Input device and method for detecting input

Abstract

An input device is described, comprising a touch-sensitive surface and a force sensor, wherein the force sensor is adapted to detect a force applied to the touch-sensitive surface. The input device further comprises a vibration sensor and a control unit, wherein the control unit is coupled to the force sensor, the touch-sensitive surface and the vibration sensor. The control unit is adapted to identify a force detected by the force sensor as an input based on a touch of the touch-sensitive surface and a vibration detected by the vibration sensor. A motor vehicle comprising the input device is also described. A method for detecting an input of an input device is also described.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese invention patent application with the application date of January 19, 2018, application number 2018100551820, and invention name “Input device and method for detecting input”. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of input devices for performing user input. In particular, an input device is provided, the input device comprising a vibration sensor for verifying input. A corresponding verification method is also provided. Background Art

[0003] Input devices are used in many technical systems, for example in screens, mobile phones, motor vehicles and tablet computers.

[0004] Touch-sensitive surfaces are increasingly used in input devices. These surfaces can be operated intuitively and, in combination with a display unit, can provide optical feedback to the user when touched. The input device may also include a force sensor, which detects the application of force on the touch-sensitive surface. For example, a user can move a mouse pointer over a switch symbol with the aid of a touch-sensitive surface and trigger the operation of the switch symbol by applying increasing force on the touch-sensitive surface.

[0005] Input devices of the type described above are also used in mobile areas or machine-oriented areas, in which they are exposed to vibrations. These areas include, for example, mobile phones, sports appliances, vehicles or industrial machines. Any vibrations occurring here can lead to unintentional operation of the input device. This can be caused, for example, by an acceleration of the input device or of the user due to acceleration, so that the user unintentionally touches the touch-sensitive surface or exerts an increased force on it. The input device can mistake this for an input.

[0006] Incorrect inputs can lead to loss of time, communication errors and accidents. Especially when operating motor vehicles and other machines, corresponding safety considerations play an important role.

[0007] Publication US2009 / 0243817A1 discloses an input device that can detect touch and force application using a capacitive sensor matrix. The input device is equipped with an acceleration sensor so that when the acceleration sensor detects vibration, force application is disregarded. However, since both force application and touch are detected by the same sensor system, the input device cannot reliably distinguish between vibrations generated by the user and external vibrations. The user's continuous force input may be mistaken for external vibrations and mistakenly discarded. Summary of the invention

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an input device, which allows for improved verification of the input.

[0009] According to a first aspect, an input device is provided, comprising a touch-sensitive surface, a vibration sensor and a force sensor, wherein the force sensor is adapted to detect a force applied to the touch-sensitive surface. The input device further comprises a control unit coupled to the force sensor, the touch-sensitive surface and the vibration sensor, wherein the control unit is adapted to verify the force detected by the force sensor as an input based on a touch to the touch-sensitive surface and based on a vibration detected by the vibration sensor.

[0010] For example, the touch-sensitive surface may detect touches optically, acoustically, resistively or capacitively. The touch-sensitive surface may output the touches to the control unit in the form of touch signals. The control unit detects the touches as an indication of an input only after a minimum area has been touched. The minimum area may be selected based on the signals of the force sensor and / or the vibration sensor.

[0011] For example, the force sensor can measure the force application based on elastic deformation, distance change or by means of a piezoelectric ceramic element or a resistive sensor. The force sensor can output the force application to the control unit in the form of a force signal. When the applied force exceeds a force threshold, the control unit can detect the applied force as an indication of the input. The force threshold can be selected based on the signal of the touch-sensitive surface and / or the vibration sensor. The force sensor can be suitable for detecting the force application substantially perpendicular to the touch-sensitive surface. The control unit can be suitable for detecting, processing or storing the force signal (for example, by activating and / or reading the force sensor) only after a period of time after the touch of the touch-sensitive surface has been detected.

[0012] The vibration sensor may comprise an acceleration sensor. The vibration sensor may output the vibration to the control unit in the form of a vibration signal. The control unit may detect such vibration when it exceeds a vibration threshold. The vibration threshold may be selected based on the signal of the touch-sensitive surface and / or the force sensor. The vibration sensor may be adapted to detect the direction of the vibration. The control unit may be adapted to detect, process or store the vibration signal (e.g. by activating and / or reading the vibration sensor) only after a touch has been detected for a period of time.

[0013] The vibration sensor may be disposed on the touch-sensitive surface, on the housing of the input device, or on an element rigidly connected to the housing. The vibration sensor may detect vibrations in a direction substantially perpendicular to the touch-sensitive surface. Alternatively, the vibration sensor may detect vibrations in any spatial direction.

[0014] The control unit may be adapted to evaluate the force detected by the force sensor as input in the presence of a simultaneous touch to the touch-sensitive surface and in the absence of a vibration temporally associated with the detected force. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit may be adapted to forego the force detected by the force sensor as input in the presence of a simultaneous touch to the touch-sensitive surface and in the presence of a vibration temporally associated with the detected force.

[0015] The control unit may be adapted to evaluate the temporary interruption of force as an indication of termination or interruption of the input (optionally, as a new input) in the absence of a vibration temporally associated with the temporary interruption of force detected by the force sensor. The control unit may be adapted to abandon the temporary interruption of force as an indication of termination or interruption of the input in the presence of a vibration temporally associated with the temporary interruption of force detected by the force sensor.

[0016] The control unit may be adapted to determine, from the detected vibration and the detected force, a component of the detected force desired by a user and to evaluate the desired component of the force as input.

[0017] The control unit may be adapted to determine, from the detected vibration and the detected force, a component of the detected force desired by the user, and to discard the detected force as input when the component of the detected force desired by the user cannot be determined. In this sense, the verification of the force detected by the force sensor and the touch detected by the touch-sensitive surface may include evaluating as input and / or discarding as input.

[0018] The control unit may be adapted to determine the desired detected force component by subtracting a vibration-dependent value from the detected force. When determining the desired detected force component, the control unit may be adapted to include a time derivative and / or integral of the detected force and / or a time derivative and / or integral of the vibration.

[0019] The control unit may be adapted to take into account the duration of the force application and the duration of the vibration in the verification. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit may be adapted to take into account the temporal sequence of the detection of the force application and the detection of the vibration in the verification. The control unit may specify a temporal criterion for the temporal correlation between the vibration and the force application. The temporal criterion may comprise a temporal threshold for the time difference between the duration of the force application and the duration of the vibration. The temporal criterion may comprise a maximum and / or minimum value for the ratio between the duration of the force application and the duration of the vibration. The control unit may have a temporal sequence criterion for the correlation between the vibration and the force application. The sequence criterion may comprise a maximum time offset between the detection of the vibration and the detection of the force application. The sequence criterion may comprise that the detection of the vibration is temporally earlier than the detection of the force application.

[0020] According to a second aspect, an input device comprising a touch-sensitive surface is provided. The input device further comprises a vibration sensor and a proximity sensor, wherein the proximity sensor is adapted to detect proximity of an input element to the touch-sensitive surface. The input device further comprises a control unit, the control unit being coupled to the touch-sensitive surface, the proximity sensor and the vibration sensor, wherein the control unit is adapted to verify a touch detected by the touch-sensitive surface as an input based on proximity detected by the proximity sensor and vibration detected by the vibration sensor.

[0021] For example, the proximity sensor may detect proximity inductively, capacitively, magnetically or optically. When the distance between the touch-sensitive surface and the input element drops below a threshold, the control unit may evaluate the proximity accordingly. The control unit may be adapted to detect, process or store a touch signal (e.g. by activating and / or reading the touch-sensitive surface) only after the proximity has been detected for a period of time.

[0022] In case when the proximity sensor simultaneously detects the approach and a vibration temporally associated with the detected touch is absent, the control unit may be adapted to evaluate the touch detected by the touch-sensitive surface as input. Additionally or alternatively, in case when the proximity sensor simultaneously detects the approach and a vibration temporally associated with the detected touch is present, the control unit may be adapted to discard the touch detected by the touch-sensitive surface as input.

[0023] In the absence of a vibration temporally associated with the temporary interruption of touch detected by the touch-sensitive surface, the control unit may be adapted to evaluate the temporary interruption of touch as an indication of termination or interruption of the input (optionally, a new input). In the presence of a vibration temporally associated with the temporary interruption of touch detected by the touch-sensitive surface, the control unit may be adapted to abandon the temporary interruption of touch as an indication of termination or interruption of the input.

[0024] The control unit may be adapted to take into account the duration of the touch and the vibration in the verification. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit may be adapted to take into account the temporal order of the detection of the touch and the vibration in the verification. The control unit may specify a time criterion for the temporal association between the vibration and the touch. The time criterion may include a time threshold for the time difference between the duration of the touch and the duration of the vibration. The time criterion may include a maximum and / or minimum value for the ratio between the duration of the touch and the duration of the vibration. The control unit may have a temporal order criterion for the correlation between the vibration and the touch. The order criterion may include a maximum time offset between the detection of the touch and the detection of the vibration. The order criterion may include that the detection of the vibration is temporally earlier than the detection of the touch.

[0025] The input device may further comprise a display unit. The touch-sensitive surface may be adapted to detect a touch within the area of ​​the display unit. The display unit may be based on, for example, liquid crystal, plasma, light emitting diode or organic light emitting diode technology. The display unit may be arranged separate from the touch-sensitive surface. Alternatively, the display unit may also be formed as a single unit with the touch-sensitive surface.

[0026] According to a third aspect, a motor vehicle is provided, wherein the motor vehicle comprises an input device as described herein. The input device may control, for example, a radio, an onboard computer, a navigation system or an entertainment system of the motor vehicle.

[0027] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method for detecting input on an input device, the input device having a touch-sensitive surface, a vibration sensor and a force sensor, wherein the force sensor is adapted to detect a force applied to the touch-sensitive surface. The method comprises: verifying the force detected by the force sensor as input based on a touch of the touch-sensitive surface and based on a vibration detected by the vibration sensor.

[0028] In the presence of a simultaneous touch to the touch-sensitive surface and the absence of a vibration temporally correlated with the detected force, the force detected by the force sensor may be evaluated as an input.

[0029] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a method for detecting input on an input device, the input device having a touch-sensitive surface, a vibration sensor and a proximity sensor, the proximity sensor being adapted to detect proximity of an input element to the touch-sensitive surface. The method comprises: verifying a touch detected by the touch surface as an input based on the proximity detected by the proximity sensor and the vibration detected by the vibration sensor.

[0030] A touch detected by the touch-sensitive surface may be evaluated as input in the event that the proximity sensor simultaneously detects the proximity and a vibration temporally associated with the detected touch is absent.

[0031] According to a sixth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, on which a computer program product is stored, wherein the computer program product comprises instructions, and when the instructions are executed by a processor, the method described herein is implemented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Further advantages, details and features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of an input device;

[0034] Figure 2a is a cross-sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment during operation and without external vibrations;

[0035] Figure 2b is a cross-sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment when there is no operation and external vibration;

[0036] Figure 2c is a cross-sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment during operation and in the presence of external vibrations;

[0037] Figure 3 Is from Figure 2a-2c Schematic diagram of sensor signals of sensors in;

[0038] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the sensor signal, where there is a time offset between the detected force and the detected vibration;

[0039] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a sensor signal during an interruption of the detected force caused by a vibration, wherein there is a time offset between the detected force and the detected vibration;

[0040] Figure 6 is a flow chart of a first exemplary embodiment of a method of detecting input;

[0041] Figure 7 is a flow chart of a second exemplary embodiment of a method of detecting input;

[0042] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of an input device; and

[0043] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of a third exemplary embodiment of a method of detecting input. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of an input device 10 is shown. The input device 10 may be installed in a fixed manner in a motor vehicle or a mobile device (eg, a tablet computer or a smartphone).

[0045] The input device 10 comprises a functional unit 12 having a touch-sensitive surface 14, wherein the touch-sensitive surface 14 is arranged on a side of the functional unit 12 facing the user. A display unit 16 is arranged spaced apart from the functional unit on a side of the functional unit 12 facing away from the touch-sensitive surface 14. The touch-sensitive surface 14 is light-transmissive, so that the display unit 16 is visible to the user through the touch-sensitive surface. The surfaces of the functional unit 12 and the display unit 16 facing each other extend substantially parallel to each other.

[0046] In an alternative form, the display unit is formed as a single unit with the touch-sensitive surface 14. This single unit in turn forms Figure 1 In this case, the counter-element required for force detection in the functional unit 12 is not Figure 1 The display unit 16 in the embodiment is not another rigid element, but another rigid element, such as a printed circuit board, or a part of the housing.

[0047] An elastic element 18 is arranged between the functional unit 12 and the display unit 16, which is mechanically connected to the functional unit 12 and the display unit 16. When a force is applied on the touch-sensitive surface 14 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the touch-sensitive surface 14, the elastic element 18 is deformed, as a result of which the distance between the functional unit 12 and the display unit 16 changes.

[0048] A force sensor 20 is also provided between the functional unit 12 and the display unit 16. The force sensor 20 can determine the force applied to the touch-sensitive surface 14 (for example, based on the detected change in the distance between the functional unit 12 and the display unit 16 and the known deformation resistance of the elastic element 18). However, it is not necessary for the input device 10 that the force application causes a significant distance change. Alternatively, the force sensor 20 can also measure the force by means of a piezoelectric ceramic element or a resistance sensor. In addition, the force sensor 20 can also be provided between the functional unit 12 and another component (such as, for example, a housing (not shown)). If the elastic element 18 is omitted, the force sensor 20 can also be provided on the side of the display unit 16 opposite to the functional unit 12.

[0049] The input device 10 has a vibration sensor 22. The vibration sensor can be, for example, an acceleration sensor. In the present exemplary embodiment, the vibration sensor 22 is arranged on the side of the display unit 16 facing the functional unit 12. The display unit 16 is further rigidly connected to a housing (not shown) so that external vibrations acting on the housing are transmitted to the vibration sensor 22 via the display unit 16 by the rigid connection. Of course, the vibration sensor 22 can also be arranged directly on the housing or at another position (but rigidly arranged relative to the display unit 16). The vibration sensor 22 can also be arranged on the functional unit 12 or on another element rigidly coupled to the input device 10. For reasons of saving space, the vibration sensor 22 can also be arranged in a recess of a component (e.g., the functional unit 12, the display unit 16, the force sensor 20 or the housing).

[0050] The input device 10 has a control unit 24, which is electrically coupled to the force sensor 20, the vibration sensor 22 and the touch-sensitive surface 14. For example, the control unit 24 may be arranged on the display unit 16, the functional unit 14 or a housing (not shown) of the input device 10. The control unit 24 may also be implemented by another computing unit (e.g., a processor of a mobile phone or a control device of a vehicle).

[0051] The elastic element 18 , the force sensor 20 , the vibration sensor 22 and the control unit 24 are arranged relative to the display unit 16 so that the display surface of the display unit 16 is not affected by these components.

[0052] The control unit 24 is adapted to receive a force signal from the force sensor 20. The force signal may be an absolute measurement (e.g. in Newtons [N]) or may be given in arbitrary units. The force signal may also include a time indication or allow for assignment by the control unit 24 as a time indication.

[0053] The control unit 24 is further adapted to receive a touch signal from the touch-sensitive surface 14. The touch signal indicates whether the touch-sensitive surface 14 is being touched. The touch signal may also provide information about the size and / or number of the touch surfaces. Thus, for example, a large number of touches in a short period of time may be interpreted as further indicating that the touch-sensitive surface 14 is touched unintentionally with more than one finger. A touch threshold for the touch surface may also be introduced. The touch threshold may depend on the measured force signal and / or vibration signal. The touch signal may also include a time indication or allow for being assigned as a time indication by the control unit 24.

[0054] The control unit 24 is also adapted to receive a vibration signal from the vibration sensor 22. The vibration signal indicates at least a vibration in a direction substantially perpendicular to the touch-sensitive surface 14. Compared with other directions, vibrations in this direction have a greater probability of accelerating the functional unit 12 or the user, so that the input device 10 is unintentionally operated and the control unit 24 erroneously detects the input. In addition, the vibration signal can also indicate the direction in which the vibration acts. Information about the vibration direction has the advantage that it can be considered to what extent the vibration must be taken into account in verifying the input. Vibrations directed parallel to the touch-sensitive surface 14 have a lower probability of affecting unintentional operation than vibrations directed perpendicular to the touch-sensitive surface 14. The vibration signal can also include a time indication or allow it to be assigned as a time indication by the control unit 24.

[0055] The control unit 24 may receive and process the received signals continuously or at periodic time intervals. The control unit 24 may also be adapted to initiate the reception or processing of a specific signal when required. Likewise, the sensor may be adapted to generate or send a signal when required. Thus, for example, activation and / or reading of a corresponding sensor for a force signal and / or a vibration signal may only occur after a touch is registered.

[0056] Figure 2a to Figure 2c Cross-sectional views of the first exemplary embodiment under different touch and vibration conditions are shown. Figure 3 The relevant curves of the detected touch signal, force signal and vibration signal changing with time are schematically shown, wherein: Figure 3 Columns a to c in Figure 2a to Figure 2c In each case, the horizontal lines in the force signal and vibration signal graphs indicate the thresholds for detecting the presence of an event (i.e., force application and vibration). The fourth line in the graphs shows in which of these cases, after the control unit 24 evaluates the other signals, the detected force is evaluated as input.

[0057] Figure 2aA cross-sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment is shown during operation and in the absence of external vibrations. The user touches the touch-sensitive surface 14 and exerts a force thereon. Thus, a touch signal is measured by the touch-sensitive surface 14 and a force signal is measured by the force sensor 20. Since there are no vibrations, no significant vibration signals exceeding the corresponding threshold are measured.

[0058] The presence of touch initiates verification of the force signal by the control unit 24. By correlating the force signal with other signals, it is determined whether the force application is an intentional input. The presence of touch indicates that the user is at least operating the input device 10 and that the force application is not the result of vibration alone. Since no vibration signal exceeding the threshold is detected, it can be expected that the force application is desired by the user. Thus, by considering the touch signal and the vibration signal, the force application is evaluated as an input by the control unit 24. The input signal can be further transmitted, for example, for controlling a function.

[0059] Figure 2b A cross-sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment is shown in the absence of operation and with external vibration 26. Figure 3 As can be seen in column b, the force sensor 20 detects a force. However, the touch-sensitive surface 14 does not detect a touch. It can be inferred from this that the user is not currently operating the input device 10. It is guessed that the vibration produces an erroneous input. The control unit 24 can then immediately terminate the verification process and the force signal can be discarded. This has the advantage of reducing the power and energy consumption of the processor. Alternatively, the vibration signal can be additionally considered, which actually indicates that the vibration 26 is present. The advantage of additionally considering the vibration signal is the improvement of the verification based on the force signals of two independent sensors.

[0060] Figure 2c A cross-sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment is shown during operation and in the presence of external vibrations 26. Figure 3 Column c of FIG. 1 again shows that the touch-sensitive surface 14 detects a touch. In addition, the force sensor 20 detects the application of force. It is not yet clear from these two pieces of information whether the input is intentional or whether the user is exerting an unintentional force on the touch-sensitive surface 14 due to vibrations. If the vibration signal is additionally taken into account, it can be seen that vibrations 26 are present. Therefore, the force signal is not evaluated as an input by the control unit 24, but is discarded.

[0061] Figure 4Schematic diagrams of sensor signals are shown, in which there is a time offset between the detected force and the detected vibration. In these figures, two cases b and c are shown again by way of example. In addition, in case c, the duration of force application, the duration of vibration and the time sequence of detection of force application and vibration are considered. In case c, touch, force application and vibration are detected. The duration of force application substantially corresponds to the duration of vibration. If, on the other hand, the duration of force application is, for example, 10 times the duration of vibration, it can be expected that the causal relationship between vibration and force application is weak. However, since in this case, durations of substantially equal length are detected, it can be expected that the force application is the result of vibration.

[0062] In addition, it is observed that there is a time offset between the vibration and the force application, whereby the vibration is detected before the force is applied. Information for a possible correlation between the vibration and the force application can be derived from the time offset and the time sequence. The cause of the time offset may be due to, for example, the damping of the elastic element 18. The vibration sensor 22 detects the vibration that moves the display unit 16. The movement of the display unit 16 is initially compensated by the elastic deformation of the elastic element 18. The vibration is transmitted to the functional unit 20 with a time offset and is therefore detected only later at the force sensor 20. A small time offset indicates that there is a causal relationship between the vibration and the force application. In the case of a large time offset, on the other hand, it can be expected that there are two different causes for the force application and the vibration.

[0063] The temporal order of the detections can also be evaluated. If the vibration is detected before or at the same time as the force application, this indicates a causal relationship between the vibration and the force application. If, on the other hand, the force application is detected before the vibration, it can be expected that the force application is not caused by the vibration.

[0064] The temporal causal evaluation discussed above can be performed by the control unit 24 for (optionally additional) verification of the input indication. Depending on the evaluation result, the input can be evaluated or abandoned.

[0065] Figure 5 Schematic diagram showing the sensor signal during an interruption of the detected force due to vibrations. This is a temporally continuous operation of the input device 10. If the user wishes to operate a window lift or to play a music recording, for example, the user must perform an input within the time period in which the action is to be performed. For this input, a force application exceeding a certain threshold must act on the touch-sensitive surface 14 for said time period and must be detectable by the force sensor 20. Vibrations can counteract said intentional, long-lasting application of force and interrupt it. The plausibility of this interruption is then checked by the control unit 24.

[0066] At least, the start of the input corresponds to Figure 3 Case a, that is, touch and force application are measured and no significant vibration is measured. Thus, force application is evaluated as input. Then, in area d, an interruption in force application and vibration are detected. The touch-sensitive surface 14 continues to detect the touch. Since the vibration is temporally associated with the interruption in force application, the interruption in force application is abandoned. Therefore, the operation continues to be evaluated as input (for example, window lifter or for playback). As soon as the vibration decreases again, case a is realized again. Thus, touch and force application are detected and no significant vibration is detected. Force application continues to be detected as input. By taking vibration into account, the input is performed throughout the input time, even if the vibration causes an unintentional interruption in force application. This results in an improved, more reliable and therefore more pleasant operation.

[0067] Figure 6 A flow chart of a first exemplary embodiment of a method 100 of detecting input is shown.

[0068] In step 102, it is checked whether a touch to the touch-sensitive surface 16 is detected. Once a touch is detected, in step 104, it is checked whether a force application is detected. If no force application is detected, only touch-specific functions are performed 112, such as movement of a mouse pointer. The functions are performed until the absence of a touch is detected 114.

[0069] If, on the other hand, a touch and a force application are detected, it is further checked whether a vibration is detected in step 106. If the absence of vibration is detected, the detected force is evaluated as an input in step 110. If, on the other hand, a vibration associated with a force application as explained above is detected, the input is discarded and only the touch-specific function 112 is performed.

[0070] In this flow chart, step 110 and step 112 are delimited by dashed lines. This indicates that in alternative solutions, the steps may also include other or different functions.

[0071] Figure 7 A flow chart showing a second exemplary embodiment of a method for detecting input. The second exemplary embodiment of the method is similar to the first exemplary embodiment (see Figure 6 ) is essentially in step 216.

[0072] First, in steps 202 to 208 - as explained above for the corresponding steps 102 to 108 - touch, force application and vibration are detected and the correlation between the vibration and the detected force is confirmed. In step 216, the component of the detected force desired by the user is then determined from the detected vibration and the detected force. For example, the component of the desired force can be determined by subtracting the vibration correlation value of the detected force. The vibration correlation value can be derived from the scaled vibration signal. Alternatively or additionally, the force signal can be newly scaled for determination. If the component of the desired force can be determined, the component of the desired force is evaluated as input.

[0073] If the desired force component cannot be determined, the detected force is discarded as input. For example, when the difference between the force signal and the scaled vibration signal is less than a threshold, the desired force component may be considered to be undeterminable.

[0074] In this flow chart, step 210 and step 212 are again delimited by a dashed line. This indicates that in alternative solutions, other or different functional steps may also be included.

[0075] Determining the expected force component has the advantage that incorrect inputs can not only be avoided but can also be corrected. As a result, the reliability of the input and the comfort of the input for the user are increased.

[0076] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the input device 10 is shown. Figure 8 The input device 10 of the embodiment of the present invention differs from the input device 10 of the first exemplary embodiment in that it has a proximity sensor 28 instead of the force sensor 20 (see Figure 1 ), with respect to the proximity sensor 28, it can perform substantially similar verification as described above for the force sensor 20. Of course, the input device 10 can have both the force sensor 20 and the proximity sensor 28. However, for the purpose of describing the verification of touch, the force sensor is secondary.

[0077] The proximity sensor 28 is provided on the functional unit 12. The proximity sensor 28 may also be provided on the display unit 16 or the housing. For example, the proximity sensor 28 may detect the distance between the touch-sensitive surface 14 and an approaching input element (e.g., a user's finger). The criteria for detecting proximity may include, for example, that the distance is less than a threshold.

[0078] Verification of detected touch is similar to verification of force application described above. In both verifications, the indication of input is associated with a vibration and is associated with a second detected signal. In the case of verifying force application, the indication of input is the detected force and the second detected signal is the detected touch. In the case of verifying touch, on the other hand, the indication of input is the detected touch and the second detected signal is the detected proximity.

[0079] Accordingly, if the touch-sensitive surface 14 detects a touch, it is checked whether proximity and vibration associated with the touch are detected. If vibration is detected or proximity is detected to be absent, the detected touch is abandoned. However, if proximity is detected and vibration is absent, the touch is evaluated as input.

[0080] Fig. 9 Shown based on Figure 8 Flowchart of a third exemplary embodiment of a method 300 for detecting input of an input device of an embodiment of the present invention. In step 302, it is checked whether an approach to the touch-sensitive surface 16 is detected. Once the approach is detected, in step 304, it is checked whether a touch to the touch-sensitive surface 14 is detected. If no touch is detected, only an approach-specific function 312 is performed, for example, a display light emission is activated. The function is performed until the absence of the approach is detected 314.

[0081] If, on the other hand, proximity and touch are detected, it is further checked whether vibration is detected in step 306. If it is detected that vibration is not present, the detected touch is evaluated as input in step 310. If, on the other hand, vibration associated with touch is detected, the input is discarded and only the proximity-specific function 312 is performed.

[0082] In this flow chart, step 310 and step 312 are again delimited by dashed lines. This confirms that in alternative solutions, steps with other or different functions may also be included.

[0083] In the examples shown, different features and functions of the present disclosure have been described separately from each other and in specific combinations. However, it is to be understood that many of these features and functions can be freely combined with each other without explicit exclusion.

Claims

1. An input device, comprising: Touch-sensitive surfaces; a force sensor adapted to detect a force applied to the touch-sensitive surface; Vibration sensor; a control unit coupled to the force sensor, the touch-sensitive surface and the vibration sensor, wherein the control unit is adapted to perform at least one of the following steps a) to d): a) evaluating the force detected by the force sensor as input or discarding the force detected by the force sensor as input depending on whether there is a vibration temporally correlated with the detected force in the presence of a simultaneous touch on the touch-sensitive surface; and / or b) evaluating or discarding the temporary interruption of force as an indication of termination or interruption of the input, depending on whether there is a vibration temporally associated with the temporary interruption of force detected by the force sensor; and / or c) evaluating the desired force component as input or discarding the detected force as input, depending on whether the detected force component desired by the user can be determined; and / or d) if the force sensor detects a force but the touch-sensitive surface does not detect a touch, discarding the detected force as input; and wherein the control unit is adapted to take into account the temporal order of the detection of the application of the force and the temporal order of the detection of the vibration in the verification; wherein the temporal sequence comprises a temporal sequence criterion for correlation between vibration and force application, and the temporal sequence criterion comprises at least one of: i) a maximum time offset between detection of the force application and detection of the vibration; and ii) the detection of said vibration precedes in time the detection of said force application.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to evaluate the force detected by the force sensor as an input in the presence of a simultaneous touch to the touch-sensitive surface and in the absence of a vibration temporally associated with the detected force.

3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to discard the force detected by the force sensor as input in the presence of a simultaneous touch to the touch-sensitive surface and the presence of a vibration temporally correlated with the detected force.

4. An input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to evaluate the temporary interruption of force as an indication of termination or interruption of the input in the absence of a vibration temporally associated with the temporary interruption of force detected by the force sensor.

5. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to abandon the temporary interruption of force as an indication of termination or interruption of the input in the presence of a vibration temporally associated with the temporary interruption of force detected by the force sensor. 6 . The input device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is adapted to determine a component of the detected force desired by a user from the detected vibration and the detected force, and to evaluate the desired component of the force as the input.

7. An input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is suitable for determining the component of the detected force desired by the user through the detected vibration and the detected force, and when the component of the detected force desired by the user cannot be determined, abandoning the detected force as input.

8. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to take into account a duration of force application and a duration of the vibration in the verification.

9. An input device, comprising: Touch-sensitive surfaces; a proximity sensor adapted to detect proximity of an input element to the touch-sensitive surface; Vibration sensor; a control unit coupled to the touch-sensitive surface, the proximity sensor and the vibration sensor, wherein the control unit is adapted to perform at least one of the following steps a) and b): a) evaluating a touch detected by the touch-sensitive surface as input or discarding the touch detected by the touch-sensitive surface as input based on whether there is a vibration temporally associated with the detected touch while the proximity sensor is simultaneously detecting the proximity; and / or b) evaluating or discarding the temporary interruption of touch as an indication of termination or interruption of the input based on the presence or absence of a vibration temporally associated with the temporary interruption of touch detected by the touch-sensitive surface; and wherein the control unit is adapted to take into account a temporal order of the detection of the touches and a temporal order of the detection of the vibrations in the verification; wherein the temporal order comprises a temporal order criterion for correlation between vibration and touch, and the temporal order criterion comprises at least one of: i) a maximum time offset between detection of the vibration and detection of the touch; and ii) the detection of the vibration precedes in time the detection of the touch.

10. The input device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit is adapted to evaluate a touch detected by the touch-sensitive surface as an input if the proximity sensor simultaneously detects an approach and a vibration temporally associated with the detected touch is absent.

11. The input device of claim 9, wherein the control unit is adapted to discard a touch detected by the touch-sensitive surface as input when the proximity sensor simultaneously detects an approach and a vibration temporally associated with the detected touch is present.

12. An input device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit is adapted to evaluate a temporary interruption of touch as an indication of termination or interruption of the input when there is no vibration temporally associated with the temporary interruption of touch detected by the touch-sensitive surface.

13. An input device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit is adapted to abandon the temporary interruption of touch detected by the touch-sensitive surface as an indication of termination or interruption of the input when there is a vibration temporally associated with the temporary interruption of touch.

14. The input device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit is adapted to take into account a duration of the touch and a duration of the vibration in the verification.

15. The input device according to claim 1 or 9, further comprising a display unit.

16. A motor vehicle comprising the input device according to claim 1 or 9.

17. A method of detecting input on an input device having a touch-sensitive surface, a force sensor for detecting force applied to the touch-sensitive surface, and a vibration sensor, wherein the method comprises: Perform at least one of the following steps a) to d): a) evaluating the force detected by the force sensor as input or discarding the force detected by the force sensor as input depending on whether there is a vibration temporally correlated with the detected force in the presence of a simultaneous touch on the touch-sensitive surface; and / or b) evaluating or discarding the temporary interruption of force as an indication of termination or interruption of the input, depending on whether there is a vibration temporally associated with the temporary interruption of force detected by the force sensor; and / or c) evaluating the desired force component as input or discarding the detected force as input, depending on whether the detected force component desired by the user can be determined; and / or d) if the force sensor detects a force but the touch-sensitive surface does not detect a touch, discarding the detected force as input; and taking into account in the verification the temporal order of the detection of the application of the force and the temporal order of the detection of the vibration; wherein the temporal sequence comprises a temporal sequence criterion for correlation between vibration and force application, and the temporal sequence criterion comprises at least one of: i) a maximum time offset between detection of the force application and detection of the vibration; and ii) the detection of said vibration precedes in time the detection of said force application.

18. A method of detecting input on an input device having a touch-sensitive surface, a proximity sensor for detecting proximity of an input element to the touch-sensitive surface, and a vibration sensor, wherein the method comprises: Perform at least one of the following steps a) and b): a) evaluating a touch detected by the touch-sensitive surface as input or discarding the touch detected by the touch-sensitive surface as input based on whether there is a vibration temporally associated with the detected touch while the proximity sensor is simultaneously detecting the proximity; and / or b) evaluating or discarding the temporary interruption of touch as an indication of termination or interruption of the input, based on the presence or absence of a vibration temporally associated with the temporary interruption of touch detected by the touch-sensitive surface; and taking into account in the verification the temporal order of the detection of the touches and the temporal order of the detection of the vibrations; wherein the temporal order comprises a temporal order criterion for correlation between vibration and touch, and the temporal order criterion comprises at least one of: i) a maximum time offset between detection of the touch and detection of the vibration; and ii) the detection of the vibration precedes in time the detection of the touch.

19. A computer-readable medium having a computer program product stored thereon, wherein the computer program product comprises instructions, and when the instructions are executed by a processor, the method according to claim 17 or 18 is implemented.

Images