Device for monitoring a lateral environment of a multi-touch screen and method for operating a multi-touch screen

Abstract

Device (6) for monitoring a lateral environment of a multi-touch screen (2) with a horizontally oriented touch surface (5), characterized by at least one 360-degree laser scanning unit (7) with a horizontally oriented scanning plane (8) that can be arranged on the bottom below the multi-touch screen (2).

Description

Technical FieldThe invention relates to a device for monitoring a lateral environment of a multi-touch screen with a horizontally oriented touch surface. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a multi-touch screen.Prior ArtA multi-touch screen (also a multi-touch screen) can, for example, simultaneously record a plurality of operating touches in different screen areas and / or simultaneously gestures of a plurality of persons operating the multi-touch screen via a capacitive or optoelectric sensor device. As a result, the multi-touch screen can display different information, among other things, for different persons, which information can be called up by the respective person by a respective operation of the multi-touch screen.CN 101 945 228 A discloses a table-like liquid crystal display realizing a multiple identification comprising a liquid crystal display, a transparent grid layer at a bottom of the liquid crystal display, a semi-transparent optical microsphere diffusion membrane, an optical LED array module, an LCD driver device, an optical array box, a transparent touch surface and a multiple man-machine interaction identification device. Upper and lower transmission optical field spaces are formed between the surface of the liquid crystal display and the LED field module. A surface-human-machine interaction device realizes identification of infrared images and biological properties of the human body by applying the upper and lower transmission optical field spaces. The transmission optical field space is used to realize multi-touch and surface identification of a human-machine interaction operation and multi-identification of short-range bidirectional radio communication.WO 2013 / 056 157 A1 discloses a multi-touch screen table having a plurality of environment sensors arranged on a frame enclosing a multi-touch screen. As a result, the multi-touch screen table can detect the position of a person relative to the multi-touch screen table and take it into account when presenting information.WO 2014 / 125 272 A1 discloses a multi-touch installation in which a touch screen surface is scanned by means of a laser scanner in order to determine the position of a touch screen input.The publication "User detection for a multi-touch table via proximity sensors", WALTHER-FRANS, B. [et. al.], Proceedings of the IEEE Tablets and Interactive Surfaces, 2008, discloses an apparatus for monitoring a lateral environment of a table with a multi-touch screen with a horizontally oriented touch surface. The device has a series of proximity sensors in the form of infrared sensors running around the table.US 2013 / 0 093 708 A1 discloses a proximity-sensitive multi-touch table top which has both a touchscreen display and a plurality of proximity sensors. The proximity sensors are arranged in one or more annular groups around the touch screen display.Disclosure of the InventionAn object of the invention is to improve an operation of a multi-touch screen and of a multi-touch device equipped therewith.This object is achieved by the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are reproduced in the dependent patent claims, the following description and the figures, wherein these embodiments can each represent an advantageous or preferred development of the invention, taken alone or in combination with at least two of these embodiments. Preferred embodiments of the device can correspond to preferred embodiments of the multi-touch device and / or of the method, and vice versa, even if not explicitly mentioned in the individual case below.A device according to the invention for monitoring a lateral environment of a multi-touch screen with a horizontally oriented touch surface has at least one 360-degree laser scanning unit with a horizontally oriented scanning plane, which can be arranged below the multi-touch screen on the bottom side.According to the invention, the environment of the multi-touch screen with a horizontally oriented touch surface can be monitored by means of the 360-degree laser scanning unit, in particular for the presence of persons in the lateral environment of the multi-touch screen, in order to be able to operate the multi-touch screen taking into account the presence of one person or more persons in the lateral environment of the multi-touch screen. As a result, information can be displayed with the multi-touch screen in a person-related manner and locally separated from one another.Scanning data of the 360-degree laser scanning unit can be used, for example, to assign a capacitive, optoelectric, resistive, inductive or touch of the multi-touch screen detected by means of another sensor technology and / or a correspondingly detected gesture carried out in the region of the multi-touch screen to a specific person standing next to the multi-touch device or to the position of the person relative to the multi-touch screen, for example, to display information in an edge region of the multi-touch screen arranged closest to the person and / or to display this information in such a way that the person sees an image and / or a text upright and not on the head.In addition, by assigning a touch or gesture to a specific person next to the multi-touch screen, operation of the multi-touch screen for a plurality of persons located at different locations next to the multi-touch screen, for example on mutually opposite sides of the multi-touch screen, can be reliably realized, since the aforementioned assignment prevents a touch or gesture from being assigned to one person of another person and thus the wrong person. Overall, the multi-touch screen of the multi-touch device according to the invention is therefore improved compared to an operation of a conventional multi-touch screen.The 360-degree laser scanner can capture the lateral environment without gaps and can be arranged in a space-saving manner in the region of the multi-touch screen as a single structural unit in comparison with conventional techniques. The 360-degree laser scanning unit is preferably arranged under the multi-touch screen in a concealed manner on the bottom side, so that a person approaching the multi-touch screen cannot see the 360-degree laser scanning unit. The 360-degree laser scanning unit may include, for example, a lidar system.According to an advantageous embodiment, the 360-degree laser scanning unit is configured to generate individual angle-dependent distance values to objects located in the lateral environment of the multi-touch screen. The 360-degree laser scanning unit can thus generate and output at least one angle-dependent distance value for each in the lateral environment of the multi-touch screen. The 360-degree laser scanning unit may be configured to check whether an angle-dependent distance value is less than a predetermined minimum distance value, and output only those angle-dependent distance values that are less than the predetermined minimum distance value as scan data. An angle-dependent distance value supplies an angle lying in the scanning plane and thus the angular position of an object located laterally next to the multi-touch screen relative to the multi-touch screen and at the same time the distance of the object from the multi-touch screen.According to a further advantageous embodiment, the device has at least one monitoring electronics connected to the 360-degree laser scanning unit, wherein the monitoring electronics are configured to assign an angle-dependent distance value selectively either to an immovable object below or next to the multi-touch screen or to a person next to the multi-touch screen. As a result, the device is configured to distinguish between immovable objects and persons in order not to incorrectly actuate the multi-touch screen as a function of objects, but rather exclusively as a function of persons. An immovable object under or next to the multi-touch screen can be an immovable component of a support unit supporting the multi-touch screen on the bottom side or an immovable object independent of the multi-touch screen or a device equipped therewith, for example a table leg, a wall, a column or the like. By means of software executed by the monitoring electronics, the differentiation between the immovable objects and the persons can be carried out reliably. The 360-degree laser scanning unit can be connected or connectable to monitoring electronics in a cable-bound or cable-free manner. A screen electronics can be configured to operate the multi-touch screen depending on signals of the monitoring electronics or to output image signals in such a way that the multi-touch screen is operated solely depending on such an angle-dependent distance value which is assigned to a person laterally next to the multi-touch screen.The monitoring electronics can also be configured to determine from scan data of the 360-degree laser scanning unit whether a person is located in the vicinity of the multi-touch screen and / or whether a person approaches the multi-touch screen. If the person is at a lateral distance from the multi-touch screen which is less than or equal to a predefined distance value, the multi-touch screen can be operated, for example, to display information for the person, for example to wake up the interest of the person. In this case, the monitoring electronics can be configured, for example, to monitor or determine the instantaneous lateral distance of the person, to compare the determined instantaneous lateral distance with the predefined distance value and to output a control signal to a screen electronics of the multi-touch screen if the monitoring electronics determine that the instantaneous lateral distance of the person is less than or equal to the predefined distance value.According to a further advantageous embodiment, the monitoring electronics are configured to determine a position of the person relative to the multi-touch screen from a plurality of angle-dependent distance values assigned to a person located laterally next to the multi-touch screen and to combine the angle-dependent distance values with the determined position of the person to form a data packet. The angle-dependent distance values assigned to a person represent a line scan of the side of the person facing the multi-touch screen. The data packets generated by the monitoring electronics are also referred to as blobs. The data packets can be transferred via a network-based interface to screen electronics of the multi-touch screen, which can evaluate and process the data packets for the presentation of information using the multi-touch screen.A multi-touch device according to the invention has at least one horizontally oriented multi-touch screen, at least one screen electronics with which the multi-touch screen can be operated, and at least one device connected to the screen electronics according to one of the above-mentioned configurations or a combination of at least two of these configurations with one another, wherein the screen electronics are configured to operate the multi-touch screen as a function of signals from the monitoring electronics.The advantages mentioned above with respect to the device are correspondingly associated with the multi-touch device. The monitoring electronics of the device can be partially or completely realized by the display screen electronics or can be designed as a structural unit separate therefrom and connected to the display screen electronics.The multi-touch screen can have at least one sensor device for detecting a touch or a gesture. The sensor device can realize a conventional detection technology. For example, the sensor device can be implemented resistively, capacitively, inductively, acoustically, optically or optoelectrically or in some other way. A smallest dimension (length or width) of the horizontally oriented touch surface of the multi-touch screen can be, for example, greater than 0.5 m, in particular greater than 1 m.In the case of a multi-touch device properly set up on a ground, the scanning plane of the 360-degree laser scanning unit is preferably aligned horizontally, such that the 360-degree laser scanning unit scans or captures the lateral environment of the multi-touch device or the multi-touch screen.The screen electronics can be connected to the aforementioned sensor device in order to be able to evaluate or process the sensor signals of the sensor device. In this case, the display screen electronics are preferably configured to additionally operate the multi-touch display screen at least indirectly as a function of the sensor signals of the sensor device. The display screen electronics are configured to operate the multi-touch display screen indirectly as a function of the scan data of the 360-degree laser scan unit after the scan data of the 360-degree laser scan unit have been processed by the monitoring electronics.According to an advantageous embodiment, the display screen electronics are configured to operate the multi-touch display screen as a function of signals from the monitoring electronics in such a way that the multi-touch display screen carries out an at least abstract and angularly accurate visualization of persons located laterally next to the multi-touch display screen. This allows an activated background to be displayed using the multi-touch screen, which is also advantageous for design and aesthetic reasons.According to a further advantageous embodiment, the display screen electronics are configured to operate the multi-touch display screen as a function of signals from the monitoring electronics in such a way that an alignment of information displayed with the multi-touch display screen takes place as a function of an angular position of a person located laterally next to the multi-touch display screen. This displays the information upright to the respective person, i.e. not upside down.According to a further advantageous embodiment, the display screen electronics are configured to operate the multi-touch display screen as a function of signals from the monitoring electronics in such a way that the multi-touch display screen generates a welcoming information item as a function of the angular position of a person located laterally next to the multi-touch display screen if the angle-dependent distance value of this person falls below a predefined contact distance value. This allows the approaching person to be woken up early in order to attract the person to the multi-touch device to a certain extent.According to a further advantageous embodiment, the multi-touch device has at least one support unit which supports the multi-touch screen on the floor side and is designed such that the touch surface of the multi-touch screen when the multi-touch device is placed on the floor is aligned horizontally, wherein the 360-degree laser scanning unit is fastened to an underside of the multi-touch screen and / or to the support unit. The support unit can be designed such that the multi-touch device has the shape of a table. For example, the support unit may have three or four table legs that support the multi-touch screen. Alternatively, the support unit can be box-like and closed on the bottom side by the multi-touch screen. The support unit can be designed to be height-adjustable in order to be able to arrange the multi-touch screen at different heights above the floor. In this context, the term "floor" is not to be understood as restrictive within the scope of the invention, but any underlying surface can be referred to as a floor, whether it be, for example, a floor of a building room or a natural floor outside a building in its free nature.According to a method according to the invention for operating a horizontally oriented multi-touch screen, a lateral environment of the multi-touch screen is scanned by means of a 360-degree laser scanning unit which generates a scanning plane oriented parallel to a touch surface of the multi-touch screen and arranged below the multi-touch screen, wherein the multi-touch screen is operated at least indirectly as a function of scanning data of the 360-degree laser scanning unit.The advantages mentioned above with respect to the device or the multi-touch device are correspondingly associated with the method. In particular, the device or the multi-touch device according to one of the above-mentioned configurations or a combination of at least two of these configurations with one another can be used to carry out the method.According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one angle-dependent distance value is generated from the scan data for each object located laterally next to the multi-touch screen and the multi-touch screen is operated depending on the angle-dependent distance value if the angle-dependent distance value is less than a predefined minimum distance value. This embodiment correspondingly combines the advantages mentioned above with respect to the corresponding embodiment of the device.According to a further advantageous embodiment, an angle-dependent distance value is optionally assigned either to an immovable object under or next to the multi-touch screen or to a person next to the multi-touch screen, and the multi-touch screen is operated solely as a function of such an angle-dependent distance value which is assigned to a person laterally next to the multi-touch screen. This embodiment correspondingly combines the advantages mentioned above with respect to the corresponding embodiment of the device.According to a further advantageous embodiment, a plurality of angle-dependent distance values are generated for an object located laterally next to the multi-touch screen, these angle-dependent distance values are combined to form a data packet and the multi-touch screen is operated as a function of the data packet. This embodiment correspondingly combines the advantages mentioned above with respect to the corresponding embodiment of the device.According to a further advantageous embodiment, the multi-touch screen is operated at least indirectly as a function of scan data of the 360-degree laser scanning unit in such a way that the multi-touch screen carries out an at least abstract and angularly accurate visualization of persons located laterally next to the multi-touch screen. This embodiment correspondingly combines the advantages mentioned above with respect to the corresponding embodiment of the device.According to a further advantageous embodiment, the multi-touch screen is operated at least indirectly as a function of scan data of the 360-degree laser scanning unit in such a way that an alignment of information displayed with the multi-touch screen takes place as a function of an angular position of a person located laterally next to the multi-touch screen. This embodiment correspondingly combines the advantages mentioned above with respect to the corresponding embodiment of the device.According to a further advantageous embodiment, the multi-touch screen is operated at least indirectly as a function of scan data of the 360-degree laser scanning unit in such a way that a welcoming information item is generated with the multi-touch screen as a function of the angular position of a person located laterally next to the multi-touch screen if the angle-dependent distance value of this person falls below a predefined contact distance value. This embodiment correspondingly combines the advantages mentioned above with respect to the corresponding embodiment of the device.In the following, the invention is explained by way of example with reference to the appended figures on the basis of preferred embodiments, wherein the features explained below can represent an advantageous or preferred development of the invention both individually and in combination of at least two of these features with one another.Brief Description of the FiguresFIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of a multi-touch device according to the invention. FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a further exemplary embodiment of a multi-touch device according to the invention. FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of a multi-touch device according to the invention in an initial state. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the multi-touch device shown in FIG. 3 in a welcoming state. FIG. 5 shows a schematic plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of a multi-touch device according to the invention in a display state. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the multi-touch device shown in FIG. 5 in another display state.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURESIn the figures, identical or functionally identical components are provided with the same reference numerals. Repeated description of such components may be omitted.FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of a multi-touch device 1 according to the invention, having a multi-touch screen 2 and display electronics 3 integrated into the multi-touch screen 2, with which display electronics the multi-touch screen 2 can be operated.Furthermore, the multi-touch device 1 has a box-shaped support unit 4 supporting the multi-touch screen 2 on the bottom side. The support unit 4 is designed such that a touch surface 5 of the multi-touch screen 2 is horizontally oriented when the multi-touch device 1 is placed on a floor, not shown, as shown in FIG. 1. The support unit 4 has a box-shaped body 10 and four feet 11 arranged on the bottom side thereof.In addition, the multi-touch device 1 has a device 6 connected to the display screen electronics 3 for monitoring a lateral environment of the multi-touch display screen 2. The display screen electronics 3 are configured to operate the multi-touch display screen 2 as a function of signals from the device 6.The device 6 has a 360-degree laser scanning unit 7 arranged on the bottom side below the multi-touch screen 2 and having a horizontally oriented scanning plane 8. The 360-degree laser scanning unit 7 is fastened to a lower side 9 of the box-shaped body 10 of the support unit 4. The 360-degree laser scanning unit 7 is configured to generate individual angle-dependent distance values to objects located in the lateral environment of the multi-touch screen 2, wherein no object is located in the lateral environment of the multi-touch screen 2 in FIG. 1.The device 6 also has monitoring electronics 12 connected to the 360-degree laser scanning unit 7. The monitoring electronics 12 are configured to assign an angle-dependent distance value selectively either to an immovable object under or next to the multi-touch screen 2 or to a person next to the multi-touch screen 2. In addition, the monitoring electronics 12 can be configured to determine a position of the person relative to the multi-touch screen 2 from a plurality of angle-dependent distance values assigned to a person located laterally next to the multi-touch screen 2 and to combine the angle-dependent distance values with the determined position of the person to form a data packet.The display screen electronics 3 are configured to operate the multi-touch display screen 2 as a function of signals from the monitoring electronics 12. In this case, the display screen electronics 3 are configured to operate the multi-touch display screen 2 as a function of signals from the monitoring electronics 12 in such a way that the multi-touch display screen 2 is operated solely as a function of such angle-dependent distance values which are assigned to persons laterally next to the multi-touch display screen 2.The display screen electronics 3 can be configured to operate the multi-touch display screen 2 as a function of signals from the monitoring electronics 12 in such a way that the multi-touch display screen 2 is used to perform an at least abstract and angularly accurate visualization of persons located laterally next to the multi-touch display screen 2.In addition, the display screen electronics 3 can be configured to operate the multi-touch display screen 2 as a function of signals from the monitoring electronics 12 in such a way that an alignment of information represented by the multi-touch display screen 2 takes place as a function of an angular position of a person located laterally next to the multi-touch display screen 2, as is shown for example in the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to 6.Furthermore, the display screen electronics 3 can be configured to operate the multi-touch display screen 2 as a function of signals from the monitoring electronics 12 in such a way that the multi-touch display screen 2 is used to generate a welcoming information item as a function of the angular position of a person located laterally next to the multi-touch display screen 2 if the angle-dependent distance value of this person falls below a predefined contact distance value. This is shown, for example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a further exemplary embodiment of a multi-touch device 13 according to the invention. The multi-touch device 13 differs from the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that the support unit 14 is designed as a table, the table top of which is partially formed by the multi-touch screen 2 which is supported on the floor side by four table legs 15 of the support unit 14. In addition, the 360-degree laser scanning unit 7 and the monitoring electronics 12 of the device 6 are fastened to a bottom side 16 of the multi-touch screen 2. To avoid repetitions, reference is also made to the above description relating to FIG. 1.FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of a multi-touch device 17 according to the invention in an initial state. In the initial state shown, the multi-touch screen 2 can display nothing or a static representation, for example. The multi-touch device 17 can be designed according to the exemplary embodiment formed in FIG. 1 or in FIG. 2. To avoid repetitions, reference is therefore made to the above description relating to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the multi-touch device 17 shown in FIG. 3 in a welcoming state. The multi-touch device 17 has changed from the initial state shown in FIG. 3 to the welcoming state, since it has been determined by means of the device 6 or the 360-degree laser scanning unit 7 and the monitoring electronics 12 that a person 18 is located in the lateral environment of the multi-touch screen 2.The display screen electronics 3 are configured to operate the multi-touch display screen 2 as a function of signals from the monitoring electronics 12 in such a way that an alignment of a welcoming information 19 displayed with the multi-touch display screen 2 takes place as a function of an angular position of the person 18 located laterally next to the multi-touch display screen 2. In addition, the display screen electronics 3 are configured to operate the multi-touch display screen 2 as a function of signals from the monitoring electronics 12 in such a way that the welcoming information 19 is generated if the angle-dependent distance value of the person 18 falls below a predefined contact distance value.FIG. 5 shows a schematic plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of a multi-touch device 20 according to the invention in a display state. In the display state shown, the multi-touch screen 2 displays information 21. The multi-touch device 20 can be designed according to the exemplary embodiment formed in FIG. 1 or in FIG. 2. To avoid repetitions, reference is therefore made to the above description relating to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.The display screen electronics 3 are configured to operate the multi-touch display screen 2 as a function of signals from the monitoring electronics 12 in such a way that the information 21 displayed with the multi-touch display screen 2 is aligned as a function of an angular position of a person 18 located laterally next to the multi-touch display screen 2, so that the information 21 is displayed upright for the person 18.FIG. 6 shows a schematic plan view of the multi-touch device 20 shown in FIG. 5 in a further display state. Since a person 18 in FIG. 6 is located on the other or opposite side of the multi-touch screen 2, the information 21 is displayed in reverse in comparison with FIG. 5 in order to display the information 21 upright to the person 18.List of reference characters1 Multi-touch device 2 Multi-touch screen 3 Screen electronics 4 Support unit 5 Touch surface of 2 6 Device 7 360-degree laser scanning unit 8 Scanning plane 9 Underside of 10 10 Body of 4 11 Feet of 4 12 Monitoring electronics 13 Multi-touch device 14 Support unit 15 Table leg of 14 16 Underside of 2 17 Multi-touch device 18 Person 19 Welcoming information 20 Multi-touch device 21 Information

Claims

Device (6) for monitoring a lateral environment of a multi-touch screen (2) with a horizontally oriented touch surface (5), characterized byat least one 360-degree laser scanning unit (7) with a horizontally oriented scanning plane (8) which can be arranged on the bottom side below the multi-touch screen (2).Device (6) according to claim 1, characterised in that the 360-degree laser scanning unit (7) is configured to generate individual angle-dependent distance values to objects located in the lateral environment of the multi-touch screen (2).Device (6) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised byat least one monitoring electronics (12) connected to the 360-degree laser scanning unit (7), wherein the monitoring electronics (12) are configured to assign an angle-dependent distance value selectively either to an immovable object under or next to the multi-touch screen (2) or to a person (18) next to the multi-touch screen (2).Device (6) according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the monitoring electronics (12) are configured to determine a position of the person (18) relative to the multi-touch screen (2) from a plurality of angle-dependent distance values assigned to a person (18) located laterally next to the multi-touch screen (2) and to combine the angle-dependent distance values with the determined position of the person (18) to form a data packet.Multi-touch device (1, 13, 17, 20) having at least one horizontally oriented multi-touch screen (2) and at least one screen electronics (3) with which the multi-touch screen (2) can be operated, characterized byat least one device (6) according to one of Claims 1 to 4 connected to the screen electronics (3), wherein the screen electronics (3) are configured to operate the multi-touch screen (2) as a function of signals from the monitoring electronics (12).Multi-touch device (1, 13, 17, 20) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the screen electronics (3) are configured to operate the multi-touch screen (2) as a function of signals from the monitoring electronics (12) in such a way that the multi-touch screen (2) is used to perform an at least abstract and angularly accurate visualization of persons (18) located laterally next to the multi-touch screen (2).Multi-touch device (1, 13, 17, 20) according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the screen electronics (3) are configured to operate the multi-touch screen (2) as a function of signals from the monitoring electronics (12) in such a way that an alignment of an item of information (21) represented by the multi-touch screen (2) takes place as a function of an angular position of a person (18) located laterally next to the multi-touch screen (2).Multi-touch device (1, 13, 17, 20) according to claim 7, characterised in that the screen electronics (3) are configured to operate the multi-touch screen (2) as a function of signals from the monitoring electronics (12) in such a way that a welcoming information (19) is generated with the multi-touch screen (2) as a function of the angular position of a person (18) located laterally next to the multi-touch screen (2) if the angle-dependent distance value of this person (18) falls below a predetermined contact distance value.Multi-touch device (1, 13, 17, 20) according to one of Claims 5 to 8, characterized byat least one support unit (4, 14) which supports the multi-touch screen (2) on the base side and is designed in such a way that the touch surface (5) of the multi-touch screen (2) is aligned horizontally when the multi-touch device (1, 13, 17, 20) is placed on a base, wherein the 360-degree laser scanning unit (7) is fastened to an underside (16) of the multi-touch screen (2) and / or to the support unit (4, 14).Method for operating a horizontally oriented multi-touch screen (2), characterized in that a lateral environment of the multi-touch screen (2) is scanned by means of a 360-degree laser scanning unit (7) which generates a scanning plane (8) oriented parallel to a touch surface (5) of the multi-touch screen (2) and arranged below the multi-touch screen (2), and the multi-touch screen (2) is operated at least indirectly as a function of scanning data of the 360-degree laser scanning unit (7).Method according to claim 10, characterised in that at least one individual angle-dependent distance value is generated from the scan data for each object located laterally next to the multi-touch screen (2), and the multi-touch screen (2) is operated as a function of the angle-dependent distance value if the angle-dependent distance value is smaller than a predetermined minimum distance value.Method according to Claim 11, characterized in that an angle-dependent distance value is optionally assigned either to an immovable object under or next to the multi-touch screen (2) or to a person (18) next to the multi-touch screen (2), and the multi-touch screen (2) is operated solely as a function of an angle-dependent distance value which is assigned to a person (18) laterally next to the multi-touch screen (2).Method according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that a plurality of angle-dependent distance values are generated for a person (18) located laterally next to the multi-touch screen (2), these angle-dependent distance values are combined to form a data packet and the multi-touch screen (2) is operated as a function of the data packet.Method according to one of Claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the multi-touch screen (2) is operated at least indirectly on the basis of scan data of the 360-degree laser scanning unit (7) in such a way that the multi-touch screen (2) is used to perform an at least abstract and angularly accurate visualization of persons (18) located laterally next to the multi-touch screen (2).Method according to one of Claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the multi-touch screen (2) is operated at least indirectly on the basis of scan data of the 360-degree laser scanning unit (7) in such a way that an item of information (21) displayed with the multi-touch screen (2) is aligned on the basis of an angular position of a person (18) located laterally next to the multi-touch screen (2).Method according to Claim 15, characterized in that the multi-touch screen (2) is operated at least indirectly as a function of scan data of the 360-degree laser scanning unit (7) in such a way that the multi-touch screen (2) is used to generate a welcoming information item (19) as a function of the angular position of a person (18) located laterally next to the multi-touch screen (2) if the angle-dependent distance value of this person (18) falls below a predefined contact distance value.

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