WO2019207028A1

WO2019207028A1 - Operating device

Info

Publication number: WO2019207028A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/060580
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Goetz; Dietmar Weisser
Original assignee: Marquardt Gmbh
Priority date: 2018-04-27
Filing date: 2019-04-25
Publication date: 2019-10-31
Also published as: DE102019002884A1; DE102019002885A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating device (1), comprising a projection apparatus (2), a detection apparatus (3), an evaluation apparatus (7) and a display element (4). By means of the projection apparatus (2), at least one operating element (5) can be projected onto the display element (4) as an image by means of visible light radiation (13) in such a way that the operating element (5) can be acted upon by means of an object (6), more particularly by means of a human finger. The action of the object (6) upon the operating element (5) can be detected by means of the detection apparatus (3). A signal (8) corresponding to the action, more particularly in the form of a switching signal for operating and/or triggering a function, can be generated by means of the evaluation apparatus (7). The operating device (1) comprises at least one IR (infrared) source (9) for projecting IR radiation (14) onto the display element (4) in correspondence with the operating element (5). The detection apparatus (3) has at least one IR receiver (10). The IR receiver (10) receives the IR radiation (15) reflected by the display element (4) and/or by the object (6). The evaluation apparatus (7) evaluates the reflected IR radiation (15) in order to generate the signal (8).

Description

operating device

The invention relates to an operating device according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such an operating device can be used for operating and / or triggering functions by the user. In particular, the operating device can be used in a motor vehicle.

From DE 10 2013 007 105 Al, such an operating device is known. These

Operating device has a light source for visible light radiation comprehensive Proj ektionseinrichtung, a detection device, an evaluation and a display element, means of Proj ektionseinrichtung is at least one control element by means of the visible light radiation as an image projected onto the display element. On this virtual control element by means of an object, in particular by means of a human finger, can be acted upon for operation. By means of the detection device, the action of the object on the operating element can be detected. With the help of

Evaluation device is then a signal corresponding to the action, in particular in the manner of a switching signal for operating and / or triggering a

Function, producible.

In the known operating device, a camera is provided as the detection device, which detects the action on the operating element by means of the object. It has

pointed out that the use of a camera for the detection of the object on the control is costly. The camera requires besides a powerful Microprocessors also increased computing power and a sophisticated software in the evaluation.

The invention is based on the object, the operating device such

further develop that a cost effective and reliable detection of the object is created on the control.

This object is achieved in a generic operating device by the

characterizing features of claim 1 solved.

In the inventive control device is at least one IR (I nfrarot) -Quel le to

Projection of IR (infrared) radiation corresponding to the operating element provided on the display element. In addition to the light source, which generates light radiation visible to the human eye, an IR source is thus provided for the generation of IR radiation which is invisible to the human eye. Furthermore, the

Detection device on at least one IR (infrared) receiver, wherein the IR (infrared) - receiver receives the reflected from the display element and / or from the object IR (infrared) - radiation. Finally, the evaluation device evaluates the reflected IR (infrared) radiation to generate the signal. In other words, therefore, the action of the object on the operating element is detected by means of the IR (infrared) radiation. In

Advantageously, this detection is invisible to the human eye. Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In a flexible manner, the light source can be arranged in the projection device and / or in the detection device. Likewise, in a flexible manner, the IR (infrared) source can be arranged in the projection device or in the detection device. In a simple and cost effective way, the

Projection device to be integrally formed with the detection device, in particular such that the detection device is integrated into the projection device. The projector may preferably include an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display, a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) display, an LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) display, a micromirror array, a slide film, or the like. Like. For the production of Control include. In a cost effective and reliable manner, the

Light source for visible light radiation from a light emitting diode, a laser o. The like. Exist. The IR source for IR radiation may also consist of an IR (infrared) light-emitting diode, an IR (infrared) laser or the like in a cost-effective and functionally reliable manner.

Finally, the IR receiver can also consist of an IR (infrared) photodiode in a cost effective and functionally reliable manner.

For high quality representation of the control element, the

Projection device to include a projection optics for the projection of the control element by means of the visible light radiation ln a simple and cost-effective manner, the IR (infrared) radiation by means of the projection optics corresponding to

Control be projected. Furthermore, in turn, in a simple and cost-effective manner, the reflected IR (infrared) radiation by means of

Projection optics to the IR (infrared) receiver be steerable. In other words, by means of the same projection optics, both the projecting of the visible light radiation and the IR (infrared) radiation, which is invisible to the human eye, can be applied to the

Display element as well as the steering of the reflected IR (infrared) radiation to

IR (infrared) receiver to detect them.

As already mentioned, an IR source such as an LED (light-emitting diode) or a laser diode can be used to generate the IR (infrared) radiation. For detecting the reflected IR (infrared) radiation, an IR (infrared) receiver such as a receiver diode sensitive to IR (infrared) light can be used.

Advantageously, a ToF (Time of Flight) sensor can furthermore be provided for the operating device. The distance of the object from the display element can then be determined by means of the ToF (time of flightj sensor). In addition to the detection of the object on the operating element by means of the IR receiver, a detection of the spatial location of the object relative to the object is also possible in a simple and cost-effective manner The evaluation device can in this case act such that the signal in the manner of a switching signal only at a touch of the

Control element is generated on the display element by the object. A possible Maloperation in the manner of unintentional intrusion of the object into the projected area of the operating element away from the display element can thereby be ruled out. In a functionally reliable way so an improved user experience is created.

The invention further provides a method for operating and / or operating the

Operating device ready.

In the method according to the invention, at least one operating element in the manner of a virtual operating element is projected onto a display element by means of a projection device, in particular by means of projection optics, by means of light radiation visible to the human eye. Furthermore, in addition to the human eye invisible IR (infrared) radiation from an IR (infrared) source, and in particular again by means of the projection optics, projected onto the display element corresponding to the control element. By means of at least one IR (infrared) receiver, the reflected IR (infrared) radiation is then received. The action by means of an object, in particular by means of a human finger, on the operating element thereby effects a change in the IR (infrared) radiation reflected by the display element and / or by the object. The change in the IR (infrared) light results from the different reflection properties between the object and the object

Display element projected control. Subsequently, the received reflected IR (infrared) radiation, in particular its change, is then evaluated for detecting the action of the object on the operating element. If desired, then a corresponding to the action of the object on the control element signal, in particular in the manner of a switching signal for operating and / or triggering a

Function, be generated.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the distance of the object to the display element can be determined by means of a ToF (time of flight j-sensor for the IR (infrared) radiation.) In particular, the IR (infrared) radiation reflected by the object can be easily determined for this purpose When a predetermined distance of the object from the display element is exceeded, a malfunction of the Operating device can be detected. Thus, a correct operation of the operating device can be ensured in an advantageous manner.

In this embodiment, with at least one in the detection device

By means of the IR (infrared) light, the spatial location of the operating element on the display element relative to the location of the

IR (infrared) source can be detected. For this purpose, the ToF (Time of Flight) sensor can be based on the distance between the IR (infrared) source and on the

Display element projected to determine the duration of the IR (infrared) light. In other words, in this way a calibration of the

Detection device can be achieved. If the operating element is then acted upon by means of the object, the distance between the IR (infrared) source and the operating element is reduced by the thickness of the object, such that a change in the transit time of the IR (infrared) light is effected. The thickness of the object can serve here as a threshold value for detecting the object by the evaluation device corresponding to the ToF (Time of Flight) sensor. In a simple and advantageous way, based on the term of the

IR (infrared) light by means of the threshold touching the object on the

Control be detected safely. Will a touch of the object on the

Detected control element, the evaluation device can generate from this a signal in the manner of a switching signal for operating and / or triggering a function. In addition, an unwanted operation of the operating element can be excluded by unintentional intrusion of the object in the projected area of the control in this way. It should be noted that preferably only upon detection of a touch of the object on the operating element, a signal is generated by the evaluation device.

Thus, an improved user experience is achieved.

In an advantageous further embodiment can be at several on the

Display element projected controls in a simple manner determine the respective actuated by the object control. For this purpose, at least two controls are projected onto the display element. Furthermore, the IR (infrared) radiation is projected selectively and / or cyclically corresponding to the operating elements. Finally will then that operating element, which is acted upon by the object, detected on the basis of the respective reflected IR (infrared) radiation.

In this embodiment, with at least two control elements, namely a first control element and a second control element, only one of the

Controls selectively projected onto the element. Corresponding to this, the IR light can only be emitted onto the projected operating element and the IR light reflected by the operating element can be detected. In a simple way, in this case, the second

Control are hidden while the first control on the

Display element is projected for a predetermined time. After that, the first one

Hidden control and the second control on the display element for the same predetermined time are projected. This process can be cyclical so that it is unnoticeable to the human eye. Is acted upon by the object on one of the controls, the object on the control element can be reliably detected by the effect of the object caused change of the reflected IR (infrared) light. In this way, a reliable detection of the action of the object on the respective control element is created. Besides, one possible one is

Incorrect operation, for example, by acting on both controls excluded, since always only one control element projected onto the display element while the reflected IR (infrared) light is detected. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this method can be applied to any number of controls on the display element.

For a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is to be determined below.

It is proposed an operating device in which at least one operating element can be projected onto a control surface. To display the controls on the control panel, either displays or projectors are used. In projectors, light is thrown onto the user interface from a device remote from the control surface, i. the light is directed to the control surface. Order now

User interaction, the project organization must be able to to recognize an object, more precisely a body part. This body part will normally be a single human finger.

Some technologies have already been developed for object recognition. Applications are e.g. so-called "smart boards" or "interactive whiteboards", as described e.g. be used in schools. From US Pat. No. 5,528,263 A it is known that at least one separate camera is used in order to compare the "target image" with the "actual image" and thus to be able to recognize a hand or a pointing stick. Furthermore, it is known from US Pat. No. 6,421,042 B1 that the position of an input is determined with two cameras in the manner of a stereo camera.

The disadvantage of using a camera is that additional costs are incurred. On the one hand, the camera itself is cost-intensive and, on the other hand, due to the increased computing power, a more powerful microprocessor is necessary. In addition, a more complex software is required.

According to the invention, the detection of an interaction by means of the object on the

Operating element can be realized in a cost effective manner and get along with as few and inexpensive additional components.

For detecting the interaction, IR (infrared) light is to be used according to the invention. Thus, a detection is realized regardless of the ambient brightness. The IR light is also introduced into the optical path of the visible projection. This ensures that the IR light impinges only on the projection surface where an operating element is also inserted.

Projection is performed using an LCD display or TFT display or LCoS display or slide film. Also, micromirrors with eg DLP technology are conceivable. The visible light is generated by a light source, which is an LED or a laser. The light source can also be multicolored when using, for example, a so-called RGB LED or an RGB laser. The IR (infrared) light is also generated by an LED or a laser diode. In addition, an IR (infrared) sensitive receiving diode is used as the IR (infrared) receiver which detects the reflected IR light. Will now the

Reflectance property changes, in that the projected operating element on the operating surface is touched with the object, this leads to a change in the light intensity detected by the receiving diode.

Furthermore, this method allows to determine the location of the interaction. As soon as the number of operating elements is two or more, it is not only interested in whether the machine has been operated, but also which of the operating elements has been actuated. With reference to the following embodiment, the operation of the method will be shown in more detail.

Suppose three different controls are projected, namely (-) and (on / off) and (+). If all three controls are visible, so is also on all three controls also the IR (infrared) light. If the control elements (-) and (+) are now temporarily hidden, for example for 50 ms, there is no IR (infrared) light and no visible light. Becomes at the same time a

Interaction detected, this interaction must have taken place on the control element (on / off). This process can be cyclical so that e.g. 50 ms later the

Controls (-) and (on / off) and again 50 ms later the controls (on / off) and (+) are hidden. Meanwhile, the IR (infrared) receiving diode is read so that it is detected in each case, which control element has been pressed. After 150 ms so all three controls are queried, so that also one

Misoperation, for example, several controls are operated, can be excluded. If the frequency is high enough and / or the switch-off duration is selected short enough, the described procedure is imperceptible to the human eye, as this avoids flickering.

In the following, application examples for the invention are proposed:

Virtual (light) switch on any surface, like metal, wood, etc. - Hygiene switch, where the interaction surface contains no electronics and thus z, B. can be cleaned with aggressive cleaning agents.

- Ex-protection switch.

However, it still makes sense to additionally check the Z-axis of the interaction. Namely, there may be occurrences that the light path of the projection is deliberately or unintentionally thwarted in the air by the object. Therefore, it should be checked and / or made plausible in a further embodiment, whether the projected operating element was touched on the formed by the X and Y-axis control surface or just a kind

Maloperation in free space was detected.

For this purpose, the so-called ToF (time of flight) method is used to detect whether an object is in the room or on the control surface. The IR (infrared) light emitted from an IR (infrared) source is received by the IR (infrared) receiver. In addition to the received intensity, the transit time of the IR (infrared) light is also evaluated. The runtime tells you how far the captured object is from the IR (infrared) source. The following is the method on hand of a

Embodiment described in more detail.

The projection device is arranged at a defined distance from the operating surface, i. The distance is predetermined and usually does not change during operation. A detection device with a ToF (Time of Flight) sensor detects the measured transit time [s] when it is switched on and sets it to zero for calibration. The runtime is converted immediately into a distance [m]. If the object is now introduced for interaction, the measured transit time or the calculated distance changes. For the operation, a threshold is defined, which must not be underrun, so that a plausible interaction is detected. This threshold is within the range of the thickness of the object. Assuming that the interaction takes place with a human finger, in this case the threshold value would be approximately 10 to 20 mm.

The advantages achieved by the invention are in particular that a

cost-effective and functionally reliable detection of the action of the object on the the display element projected control is achieved. Furthermore, an incorrect operation is prevented by unintentional penetration of the object into the projected area. The user perception is thus improved, since the function stored for the operating element is only executed when the object with the projected operating element on the display element or on the operating surface in

Touch comes.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Show it

1 is a perspective view of an operating device,

2 shows a schematic plan view of an element of the operating device from FIG. 1 with a first operating element, a second operating element and a third operating element, FIG.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the B edienvorrichtung of FIG. 1 in a further

Execution,

4 is a schematic view as in Fig. 3 according to yet another embodiment,

Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of a display element with a projected

Operating element and an object acting on the operating element,

6 is a view as in FIG. 5, wherein the operating element is projected onto the object and

Fig. 7 is a view as in Fig. 5, wherein the projection of the operating element is hidden on the object.

In Fig. 1, the operating device 1 comprising a projection device 2 with a light source 12 for light radiation, which is visible to the human eye, and a detection device 3 with at least one IR (infrared) source 9 for IR (infrared) - Radiation, which is invisible to the human eye, and at least one IR (infrared) receiver 10 shown, wherein the detection device 3 in the

Projection device 2 is integrated and corresponding to the projection device 2 acts. Advantageously, for the IR source 9 for emitting the IR light and for the IR receiver 10 for detecting the IR light, the projection optics 2 'of

Projection device 2 used. For generating the IR light, an IR source 9 is provided in the manner of an LED or a laser diode, and for detecting the reflected IR light, an IR receiver 10 is provided in the manner of a sensitive to IR light receiver diode. The projection device 2 preferably furthermore comprises an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display, a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) display, an LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon Display, a micromirror array or a slide film The display element 4 is designed in the manner of a control surface, in particular a control surface in the vehicle interior of a motor vehicle Furthermore, at least one control element 5 can be projected as a virtual image onto the display element 4 by means of the visible light radiation 13. The control element 5 is assigned to a function in the motor vehicle and can, for example, represent the symbol of the function "switching on rear window heating." 5 is by means of a s object 6, in particular by means of a human finger, acted upon. In order to detect the action of the object 6 on the operating element 5, the detection device 3 with the IR receiver 10 and the evaluation device 7 is used, wherein the IR radiation 14 from the IR source 9 to the display element. 4

is projected corresponding to the operating element 5 and the reflected from the display element 4 and / or 6 from the object IR radiation 15 received by the IR receiver 10 and is evaluated by the evaluation device 7. For operating and / or triggering the respective function in the motor vehicle, a signal 8 in the manner of a switching signal can finally be generated by the evaluation device 7.

If desired, the detection device 3 may also have a ToF (Time of Flight) sensor 1 1, which by means of transit time measurement for the emitted from the IR source 9 IR radiation 14 and for the infrared radiation received by the IR receiver 15 15th to Detection of the spatial location of the object 6 with respect to the control element 5 is used. Thus, the distance of the object 6 to the display element 4 can be determined. The evaluation device 7 then acts in such a way that the signal 8 is generated in the manner of a Sehaltsignals only upon contact of the operating element 5 by the object 6 or in the presence of a slight distance to the control element 5. A possible incorrect operation in the manner of unintentional intrusion of the object 6 in the projected area of the operating element 5 is thereby excluded. In this way, an improved user feelings when operating the operating element 5 is achieved on the display element 4.

The method for operating the operating device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is described in more detail below. First, at least one operating element 5 is projected onto the display element 4 by means of the visible light radiation 13 by means of the projection device 2. The IR source 9 located in the detection device 3 emits by means of the

Projection device 2 to corresponding IR radiation 14 to the control element 5. The reflected from the control element 5 IR radiation 15 is detected by the also located in the detection device 3 IR receiver 10. If now the operating element 5 is acted upon by means of the object 6, in particular by means of a human finger, a change in the reflected IR radiation 15 by the object 6 is effected. The change in the IR radiation 15 results from the different reflection properties between the object 6 and the control element 5 projected onto the display element 4. The IR radiation 15 reflected by the object 6 is then detected by the IR receiver 10, so that the

Evaluation 7 detects the action of the object 6 on the control element 5 and generates the signal 8 in the manner of a switching signal for operating and / or triggering the respective function.

If desired, the spatial location of the operating element 5 with respect to the display element 4 as well as relative to the location of the IR source can be determined by measuring the transit time for the IR radiation 14, 15 with the ToF (time of flight j sensor 11) in the detection device 3 9. To this end, the ToF sensor 11 determines from the

Distance between the IR source 9 and projected onto the display element 4

Control element 5, the duration of the IR light 14, 15, so that a calibration of the Is now achieved by means of the object 6 on the control element 5, the distance between the IR source 9 and the control element 5 is reduced by the thickness of the object 6, such that a change in the duration of the IR light 14, 15 is effected. The thickness of the object 6 serves as a threshold for detecting the object 6 by the evaluation device 7 using the ToF sensor 1 1. With the help of the threshold relative to the duration of the IR radiation 14, 15 is in this way a touch of the Operating element 5 by the object 6 safely detected. If such a touch is detected, the evaluation device 7 then generates the signal 8 in the manner of the switching signal for operating and / or triggering the respective function. In addition, in this way an unwanted operation of the operating element 5 by unintentional penetration of the object 6 in the projected area of

Control element 5 excluded. The signal 8 is generated by the evaluation device 7 only upon detection of a touch of the operating element 5 by the object 6, so that an improved user experience is achieved.

In the following, a further embodiment of the method for operating the operating device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is shown, in particular in the case of projection of at least two operating elements 5 on the display element 4. In the illustrated in Fig. 2

Display element 4 are by means of the projection device 2, a first control element 5 'and a second control element 5 "and further a third control element 5'" selectively and / or cyclically projected. The first operating element 5 'represents the symbol for the

Function, the second control 5 "represents the symbol for the function" on / off 'and the third control 5 "' represents the symbol of the function" + ". First, only the first control 5 'for 50 ms on the Display element 4 projects while the second operating element 5 "and the third operating element 5 '" are hidden. In this case, the IR radiation source 9 correspondingly emits the IR radiation by means of the projection device 2 only on the first operating element 5 ', and the IR radiation reflected by the first operating element 5' is detected by the IR receiver 10. Next, only the second operating element 5 "is projected onto the display element 4 for 50 ms while the first operating element 5 'and the third operating element 5"' are hidden. Correspondingly, the IR radiation is projected onto the second operating element 5 "and the IR radiation reflected by the second operating element 5" is detected by the IR receiver 10. Thereafter, only the third control element 5 "'for 50 ms is projected onto the display element 4 while the first control element 5' and the second control element 5" are hidden. Correspondingly, the IR radiation is projected onto the third operating element 5 "'and the IR radiation reflected by the third operating element 5"' is detected by the IR receiver 10. This process is cyclical, so that it is unnoticeable to the human eye.

If the second operating element 5 "is then acted upon by means of the object 6, the IR radiation reflected by the second operating element 5" is changed by the object 6. The change in the IR radiation results from the different

Reflection properties of the object 6 in comparison to the second control element 5 "on the display element 4. The reflected from the object 6 IR radiation is then received by the IR receiver 10, such that the evaluation device 7 with the aid of the IR receiver 10, the object 6 detected on the second control element 5 "and on the basis of which the signal 8 is generated in the manner of a switching signal for operating the function" on / off. In this way, a reliable detection of the action of the object 6 on the respective operating element 5 is created. In addition, a possible incorrect operation, for example, by simultaneous action on the second control element 5 "and on the third control element 5" 'excluded, since always only one control element 5 on the

Display element 4 is projected and thereby detected by the detection device 3. The method is applicable to any number of projected controls 5 on the

Display element 4 transferable. As described in FIG. 1, if desired, the detection device 3 can also have at least one ToF sensor 11 which, in conjunction with the evaluation device 7, serves to detect the spatial location of the object 6 with respect to the operating element 5. The signal 8 is generated by the evaluation device 7 only upon detection of a touch of the operating element 5 by the object 6 in order to ensure an improved user experience.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the operating device 1 from FIG. 1 comprising the display element 4 from FIG. 2. The proj ektionseinrichtung 2 includes a

Slide film with at least one slide, such that corresponding to the slide by means of the projection optics 2 ^* the first control element 5 'and the second control element 5 "and Furthermore, the projection device 2 can have a first IR receiver 10 'and a second JR receiver 10 "as well as a third IR receiver 10'" in the manner of a photodiode The first IR receiver 10 'in the projection device 2 is

arranged corresponding to the first operating element 5 '. In addition, the second IR receiver 10 "is arranged in the projection device 2 corresponding to the second operating element 5". Further, the third IR receiver 10 '"in the

Projection device 2 corresponding to the third operating element 5 "'is arranged. Accordingly, a corresponding IR receiver 10 is assigned to the respective operating element 5. For emitting the IR radiation by means of the IR source 9 and for detecting the reflected IR radiation by means of the respective IR Receiver 10 becomes

advantageously the projection optics 2 'used. In this way, the IR radiation reflected by the respective operating element 5 is detected only by the respective IR receiver 10. In a flexible embodiment may also be mounted in the projection device 2 instead of the IR receiver 10, a light guide. The IR receiver 10 can thus be located at a freely selectable location, such that the optical waveguide serves to guide the reflected IR radiation to the IR receiver 10.

Finally, FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the operating device 1 from FIG. 1. In this operating device 1, the IR source 9 is arranged separately from the projection device 2. As already described, the respective operating element 5 ', 5 ", 5'" is projected onto the display element 4 by the projection device 2 with the aid of the projection optics 2 'by means of visible light radiation. Next is the separately in terms of the

Projection device 2 arranged IR source 9 with the aid of the projection optics 2 "the IR radiation corresponding to the respective control element 5 ', 5", 5 "' on the

Display element 4 emitted. The respective reflected IR radiation is then directed by means of the projection optics 2 'to the respective IR receiver 10', 10 ", 10" 'in the projection device 2 and evaluated as already described.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show a detail view of the operation of the operating element 5 through the object 6. Thus, in Fig. 5, the display element 4 is shown with the projected by the visible light radiation control element 5, wherein the operating element 5 the Symbol of the "Telephone" function. The object 6 is still outside the display element 4 in approximation to the control element 5, in order then to the

Operating element 5 to act.

If the operating element 5, which is projected onto the display element 4, is acted upon without further measures by means of the object 6, the representation shown in FIG. 6 results. The object 6 is located on the projected operating element 5 for operating the "telephone" function and in this case covers the projected area of the operating element 5 on the display element 4. Since the projection of the operating element 5 on the

Display element 4 is continuous, the control element 5 is now projected onto the object 6. This is unfamiliar to the user, since now the projected control element 5 is visible on the object 6, which is not the case with the known man-machine interfaces, such as a display.

In order to remedy this behavior, which is unfamiliar to the user, at least the part of the operating element 5 covered by the object 6 during the action of the object 6 on the operating element 5 can be faded out during the projection of the operating element 5. In particular, it may be appropriate, especially if the size of the operating element 5 is approximately equal to or smaller than the size of the object 6, that the entire operating element 5 can be faded out upon the action of the object 6 on the operating element 5, as described in more detail in FIG Fig. 7 is shown. As in FIG. 6, the object 6 is located on the projected operating element 5 for operating the "telephone" function. Unlike in FIG. 6, according to the invention, the projected operating element 5 according to FIG. 7 is hidden and thus invisible to the user. The user feels this in the way that the operating element 5 is covered on the display element 4 of the object 6. Advantageously, this is a user experience, as is known in a display case, created. In the case of several projected operating elements 5 on the display element 4, only the respective operating element 5 which is acted on by means of the object 6 is hidden.

It may further offer that the hidden from the object 6 of the control element 5 is hidden in the projection of the control element 5 only falls below a predetermined distance of the object 6 from the display element 4. A crossing This maximum distance means that the object 6 is indeed located in the projection area for the operating element 5, but the display element 6 is not substantially touched by the object 6. This is a faulty operation of the operating element 5, which is recognizable by the display of the operating element 5 on the object 6 corresponding to FIG. 6 for the user. The distance of the object 6 to the display element 4 can, as already described above, be determined by means of the ToF sensor 11.

The invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments. Rather, it also encompasses all expert developments within the scope of the invention defined by the claims. Thus, the invention can not be used only for controls in the motor vehicle. The inventive

Operating device can also be used on other devices, for example for household appliances, machine tools, computer control o. The like., Use.

Reference symbol list:: Operating device: Projection device ', 2 ": Projection optics: Detection device: Display element: Operating element

': first control element': second control element '': third control element: object

: Evaluation device: Signal

: IR source

0: IR receiver

0 ': first IR receiver 0': second IR receiver 0 '': third IR receiver 1: ToF sensor

2: light source

3: light radiation

4: IR radiation

5: reflected IR radiation

Claims

P a t e n t a n c e rs:

1. Operating device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a light source (12) for visible light radiation (13) comprehensive projection device (2), with a detection device (3), with an evaluation device (7) and with a

Display element (4), wherein by means of the projection device (2) at least one

Operating element (5) by means of the visible light radiation (13) as an image on the

Anzeigeedement (4) is projected, such that the operating element (5) by means of an object (6), in particular by means of a human finger, can be acted upon, by means of the detection device (3) the action of the object (6) on the operating element (5 ) is detectable, and wherein by means of the evaluation device (7) a signal corresponding to the action (8), in particular in the manner of a switching signal for operating and / or triggering a function, can be generated, characterized in that at least one IR (infrared) Source (9) for the projection of IR (infrared) radiation (14) corresponding to the operating element (5) on the display element (4) is provided that the

Detection device (3) has at least one IR (infrared) receiver (10), that the IR (infrared) receiver (10) from the display element (4) and / or the object (6) reflected IR (infrared) radiation ( 15) receives, and that the evaluation device (7) evaluates the reflected IR (infrared) - radiation (15) for generating the signal (8)

2. Control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the light source

(12) in the projection device (2) and / or in the detection device (3) is arranged, that preferably the IR source (9) in the projection device (2) and / or in the detection device (3) is arranged, and that more preferably the

Projection device (2) with the Detektionsseinri rectification (3) is integrally formed.

3. Control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the projection device (2) an LCD (Liquid Crystal Displayj display, a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) display, a LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) display, a micromirror For generating the operating element (5), the light source (12) for visible light radiation (13) preferably consists of a light-emitting diode, a laser or the like, which is preferably the IR source (9) for IR radiation (14) from a IR (infrared) light emitting diode, an IR (infrared) laser o. The like. Exists, and that more preferably, the IR receiver (10) consists of a lR (infrared) -Fotodiode

4. Operating device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the projection device (2) has a projection optical system (2 ') for the projection of the operating element

(5) by means of the visible light radiation (13) comprises that preferably the IR (infrared) radiation (14) by means of the projection optics (2 ') corresponding to the operating element (5) is projected, and further preferably that the reflected IR (infrared) - Radiation (15) by means of the projection optics (2 ') to the IR (infrared) -Empfanger (10) is steerable.

5. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a ToF (Time of Flightj sensor (11) is provided, wherein by means of the ToF (Time of Flight) - sensor (11), the distance of the object (6) to the display element (4) can be determined.

6. A method for operating an operating device (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by a projection device (2), in particular by means of a projection optical system (2 '), at least one operating element (5) by means of visible light radiation (13). as an image on a display element (4) is projected that IR (infrared) radiation (14) from an IR (infrared) source (9), in particular by means of the projection optics (2% corresponding to the control element (5) on the display element ( 4) is projected to receive the reflected IR (infrared) radiation (15) by means of at least one IR (infrared) receiver (10), the action being by means of an object

(6), in particular by means of a human finger, on the operating element (5) a change of the display element (4) and / or the object (6) reflected

IR (infrared) radiation (15) causes, and that the received reflected IR (infrared) - radiation (15), in particular their change, for detecting the action of the object (6) is evaluated on the operating element (5).

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that a to the action of the object (6) on the operating element (5) corresponding signal (8), in particular in the manner of a switching signal for operating and / or triggering a function is generated.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the distance of the object (6) to the display element (4) by means of a ToF (Time of Flightj sensor (11) for the IR (infrared) radiation (14, 15) , in particular for the object (6) reflected

IR (infrared) radiation (15),

9. The method according to claim 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that at

Exceeding a predetermined distance of the object (6) from the display element (4) an incorrect operation of the operating device (1) is detected.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that at least two control elements (5) are projected onto the display element (4), that preferably the IR (infrared) radiation (14) selectively and / or cyclically corresponding to the Operating elements (5) is projected, and more preferably that

Control element (5), which is acted upon by the object (6), is detected on the basis of the respective reflected IR (infrared) radiation (15).