Method for operating a portable input device for controlling a motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for operating a portable input device (4) for controlling a motor vehicle (2) to perform a parking operation, wherein the input device (4) has a pressure-sensitive touchscreen (6), wherein the input device (4) is configured to generate and transmit control signals (S) for controlling the motor vehicle (2), wherein the control signal (S) has at least one definable parameter (P), wherein the input device (4) is configured to detect a pressure value (D) of an actuation force of the touchscreen (6) and to determine the parameter (P) from a value interval for the parameter (P) according to the detected pressure value (D). wherein the input device (4) is configured such that the pressure value (D) can be assigned to one of a plurality of parameters (P), and wherein the pressure value (D) can be assigned to a parameter (P) for a speed of the motor vehicle (2) (2), or wherein the pressure value (D) is associated with a speed of the motor vehicle (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a portable input device for controlling a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a computer program product for carrying out such a method and an input device with such a computer program product.

[0002] Portable input devices, such as smartphones or tablets, can be configured to control a motor vehicle, for example, to perform a parking maneuver, with the driver remaining outside the vehicle and controlling it via the input device. Control commands can be entered via the device's touchscreen. However, this method does not allow for the simple adjustment of a predefined parameter to control the vehicle.

[0003] From US patents 2006 / 0146036A1 and 2014 / 0092025A1, a touchscreen is known to which a pressure sensor for detecting the magnitude of an actuation force is associated. In each case, the touchscreen is installed as a component in the interior of a motor vehicle.

[0004] From US patent 2016 / 0280095A1, a motor vehicle with adjustable vehicle seats is known, wherein seat adjustment is possible by means of a touchscreen, which may also be assigned to a mobile computer.

[0005] From DE 10 2013 019 572 A1 a method for operating an infotainment system of a motor vehicle is known, which includes at least a display device arranged in a rear seat area of ​​the motor vehicle for displaying a graphic user interface of the infotainment system.

[0006] From EP 2 546 730 A2, a combined pressure and proximity detection system is known to prevent operator errors: From DE 198 02 249 A1 a method for inputting control signals for influencing the speed of vehicles, preferably motor vehicles, is known, wherein the control signals are output by an input device arranged on a steering wheel.

[0007] From US 2015 / 0375741A1, a method for operating a portable input device for controlling a motor vehicle to perform a parking operation is known, wherein the input device has a touchscreen, wherein the input device is configured to generate and transmit control signals for controlling the motor vehicle, wherein the control signal has at least one definable parameter.

[0008] From DE 10 2013 012 394 A1, a method for operating a portable input device for controlling a motor vehicle in order to carry out a parking operation is known, wherein the input device has a pressure-sensitive touchscreen, wherein the input device is configured to generate control signals for controlling the motor vehicle (2) and to transmit them to the motor vehicle.

[0009] It is therefore the object of the invention to show ways in which the control of a motor vehicle can be simplified with a portable input device.

[0010] The object of the invention is achieved by a method for operating a portable input device for controlling a motor vehicle to perform a parking operation, wherein the input device has a pressure-sensitive touchscreen, wherein the input device is configured to generate and transmit control signals for controlling the motor vehicle, wherein the control signal has at least one definable parameter, wherein the input device is configured to detect a pressure value of an actuating force of the touchscreen and to determine the parameter from a value interval for the parameter according to the detected pressure value.

[0011] A portable input device is understood to be an input device that is not structurally connected to, nor can be connected to, the vehicle. Instead, it refers to separate input devices that can be temporarily connected to an assigned vehicle via a wireless data transmission connection. A touchscreen (formerly: "touch-sensitive screen," less commonly: "touch screen," "keyboard," "sensor screen") is understood to be a combined input and output device where touching parts of an image displayed on the touchscreen directly controls the program flow of the input device. A touchscreen therefore allows input by touching the touchscreen, e.g., with a finger.By capturing and evaluating a pressure value of an actuating force, an additional input option for a definable parameter is provided, thus offering a simple input option for a value from a value interval for the parameter.

[0012] The input device is designed so that the pressure value can be assigned to one of several parameters. This allows the driver to specify, for example via a menu, which parameter is determined by the size of the pressure value. This enables individual customization to the driver's needs and / or preferences.

[0013] The pressure value can be assigned to a parameter for the speed of the vehicle. This makes it particularly easy to set the values.

[0014] Furthermore, the pressure value can be assigned to a vehicle speed and / or an interior temperature. These are therefore presets and thus fixed assignments, meaning that a driver does not need to make any configurations via a menu.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the input device is designed as a handheld. A handheld is a portable electronic device powered by rechargeable batteries or standard batteries for various applications. It is so small and light that it can be held in one hand during use, hence the name handheld (from the English "held in the hand"). Such a handheld can be, for example, a smartphone or a tablet. A smartphone is understood to be a mobile phone (colloquially, a cell phone) that offers significantly more extensive computer functionalities and connectivity than a conventional "pure" mobile phone. A key feature of modern smartphones is touchscreens or touch-sensitive displays.Another important feature is the ease with which additional programs can be installed via internet download portals; these programs are now available for a wide variety of applications. A tablet (from the English word "tablet," meaning writing tablet, and the US English word "tablet," meaning notepad) or tablet computer, tablet PC, or sometimes flat computer, is a portable, flat computer of particularly lightweight design with a touchscreen. Due to their lightweight construction and touch-sensitive screen, tablets are characterized by their ease of use. The devices are similar to smartphones in terms of performance, operation, and design, and usually use operating systems originally developed for smartphones. The functionality of a tablet can also be expanded through additional programs (called apps, from the English word "applications").

[0016] Furthermore, the invention includes a computer program product designed to carry out such a method and an input device with such a computer program product.

[0017] The invention will now be explained using a drawing. It shows: Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an operating scenario using a portable input device.

[0018] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an operating scenario in which a motor vehicle 2 is controlled by a motor vehicle driver using a portable input device 4, for example to perform a parking operation, in which the motor vehicle driver is not in the motor vehicle 2.

[0019] In the present embodiment, the portable input device 4 is configured as a smartphone with a touchscreen 6. In contrast to the present embodiment, the portable input device 4 can also be configured as another handheld device, such as a tablet with a touchscreen 6.

[0020] The portable input device 4 is programmed to read inputs from the driver on the touchscreen 6 and convert them into control signals S, which are transmitted from the portable input device 4 to the vehicle 2 via a wireless data connection. The vehicle 2 is configured to execute the corresponding movements upon receiving control signals S by performing appropriate steering, acceleration, and / or braking operations.

[0021] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the touchscreen 6 is configured to detect a pressure value D of an actuation force applied to the touchscreen 6 and to determine the parameter P accordingly. In other words, the touchscreen 6 can detect the force with which an actuation occurs. A control signal S with a definable parameter P can thus be generated and transmitted to the motor vehicle 2. The parameter P has a value that is representative of the magnitude of the pressure value D. In this way, a value from a range of values ​​for the parameter P can be easily specified.

[0022] During operation, the driver can assign a pressure value D to a parameter P from a plurality of parameters P using a menu on the portable input device 4. The plurality of parameters P can include a speed of the vehicle 2 and an interior temperature of the vehicle 2. In the present embodiment, the driver selects the speed for parameter P.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, the portable input device 4 may have a preset function such that, for example, the pressure value D is assigned to the speed of the vehicle 2 and / or an interior temperature of the vehicle 2. Thus, the driver does not need to configure the portable input device 4 to assign the pressure value D to a specific parameter P before using it. Furthermore, this preset function may be modifiable via the menu; that is, the driver can change the preset assignment of the pressure value D to the speed of the vehicle 2 so that the pressure value D is now assigned to the interior temperature of the vehicle 2. This would allow the driver to set a desired interior temperature as a target value for the vehicle 2's air conditioning or automatic climate control system by applying pressure to the touchscreen 6.

[0024] By capturing and evaluating the pressure value D of an actuating force, an additional input option for a definable parameter P is provided, thus offering a simple input option for a value from a value interval for the parameter P. Reference symbol list 2 motor vehicles 4 Input device 6 Touchscreen D pressure value P Parameter S control signal

Claims

[1] Method for operating a portable input device (4) for controlling a motor vehicle (2) to perform a parking operation, wherein the input device (4) has a pressure-sensitive touchscreen (6), wherein the input device (4) is configured to generate and transmit control signals (S) for controlling the motor vehicle (2), wherein the control signal (S) has at least one definable parameter (P), wherein the input device (4) is configured to detect a pressure value (D) of an actuation force of the touchscreen (6) and to determine the parameter (P) according to the detected pressure value (D) from a value interval for the parameter (P), wherein the input device (4) is configured such that the pressure value (D) can be assigned to one of a plurality of parameters (P), and wherein the pressure value (D) can be assigned to a parameter (P) for a speed of the motor vehicle (2) (2), or wherein the pressure value (D) is associated with a speed of the motor vehicle (2). [2] Method according to claim 1 wherein the input device (4) is designed as a handheld device. [3] Computer program product configured to perform a method according to claim 1 or 2. [4] Input device (4) with a computer program product according to claim 3.

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