WO2023017043A1

WO2023017043A1 - Method for assisting a control input by means of a display device of a motor vehicle, control device, and motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2023017043A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/072362
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacques Helot; Christian Wall
Original assignee: Audi Ag
Priority date: 2021-08-11
Filing date: 2022-08-09
Publication date: 2023-02-16
Also published as: DE102021120857B3

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for assisting a control input by means of a display device (20) of a motor vehicle (10). A control device (14) performs a user program (S1), determines an input order of the control inputs (S2) and, based on the determined input order, a sequence of the control input lines that are to be controlled (38, 40, 42, 44, 46, S3). The control device (14) allocates an extended position of the display surface element (28) to each of the at least two control input lines (38, 40, 42, 44, 46) and, based on the determined sequence of the control input lines that are to be controlled (38, 40, 42, 44, 46), generates an adjustment signal which adjusts the display surface element (28) line by line into the respectively allocated extended positions (S7). A change into an extended position, which is allocated to a second control input line (38, 40, 42, 44, 46), is carried out after having received the control input by the control element (48, 52, 54, 56, 58) of the respective previous control input line (38, 40, 42, 44, 46).

Description

Method for supporting an operator input using a display device of a motor vehicle, control device, and motor vehicle

DESCRIPTION:

The invention relates to a method for supporting an operator input by a user using a display device of a motor vehicle. The method can also be referred to as a method for operating the display device of the motor vehicle. A text input is understood to mean an operator input in which the user can enter text, for example using a keyboard, directly with his finger on a touch-sensitive surface of a screen, using a keyboard displayed on the display device, or via voice input. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle and a control device.

A display device is understood to mean a device or a group of devices that is designed to display information, for example digital image content. Such a display device comprises a display surface element having a display surface on which the information is displayed. The display surface element is the component that outputs the information and has the display surface for this purpose. The display surface element can preferably be designed as a screen for outputting digital image content. The display surface element is designed as a touch-sensitive screen.

When operating application programs, for example a navigation program, the user often has to make several text entries. For example, in a navigation program, several Information about the destination address is given. Input fields can be provided for this purpose, in which the user enters the text, for example via a language assistant, a keyboard or directly by tapping the input field and writing the text on the input field with his finger.

When operating touch displays in motor vehicles, you have to “touch” and make touch gestures with your fingers in many places on the display. This is not only the case when entering text, but also, for example, in user programs that have "buttons" for selecting, for example, functions that can/must be selected.

While driving, operation is sometimes more difficult because the driving movements make it more difficult to control your hand. As a result, many people place their thumb somewhere near the bottom of the display, allowing for better hand movement control. However, you can only leave your thumb in one place if the places or places where the display has to be operated - i.e. the input fields - are not too far from your thumb. In practice, the operation of such touch displays is not designed for this and the supporting thumb often has to be repositioned. The user may need to balance the hand on the tip of the thumb. This can also lead to incorrect inputs, particularly when operated while driving.

DE 10 2017 205 875 A1 describes a vehicle input device or an input device for use in a vehicle.

WO 2014/095726 A1 describes a movable control panel comprising a touch screen, a motor that is connected to a digital display unit, and a housing in which the digital display unit can be moved in different stages. DE 10 2005 003 071 B3 describes a display device for motor vehicles with a display device for integration into a dashboard of a motor vehicle. The display device has a first and a second partial display area and is fastened with a holder, by means of which the display device can be rotated and pivoted about its axes.

However, when operating a navigation program, for example, the above-mentioned difficulties remain unsolved.

One of the objects on which the invention is based is to simplify and specify an operator input while driving a motor vehicle.

The stated object is achieved by the method according to the invention and the devices according to the invention in accordance with the independent patent claims. Advantageous developments are given by the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea of adjusting the height of the display surface element line by line while a user program is running, in which the user has to enter one or more texts or click on the “buttons” shown on the display. The display surface element is arranged on or in an interior trim element of the motor vehicle and can be moved out and/or in from the interior trim element, for example a dashboard, a scoop or a center console. By moving in and/or out line by line, the display surface element can assume different extended positions that facilitate the operator input. The line-by-line adjustment of the display element into different extended positions depends on which input line is to be operated at the moment. It preferably depends on which input line is to be operated by touch—that is, by touch. In particular, a text input field while driving can always be easily reached with the thumb supported. The operation is therefore significantly improved. The operation of "buttons" shown on the display is also easier because the user can always put his hand down well and his finger is very unlikely or even impossible to accidentally slip onto an adjacent "button". The probability of incorrect operation is significantly reduced.

Ideally, it can be provided that the currently relevant input line is at the very bottom of the currently visible portion of the display area, ie where the display area element looks out, for example, from a housing and/or from a shaft of the interior lining element.

One, in particular several, text inputs can thus be made much more easily even while the motor vehicle is being driven, which is why the probability of typing errors or spelling mistakes is also reduced. Incorrect operation is thus effectively prevented. In addition, the display surface element has a significantly longer service life, because the input line is always pressed at the bottom of the display surface, which just looks out of the slot or housing. As a result, such a display surface element has a lower torque and experiences a significantly lower mechanical load when, for example, typing or writing on the display surface. The advantage of the lower mechanical stress is particularly relevant when the display is not a rigid display but a flexible display, ie a display that can be rolled or folded, for example.

It is also advantageous that you always operate in the same zone on the bottom of the display and that you always know where to operate. You don't have to search for the next operating step. One can leave the supporting thumb where it is, namely on a support surface on, for example, the housing of the display device or the interior trim element in which the Display surface element is stored. So you don't have to reposition your thumb more often. You can even support your whole hand. Each operating step is supported by a physical movement of the display. When the display moves, you know that there will be another step to take. So you can only see what you have already used, i.e. which lines of text you have already executed.

In the method, the display surface element can be brought into at least two different extended positions, in which a display surface of different size is visible to the occupant(s). If the display device is designed in such a way that it can be moved completely into the interior trim element, this third position can also be referred to as the rest position. The display surface element can assume the rest position, for example, when it is switched off. The display surface element can preferably be set in at least three extended positions.

The size of the available display area of the display area element is therefore not static, but the available display area can vary as required, even steplessly depending on the adjustment mechanism.

The display device can preferably be based on a “Display on Demand Expandable”, a bendable or pliable display that can have continuous or variable heights depending on the situation—that is, depending on where the next operator input is to be made.

When performing complicated operating sequences in, for example, a human-machine interface (“MMI”), such as when entering navigation destinations, the display can be almost or completely retracted at the beginning, for example. With each operating step, the display - i.e. the display surface element - moves out by one line or, if the process is the other way around, in. The current panel is then always at the bottom, i.e. where the flexible display surface element is most stable. The previous ones Operating steps are visible above this field if the display expands line by line for the input steps. If the display retracts line by line, what has already been entered is no longer visible. This emphasizes the progress of typing. If the operator input can not only be made via a "touch gesture", i.e. by touching it, and if a text input field can also be filled out via voice control, for example, the user still enjoys the advantage that he does not have to search for the text input field to be filled out for a long time.

The fact that the extension height depends on the operating steps arranged line by line enables touch operation that always remains on the bottom line of the display. As a result, operation is always aimed at the most stable part of the display. The operating steps are presented very clearly. You always know where to operate and you don't have to look on the display. The hand can always be rested in the same place and there are no operating steps in the middle of the display where it would be difficult to rest the hand for support.

The dependence of the extension height on the operating steps is based on the principle of a typewriter.

The method according to the invention for supporting an operator input by means of a display device can also be referred to as a method for operating a display device. The method is carried out by a control device.

A control device is understood to mean a device, a device component or a device group that is set up to receive and evaluate signals and to generate control signals. The control device can be designed, for example, as a control unit, or, for example, as a control chip or computer program, or a computer program in combination with, for example, a control unit or a control chip. The control device can preferably be a control device of the motor vehicle.

The motor vehicle according to the invention has a display device which has a display surface element with a display surface, which is mounted with a lower edge on a base side of the display surface on or in an interior lining element of the motor vehicle. The display surface element can be adjusted in at least two, preferably at least three, different extended positions, in each of which a display surface is at least partially extended from the interior equipment element and is available for displaying image content.

This also includes the option that the display device has a housing in which the display surface element can be stowed at least partially or even completely. Such a housing is regarded as part of an interior paneling element of the motor vehicle. In other words, the term “interior lining element” also includes an optional housing of the display device for the display surface element.

The at least two or at least three extension positions of the display surface element differ in a respective extension height of an upper edge of the display surface element opposite the lower edge, which can also be the upper edge of the display surface. The extension height is understood to be the distance between the upper edge and the interior trim element, so that at different extension heights, different portions of a display area are visible to a person inside and/or outside the motor vehicle. In other words, the extended positions differ in that in each of the extended positions a different proportion of the display surface is extended, spread out, unfolded or stretched out. The respective extended position thus specifies how far or to what extent the display surface element protrudes from the interior lining element, thus specifies the respective extended height. The available display area has a different size in each extended position. Ideally, the display surface element can be adjusted steplessly into these extended positions. In other words, the extension height and thus the visible portion of the display area vary with the different extension positions. In order to achieve this, ideally each extended position is assigned a predetermined extended height.

The motor vehicle also has an adjustment device for setting the extended positions of the display surface element. An adjusting device is understood to mean an assembly or a component which, for example, has a mechanism for setting the extended position. If the display surface element is, for example, a flexible display, ie a display made of a rollable or flexible material, the adjustment device can have a mechanism for rolling up and down the display surface element. If the display surface element is a rigid screen or a rigid pane, the adjustment device can have rails or a joint mechanism for folding the display surface element in and out, so that the rigid display surface element can be moved from the interior paneling element to the various extended positions. The adjustment device is therefore designed to adjust the extended positions of the display surface element, that is to say to move the display surface element between different extended positions. Optionally, a rest position can also be provided, in which the display surface element is essentially completely or completely retracted into the interior lining element and is thus stowed away.

In the method according to the invention, the control device executes a predefined user program (“app”), which can be stored, for example, in a data memory of the control device. The predefined user program can be a navigation program, for example. The In this case, the user program specifies a display content to be output by the display surface element of the display device, which display content describes at least two operating elements in operating input lines arranged one above the other for a respective operating input.

One or more operator controls in the same operator input line can be “buttons”, for example, ie display fields on the touch-sensitive surface of the display area, which can be tapped to trigger or select a function. Alternatively or additionally, a control element of an operator input line can be a text input field.

For example, a navigation device predefines a display content that provides at least two lines in which the user can enter partial information about a destination address. These two input lines are on top of each other. The respective operating element is then a text input field.

According to the invention, the control device defines an operating sequence for the operating inputs. In this case, the control device can specify, for example, that a street is to be specified first, a house number in the next operator input line, and a zip code and/or city in a third operator input line. The operating sequence of the operator inputs is therefore that sequence which describes the sequence in which the details of the destination address are to be entered. In one example, each control may be a character entry field, such as a text entry field.

On the basis of the defined operating sequence, the control device defines a sequence of the operating input lines to be operated.

The control device assigns each of the at least two operator input lines to an extended position of the display surface element, in which the respective operator input line is inside or on the same level of a specified operating area. As a result, in the respective extended position, that operator input line that is currently to be filled in is always the ideally bottom line on the visible portion of the display area. The operator input line that is currently to be filled in can be easily reached and filled out.

The control device can optionally specify the operating area, which is mounted on a shaft from which the display surface element can be moved out. The operating area is that operating area in front of and/or on the display surface of the display element where a user places his hand on a housing of the display device or the interior paneling element and reaches the screen with his fingers. The operating area can therefore also be referred to as the “hand rest and operating area” and is located in front of a display surface of the display surface element from the perspective of an occupant of the motor vehicle and has a predetermined height. The predefined height is used to restrict the operating area and is ideally selected in such a way that the operating area is the area in which a user can reach the display surface with a finger when he places the ball of his hand on it. The height can then be specified, for example, based on an average length of the fingers of adults, programmed individually for the driver, or based on an estimate. The operating area can therefore preferably be matched to the individual hand size of the driver and/or the passenger. The predefined height can preferably be the height of the line spacing in which the predefined user program provides the display content on the display area element for output. In another example, the predefined height of the operating area can be an area with a height of 1 centimeter to 5 centimeters, in particular 1 centimeter, 2 centimeters, 3 centimeters, 4 centimeters or 5 centimeters. In this case, the height can preferably relate to a plane of the housing or of the interior lining element. In another example, the predetermined height can be up to 10 centimeters. The control device moves the display surface element line by line into the respective assigned extended position on the basis of the specified sequence of the operator input lines to be operated. For this purpose, the control device generates a corresponding adjustment signal and transmits this to the adjustment device. A change to an extended position of the at least second operator input line assigned to a second (ie next or subsequent) operator input line takes place after the operator input has been received in the operator control element of the respective previous operator input line. In other words, the display surface element is, for example, from an extended position, in which the operator input line for entering the street of the destination address is at the bottom on the visible part of the display surface element, is only moved further up when the user has entered the street name and the control device determined, for example via text recognition, that the street had been entered.

The advantages mentioned above result.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the respective control element can be a character input field. The respective operator input is then the entry of a character or a character string, for example a sequence of numbers or a sequence of letters. If the operator input is a sequence of letters, the operator control element can also be referred to as a "text input field". Each of the at least two operator input lines preferably has only one character input field. In another variant, the operating element can also be a keyboard displayed on the display area.

An order of the character input fields to be operated is then defined on the basis of the defined operating sequence, and based on the defined sequence of the character input fields to be used, the control device adjusts the Display surface element line by line in the exit positions assigned to the character input fields.

In this embodiment, no “buttons” are displayed in the operator input line that the user must or can click, but text can be entered. This embodiment makes it possible, for example, for a destination address to be entered with a finger, with which the user writes, for example, in cursive on the operator input line. Corresponding software for recognizing cursive writing is known to the person skilled in the art from the prior art. The advantage of this embodiment of the method according to the invention is that, for example, text can be entered much more reliably and precisely. While the user does not necessarily have to rest his hand when tapping "buttons", it is particularly helpful, especially with character recognition, that the user can keep his hand on every operating line and does not have to balance his hand unnaturally on just one thumb, for example.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the control device can generate a display signal based on the defined operating sequence, which can describe a control element (e.g. a character input field) in separate operator input lines on the display field for each operator input (e.g. for each character input). The operator input lines can be arranged one above the other and the at least two operator input lines can be below the respective preceding operator input line. The control device can then transmit the generated display signal to the display surface element. In this example, the line-by-line sequence of the operating elements is therefore not defined by the user program, but can be configured by the control device, for example depending on preferences stored in a user profile. The display surface element moves up line by line in the course of the operator input sequence. The user can see what he has already entered and see his operating progress. However, this does not affect the input in the current input field.

The user program can preferably be a navigation program, and the respective operating element can preferably be a character input field for entering part of a destination address. The method according to the invention is especially helpful when operating a navigation program.

As an alternative to a navigation program, the method is also particularly advantageous for a music program, for example, in which a first operator input line can be used to select whether, for example, music, a video or a podcast should be played, and then the music genre can be selected in a second operator input line selected and then, in a third operator input line, one can be selected from a selection of different artists, for example.

The control device, which is set up to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention, also belongs to the invention. The control device can have a data processing device or a processor device that is set up to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The control device is preferably designed as a control device, ie as a control device, for example. For this purpose, the processor device can have at least one microprocessor and/or at least one microcontroller and/or at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and/or at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Furthermore, the processor device can have a program code which is set up to carry out the embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor device. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor device. The object set above is achieved by a motor vehicle with a display device as described above, a corresponding adjusting device and an embodiment of the control device according to the invention.

The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

In a preferred embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the display surface element can consist at least partially of a flexible, foldable and/or rollable material. Such a “flexible” material can be stowed in the housing or interior trim element in a particularly space-saving manner, for example rolled up. In such a configuration, the display surface element—and thus the visible portion of the display surface—can be unrolled and/or unfolded, or rolled up and/or folded together.

Already known rollable and/or foldable screens can be implemented. The advantage of implementing such a screen in the display device is, in particular, that the extension positions can be set steplessly. The adjustment of the available display area is particularly flexible, custom-fit and user-friendly.

The display surface element can preferably be arranged at least partially in the interior lining element of the motor vehicle. If the display surface element is at least partially arranged in the interior lining element of the motor vehicle, the at least two extended positions can differ in that portion of the display surface element which protrudes from the interior lining element. The display surface element can preferably be used under a scoop as an interior trim element be positioned, or in a dashboard as an interior trim element. It is thereby not necessary to redesign an interior trim element or to construct a separate housing for the display surface element.

The interior trim element can particularly preferably be located on a window pane of the motor vehicle, preferably on a windshield. The interior trim element can be arranged in such a way that the display surface element is visible from outside the motor vehicle through the window pane in at least two of the extended positions, preferably in most of the extended positions or in all possible extended positions.

If the display surface element is arranged in the interior lining element in such a way that the display surface element changes its extended height along a vertical axis of the motor vehicle by moving it into the defined extended position, or from one of the extended positions, the display surface element is particularly clearly visible in the extended positions.

The invention also includes developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention and the control device according to the invention, which have features as have already been described in connection with the developments of the method according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention and the control device according to the invention are not described again here.

The invention also includes the combinations of features of the described embodiments. The invention also includes implementations that each have a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, unless the embodiments were described as mutually exclusive. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. For this shows:

1 shows a schematic representation of a first exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention and the devices according to the invention;

2 shows a schematic representation of a second exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention in cross section;

3 shows a schematic representation of a second exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention and of a further exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention;

4 shows a further schematic representation of the second exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, which shows the display surface element in a further extended position;

5 shows a further schematic representation of the second exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, which shows the display surface element in a further extended position;

6 shows a further schematic representation of the second exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, which shows the display surface element in a further extended position; and

Fig. 7 is another schematic representation of the second embodiment of the method according to the invention showing the display surface element in a further extended position.

The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention that are to be considered independently of one another and that each also develop the invention independently of one another. Therefore, the disclosure is also intended to encompass combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those illustrated. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention that have already been described.

In the figures, the same reference symbols designate elements with the same function.

1 illustrates the principle of the devices according to the invention and the method according to the invention. 1 shows a motor vehicle 10, for example a passenger car. 1 shows a view of the motor vehicle 10 from the outside and through the windshield 12 into the interior.

The control device 14 can be designed as a control device, for example, or as a control chip, for example. As an option to the representation in FIG. 1 , the control device 14 can also be a component of the display device 20 , for example. The control device 14 of the example in FIG. 1 can preferably have a data memory 22 and a processor device 24, ie for example one or more microchips or one or more microprocessors.

A navigation device 16 is shown in the example in FIG navigation software. Alternatively, the navigation device 16 can be a structurally separate component from the control device 14 , for example a navigation device that can communicate with the control device 14 via a data communication link 18 . In the example shown in the figures, the predefined user program can be a navigation program in which the destination address has to be entered divided into several input lines.

With this navigation software, it can be provided that the country of the destination address, the city, the street name and the house number of the destination address must be entered in separate operating input lines 38, 40, 42 and 44 arranged one below the other (compare Fig. 7, in which a Finger 60 of the user is shown, who has just positioned his hand in the palm rest and control area and on the interior trim element). The operating element 48 displayed on the touchscreen can then be provided in an additional operating line 46 in order to start the navigation to the previously entered destination address. The operating element 48 can then be a touch-sensitive field on the display surface 36 of the display surface element 28 which has to be tapped to start the navigation. A control element 52, 54, 56 and 58 can then be arranged on the display surface 36 next to the respective display field 50, which informs the user of what he must enter. These operating elements 52, 54, 56 and 58 can each be a character input field in which the user can enter text or a sequence of numbers.

The data communication of the control device 14 with an adjustment device 26 and the display device 20 can take place via wireless or wired data communication connections 18 (see FIG. 1 ). The adjusting device 26 is also shown schematically in FIG. 1 and has components that can be located directly there for adjusting the display surface element 28 . Such means can, for example, be mechanical means, for example a cable pull, a Latch bar, one or more rails, or other mechanisms known to those skilled in the art for extending, unrolling, or unfolding a display panel. The adjustment device 26 can preferably comprise a motor which can be controlled by control signals from the control device 14 .

In the example of FIG. 1 , the display surface element 28 of the display device 20 is shown in an extended position in which a large part of the display surface element 28 can be seen. For example, the display surface element 28 can be a screen that is rigid, ie cannot be rolled. Accordingly, the displacement or movement or adjustment of the display surface element 28 into the different extended positions can be effected by, for example, pushing or lifting, in the case of a display surface element 28 that can be rolled, for example, by rolling up or unfolding. The display surface element 28 can be moved at least partially or completely out of and/or into an interior lining element 30, which in the example in FIG. 1 can be a scoop or a dashboard, for example.

In other words, the height of an upper edge 34 of the display surface element 28 can be adjusted. The different extended positions therefore differ in the position of the upper edge 34, i.e. in the distance between the upper edge 34, which delimits the display surface 36, and the lower edge or the interior trim element 30.

The exemplary display surface element 28 in FIG. 1 is designed as a screen, the display surface of which in the example in FIG. 1 can be directed towards the interior of the motor vehicle, for example, so it cannot be seen in FIG. 1 . The rear side 32 of the display surface element 28 can thus be seen in FIG. 1 . In another variant, the display area 36, that is to say the exemplary screen area, can be directed outwards, or the display area element 28 can be around act as a screen that can output digital image content both to the front and to the rear.

2 shows another example of the motor vehicle 10, wherein the interior trim element 30, the exemplary scoop or the exemplary dashboard, can be seen in cross section. The motor vehicle 10 of the example in FIG. 2 can include the features that have already been explained for example in FIG. 1, with the differences in the display surface element 28 described below.

The display device 20 can preferably be a “display-on-demand expandable”, ie a bendable—that is to say, for example, rollable—display that can preferably be continuously adjusted to variable extension heights. This takes place in a situation-specific manner, ie as a function of a corresponding operating request. The display surface element 28 is shown in FIG. 2 in an extended position, in which it is partially extended out of the interior lining element 30 . The lower end of the display surface element 28 retracted into the interior lining element 30 is shown bent, with the arrow P indicating that it can be stowed partially or completely in the interior lining element 30, for example rolled up.

2 indicates that the display surface element 28 can be pushed out of or moved into the interior lining element 30 by a mechanism, for example. In this case, for example, the portion of the display surface element 28 that is moved out of the interior lining element 30 can be supported, for example, by a frame or two lateral rails.

The adjustment S7 of the display surface element 28 can preferably take place line by line and the hand rest and operating area can preferably be specified as a function of the line height. For example, when starting navigation, the specified height 20 millimeters for an operator input line 38 in which the country is to be selected using a number of buttons (ie using a number of operating elements 50 that can be tapped). For the control input fields 54, 56, 58, the hand rest and control area can have a predetermined height of preferably 40 to 50 millimeters, and the adjustment S7 to the corresponding extended position can preferably also be adapted to this line height. A row height of 20 millimeters can then preferably be provided again for actuating the start button, and the hand rest and operating area and/or the height of the adjustment process S7 can be adjusted accordingly.

3 to 7 describe an exemplary embodiment in which a user enters a destination address in a navigation program, for example. The user's hand rests in front of a shaft 62 from which the display surface element 28 can be moved in and out.

Provision can preferably be made for the display surface element 28 (not shown in the figures) to be fully retracted into the interior lining element 30 in a rest position if, for example, the display device 20 is switched off.

3 shows the display surface element 28 in a first extended position, in which it can only be extended so far that only a first operator input line 38 can be seen. The hand rest and operating area can be specified in such a way that its height can correspond to the respective row height. In the example of FIG. 3 , the user can place his hand in front of the shaft 62 and select one of the different control elements 48 with a finger (not shown in FIG. 3 ) by tapping on the destination country. For example, the information “Country:” can be in a display field 50 so that the user knows that the operating elements 48 in the first operating input line 38 are available for selecting a country for the destination address. The first operating element 48 next to the display panel 15 can, for example marked with a "D", the control element 48 further to the right with an "F", and the other control elements with "CH", "AUT", "CZ," and ">" for selecting other countries. By way of example, the control 48 for selecting “France” may be the one selected by the user. 3 thus shows, by way of example, that the navigation software first asks for a destination country.

In the example in FIG. 3, the user program is therefore executed by the control device 14 (method step S1). The operating sequence country - city - street - house number - start navigation can be predefined by a program code of the user program and can thus be specified by the control device 14 (S2). Based on the defined operating sequence, the control device 14 can, for example, define the sequence of the operating input lines 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 to be operated (S3), i.e. optionally also control the display of the operating elements 48, 52, 54, 56, 58. The display can then be generated by transmitting the generated display signal to the display surface element 28 (S5).

After the successful selection of the destination country, the control device 14 can generate an adjustment signal and transmit it to the adjustment device 26 (S6), which moves the display surface element 28 to a further extended position adjusted (S7, Fig. 4).

4 shows the display surface element 28 in the second extended position, in which the destination country has already been successfully selected and in which the city of the destination address is now being queried. For example, the information “City:” can be in the display field 50 of the second line, so that the user knows that he now has to enter the city in the operating input line 40 . He can preferably do this by writing the name of the city with his finger 60 in the operator input line 40 or by using a keyboard, for example. For example, in the example of FIG Write 60 "BIARRITZ" with your finger. After renewed text recognition and storage of "BIARRITZ" as the city of the destination address, the control device 14 can again generate an adjustment signal and transmit it to the adjustment device 26 (S6), so that the display surface element 28 is moved into the extended position shown in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 5, the display surface element 28 is in an extended position, in which the third line on the input surface is now at the lower edge, ie directly above the shaft 62. According to the operating element 50 of the operating input line 42, the “street” may now be asked. The destination country “France” that has already been selected can preferably be displayed in the operator input line 38, and the selected city “BIARRITZ” in the operator input line 40 that has already been filled in. For example, the user can enter "Rue D'Arlette" and after a successful entry, the display area element 28 can be moved again by one line (S7). In this extended position, the user can now enter the house number of the destination address in the operating input line 44 .

Finally, as shown in FIG. 7, the command to start the navigation can be given in the last operating line 48 .

Overall, the examples show how, for example, typewriter operation can be provided on an extendable display.

Ideally, the goal is to operate in one place and only extend as much display as is necessary.

The idea can be explained well in one embodiment using an example of navigation operation:

1. (FIG. 3) First, for example, the country of the navigation destination is asked. The display is only slightly extended, for example in a first extended position in which the display surface element 28 is partially extended from the interior trim element 30 . 2. (FIG. 4) Then, for example, the city is asked. The city can be written on the display with the index finger ("typewriter operation"). You write in a zone at the bottom of the display.

3. (FIG. 5) In the next step, the display will boot up a bit. The street is written on the display, still at the bottom of the display.

4. (FIG. 6) When the street is recognized, the display will scroll back up a bit and the street number will be entered.

5. (FIG. 7) When the address is complete, the display will preferably reboot and a menu box will appear, allowing navigation to begin.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the display can be almost retracted at the beginning when carrying out complicated operating sequences in the MMI (such as, for example, entering a navigation destination). With each operating step, the display preferably extends by one line. The current control panel is always at the bottom (where the flexible display is most stable). The previous operating steps are visible above this field.

Claims

25

PATENT CLAIMS: Method for supporting an operator input by means of a display device (20) of a motor vehicle (10), wherein a control device (14):

- executes a specified user program (S1), which specifies a display content to be output by a display surface element (28) of the display device (20), which contains at least two operating elements (48, 52, 54, 56, 58) in operating input lines (38, 40, 42, 44, 46) for a respective operator input,

- defines an operating sequence for the operating inputs (S2),

- defines (S3) an order of the operator input lines (38, 40, 42, 44, 46) to be operated based on the defined operating sequence,

- each of the at least two operator input lines (38, 40, 42, 44, 46) is assigned an extended position of the display surface element (28), in which the respective operator input line (38, 40, 42, 44, 46) is located within a predetermined operating area, and

- Generates an adjustment signal based on the specified sequence of the operator input lines (38, 40, 42, 44, 46) to be operated, which adjusts the display surface element (28) line by line into the respective assigned extended positions (S7), with a change to a second operator input line ( 38, 40, 42, 44, 46) associated extended position after receipt of the operator input by the operator control element (48, 52, 54, 56, 58) of the respective previous operator input line (38, 40, 42, 44, 46). Method according to claim 1, wherein the respective operating element (54, 56, 58) is a character input field and the respective operating input comprises an input of a character or a character string; preferably wherein at least two of the operator input lines (38, 40, 42, 44, 46) have only one character input field. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (14):

- based on the specified operating sequence, a display signal is generated (S4), which describes an operating element (48, 52, 54, 56, 58) in its own operating input line (38, 40, 42, 44, 46) on the display field for each operating input, wherein the operator input lines (38, 40, 42, 44, 46) are arranged one above the other and the at least second operator input line (38, 40, 42, 44, 46) is below the respective preceding operator input line (38, 40, 42, 44, 46). , and

- transmits (S5) the generated display signal to the display surface element (28). Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the user program is a navigation program and in which the respective operating element (54, 56, 58) is a character input field for entering part of a destination address. Control device (24) which is set up to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims. Motor vehicle (10) comprising:

- a display device (20), which has a display surface element (28) with a display surface (36), the display surface element (28) being in at least two extended positions, in which the display surface element (28) and thus a display surface (36) of the display surface element (28 ) protrudes at least partially from the interior paneling element (30), is arranged adjustably; wherein the at least two extended positions of the display surface element (28) differ in a respective extension height of an upper edge (34) of the display surface element (28) opposite the lower edge, and thus that portion of the display surface (36) that is visible to a user in the respective extended position , - An adjustment device (26) for setting the extended positions of the

Display surface element (28), and

- a control device (14) according to claim 5.

7. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 6, wherein the display surface element (28) consists at least partially of a rollable and/or foldable material, so that the portion of the display surface (36) visible in the respective extended position is unrolled and/or unfolded.

8. Motor vehicle (10) according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the

Display surface element (28) at least partially in the

Interior lining element (30) of the motor vehicle (10) is arranged, and wherein the at least two extended positions differ by that portion of the display surface element (28) which protrudes from the interior lining element (30); preferably wherein the interior trim element (30) forms the dashboard.

9. Motor vehicle (10) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the display surface element (28) is arranged in the interior lining element (30) in such a way that the display surface element (28) can be its extension height changes along a vertical axis of the motor vehicle (10).