from top to bottom will control a downward movement of the seat and vice versa. As for the adjustment in horizontal translation of the seat described above in connection with Figure 8, holding the finger on the touch screen at the end of sliding maintains the order in question. The tilting adjustment control action of the seat 18 is illustrated in Figures 10 and 11. The sliding of a finger describing a curve whose convex portion is oriented forward and as illustrated in FIG. Figure 10 will control the adjustment of the inclination of the seat 18. A sliding of the finger along this curve from the top to the bottom will control a tilting movement towards the front of the seat, and vice versa. As for the height adjustment of the seat described above in connection with Figure 9 and the translation adjustment of the seat described above in relation to Figure 8, the holding of the finger on the touch screen at the end of sliding maintains the order in question. The orientation of the curve or circular arc to be described corresponds to the tilting movement of the seat relative to its pivot axis. Alternatively or additionally, the finger movement to control the inclination adjustment of the seat can be provided according to Figure 11. The thumb is supported on the touch screen, preferably on the rear part, in the manner of a pivot point and the index describes a movement in an arc around the pivot point, the movement of the index being from top to bottom or vice versa. At the end of the movement of the hand, as long as the thumb remains pressed, the seat continues its tilting movement. This type of hand movement makes the detection of the action to be performed more robust.

The control action of adjusting the inclination of the backrest 16 is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. The sliding of a finger describing a curve whose convex portion is oriented upwards and as illustrated in FIG. order the adjustment of the inclination of the backrest 16. A sliding of the finger along this curve from the rear to the front will control a tilting movement towards the front of the backrest, and vice versa. As before, holding the finger on the touch screen at the end of sliding maintains the order in question.

The orientation of the curve or circular arc to be described corresponds to the tilting movement of the backrest relative to its pivot axis. Alternatively or additionally, the finger movement for controlling the tilt adjustment of the seat can be provided according to FIG. 13.

The index is supported on the touch screen, preferably on the lower part, in the manner of a pivot point and the thumb describes a movement in an arc around the pivot point, the movement of the thumb from the back to the front or vice versa. At the end of the movement of the hand, as long as the support finger, precisely the index, remains pressed, the folder continues its tilting movement. Just as for the adjustment of the inclination of the seat, this type of hand movement makes the detection of the action to be made more robust. The adjustment control action of the lumbar support 19 is illustrated in FIG. 14. The sliding of two fingers simultaneously and parallel in a horizontal direction, as illustrated in FIG. 14, will control the adjustment of the lumbar support 19 A sliding of two distant fingers such as the thumb and forefinger in an approximately horizontal direction and in a direction going from the back to the front will control a forward movement of the lumbar support 19 and, conversely, a sliding of the fingers in the opposite direction will control a retraction movement of the lumbar support. As before, holding the fingers on the touch screen at the end of sliding maintains the order in question. Other fingers may be used as long as they describe the two parallel paths as illustrated in FIG. 14. The height adjustment control action of the headrest 17 is illustrated in FIG. The sliding of two fingers simultaneously and parallel in a vertical direction, as illustrated in Figure 15, will control the height adjustment of the headrest 17. A sliding of two fingers distant as for example the thumb and the index in an approximately vertical direction and in a direction going from the bottom upwards will control an upward movement of the headrest 17 and conversely a sliding of the fingers in the opposite direction will control a movement of descent of the headrest. As before, holding the fingers on the touch screen at the end of sliding maintains the order in question. Other fingers may be used as long as they describe the two parallel paths as illustrated in Figure 15. The different movements for different settings of a seat and a window may deviate from those described above. before they are intuitive for the user and robust enough to be detectable by the control unit. Indeed, one could imagine other movements of the fingers or fingers, similar to those described above and corresponding in one way or another to the movements to be controlled.

Claims (14)

Revendications1. Device for controlling the movement of an electrical apparatus, in particular a window (12) or a vehicle seat (14), comprising a touch screen (10) and electronic control means, characterized in that the device is configured so as to controlling the movement of the apparatus directly by moving one or more fingers or a hand on or near said slab (10) in a predefined direction corresponding to the desired movement. 2. Control device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the movement control of the device directly by the displacement of the finger or hand is without prior action at the touch screen (10), the maintaining the finger or one of the fingers on the slab at the end of displacement preferably having the effect of maintaining the movement control until said finger of the slab. 3. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (14) comprises a plurality of mutable portions (16, 17, 18, 19) and the device is configured in such a way that that the orientation and / or the shape of the movement of the finger or fingers directly controlling the movement of the apparatus selects the part of the apparatus to be moved. 4. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus is a vehicle window (12) and the touch screen (10) is of the transparent type and sized to be disposed over a major part of the vehicle. surface of the glass. 5. Control device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is configured so that the predefined direction of movement of the finger or fingers to directly control the movement of the pane (12) corresponds essentially to the direction of movement to control . 6. Control device according to one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that it is configured so that an approaching movement of the finger or one of the fingers towards the slab (10) controls the stop the movement of the window. 7. Control device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the touch screen (10) is disposed on the surface of the window so as to be adjacent to at least a portion of the upper edge of the window (12) and the device is configured so that movement of the finger (s) on or towards the edge of the pane, preferably repeatedly, can control a rising movement of the pane. 8. Control device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the apparatus is a vehicle seat (14) adjustable in height with a seat (18) adjustable substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a folder (16) whose inclination is adjustable. 9. Control device according to claim 8, characterized in that it is configured so that a movement of the finger or one of the fingers in a substantially horizontal direction selects the control of the seat and the direction of movement of the seat. finger controls the direction of movement. 10. Control device according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that it is configured so that a movement of the finger or one of the fingers in a substantially vertical direction selects the height adjustment control of the seat and the direction of movement of the finger controls the direction of movement. 11. Control device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it is configured such that a displacement of the finger or of the fingers approximately describing an arc in a generally horizontal general direction, preferably in combination with the contact of another finger with the slab under the described circular arc, selects the inclination control of the backrest (16) and the direction of movement of said finger controls the direction of movement. 12. Control device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the inclination of the seat (18) of the seat (14) is adjustable and that the device is configured so that a displacement the finger or one of the fingers approximately describing an arc of a circle in a substantially vertical general direction, preferably in combination with the contact of another finger with the slab at the rear of the arc described, selects the command of inclination of the seat (18) and the direction of movement of said finger controls the direction of movement. 13. Control device according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the seat comprises a headrest (17) adjustable in height and in that the device is configured so that a movement of two fingers, preferably spaced from each other, parallel in a substantially vertical direction selects the control of the headrest (17) and the direction of movement of said fingers controls the direction of movement. 14. Control device according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the seat comprises an adjustable lumbar support (19) and in that the device is configured so that a movement of two fingers, preferably remote from one another, parallel in a substantially horizontal direction selects the control of the lumbar support (19) and the direction of movement of said fingers controls the direction of movement.