FR3035981A1 - ROTARY SWITCH AGENCY ON A SCREEN - Google Patents

Abstract

Rotary switch / selector device (1) arranged on a screen (10), and comprising a rotating light source (S1) (ω0) emitted by the screen, of generally annular shape of axis A, the light source having at least one given moment a repeating periodic pattern (N1) along the circle, and all moving in rotation, a support (2) fixed to the surface of the screen, a movable assembly (4) which comprises a rotor (41) and a wheel (42), a light guide finger (11), mounted on the rotor, a light collecting ring (21), fixed, the light guide finger selectively transmitting light from the light source to the ring light collector, an optical sensor (31), the light collecting ring transmitting light towards the sensor, receiving the passage of the patterns at a frequency (F) corresponding to the frequency (F0) of reference corresponding to the rotation of the light source, modified by the effect of the rotation of the button.

Description

The present invention relates to rotary switches arranged on a screen (particularly tactile), in particular for man-machine interfaces in a motor vehicle. Touch screens are increasingly used, including in the human-machine interfaces ("HMI") of motor vehicles. However, it turns out that the use of physical buttons has ergonomics that can not offer a touch screen, especially in a driving situation where the fingers of the user can shake and are not accurate. Therefore, there has been a need to combine the versatility of a touch screen with the ergonomics of physical buttons in the same human-machine interface unit. One of the physical buttons whose ergonomics are most appreciated by the user drivers is a rotary wheel optionally further equipped with an axial validation movement. Also referred to as a "multifunction wheel", the underlying technical part of the wheel is based on an optical principle or Hall effect encoder. Some have proposed solutions, such as that disclosed by US 2010 0 214 213, to integrate such a wheel / encoder in a touch screen. However, it is necessary to provide a hole in the touch screen (which makes it non-standard) and the operation of the encoder may disturb the operation of the touch screen detection. It has therefore appeared a need to propose an improved solution for integrating a wheel / encoder assembly on a touch screen. For this purpose, there is proposed here a rotary switch / selector device 25 arranged on a screen, in particular but not exclusively tactile, the device comprising: a rotating light source emitted by the screen, of generally annular shape of axis A the light source having at a given instant a repetitive periodic pattern along the circle generated by the generally annular shape, and the whole moving in rotation about the axis A, a support fixed to the upper surface of the screen, - a mobile assembly which comprises a rotor and a wheel, the rotor being rotatably mounted with axis A relative to the support, - a light guide pin mounted on the rotor, 3035981 2 - a light collecting ring, fixed the light guide finger selectively transmitting light from the light source to the light collecting ring; an optical sensor; the light collecting ring transmitting the light to the optical sensor; that, and receiving the passage of the patterns at a frequency corresponding to the reference frequency corresponding to rotation of the light source, modified by the effect of the rotation of the moving assembly. In other words, the optical sensor is adapted to detect a frequency deviation induced by an angular movement of the wheel with its direction and an information on its amplitude and its speed, the frequency deviation being evaluated with respect to a frequency of FO reference generated by the rotation of the light source. With these provisions, one can thus form a wheel / encoder implanted directly on the screen and using screen resources.

Advantageously, the use of such a wheel / encoder does not require a visual mobilization at 100 (3/0 of the user as is the case when performing a touch control on a touch interface. adjustment of a parameter or the selection of an element can be made by means of the wheel / encoder without completely mobilizing the visual function of the driver which remains available for driving, and a haptic feedback on the rotational movement can be provided. In various embodiments of the invention, one or more of the following arrangements may be used: In one embodiment, the light-guiding finger introduces a deviation of the light rays received from the corresponding light source by a predetermined angle close to 180 ° The light rays can be invited to a photodiode type sensor and the size of the device remains relatively small, the whole being preferably housed in the inner volume of the wheel / encoder, which makes the device compact; - The wheel / encoder can be mounted relative to the rotor with an axial translation movement but integrally in rotation. This provides intuitive movement for the "validation" function; - The axial movement of the wheel / encoder causes the cutting of the light beam in its path between the light source and the light collector ring by a concealing wall. This allows the determination of a validation pressure action; The speed of rotation of the light source may be chosen to be greater than a rapid movement that could be performed by a user by turning the wheel / encoder, namely typically a speed greater than 2 r / s. Since the frequency deviation is less than the reference frequency, there can be no indeterminacy with a perceived frequency close to zero; the number of repetitions of periodic patterns per revolution can be configurable by software application. One can choose the finesse of adjustment desired for a parameter to be regulated; each light source pattern may be formed by alternating a black circle arc and a white circle arc; the optical sensor can then be chosen as a basic standard component; the light-collecting ring may comprise a plurality of small reflecting mirrors for reflecting and guiding the light from any point of entry depending on the angular position of the light guide finger towards the optical sensor; A central zone of the wheel / encoder and the hub of the support body is hollowed out or translucent, so that the portion of the screen situated in the vicinity of the axis A is visible to the user; Other aspects, objects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of one of its embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, especially with regard to the attached drawings: FIG. 1 represents a general view of a screen equipped with a wheel / encoder device according to the invention, - Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the wheel / encoder - Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the wheel / encoder device, FIG. 4 is a view in axial axial section of the wheel / encoder device; FIG. 5 illustrates a light source used; FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the optical operation of the light collecting ring, respectively in view of Figure 7 shows a timing diagram illustrating the signals from the optical sensor, and Figure 8 shows a functional diagram of the electronic processing. In the various figures, the same references denote identical or similar elements.

FIG. 1 represents a front view of a screen 10 of a motor vehicle. Preferably, the screen in question is tactile, however a non-touch screen may also be suitable for the present invention. On this screen 10, there is installed a rotary switch / selector device, marked 1, in other words a device of the wheel / encoder type. This rotary switch / selector device is preferably arranged close to a border 10A of the screen, since as will be seen later, it can be provided a layer 38 of electrical tracks that connects the optical sensor 31 of the switch / rotary selector 1 to a processing unit 8, integrated or not into the control logic of the screen 10.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2 according to a first embodiment, the rotary switch / selector device 1 comprises a wheel 42 which can be rotated about an axis A in a first direction W1 and a second direction W2. Moreover, according to one option, the wheel 42 can be pressed towards the screen (arrow V), for a validation function as known per se.

In the illustrated example, the rotary switch / selector device 1 makes it possible, for example, to select a number of options which are displayed graphically in a peripheral zone outside the rotary switch / selector device 1. The rotation wheel 42 can also be used to adjust a parameter, to move in drop-down menus, etc.

The device comprises a light source Si emitted by the screen 10, it is a screen control application 10 which generates this light source Si. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the light source Si is presented at at a given instant, in a generally annular shape of axis A. The light source Si has a repetitive periodic pattern along the circle generated by the annular shape 25 of axis A, that is to say a repeating pattern a number Ni of times over a full 360 ° turn. Here Ni = 4. In the example shown in FIG. 5, each pattern consists of a black circle arc followed by a bright white arc. We can define a primitive circle Cl located at a radius R1 of the axis A. In the example shown, each of the arcs extends over 45 ° angular, 30 but it could be otherwise, the black and white arcs could be of different size. The light signals of the light source Si are emitted continuously when the screen operates and advantageously the light source Si as defined at a time T rotates about the axis A.

Instead of 4, Ni could take any value between 2 and 12 for example.

It is also noted that it is not excluded that the number of pattern repetitions Ni may vary from one setting operation to another, since the patterns of the light source Si are generated by a software application. The rotation of the patterns of the light source Si is in the illustrated example 5 in the clockwise direction WO. The rotation speed w0 of the patterns of the light source Si is predefined. If the user rotates the wheel in the same direction, ie W1 in FIG. 2, the changes in the state of the optical path apparent as seen from the optical sensor 31 are slowed down, and conversely when the user turns the wheel 42 in the direction opposite, namely W2 10 in Figure 2, apparent optical path state changes seen from the optical sensor 31 are accelerated. The rotation speed w0 is chosen so that even if the user turns the wheel fairly quickly, it remains below w0 and this is not sufficient to cancel the state changes associated with the signals received on the optical sensor 31. .

For example, it is possible to choose 2 rps as a value, or else 3 rps, or else 4 rpm or else 5 rpm. Furthermore, the rotary switch / selector device 1 comprises: a support 2 fixed to the upper surface of the screen 10, with a body 20 which can be a hollow hub through which a user can see the surface from the screen 10 to the center 16 of the rotary switch / selector device 1, - a movable assembly 4 which comprises a rotor 41, the rotor 41 being rotatably mounted with axis A relative to the body 20 of the support 2 (the hub bearing), and the wheel 42 already mentioned, which is mounted with an axial degree of freedom 25 with respect to the rotor 41 but with a rigid connection in rotation about the axis A, - optical equipment which will be detailed later, an electronic card 3 equipped with an optical sensor 31, in other words, in practice, a photodiode or a phototransistor; the optical sensor 31 is responsible for recovering a luminous flux Fz from the light source Si.

Furthermore, the rotary switch / selector device 1 comprises in particular, with regard to its optical equipment: a light guide pin 11 mounted on the rotor 41 (thus rotating) in housings, preferably insulated by walls 27 to the external environment, a light collecting ring 21 fixedly mounted relative to the surface of the screen 10, the light-guiding pin 11 selectively transmitting the light received from the light source Si up to to the light collector 21, the light collecting ring 21 transmitting the light received from the light guide finger 11 to the optical sensor 31.

Thanks to these elements (see FIGS. 4, 6A and 6B), an optical path Fz can be established from the light source Si to the optical sensor 31: indeed, the light guide pin 11 selectively transmits the light received since the light source Si up to the light collector 21 (by passing through two successive reflections at 900 on the cut corners of the light guide finger 11), and then the light collector ring 21 transmits the light received from the guide finger light 11 to the optical sensor 31. The optical sensor 31 is arranged on the electronic card flat on the screen 10, and receives the light preferably in the direction orthogonal to the plane of the screen 10.

The light guide finger 11 is an inverted L-shaped optical guide with two sides cut at 45 ° in the mins, providing the aforementioned reflections. As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 6A and 6B, the light guide finger 11 traverses a circular path with a foot zone 11a which is always above the original circle C 1 of the first light source Si, ie above a white circular arc is above a black zone, the light guide finger 11 captures the light rays coming from the light source Si, in particular in particular the strongest rays coming perpendicular to the surface of the screen 10 The light rays thus captured then undergo along the light guide finger 11 two 90 ° reflections, and consequently, at the exit 11b of the light guide finger 11, directed towards the screen 10 perpendicular thereto. . At this point, they impact the upper surface of the light-collecting ring 21. Inside the light-collecting ring 21, the light rays form an internal optical path 7 with one or more reflections on a zone of light. semicircular collection 70 to an exit zone 71 which continues with projection 72 already mentioned. At the location of the exit zone 71, the light rays are directed substantially towards the optical sensor 31 which is located opposite the light collecting ring 21. It is noted that the collector ring light 21 consists of two halves which meet on the one hand at the location of the sensor (0 °) and on the other hand in the opposite 35 in the zone 75 diametrically opposite (i80 °).

An elastic return of the wheel 42 is provided in the direction opposite to the screen 10, for example by means of springs interposed between the rotor 41 and the wheel 42 itself. FIG. 7 illustrates the optical signals 51, 52, 53 picked up by the optical sensor 31. The first signal 51, top timing diagram, illustrates the signals received in the absence of rotation of the wheel 42. In the case where on each pattern the angular excursion of the white arc is equal to the angular excursion of the black arc, the signal has balanced slots, that is, the high and low levels have 10 the same duration, the frequency of the signal being equal to the reference frequency FO, with FO = 2n × Ni × w0 The second signal 52, middle timing diagram, illustrates the signals received when the wheel 42 is turned in the opposite direction (direction W2 of FIG. 2) to the predefined rotation W of the light source Si, giving an apparent frequency F1 higher than FO. The third signal 53, a bottom timing diagram, illustrates the signals received when the wheel 42 is turned in the same direction (direction W1 of FIG. 2G) as the predefined rotation W of the light source Si, which tends to give a frequency apparent F2 weaker than FO.

It will therefore be understood that, in general, it is the analysis of the perceived frequency F, and more particularly of its offset F - FO with respect to the reference frequency FO, which makes it possible to deduce therefrom a rotation of the mobile assembly 4, in terms of direction as well as speed. In other words, the phenomenon observed is analogous to a Doppler effect, and the analysis of the frequency deviation is analogous to the analysis carried out in radar equipment. The processing unit 8 (see FIG. 8) processes the received signals and detects in particular the falling fronts and the rising edges, which makes it possible to evaluate the current frequency F, to deduce therefrom the frequency offset F-FO, and then developing "rotation tops" signals 61, 62 respectively in one direction or the other.

In the case where the wheel 42 can be moved axially in the direction of the screen 10, for the validation function, a wall 48 protruding from the underside of the wheel 42, goes down and stops the passage of the optical path Fz in a Thus, under these conditions, the optical sensor 31 receives no signals and no further change of state, which is understood to be characteristic of the support on the wheel 42. by the user. The processing unit can in these conditions provide a "top validation / OK" 63.

It will be noted that the central zone 43 of the wheel 42 and also the central zone of the hub of the body 20 is hollowed out or translucent, so that the portion of the screen 10 situated in the vicinity of the axis A is visible from the 'user. Note that the wheel 42 can be rigidly mounted relative to the rotor (case 5 without possible validation pressure), or that the rotor 41 and the wheel 42 can form a single piece that forms the mobile assembly 4 alone . It is also noted that instead of having an optical deflection of 1800 as illustrated, the light guide pin 11 could introduce a deviation of the light rays received from the light source Si by a predetermined angle close to 90 °, the ring light collector 21 and the optical sensor 31 are then configured in a substantially radial (and not axial) direction. Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to replace a command which would be performed by a touch with a finger (trembling in a driving situation) by selection and validation by means of a wheel, conventional presentation and grip and which does not require 100% visual attention of the user during the operation.

Claims (8)

REVENDICATIONS1. Rotary switch / selector device (1) arranged on a screen (10), the device comprising: - a light source (Si) emitted by the screen (10), of generally annular shape of axis A, the light source ( Si) having at a given instant a repeating periodic pattern (Ni) along the circle generated by the annular shape, - a support (2) fixed to the upper surface of the screen (10), - a moving assembly (4) which comprises a rotor (41) and a wheel (42), the rotor (41) being rotatably mounted with axis A relative to the support (2), - a light guide pin (11), mounted on a rotor (41). a fixed light collecting ring (21), the light guide finger (11) selectively transmitting light from the light source (Si) to the light collecting ring (21), an optical sensor (31), the light-collecting ring (21) transmitting the light to the optical sensor (31), characterized in that the light source (Si) is rotatable and the repetitive periodic pattern moves in rotation (w0) around the axis A, the optical sensor (31) receiving the passage of the patterns at a frequency (F) corresponding to the reference frequency (FO) corresponding to the rotation of the light source (S1), modified by the effect of the rotation of the moving assembly (4). 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the light guide pin (11) introduces a deviation of the light rays (Fz) received from the light source (S1) by a predetermined angle close to 180 °. 3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the wheel (42) is mounted relative to the rotor (41) with an axial translation movement but integrally in rotation. 4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the axial movement of the wheel (42) causes the cutting of the light beam (Fz) in its path between the light source (Si) and the light collecting ring (21) by a occultation wall (48). 30 An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotational speed (w 0) of the light source (Si) is chosen to be larger than a fast motion that a user could turn by turning the wheel, that is, typically a speed greater than 2 r / s. 6. Device according to claim 1, wherein the number of repetitions of patterns per revolution (Ni) is configurable by software application. 5 The device of claim 1, wherein the light collecting ring (21) comprises a plurality of small reflecting mirrors for reflecting and guiding light from any point of entry depending on the angular position of the light guide finger ( 11) to the optical sensor (31). 8. Device according to claim 1, wherein a central region of the wheel (43) and the hub of the body (20) of the support (2) is hollowed out or translucent, so that the portion of the screen (10) ) located in the vicinity of the axis A is visible to the user.