DE102016014507A1 - Operating arrangement for a motor vehicle and method for selecting a list item from a list displayed on a display - Google Patents

Abstract

Described are an operating arrangement and a method for selecting a list item from a list on a display, wherein the operating arrangement in the haptic appearance of an OFN module comes close, but it has a more comfortable operation.

Description

The invention relates to an operating arrangement for a motor vehicle and to a method for selecting a list element from a list displayed on a display.

Modern electronic devices, especially those in motor vehicles, often have a variety of control options, to their selection an operating menu is provided. The operating menu is generally in the form of a list, which is displayed on a display. Depending on the length of the list and the size of the existing display, browsing the list for a desired option may require that the list be scrolled vertically on the display. In motor vehicles, an operating element in the region of the steering wheel is often provided to control such a scroll, which is actuated by the wiping movement of a finger.

For display control on the steering wheel, it is known in particular to use so-called OFN modules (Optical Finger Navigation). In an OFN module, a camera chip senses an infrared illuminated contact surface of a finger (or glove) on its sensor surface. A microprocessor calculates the shift distance of the finger from the shift of the image contents. Based on this information, a list displayed on a display can be moved and thereby searched and an entry selected from the list. To confirm the selection of the list entry, a short-stroke switch, a snap-action disc or a similar switching element is usually additionally installed, which can trigger a switching function when pressing the sensor element.

In order to save costs and installation space, such an OFN module and thus also its active sensor surface are usually quite small. Typical dimensions of the contact surface are, for example, 7 mm × 7 mm. The depth extent in the direction perpendicular to the contact surface is about 3 mm, but requires space for a confirmation key function again for a key mechanism or a snap disc. An OFN module can be installed in a control panel, which may also contain other operating functions (sketched in the 2 ), which may be designed as mechanical switches or as capacitive sensors.

Naturally, the camera chip of an OFN module only "sees" the fingerprint which rests on the optically detected contact surface. Longer displacements can be realized practically only along a finger, so only up or down along the length of the finger, otherwise you would have to rotate the finger along its longitudinal axis - which physiologically limited. Transverse movements are therefore essentially limited to the width of the executing finger.

As a result, the search of longer selection lists requires a multiple application and shifting of the fingertip on the OFN sensor. Experience shows that this requirement is perceived as cumbersome and uncomfortable. This is also recognizable by the fact that bypass actions are carried out, such as tilting of the finger and a fingerprint on the sensor surface, in order to achieve the widest possible scroll with a single movement of the finger, thereby minimizing the required number of refits of the finger.

In order to accommodate the user in this regard, it may be provided to increase the conversion ratio between finger movement distance and the distance of the scrolling movement. As a result, however, the exact meeting of a particular entry is difficult and the operation again uncomfortable from this point of view.

It is fundamentally advantageous to provide a larger sensor which has a larger contact surface. However, this is often not the required mounting space available especially in the wheel area of a motor vehicle. In this case, the vehicle design and the control element arrangement in the vehicle interior would basically have to be changed, which is not desirable in many cases.

It was therefore an object to provide an operating arrangement and a method that allows the selection of a list item from a list displayed on a display in a more comfortable way. In addition, the operating arrangement should also make it possible to replace already used operating arrangements with OFN modules, without resulting in a higher cost and without the vehicle design or the type of operation would have to be changed in principle.

This object is achieved by an operating arrangement according to the feature combination of claim 1 and by a method according to claim 7.

The operating element of the operating arrangement is formed by a portion of a capacitive sensor surface.

The vertical shift of a list on a display and the selection of a list element by means of a finger movement on a capacitive Sensor surface are of course previously known in multiple versions. Examples are the surfaces of touch-sensitive screens, especially in tablet computers and smartphones, which can display both selection lists, as well as the scrolling lists by means of finger wiping movements, as well as the selection of a list item by one or more taps on the screen.

Corresponding finger gestures are common, for example in notebook computers on touch-sensitive touchpads, which are arranged independently of a screen.

In control arrangements of the aforementioned type, in which the manipulation of the list is carried out directly on the screen, it is customary that the finger gesture attaches directly to the display location of the list, which means that the shift of the displayed list directly follows the displacement of the finger.

In control arrangements having a touchpad independent of the screen, a particular finger gesture (eg, a two finger sliding movement) is often provided which moves the list. To operate this is usually the entire surface of the touchpad available. Often, the list to be scrolled must first be selected by means of at least one further finger gesture, which shifts approximately a marker pointer (such as a "mouse arrow").

These known control arrangements and methods are quite effective, but also relatively complex and require a relatively high concentration on the execution of the finger gesture and also a viewing of the screen. This is rather disadvantageous for use in a motor vehicle, since the driver can thereby be deflected more intensely in comparison with the actuation of a relatively small and fixed operating element with a specific function.

In addition, the previously known operating arrangements are also not suitable to functionally replace the OFN modules described above without changes in the vehicle design and while maintaining the usual manner of operation.

These disadvantageous properties of known operating arrangements are eliminated or at least significantly reduced by the operating arrangement according to the invention and by the method proposed for actuating them.

• 1 eine erfindungsgemäße Bedienanordnung,
• 2 eine Bedienanordnung nach dem Stand der Technik,
• 3 vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Bedienanordnung nach 1,
• 4 bis 6 gültige Betätigungen der Bedienanordnung, und die
• 7 bis 12 ungültige Betätigungen der Bedienanordnung.

In the following, the invention will be illustrated with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing and explained in more detail. Show it

• 1 an operating arrangement according to the invention,
• 2 a control arrangement according to the prior art,
• 3 advantageous embodiments of the operating arrangement according to 1 .
• 4 to 6 valid operations of the control arrangement, and the
• 7 to 12 invalid actuations of the operating arrangement.

The 2 shows an operating arrangement 10 ' According to the state of the art. The operating arrangement 10 ' has a control panel 20 ' with several functional elements 22 ' on that through on the surface 21 ' the control panel 20 'arranged function symbols are shown. The functional elements 22 ' For example, they could be designed as mechanical buttons or as sensor elements to be actuated by contact.

One of the functional elements is as an OFN module 60 executed, which allows by a camera, an optical detection of finger wiping movements on a sensor surface, which is shown here as a dark surface. Fingerwisch movements in the vertical direction are evaluated. The use of such OFN modules 60 was particularly advantageous at the times when spatially resolved capacitive sensor elements were still relatively expensive.

With the control panel 20 ' connected is a display 30 , which is a line by line representation of elements 41 a list 40 allows. the display 30 therefore represents at least one line of information from numbers, letters and / or other symbols. Preferably, the display 30 a screen containing several lines and thus several list elements 41 the list 40 can simultaneously represent.

Often assigns a list 40 more list items 41 on as a display 30 can simultaneously display, so that on display 30 always just a list section 42 as a subsection of the list 40 is shown. To all list items 41 Therefore, the displayed list section 42 must be changed, which is usually by a designated as scrolling or scrolling vertical shift of the displayed list section 42 happens through the successive list items 41 on the display 30 be displayed one after the other. Such a scroll is in the control arrangement 10 ' by placing and moving a finger vertically on the OFN module 60 triggered.

The display shown here schematically 30 can be exemplified in each case three lines of a list 40 as a list section 42 Show. The displayed list items 41 usually provide various operating functions or operating options to choose from. By a finger pressure on the OFN module 60 or alternatively to another functional element provided for this purpose 22 ' of the control panel 20 ' can be the feature or option that is currently central to the display 30 displayed list element 41 is linked, selected and triggered. The list 40 can, for example, as list elements 41 contain various music tracks that are playable by an audio system. By selecting a list item 41 can then each on the display 30 centrally played music tracks are played.

That in the 1 sketched control panel 20 the operating arrangement 10 has instead of an OFN module a spatially resolving detecting control 70 on that through a section of a touch-sensitive capacitive sensor surface 50 is trained. In addition, a number of subsections marked with function symbols form this sensor surface 50 functional elements 22 in the form of touch-sensitive sensor panels.

The operating element 70 is for controlling the scrolling of a list displayed on a display 30 40 intended. The highlighted contour of the control 70 corresponds to the usual form of an OFN module 60 according to the 2 , This contour is defined by at least one line 71 recognizable, which has a visually highlighted central area Z marked. The central area Z is circumferential from an outer area A surrounded, the outer boundary also by a border 72 can be identified. The entire operating element 70 is thus on the sensor surface 50 through the central area Z and the outer area A educated.

As the 3 indicates, in addition to better findability or for a better sense of operation, the surface by one or more tactile surveys, such as by a central pimple 73 or be structured by grooves.

The outer boundary of the outer area A can also be surrounded by a border 72 , a symbol or a geometric figure. The surface sections of the outer area A In addition, they can be compared to their environment as raised or recessed areas 74 be formed and thus made haptic recognizable.

Thus, the operation of the control 70 the usual operation of an OFN module 60 ( 2 ) and at the same time functionally improved, is the central area Z in shape and size of the sensor surface of the OFN module 60 simulated. At the same time, however, the one around the central area Z around arranged outer area A taken into account in one operation.

An improvement is that even finger movements outside the marked central area Z are started and / or end, recorded and used for the evaluation. In this case, all movements that are without a change of direction at least a majority of the distance traveled within the central area Z include, be considered as functionally relevant movement. This proportion of movement can be advantageously set to at least 50% of the total operating length.

Through this movement share within the central area Z For example, movements transverse to the finger axis that involve longer distances than the finger surface itself can also be used to generate motion vectors that control downstream systems. On the other hand, movements that do not exceed the specified threshold value can be discarded as unwanted contact (incorrect operation) or possibly as an actuation of adjacent functional elements 22 get ranked.

This will be explained below with reference to 4 to 12 be explained in more detail. The control panel 20 is further simplified in these figures, so that only the operating element 70 with the borders 71 . 72 the central and the outer area Z . A are shown. Actuations of the control element 70 are each indicated by an arrow P shown, with a small dark circular area at the beginning of the arrow P symbolizes the starting point of a finger wiping movement. The finger-wiping movement is in the direction of the arrow P and ends at the arrowhead, so that the arrow length at the same time the length of the finger wiping movement and thus the length of the operation of the operating element 70 reproduces.

An electronic evaluation device, not shown here, which is part of the capacitive sensor surface 50 belongs or is electrically connected to this, determines the touched by the finger wiping movement of the control element 70 , calculates the total length of the finger wiping movement and also determines whether the operation is validated or discarded as invalid. If the direction of the movement changes by an angle of more than 90 ° during the finger-wiping movement, that is to say the movement sections can either be rejected altogether or be interpreted as two individual successive movements. For controlling a display, the evaluation device can either each the total length of a finger wiping movement or alternatively only the component in the vertical direction of the operating element 70 use.

Valid operations are exemplary in the 4 to 6 shown. Essential to a valid actuation is that the finger wiping movement is completely within the outer border 72 and at least half of the total length of the finger wiping movement within the central area Z runs.

It can, as in the 4 pictured, the finger wiping movement in the area Z begin and end, or in the area A start and in the field Z end up ( 5 ) or even like that 6 shows from the area A through the area Z to the area A each time, at least 50% of the total length of the finger wiping movement within the central area Z lies. Of course, a valid finger wiping movement in the central area Z start and in the outer area A end (not depicted).

The 7 to 9 Finger swipes are considered invalid and discarded because they are out of the outer area A kick off ( 7 ) or end ( 8th ) or because both are true ( 9 ). The 10 to 12 show invalid finger wiping movements, although the outline of the outer area A not exceed one of which is too low ( 10 . 11 ) or none at all ( 12 ) Share within the central area Z runs.

A precise distinction between valid and invalid finger swiping movements is advantageous to unintentional actuations, such as by accidental contact with the control element 70 or by touching the sensor surface 50 that is not actually the control 70 but another functional element 22 apply, to exclude from evaluation and use.

A valid operation thus requires concentration on the central area Z of the operating element 70 as the actual operating area, comparable to the operating range of the OFN sensor 60 in an operating arrangement according to the 2 , but the outer area A of the operating element 70 as an extension of the control surface makes the operation more comfortable.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10, 10 '

operating arrangement

20, 20 '

Control panel

21 '

surface

22, 22 '

functional elements

30

display

40

list

41

list item

42

list cutout

50

(capacitive) sensor surface

60

OFN module

70

operating element

71

Line (inner border)

72

(outer) border

73

Pimple (elevation)

74

raised or recessed area

A

outer area

P

arrow

Z

central area

Claims (8)

Operating arrangement (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a control panel (20) and a display (30), wherein the control panel (20) comprises a spatially-resolving control element (70) formed by a portion of a capacitive touch-sensitive sensor surface (50), wherein the operating element (70) has a contiguous, marked central area (Z) and an outer area (A) arranged around it, and wherein the control panel (20) detects the length of a finger wiping movement on the operating element (70) when this occurs without reversal of direction on the operating element (70) and at least 50% within the marked central area (Z) of the operating element (70). Operating arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the central region (Z) is shown surrounded by a line (71). Operating arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the central area (Z) is represented by a symbol or a geometric figure. Operating arrangement according to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the outer boundary of the outer region (A) is also marked by a border (72), a symbol or a geometric figure. Operating arrangement according to Claim 1 , characterized in that with the control panel (20), a display (30) is connected, and that the control panel (20) causes a proportional displacement of graphic elements imaged on the display (30) by the length detected by the operating element (70). Operating arrangement according to Claim 5 in that the graphic elements are elements (41) of a linear list (40). A method of selecting a list item (41) from a list (40) displayed on a display (30), the display (30) representing a portion (42) of the list (40), the list (40) for changing the portion (42) shown in the display (30) is vertically displaceable by a finger wiping movement carried out on the operating element (70), and wherein the length of wiping movements on an operating element (70) is detected either absolutely or only in the vertical direction, characterized in that the operating element (70) has a highlighted central area (Z) and an outer area (A) arranged directly around the central area (Z), and that only the lengths of wiping movements are detected as being valid, a) in the central area (Z) both begin and end, or b) begin in the outer region (A) and end within the central region (Z), or c) begin in the outer region (A), the central region ( Z) and end in the outer region (A), and d) at least 50% of the Gesamtläge in the central region (Z) run. Method according to Claim 7 , characterized in that a reversal of the vertical movement component of the finger wiping movement is evaluated as a new finger wiping movement in the reverse direction of movement.

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