Input device having input box that can be operated by touching and key for switching input box from energy-saving mode to active operating mode, and associated method

Abstract

The invention relates to an input device (1) having an input frame (10) which can be actuated by touching by an operator (2), which input frame (10) has a touch-sensitive input surface (13) on a first side, a key (11) which is arranged on a second side of the input frame (10) opposite the first side, and a control electronics system (12) which is designed to control the input surface (13) on the second side of the input frame (10), the control electronics system (12) is designed to switch the input frame (10) from an energy-saving mode to an active operating mode, in which the input frame (10) is operated by operating the input frame (10) and / or by a force acting on the input surface (13) in the direction of the key (11) and / or by an operator (2) approaching the input surface (13), when the key (11) is operated, the input box (10) consumes more energy than in the energy-saving mode and is configured to determine a touch position on the input surface (13).

Description

[0001] manual:

[0002] The invention relates to an input device having an input field which can be operated by an operator by touch, in particular by his finger, and a key for switching the input field from an energy-saving mode to an active operating mode, and an associated method.

[0003] A number of different input frames, which can also be referred to as touch screens or touchpads, are known from the prior art. However, these input frames have a high energy requirement in their normal operation, i.e. when they determine the touch position on their input surface and transmit it, and also when the input frame is in its active operating mode but is not operated or touched and is therefore not needed.

[0004] Therefore, the energy consumption of such input boxes is relatively high regardless of the operation.

[0005] In order to reduce the energy requirement, ie the electrical requirement, it is known in the prior art to switch the input block to an energy-saving mode when not required and to switch the input block back to an active operating mode as required when required again.

[0006] For this purpose, an additional key is arranged partially adjacent or adjacent to the input box, ie adjacent to the input surface of the input box, so that the key must first be actuated in order to subsequently be able to manipulate or operate the input box.

[0007] Therefore, two different or two consecutive movement processes are required to operate such an input box, which makes the operator feel unintuitive and troublesome.

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide an input device having an input field which can be operated by touch by an operator, wherein the input device has low energy consumption and should be intuitive and simple to operate.

[0009] This object is achieved by the feature combination of claim 1 .

[0010] Therefore, according to the present invention, an input device having an input box, a button and a control electronic system that can be operated by the touch of an operator is proposed. The input box has a touch-sensitive input surface on a first side, wherein the button is arranged on a second side of the input box opposite to the first side. The first side of the input box can constitute the visible side of the input device in particular, so that the button is arranged on the back side of the input box or behind the input box from the visible side. In addition to the touch-sensitive input surface, the input box can also have an evaluation electronic system for evaluating the touch of the input surface and in particular determining the touch position, and a power supply device for supplying power to the input box if possible. In order to detect the touch, the input box can, for example, have a film capacitor that extends over the input surface. The button is configured to be operated by operating the input box, that is, by touching the input surface and / or by a force acting on the input surface in the direction of the button and / or by the operator approaching the input surface. If the input device is part of a mobile unit, it is preferably provided that the key cannot be actuated by the operator simply approaching the input surface, but only by a force acting on the input surface in the direction of the key, because this prevents the key from being actuated by approaching, for example, when the input device is inserted into a bag or trouser pocket. According to the invention, the control electronics are designed to switch the input frame from the energy-saving mode to the active operating mode when the key is actuated, in which the input frame consumes more energy than in the energy-saving mode. The input frame is designed in this case to determine the touch position on the input surface in the active operating mode.

[0011] If the input box is not operated or manipulated, it is in a low-energy energy-saving mode, which requires less energy, i.e. less electricity, than an active operating mode in which it can determine the touch position and forward this position for operating the device. Such a position determination is not possible in the energy-saving mode. In the energy-saving mode, the energy consumption of the input box can also be reduced to "0" watt-hours.

[0012] If the input box is operated by an operator, the operator does not have to activate the input box separately before. A single movement process is sufficient, through which the input box can be operated and the input box can be switched from the energy-saving mode to the active operating mode by means of a key.

[0013] In addition to reduced power consumption and intuitive operation by means of a single movement sequence that does not differ from conventional movement sequences for operating the input area, a further advantage is that undesired operation of the input field is avoided.

[0014] In order to switch the input box from the active operating mode back to the energy-saving mode when it is no longer needed, i.e. when it is no longer touched, an advantageous development provides that the control electronics or the input box is designed such that the input box switches from the operating mode to the energy-saving mode at the end of a predetermined waiting time (which can also be referred to as a downtime) after the input box has been operated. In particular, if the input box is operated again within the waiting time, the waiting time is reset, so that the input box preferably only re-enters the energy-saving mode when it is no longer (re)operated by the operator within the waiting time.

[0015] In order to switch the input box to its energy-saving mode, it can be provided that the control electronics system is configured so that the input box is disconnected from the power supply device of the input box when switching to the energy-saving mode, so that the input box is no longer powered or supplied with energy and the consumption is reduced accordingly. In particular, when a separate power supply device is provided for the input box, it can also be provided alternatively that the power supply device itself is turned off or disconnected from the supply voltage. The switch to the energy-saving mode can be carried out by a corresponding disconnect switch, that is, in hardware, or by a corresponding program, that is, in software. When switching from the energy-saving mode to the active operating mode, the connection between the power supply device and the input box can be re-established or the power supply device can be switched on accordingly.

[0016] As an alternative or in addition thereto, the control electronics can be designed to transmit a signal to the input box for switching off the input box.

[0017] The keys can also be based on different operating principles. For example, the keys can be mechanical keys or capacitive keys or optical keys or inductive keys. Sensors, such as capacitive sensors or force sensors, can also be used as keys or be understood as keys. A mechanical key is understood in particular to mean that an electrical contact is switched on by movement. Accordingly, a key based on a mechanical operating principle can be designed, for example, as a converter pad.

[0018] Furthermore, it is advantageous to use a piezoelectric key as a key, which, when actuated, can generate electricity for operating the control electronics and / or for switching the input box from the energy-saving mode to the operating mode, based on the piezoelectric effect. As a result, the energy requirement of the entire input device with the input box can be further reduced in the energy-saving mode and, if necessary, reduced to "0" watt-hours.

[0019] If a force sensor is used as a button, it can interact with the input box in active operation. For example, in active operation of the input box, the touch position can be detected and the touch force can be detected by the force sensor, which can together indicate the input of the operator and can be forwarded together to a device connected to the input device. If there is no more input or touch, the input box is switched back to the energy-saving mode, wherein the force sensor remains active in order to switch the input box back to the active operating mode.

[0020] An advantageous development provides in particular that the key is a mechanical key which is designed to measure a predetermined force acting on it via the input frame or to be actuated by a predetermined force acting on it via the input frame or at a predetermined force acting on it via the input frame. If the key is designed to be actuated at a predetermined force, for example a high-strength spring or the like can be provided accordingly. The control electronics are also designed such that the input frame switches from the energy-saving mode to the active operating mode when the key is actuated with a predetermined force.

[0021] The input frame has, in particular, a flat surface extension on one side of the input surface and is, in particular, a touch screen or a touchpad.

[0022] Here, the input surface of the input frame can also have a flat surface extension. However, it can also be provided as an alternative that the input surface is in particular designed as a smooth free-form surface, so that the input frame provides an uneven surface at least on a first side. Here, the input frame can also have a 3D contour as a whole and can, for example, be convexly and / or concavely curved at least in sections.

[0023] A particularly advantageous variant provides that the input frame is completely and / or partially supported on the key in a movably manner in the actuation direction of the key, so that, for example, a force acting on the input surface in the actuation direction can be transmitted to the key in order to actuate the key.

[0024] Such a support can be achieved by reversible elastic deformation of the input frame in that preferably a central region of the input frame is pressed against the key by bending the input frame.

[0025] Alternatively, according to an advantageous embodiment, the input frame can be moved from an initial position to an operating position toward the key and reset from the operating position to the initial position under the action of a spring force. This results in that the input frame can preferably be moved as a whole from a starting position or initial position along a movement path to a deflected end position or operating position and toward the key, thereby generating a tactile feedback. In such a variant, guide elements and / or stops can also be provided, which guide and limit the movement along the movement path. The movement path along which the input frame should be movable can be minimal and preferably less than 1 mm, further preferably less than 0.5 mm.

[0026] In order to generate tactile and / or acoustic feedback, an elastic element can be integrated between the input box and the key or in the key, through which a "click" can be generated, for example when the key is operated or when the operating position is reached, thereby providing acoustic and / or tactile feedback.

[0027] In particular, if the input box is movable relative to the key or the control electronics, in order to compensate for the relative movement, it can be provided that the input box is connected to its control electronics and / or power supply via a flexible electrical and / or data line.

[0028] A particularly advantageous development provides that the input device ends completely on a first side of the input frame and is in particular completely defined by the input surface. If the key is designed, for example, as an optical key or as a capacitive or inductive key, the key can extend partially into the input frame, wherein the input frame has a smaller thickness in the area of ​​the key than in adjacent areas. The input surface can also have, for example, transparent sections in areas adjacent to the key in order to enable optical detection.

[0029] The input device can also have a housing which surrounds the input frame, in particular on the visible side, i.e. on the input surface side of the input frame, and to which the control electronics and / or the keys can be fastened. The housing and the input frame can be connected via an elastic, in particular frame-shaped element, so that the input device ends completely on the visible side or first side of the input frame even when the input frame is movable relative to the housing.

[0030] In order to enable targeted operation of the keys, according to an advantageous improvement, the input surface has a predetermined, in particular marked, functional area. The keys are designed to be operated only by operating an input box in the functional area, and / or only by a force acting on the input surface in the direction of the key in the functional area, and / or only by the operator approaching the functional area of ​​the input surface. The functional area can also be detected optically or tactilely, for example, and in particular is marked in color or has a different shape than the surrounding area of ​​the input surface.

[0031] Alternatively, for example in a touch screen, an electronic display surface is provided overlapping the input surface, which can also be active when the input box is in its energy-saving mode and on which one or more functional areas are displayed. If the operator wants to trigger a function belonging to a functional surface, he touches the input surface or the input box in the area of ​​the corresponding functional surface and simultaneously presses a button.

[0032] If the control electronics or the keys are not needed as long as the input box is in its active operating mode, the control electronics can be designed to automatically switch to the operating mode when the input box switches to the energy-saving mode and automatically switch to the energy-saving mode when the input box switches to the operating mode.

[0033] The electronic control system is preferably formed by electronic components which are arranged on a circuit board, and which are arranged in particular parallel to the input box, on which the buttons are arranged.

[0034] Alternatively, the control electronics can also be formed by electronic components arranged on a plurality of circuit boards, wherein at least one of the circuit boards or exactly one circuit board is arranged parallel to the input frame. In this variant, the keys can also be arranged on a circuit board arranged parallel to the input frame, and the circuit boards are electrically connected to each other, for example, via flexible lines.

[0035] If the key is arranged on a printed circuit board of the control electronics, a variant is particularly advantageous in which the key is designed in two parts, the first part of the key being arranged on the printed circuit board and the second part of the key being arranged adjacent thereto on the input frame, so that the first part and the second part can be brought into contact by a movement of the input frame in the direction of the printed circuit board or in the direction of the first part of the key, whereby an electrical contact can be established and the key can be actuated at the same time. The first part of the key can here provide two contacts, which are contact-connected to one another via the second part. Alternatively, the second part of the key can also be contacted to the wire contacts of the input frame, for example via a flexible connection to the control electronics.

[0036] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating an input device according to the invention. According to the method, the control electronics switches the input frame from the energy-saving mode to the operating mode when a key is actuated, and the control electronics then switches the input frame from the operating mode to the energy-saving mode at the end of a predetermined waiting time after the input frame has been actuated. Preferably, the waiting time is reset when the input frame is actuated again within the waiting time.

[0037] The above disclosed features may be combined as desired, as long as they are technically feasible and do not contradict each other.

[0038] Further advantageous developments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims or are further illustrated below in conjunction with the description of preferred embodiments of the invention with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Figure 1 showing an input device in a first state;

[0040] Figure 2 showing the input device in a second state;

[0041] Figure 3 showing the input device in a third state;

[0042] Figure 4 A flow for controlling an input device is shown.

[0043] The accompanying drawings schematically illustrate examples. The same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings denote the same structural and / or functional features.

[0044] Figures 1 to 3 Here, the input device 1 is shown in different states.

[0045] exist Figure 1 In this case, the input frame 10 is in its energy-saving mode, so that it requires no or little energy, but a touch by the operator 2 cannot be detected and therefore the touch position cannot be determined.

[0046] If the operator 2 wishes to operate the input device 1 , he places his finger on the input surface 13 of the input frame 10 , as shown, and exerts pressure or force on the input surface 13 .

[0047] The movably supported input frame 10 is thereby moved from Figure 1 The starting position or initial position shown is as follows along the operating direction X Figure 2 The direction of pushing or pressing the button 11 arranged on the back side of the input frame 10 is shown. Figure 1 Starting position shown to Figure 2The displacement path of the end position or actuation position shown is sufficient at the shortest, for example less than 1 mm. If the input device 1 has a housing 15 as shown, which together with the input surface 13 defines the visible side of the input device, the input frame sinks into the housing 15 or moves into the housing during its movement in the direction of the button 11.

[0048] In order to detect the touch position of the operator 2 , the input frame 10 can have a film capacitor and can be designed as a touch pad or a touch screen.

[0049] In the variant shown, the button 11 is designed as a mechanical button which is switched or actuated by contact with the input frame 10. When the button 11 is actuated, the input frame 10 is switched from its energy-saving mode to its active operating mode by the control electronics 12, in which a touch position detection or touch position determination can be performed.

[0050] The control electronics 12 is a circuit board on which the electronic components of the control electronics 12 and also the buttons 11 are arranged and connected. In order to compensate for the relative movement of the control electronics 12 and the input frame 10 relative to each other, the control electronics and the input frame are connected via a flexible wire and / or data line 14, so that the control electronics can switch the input frame 10 between its various modes or can supply power to the input frame 10 via the control electronics 12.

[0051] After pressing button 11, Figure 2 As shown, the pressure or force of the operator 2 on the input surface 13 can be reduced, so that the input frame 10 returns to its starting position under the action of the elastic restoring force, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown.

[0052] If the button 11 is not operated for a longer period of time, the input frame 10 continues to be in its active operating mode, wherein if the input frame 10 is not operated within a predetermined waiting time, for example 30 seconds, i.e. the input frame does not detect a touch on the input surface, after this waiting time, the control electronics switch the input frame 10 back into the energy-saving mode. The operation of the input frame 10 by the user, i.e. the touch, can be reported by the input frame 10 to the control electronics 12 via the flexible line 14.

[0053] Figure 4 The method is illustrated in a simplified manner using a flow chart.

[0054] A: Input box 10 is in its energy saving mode.

[0055] B: Has button 11 been pressed?

[0056] No: The input box remains in its energy saving mode.

[0057] Yes: The input box is switched to its active operating mode (state C).

[0058] C: Input frame 10 is in its active operating mode.

[0059] D: Restart the waiting time or the waiting time timer. Has the input surface 13 of the input frame 10 been touched by the user 2 during the waiting time?

[0060] Yes: The input box remains in its active operating mode (state C).

[0061] No: The input box is switched to its energy-saving mode (state A).

[0062] The invention is not limited to the above-described preferred exemplary embodiment in its embodiment. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable which use the shown concept even in fundamentally different types of embodiments.

Claims

1. An input device (1) comprising an input frame (10) operable by touch of an operator (2), a key (11) and a control electronic system (12), in, The input frame (10) has a touch-sensitive input surface (13) on a first side, and the key (11) is arranged on a second side of the input frame (10) opposite to the first side. The key (11) is designed to be operated by operating the input frame (10) and / or by a force acting on the input surface (13) in the direction of the key (11) and / or by the operator (2) approaching the input surface (13), Furthermore, the control electronics (12) is configured to switch the input frame (10) from an energy-saving mode to an active operating mode when the key (11) is operated, in which the input frame (10) consumes more energy than in the energy-saving mode and is configured to determine a touch position on the input surface (13).

2. The input device according to claim 1, in, The control electronics (12) or the input box (10) is designed such that the input box (10) switches from an operating mode to an energy-saving mode after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed after the input box (10) has been operated.

3. The input device according to claim 1 or 2, in, The control electronics (12) are designed such that the input frame (10) is disconnected from a power supply of the input frame or switches off the power supply when switching into the energy-saving mode.

4. An input device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in, The button (11) is a mechanical button, a capacitive button, an optical button, or an inductive button.

5. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in, The key (11) is a mechanical key configured to measure a predetermined force acting on it via the input frame (10) or to be operated by a predetermined force acting on it via the input frame (10). Furthermore, the control electronics (12) is designed such that the input frame (10) switches from the energy-saving mode to the operating mode when the key (11) is actuated with a predetermined force.

6. An input device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in, The input frame (10) has a flat surface extension and is in particular a touch screen or a touch pad.

7. An input device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in, The input frame (10) is supported on the key (11) movably in its entirety and / or in sections along an actuation direction (X) of the key (11).

8. An input device as claimed in the preceding claim, in, The input frame (10) can be moved from an initial position toward the button (11) to an operating position and can be reset from the operating position to the initial position under the action of elastic force.

9. An input device according to one of the two preceding claims, in, An elastic element is provided between the input frame (10) and the key (11) or is integrated in the key (11), and is designed to generate acoustic and / or tactile feedback, in particular when the key (11) is actuated.

10. The input device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in, The input frame (10) is connected to the control electronics system via flexible electrical lines and / or data lines (14).

11. The input device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in, The input device (1) completely terminates on a first side of the input frame (10) and is in particular completely defined by the input surface (13).

12. An input device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in, The input surface (13) has predetermined, in particular marked, functional areas. The key is configured to be operated only by operating an input box (10) in a functional area, and / or only by applying a force in the functional area in the direction of the key (11) to an input surface (13), and / or only by an operator (2) approaching a functional area of ​​the input surface (13).

13. An input device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in, The control electronics (12) is designed to automatically switch to an operating mode when the input frame (10) switches to an energy-saving mode, and to automatically switch to an energy-saving mode when the input frame (10) switches to an operating mode.

14. An input device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in, The control electronics (12) is formed by electronic components arranged on a circuit board, which are arranged in particular parallel to the input frame (10). Furthermore, the button (11) is arranged on the circuit board, so that the control electronic system (12) and the button (11) form a unit.

15. A method for operating an input device as claimed in at least claims 1 and 2, in, The control electronic system (12) switches the input frame (10) from the energy-saving mode to the operating mode when the key (11) is operated. Furthermore, the control electronic system (12) switches the input box (10) from the operating mode to the energy-saving mode at the end of a predetermined waiting time after the input box (10) is operated.

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