WO2019158354A1

WO2019158354A1 - Method and device for determining a user input

Info

Publication number: WO2019158354A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/052108
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc Willem
Original assignee: Daimler Ag
Priority date: 2018-02-14
Filing date: 2019-01-29
Publication date: 2019-08-22
Also published as: DE102018001200B3

Abstract

The invention describes a method for ascertaining a function determined by a user input on a sensor field comprising a plurality of sensors. Sensor signals created by touching of the sensors are ascertained and are compared with signal pattern values stored for the sensor field. The signal pattern having the greatest degree of similarity and a function associated with the signal pattern are determined, the function associated with the ascertained signal pattern being executed only following a further user input.

Description

Method and device for determining a user input

The invention relates to a method and a device for determining a user input on a sensor field.

It is known to determine user input via touch-sensitive sensors.

To distinguish between different user requirements, several sensors are combined in a sensor field.

The disclosure DE 10 2015 1 12 444 A1 discloses an operating device for a vehicle with a sensor field comprising two sensors for determining a user input. The sensors are assigned a user request, a user request is determined by touching the sensor, and the pressure on the control panel is activated by exceeding a threshold value.

The disclosure DE 102 27 286 A1 discloses a sensor element for occupant detection, wherein the sensor element is connected to an evaluation unit, which is configured for pattern recognition of the sensor signal.

US 2013/0270896 A1 discloses an arrangement with a plurality of proximity sensors forming an activation field. A controller generates an output signal upon detection of a change in the signals of the proximity sensors.

From GB 2525383A a sensor for detecting a gesture and a key sensor for detecting a vehicle key of a vehicle user is disclosed. A control unit performs a vehicle function after successful recognition of gesture and vehicle key. US 2015/0199941 A1 discloses a device with a 3D sensor, wherein a signal generated by actuation is compared with a pattern for determination and a function is triggered if it matches.

US 2016/0147310 A1 discloses a keyboard with fields comprising sensors. An arithmetic unit receives the signal caused by touching one of the keys to identify the key, a position indication on the field and a movement made during the touch.

The US 201 1 40148770 A1 discloses a method for determining a user input to a touch panel, wherein caused by a touch of the touch panel sensor signals are compared with stored patterns. From the patterns, this determines the greatest degree of similarity with the sensor signals and performs a function associated with the pattern.

In a variant known from the prior art, also referred to as "first win", the function assigned to the first touched sensor of a sensor field is triggered. This procedure can often lead to the triggering of an unwanted function, as a customer wipes over the sensor field during the search and brings an operator to trigger the function at a different point of the sensor

Sensor field on, but the function of the first touched sensor is still determined and executed.

In a further known from the prior art, also called "Last Win" variant, the last touched sensor associated function is triggered. If the operator unintentionally rolls off the finger when applying the operating force, a function assigned to another sensor is unintentionally determined and executed.

The object of the invention is in contrast to provide a method and a device bereitzu, by means of which an improved detection of different user requests on a multiple sensors having control panel is possible.

The object is achieved by a method for determining a user input with the features of claim 1 and a device according to claim 7. The pending claims define preferred and advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

In the method according to the invention, a comparison of the sensor signals with values of a signal pattern stored for the sensor field is carried out, a signal pattern exhibiting a greatest degree of similarity with the sensor signals is determined, and a function assigned to the determined signal pattern is determined. When approaching one of the sensors as well as touching a sensor of the sensor field, surrounding sensors also emit a signal. The signals of the sensors have a different signal deviation depending on the distance to the actuating means. In particular, the interconnecting interconnects also influence the signal swing. By touching the sensor field in predetermined areas predetermined functions should be determined. The predefined regions are the sensor surfaces themselves and / or regions adjacent to the sensor surfaces. To generate signal patterns for a sensor field, the predetermined ranges are touched and the values output by the sensors are stored as signal patterns. For different positions in the given area, corresponding values can be generated and stored as signal patterns. The generated signal patterns of a sensor field are each assigned and stored corresponding functions. If a user touches the sensor field, various sensors emit a signal. For the purposes of the application, contact is not exclusively a contact between an actuating means such as a finger with the sensor field, but also an approach of the actuating means. A finger positioned at a distance to the sensor field already leads to output of corresponding sensor signals which can already be recognized as valid user input. These proximity or touch sensor signals are compared to the stored signal patterns. The signal pattern with the highest, in terms of the sensor values, i. the

closest degree of similarity is determined. Furthermore, the function associated with the signal pattern is determined and executed directly or after another user input. For example, a seat panel has multiple sensors. By touching the sensor field sensor signals are generated. The stored signal pattern, which has the highest degree of similarity with the sensor signals, and a function associated with the signal pattern, such as seat displacement or seat back adjustment, are then determined. to

Determination of the degree of similarity can be known from image processing Methods for comparing images are used. Advantageously, the method allows a reliable evaluation of single and multiple touches as well as touches in intermediate areas of the sensor field. Since sensor couplings such as printed conductors are taken into account in the signal patterns, are

False triggering by stimulation of the sensor couplings minimized.

The method further enables reliable operation with gloves. A glove finger typically causes a smaller signal swing on a sensor than a bare finger. The evaluation of the individual sensor signals to each other and the United with stored signal patterns provides a reliable function determination even at low signal strokes. Furthermore, the method enables a erroneous function determination caused by a Abrol len of a finger to be avoided by a rolling is considered accordingly in the signal patterns. According to the execution of the signal pattern associated with the function after a further use re-input. The execution of a user input of a signal pattern is not immedi applicable after its determination but only after another user input. This further user input avoids a function triggering by unintentional Be stir the sensor field.

In a further embodiment of the method, a user input is recognized as valid only if the degree of similarity exceeds a predetermined threshold. If the greatest degree of similarity of the sensor signals to one of the stored signal patterns lies below the predetermined threshold value, the user input is rejected as invalid. In this case, the user input is not sufficiently similar to any of the signal patterns. Advantageously, the comparison with the threshold value avoids a function initiated with a random user input.

In a further refinement of the method, only the differences between the sensor signals and associated values of the signal pattern above a predetermined minimum value are used to determine the degree of similarity. To determine the degree of similarity, for example, only differences between the sensor signals and associated values of the signal pattern are taken into account, which have a predetermined percentage value in relation to the maximum value of the differences. Advantageously, the method suppresses noise of the sensor values. In a further preferred embodiment, the degree of similarity is dependent on a difference between the sensor signals and associated values of one of

Signal pattern determined. For this purpose, for each sensor signal of the sensors in the

Sensor field determines the difference to the associated value of the signal pattern.

Sensor signals and the signal pattern are the same with a sensor field

Sensor arrangement generated. The sensor signal and the values of the signal pattern are definable by the position of the issuing sensors. The value of the signal pattern associated with the sensor signal is the value of the signal pattern generated in the sensor field by a sensor in the same position as the sensor signal itself. The sensor field is constructed, for example, as a matrix with sensors arranged in rows and columns, the value of the signal pattern associated with the sensor signal being the value corresponding to the row and column number. The calculation of the degree of similarity as a function of the difference between the sensor signals and associated values of one of the signal patterns enables a reliable determination of a function determined by the user input.

In a further refinement of the method, the differences between the sensor signals and associated values of the signal pattern are summed to determine the degree of similarity. For determining the degree of similarity, for example, only differences between the sensor signals and associated values of the signal pattern are taken into account Reference to the maximum value of the differences have a predetermined percentage. Advantageously, the method suppresses noise of the sensor values.

In a modified embodiment, the further user input is effected by a predefined pressure force applied to the sensor field. With the touch of the sensor finger of a function is determined by the determination of a signal pattern and preselected as conditions. Only by a deliberate increase in the pressure force on the sensor field, the function is triggered. The predefined pressure force can be determined by springs or pressure sensors. The pressure sensors are designed, for example, as capacitive, piezoe lectric, inductive or resistive sensors. An inadvertent execution of a function is thus effectively avoided.

In a further embodiment, the determined sensor signals are normalized. During standardization, the detected sensor signals are determined by the maximum value of the divided sensor signals divided so that the largest signal value is 1 each. As a precondition for determining the degree of similarity, the determined sensor patterns are also normalized accordingly. Due to tolerances of the sensors, with identical touch different levels of signal strokes are output by the Nor mierung tolerances of the sensors are compensated for response. Additionally or alternatively, it is provided to perform a scaling of the sensors, so that each sensor of the sensor field outputs the signal hopping of the same size during an identical contact operation.

In a further embodiment of the method, the sensor signals are adjusted to zero in the unactuated state. The sensor signals are composed of a static and a dynamic value triggered by actuation. The adjustment causes that in the unactuated state, all sensor signals have the value zero. The calibration, also called balingining, to zero prevents a false evaluation of the sensor inputs by a signal offset.

The system according to the invention comprises a computing unit which is set up to compare the sensor signals with values of a signal pattern stored for the sensor field, to determine a signal pattern having a greatest degree of similarity with the sensor signals and a function assigned to the signal pattern. Advantageously, the device according to the invention enables a reliable determination of a function determined by a user input at the sensor field.

According to the invention, an execution of the determined signal pattern

assigned function after another user input.

In an advantageous embodiment, the sensor field comprises sensors for adjusting a vehicle seat, for actuating a head unit, a combination instrument, an overhead control unit and / or an air conditioning system. The sensor field offers a

user-friendly operation of various vehicle functions. The sensor field can be arranged, for example, either on a door, on the steering wheel, in the center console or on the roof. Advantageously, the sensor field is at most different

Installation locations integrable and replaces a variety of single switches. In a further developed embodiment, the sensors of the sensor field are designed as capacitive or inductive sensors. These sensors are widely used and offer high quality, cost-effective production of sensor fields.

Further advantages, features and details will become apparent from the following description Be, in which - where appropriate, with reference to the drawings - at least one exemplary embodiment is described in detail. Described and / or illustrated dar te features may form the subject of the invention, or independently of the claims, either alone or in any meaningful combination, and may in particular also be the subject of one or more separate application / s. The same, similar and / or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

Showing:

1 sensor field of a device according to the invention,

2 shows section A-A through the device according to the invention from FIG. 1 in a first operating state,

3 shows section A-A through the device according to the invention from FIG. 1 in a second operating state, FIG.

Fig. 4 sensor signals effected by a first actuation of the sensor field

Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 sensor signals effected by a second actuation of the sensor field

Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 signal pattern of a sensor field with 4 buttons and

7 is a flowchart of the method according to the invention.

1 shows a device 1 according to the invention with a sensor field comprising twelve sensors A-L. The sensors are designed as sensor keys, which generates corresponding sensor signals when touched.

FIG. 2 shows a schematized section AA through the device of FIG. 1. In the sensor field 3, the sensors 5 A to L are arranged, wherein in the section the sensors E to H from FIG. 1 can be seen. The sensor field 3 is arranged a sensor housing 7. In the housing 7, the sensor array 3 is slidably mounted on springs 9. The device further comprises a computing unit 1 1, which is connected via not shown electrical connections to the sensors 5. In the housing 7 is further arranged a contact switch 13. The actuating means shown as finger 15 touches the sensor 5 denoted by F. The touched sensor F emits a sensor signal, furthermore, the sensors surrounding the sensor F also emit signals by approaching the finger 15. The arithmetic unit 1 1 receives the sensor signals and determines a function determined by the user input.

The function now determined by the arithmetic unit 1 1 is carried out as soon as the user according to FIG. 3 acts on the sensor field with a predetermined pressure force exceeding a mere contact, so that the springs 9 are compressed and the contact switch 13 is closed. To carry out the previously determined function, the arithmetic unit 1 1 controls, for example, an actuator which, for example, effects a displacement of a vehicle seat.

FIG. 4 shows by way of example sensor signals 16 of the sensor field 3 of the device 1 from FIG. 1, which are output when the sensor F according to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is touched. As can be clearly seen, the directly touched sensor F outputs the signal with the largest lift 17. However, the surrounding sensors 5 also emit signals by approaching the finger.

In Fig. 5, the sensor signals 16 are shown, which are generated with simultaneous contact of the sensors F and H of the sensor array 3. As expected, the signals 19, 21 of the sensors F and H have the largest lift, the simultaneous excitation of the surrounding sensors leads to the illustrated altitude profile. The user input in this example comprises simultaneously touching the F and H sensors with two fingers.

To determine the function determined by the user input determines the

Computing unit 1 1 a degree of similarity of the received sensor signals 16 with stored for the sensor array 3 signal patterns. The signal patterns stored in the arithmetic unit 11 have, according to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a height profile with 12 signal values. An exemplary representation for various stored

Signal pattern 23 for a sensor field deviating from FIG. 1 with 4 keys is shown in FIG. 6. Corresponding signal patterns 23 for a sensor field with 12 keys according to FIG. 1 are stored in the arithmetic unit 1 1. Signal patterns 23 are generated and stored by targeted actuation of the sensors A to L on a reference sensor field. Likewise, signal patterns 23 are generated for a simultaneous actuation of the sensors A to L, for example, for the simultaneous operation of the sensors F and H shown in FIG. 5. In addition, also

Produces signal pattern 23 for operations that only partially touch the sensors 5 and the sensor interspaces. Each of the signal patterns 23 is then assigned a function.

If a user now touches the sensor field 3, the sensor signals 16 of the sensors 5 are determined by the computing unit 11. The arithmetic unit 11 compares the determined sensor signals 16 with the stored signal patterns 23 and determines the signal pattern 23 closest to the sensor signals 16. In other words, the signal pattern 23 is determined which has the highest degree of similarity with the sensor signals 16. The sensor signals 16 must be one above a predetermined

Threshold lying similarity degree to one of the stored signal pattern 23, otherwise the user input is rejected as invalid. Is that

Degree of similarity above the predetermined threshold value, a function is determined based on the determined signal pattern 23 having the greatest degree of similarity. The function is carried out with the closing of the contact switch 13, see Fig. 3. For performing the function, the computing unit 1 1 controls, for example, an actuator for seat adjustment or for controlling an air conditioner.

The degree of similarity, which can alternatively be designated as a similarity factor, is determined as a function of a difference between the sensor signals 16 and associated values of stored signal patterns 23 of the sensor field 3. The degree of similarity a is calculated from a saturation factor h according to the equation, a = 1 -h, where for h, for example:

The sensor signals 16 are to be understood as meaning respectively the signal swing of the sensors 5, the values of the signal pattern 23 are understood to be the stroke of the associated value of a signal pattern 23 to be compared. The sensor signals 16 of the sensor field 3 are regarded as a matrix with rows and columns, where A is the sensor signals and B the associated values of the sensor signals

Signal pattern 23 is. The stored values of the signal pattern 23 are constructed as a matrix having the same number of rows and columns as those of the sensor signals. Each sensor signal 16 described by a row and column number is assigned an associated value of the signal pattern 23 having the same row and column number. The signal value 16 of row 2 and the column is a value of

Signal pattern 23 in row 2 and column 1 assigned.

The sensor signals 16 as well as the values of the signal pattern 23 are scaled with the respective highest value of the matrix, so that the maximum stroke is 1.

In order to determine the saturation factor h, amounts of the differences between sensor signals 16 and corresponding values of one of the signal patterns 23 are summed up and divided by the accumulated value of all sensor signals 16.

The calculation returns values for the saturation factor h between 0 and 1. On

Similarity degree a from the value 1 thus represents a maximum degree of similarity and the value 0 a minimum degree of similarity between the sensor signals 16 and the values of the signal pattern 23.

In an alternative calculation, the term is squared in the denominator of the above equation, whereby in the low-similarity range, the similarity degrees are good

are distinguishable. In a modification, only differences between the

Sensor signals 16 and associated values of the signal pattern 23 summed, which reach a predetermined minimum value. The minimum value is defined, for example, as a predetermined percentage of the maximum value of the sensor signals 16.

In a further embodiment, in the above equation, the term of the difference between the sensor signals 16 and associated values of one of the signal patterns 23 is used as an argument of a function, with which, for example, a nonlinear

Function, the weighting can be set to higher differences and thus to less noisy values.

In Fig. 7 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the invention

Process illustrated. In a first method step S100, sensor signals 16 are determined which, upon contact of the sensor field 3 with an actuating means of FIG Sensors 5 are generated. The sensor signals 16 have a static component and a dynamic component. The static component, for example a basic capacity, is subtracted from the sensor values determined in a step S200, so that in further method steps only the dynamic parts are processed further.

Furthermore, in step S300, the sensor values 16 are calculated with a scaling factor which compensates for sensor tolerances. The scaling factor causes all

Sensor signals 16 have the same signal swing at an identical touch.

In a next method step S400, the sensor signals 16 lying below a predetermined minimum value are excluded from further consideration. This minimum value must be chosen so low that even touches of the sensor field with a glove are still detected.

In a further method step S500, the sensor signal is normalized with the measured maximum value, so that the maximum sensor signal value is one.

In a method step S600, the measured and processed

Sensor signals 16 compared with associated values of stored signal patterns 23 and a degree of similarity between sensor signals 16 and stored signal patterns 23 is determined.

In method step S700, the signal pattern 23 is determined from the set of stored signal patterns, which has the greatest degree of similarity to the sensor signals 16. In a step S800, the determined greatest degree of similarity is compared with a predetermined threshold value. If the largest degree of similarity is below the predetermined threshold value, the user input is rejected as invalid in step S900. If the greatest degree of similarity lies above the predefined threshold value, then a function associated with the signal pattern 23 is determined in step S1000.

Although the invention has been illustrated and explained in detail by preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples

and other variations can be deduced therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exists. It will also be understood that exemplary embodiments are really only examples that are not in any way intended to be exhaustive Limitation of the scope of protection, the applications or the

Configuration of the invention are to be construed. Rather, the foregoing description and description of the figures enable one skilled in the art to practice the exemplary embodiments, and those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example, to the function or arrangement of individual elements recited in an exemplary embodiment, without Scope of protection by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as

Explanations in the description, is defined.

Claims

claims

1 . Method of determining one by one user input at a plurality

Sensors comprising a sensor function with the following steps: determination of sensor signals when the sensor field is touched with an actuating means (S100),

-Comparison of the sensor signals with values of signal patterns (S600) stored for the sensor field,

Determining the greatest degree of similarity with the sensor signals

having a signal pattern (S700),

Determining the function assigned to the determined signal pattern (S1000), characterized in that

an execution of the function assigned to the detected signal pattern is carried out only after another user input.

2. The method according to claim 1,

characterized in that

a user input is classified as valid only if the degree of similarity exceeds a predetermined threshold (S800).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that

the degree of similarity is determined as a function of a difference between the sensor signals and associated values of the signal pattern of the sensor field.

4. The method according to claim 3,

characterized in that

for determining the degree of similarity above a given

Minimum differences between the sensor signals and associated values of the signal pattern are added up.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

characterized in that

the further user input is effected by a predefined pressure force applied to the sensor field.

6. A device for determining a function determined by a user input in a motor vehicle, comprising:

a sensor field (3) with a plurality of sensors (5),

a computing unit (11) connected to the sensors (5) for determining and evaluating the contact generated by an actuating means

Sensor signals (16),

the arithmetic unit (1 1) is set up to compare the sensor signals (16) with values of signal patterns (23) stored for the sensor array (3), and has a greatest degree of similarity with the sensor signals (16)

Signal pattern (23) and a signal pattern (23) associated with the function to be determined, characterized in that

7. Apparatus according to claim 6,

characterized in that

the sensor field (3) sensors (5) for adjusting a vehicle seat, for

Actuation of a head unit, a Kombininstrumentes, a roof control unit and / or an air conditioner.

8. Device according to one of claims 6 or 7,

characterized in that

the sensors (5) are designed as capacitive or inductive sensors.