Touch-sensitive display device and method for operating a touch-sensitive display device

Abstract

Touch-sensitive display device (2), comprising: - a touch-sensitive flexible display (3) with at least one actuation area (6) for triggering at least one function, which is formed in the form of a protrusion relative to a remaining display area (5); - a rigid support element (7) attached to the rear of the remaining display area (5), which is recessed behind the actuation area (6) and thereby allows relative movement of the actuation area (6) with respect to the remaining display area (5); - a control device (4) which is configured to trigger at least one function depending on a detected relative movement of the actuation area (6) and / or depending on a touch detected by means of the touch-sensitive flexible display (3); characterized in that - at least indirectly, a restoring element (10) acts on the actuation area (6), which exerts an opposing restoring force when the actuation area (6) moves relative to it from a starting position, wherein the restoring element (10) • a spring element which acts at least indirectly on the rear side of the actuation area (6), or • a display area with a curvature that connects the actuation area (6) with the remaining display area (5), wherein the curvature is elastically reversed during a relative movement of the actuation area (6) from its initial position and thereby exerts the restoring force; and / or - which has at least one actuation area (6) in the form of a rocker switch within the flexible display (3), which is pivotable about at least one tilting axis; and / or - which at least one actuation area (6) or another actuation area (6) formed in the form of a protrusion relative to the remaining display area (5) is formed in the form of a rocker switch at a free end of the flexible display (3), which is pivotable about a rocker axis.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a touch-sensitive display device of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a touch-sensitive display device and to a motor vehicle with such a touch-sensitive display device.

[0002] Touch-sensitive displays, such as touchscreens, typically have the disadvantage that they cannot easily be operated blindly. This is because touchscreens usually have a smooth surface, meaning that the user receives no tactile reference points or feedback while using the touchscreen.

[0003] In this context, DE 10 2014 200 609 A1 proposes to provide a display with molded recesses so that a user can orient themselves using the recesses while touching or operating the display.

[0004] Similarly, DE 10 2015 005 398 A1 also proposes providing recesses on the cover glass of a display to aid user orientation.

[0005] German patent application DE 10 2014 008 040 A1 discloses a touchscreen comprising a base surface and two local raised areas that are integrally formed with and merge into the base surface. The base surface with the raised areas is formed by a touch-sensitive OLED display. The OLED display is mounted on a substrate that has a corresponding three-dimensional shape, which forms the raised areas in the OLED display.

[0006] US patent 2016 / 0070304A1 describes a mobile electronic device that has a touch-sensitive flexible display. The display is designed to be transformed, in a specific area, from a first state with a flat surface to a second state with a raised surface by applying force.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution by which a particularly good haptic orientation possibility and good haptic feedback are given when operating a touch-sensitive display device.

[0008] This problem is solved by a touch-sensitive display device and by a method for operating such a touch-sensitive display device with the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] The touch-sensitive display device comprises a touch-sensitive flexible display with at least one actuation area for triggering at least one function, which is formed as a raised area relative to the rest of the display. A rigid support element is attached to the rear of the rest of the display area, which is recessed behind the actuation area, thereby allowing relative movement of the actuation area relative to the rest of the display area. The touch-sensitive display device also includes a control unit configured to trigger the at least one function depending on a detected relative movement of the actuation area and / or depending on a touch detected by the touch-sensitive flexible display.

[0010] Because the display is flexible, it is easy to shape the relatively movable, raised activation area. The rigid support element is attached to the back of the rest of the display area; that is, the rigid support element is not attached to the activation area itself. As mentioned, the rigid support element is recessed behind the relatively movable activation area. Firstly, the rigid support element serves as a support for the rest of the display area and thus also as a kind of stiffener for the flexible display within that area. Secondly, the rigid support element can be used, for example, to attach the entire touch-sensitive display device, especially the touch-sensitive flexible display, to another component such as the center console of a vehicle or the housing of a smartphone or similar device.

[0011] Because the actuation area is shaped like a raised section, a user can easily operate the touch-sensitive display device even blindly, if necessary. The raised actuation area is easily located by touch. Furthermore, the invention offers the significant advantage that the raised actuation area can be moved relative to the rest of the display area. For example, it is possible to tilt the raised actuation area relative to the rest of the display or to operate it like a push button. The flexibility of the touch-sensitive display allows the actuation area to be easily deformed relative to the rest of the display area.In this way, it is possible to provide the user of the touch-sensitive display device with excellent haptic feedback when they deflect or otherwise move the actuation area relative to the rest of the display area. The actuation area, designed as a raised section, thus provides a mechanical actuation element as an integral part of the touch-sensitive flexible display. A user can therefore operate the touch-sensitive display device like conventional buttons or similar controls. In other words, the at least one relatively movable actuation area, designed as a raised section, forms a kind of built-in or integral control element that is part of the entire touch-sensitive flexible display.The raised activation area is equipped with the same image pixels as the rest of the display area, allowing a wide variety of content to be displayed across the entire touch-sensitive, flexible display, including the relatively movable raised activation area. This results in a particularly three-dimensional character, not only in terms of feel but also appearance.

[0012] If the touch-sensitive display device is installed, for example, in the area of ​​a center console, dashboard, door, or roof of a vehicle, a driver can easily operate it while driving without having to take their eyes off the road. If they want to trigger or change a certain vehicle function by activating at least one of the control areas, such as adjusting the temperature of the air conditioning, they can simply feel the raised control area without having to look at the display and then move it with their finger relative to the rest of the display to make the desired vehicle settings.Similarly, the touch-sensitive display device can also be attached to any other object, not just motor vehicles, to enable particularly easy blind operation with good haptic orientation and haptic feedback. For example, the touch-sensitive display device can also be part of a smartphone, a tablet computer, or other electronic input devices.

[0013] The invention further provides that a return element acts, at least indirectly, on the actuating area, exerting an opposing return force when the actuating area moves relative to its initial position. This ensures defined haptic feedback when the actuating area is activated. Similar to conventional mechanical toggle switches or other buttons, the actuation of the area then feels the same. Furthermore, it is also possible, for example, for the actuating area to be designed like a monostable rocker arm, where the return element repeatedly pushes the actuating area back to its initial or neutral position as soon as a user, for instance, removes their finger from the actuating area.

[0014] According to the invention, the return element is a spring element that engages the actuating area at least indirectly from the rear. For example, the spring element can engage the previously mentioned stiffening element, which is attached to the rear or inner side of the actuating area for shape stabilization. By appropriately dimensioning the spring element, it is thus easily possible to set a very specific haptic feedback when the actuating area is activated. Alternatively, the touch-sensitive display can also have a display film with such material properties that the haptic feedback is determined by the display film itself. In other words, the return element is implemented by the display film itself.If the desired haptic feedback cannot be achieved when activating the operating area solely due to the properties of the display film, the spring element mentioned above can also be used.

[0015] Alternatively, according to the invention, the restoring element is a display area with a curvature which connects the actuation area with the rest of the display area, wherein the curvature is elastically reversed during a relative movement of the actuation area from its initial position and thereby exerts the restoring force.

[0016] In other words, the curvature snaps into the opposite direction once a certain relative movement or deflection of the actuating area is reached, with the curvature of the display area, which serves as a return element, then exerting the return force on the actuating area. This allows, for example, a defined click feel or similar sensation to be set when the actuating area is activated.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, in addition to a return element acting at least indirectly on the actuation area, which exerts an opposing return force when the actuation area is moved relative to a starting position, the invention provides that the at least one actuation area is formed in the form of a rocker switch within the flexible display, which is pivotable about at least one tilting axis. The actuation area can, for example, also be configured as a four-way rocker switch, which can be moved, for example, up and down as well as left and right. By designing it as a rocker switch, a user is provided with a simple way to actuate the actuation area in a manner similar to conventional mechanical rocker switches.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, according to the invention, at least one actuation area or another actuation area formed as a protrusion relative to the rest of the display area is shaped as a rocker switch at a free end of the flexible display, which is pivotable about a tilting axis. This allows a user to easily locate the free end of the display by touch in order to actuate the rocker switch-shaped actuation area.

[0019] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that a stiffening element is arranged on the rear side of the actuation area for shape stabilization, and this stiffening element is separated from the support element by a joint. Particularly when the actuation area is to be relatively large, it can be advantageous to provide the aforementioned stiffening element on the rear, i.e., inner, side of the actuation area for shape stabilization. This ensures that the actuation area itself does not deform when the area is operated. Because the stiffening element is separated from the support element by a joint, this advantageous embodiment also ensures that the actuation area can be moved easily relative to the rest of the display area, for example, tilted or otherwise moved.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the curvature has a base surface such that, once the actuating area is in a stable relative position, the elastically inverted curvature assumes a stable shape and thereby holds the actuating area in that stable relative position. For example, the curvature can have a rhomboid-shaped base surface, whereby, once the actuating area is in a stable relative position, the elastically inverted curvature assumes a stable shape and thereby holds the actuating area in that stable relative position. It is therefore also possible that the actuating area is not a monostable actuating element.Alternatively, it can be provided that by pressing the actuation area relative to the rest of the display area into the aforementioned stable relative position, the curvature is elastically reversed to such an extent that it retains its then-assumed shape and thereby holds the actuation area in this stable relative position. Alternatively, the display area serving as a return element can be dimensioned and configured, based on its material properties, particularly with regard to elasticity, such that the curvature automatically snaps back after a certain time, thereby returning the actuation area to its initial position, at least when a user no longer applies force to the actuation area.

[0021] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the control unit is configured to control the touch-sensitive flexible display to show status information relating to the function in the actuation area or in the remaining display area. Thus, when a user looks towards the display, they can easily read the status information and recognize whether and to what extent they need to actuate the control area to change or adjust the desired function.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one actuation area or a further actuation area formed as a protrusion relative to the rest of the display area is shaped as a push button within the flexible display, which can be pressed in a manner normal to the rest of the display area. In other words, it is also possible to form a conventional push button, which can be pressed to a certain stroke, as an integral part of the flexible, touch-sensitive display by means of the actuation area or a further such actuation area.

[0023] Preferably, the flexible display comprises a layer containing organic light-emitting diodes, and the flexible display also preferably includes a capacitive layer structure for detecting touches. In other words, it is preferably a touch-sensitive OLED display configured for actively displaying graphic information and for capacitively detecting manual touches.

[0024] The motor vehicle according to the invention comprises the touch-sensitive display device according to the invention or an advantageous embodiment of the touch-sensitive display device.

[0025] In the inventive method for operating the inventive touch-sensitive display device or an advantageous embodiment of the inventive touch-sensitive display device, the control unit triggers at least one function depending on a detected relative movement of the actuation area and / or depending on a touch detected by the touch-sensitive flexible display on the actuation area. Advantageous embodiments of the inventive touch-sensitive display device are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the inventive method and vice versa, wherein the touch-sensitive display device in particular comprises means for carrying out the method steps.

[0026] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0027] The drawing shows in: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle with a touch-sensitive display device comprising a touch-sensitive flexible display and a control unit; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a first embodiment of the partially illustrated touch-sensitive display device, wherein the touch-sensitive flexible display has an actuation area designed as a rocker switch, which is formed within the flexible display; Fig. 3 a perspective view of a further embodiment of the partially illustrated touch-sensitive display device, wherein the actuation area is formed in the form of a rocker switch at a free end of the flexible display; Fig. 4 a sectional view of the flexible display along the in Fig. 3 marked sectioning plane AA; Fig. 5 a perspective view of the same embodiment of a touch-sensitive display device as in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, wherein the actuation area designed as a toggle switch has been folded downwards; Fig. 6 a further section view along the in Fig. 5 marked sectioning plane AA; Fig. 7 a perspective view of another partially illustrated embodiment of the touch-sensitive display device, wherein the actuation area is again designed in the form of a rocker switch functioning as a four-way rocker switch; and in Fig. 8 a perspective view of another partially illustrated embodiment of the touch-sensitive display device, wherein the actuation area is designed in the form of a push button.

[0028] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements have been provided with the same reference symbols.

[0029] A motor vehicle 1 with a touch-sensitive display device 2 is shown in a schematic representation in Fig. Figure 1 shows the touch-sensitive display device 2, which comprises a touch-sensitive flexible display 3 and a control unit 4 configured to trigger at least one function of the motor vehicle 1 depending on activation of the touch-sensitive flexible display 3. The touch-sensitive flexible display can, for example, be located in the area of ​​a center console of the motor vehicle 1. In other words, it is a touchscreen, which can be located, for example, in the aforementioned center console or in other areas of the motor vehicle 1.

[0030] In Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the touch-sensitive display device 2, partially shown in a perspective view. The touch-sensitive flexible display 3 includes an actuation area 6 formed as a protrusion relative to the remaining display area 5. In the present case, the actuation area 6 is formed as a rocker switch within the flexible display 3. According to the present illustration, the actuation area 6 can be pivoted upwards and downwards about a horizontally extending tilting axis, which is not shown in detail here.

[0031] A rigid support element 7 is attached to the rear of the remaining display area 5, which is recessed behind the actuation area 6. This allows relative movement of the actuation area 6 with respect to the remaining display area 5.

[0032] The aforementioned control device 4 is designed to trigger at least one function of the motor vehicle 1 depending on a detected relative movement of the actuation area 6 and / or depending on a touch detected by means of the touch-sensitive flexible display 3.

[0033] For shape stabilization, a stiffening element 8 is arranged on the rear side of the actuation area 6, which is separated from the support element 7 by a circumferential joint 9. The touch-sensitive flexible display 3, for example, in this and also in the embodiments shown below, comprises a layer containing organic light-emitting diodes (not shown in detail here). This makes the display 3 particularly flexible. The display 3 is also particularly flexible because it is applied to a flexible film (not shown in detail here). Furthermore, in the embodiment shown here and also in the following embodiment, the flexible display 3 preferably comprises a capacitive layer structure (not shown in detail here) for detecting touches. Due to the high flexibility of the display 3, the provision of the stiffening element 8 is particularly advantageous.When the actuation area 6 is touched or activated and thus deflected, the actuation area 6 retains its shape.

[0034] A restoring element, not shown here, can act at least indirectly on the actuation area 6. This element can exert an opposing restoring force during a relative movement of the actuation area 6 from an initial position indicated by dashed lines. The restoring element could, for example, be a spring element that acts at least indirectly on the rear side of the actuation area 6.

[0035] Alternatively, it is also possible that the display 3 is cut out in the actuation area 6. In that case, only a flexible film is arranged on the outside of actuation area 6. Where according to Fig. 2 where the remaining display area 5 is provided, the display 3 can then be provided behind the film in this embodiment.

[0036] In Fig. Figure 3 shows another possible embodiment of the touch-sensitive display device 2 in a perspective view. In the present case, the actuation area 6 is again designed in the form of a rocker switch, whereby the actuation area 6, in contrast to the one in Figure 3, is partially shown in a perspective view. Fig. 2 shown embodiment is located at a free end of the flexible display 3.

[0037] This illustration shows one possible embodiment of the previously mentioned return element 10. The return element 10 is a display area with a bulge that connects the actuation area 6 to the remaining display area 5. The actuation area 6 is shown here in its initial position. When the actuation area 6 is deflected downwards from this initial position, the bulge is elastically reversed, thereby exerting a restoring force on the actuation area 6. As can be seen, the bulge has a rhomboid base.

[0038] In Fig. 4 is the flexible touch-sensitive display 3 along the in Fig. The section plane AA, marked in section 3, is shown. As can be seen, the return element 10 is curved inwards.

[0039] In Fig. 5 is the same embodiment of the touch-sensitive display device 2 as in the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows that, in the present case, the actuation area 6, designed as a toggle switch, was folded downwards. As a result, the curvature of the return element 10 has changed relative to its shape in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is reversed so that the curvature now protrudes outwards. This makes it possible for the stable relative position of the actuation area 6 shown here to be maintained by the reversed curvature of the return element 10. Due to the diamond-shaped return element 10, this results in a kind of flexing sensation or haptic feedback when the actuation area 6 is actuated.

[0040] In Fig. 6 is the touch-sensitive flexible display 3 according to the in Fig. The section plane AA, marked 5, is shown. Here it is again clearly visible that the return element 10 is now convex outwards, in contrast to the inwardly convex design as shown in Fig. 4 shown.

[0041] In Fig. Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of the display device 2 according to the invention in a perspective view. The embodiment shown here differs from the one in Figure 7. Fig. The only difference in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 is that the actuation area 6 is now designed as a four-way rocker switch instead of a two-way rocker switch. Therefore, as shown, the actuation area 6 can be tilted or deflected upwards and downwards as well as left and right relative to the rest of the display area 5.

[0042] Finally, in Fig.Figure 8 shows another embodiment of the touch-sensitive display device 2, partially in a perspective view. In this embodiment, the actuation area 6 is formed as a push button within the flexible display 3, which can be pressed in perpendicular to the rest of the display. Instead of a tilting movement as in the other embodiments, the actuation area 6 can be pressed into the plane of the display. Return elements can also be provided, which then, for example, automatically push the actuation area 6, designed as a push button, back out. Furthermore, it is also possible that, for example, a microswitch or another switch is arranged on the back of the actuation area 6. This is triggered when the actuation area 6 is pressed. In this way, a wide variety of functions can be triggered by means of the microswitch or another type of switch.

[0043] The touch-sensitive display device 2 can also have several of these actuation areas 6 in various configurations in different areas. Due to the actuation areas 6, which are shaped like raised sections, the touch-sensitive display device 2 is particularly easy to operate by touch. Furthermore, it provides good mechanical feedback when triggering various vehicle functions. A user can feel whether they have placed their finger on the actuation area 6 before it triggers the desired function. In particular, this significantly reduces driver distraction from the actual driving task when operating the touch-sensitive display device 2. The haptic feedback when actuating the different actuation areas 6 results from the deformation properties of the touch-sensitive flexible display and / or from the aforementioned return elements.In particular, the operating areas 6 can also be fully equipped with displayed graphics, so that if the driver focuses his gaze on the operating areas 6, he can directly see which vehicle functions he can manipulate or trigger.

Claims

[1] Touch-sensitive display device (2), comprising: - a touch-sensitive flexible display (3) with at least one actuation area (6) for triggering at least one function, which is formed in the form of a protrusion relative to a remaining display area (5); - a rigid support element (7) attached to the rear of the remaining display area (5), which is recessed behind the actuation area (6) and thereby allows relative movement of the actuation area (6) with respect to the remaining display area (5); - a control device (4) which is configured to trigger at least one function depending on a detected relative movement of the actuation area (6) and / or depending on a touch detected by means of the touch-sensitive flexible display (3); characterized in that - at least indirectly, a restoring element (10) acts on the actuation area (6), which exerts an opposing restoring force when the actuation area (6) moves relative to it from a starting position, wherein the restoring element (10) • a spring element which acts at least indirectly on the rear side of the actuation area (6), or • a display area with a curvature that connects the actuation area (6) with the remaining display area (5), wherein the curvature is elastically reversed during a relative movement of the actuation area (6) from its initial position and thereby exerts the restoring force; and / or - which has at least one actuation area (6) in the form of a rocker switch within the flexible display (3), which is pivotable about at least one tilting axis; and / or - which at least one actuation area (6) or another actuation area (6) formed in the form of a protrusion relative to the remaining display area (5) is formed in the form of a rocker switch at a free end of the flexible display (3), which is pivotable about a rocker axis. [2] Touch-sensitive display device (2) according to claim 1, characterized by , that for shape stabilization a stiffening element (8) is arranged on the rear side of the actuation area (6), which is separated from the support element (7) by a joint (9). [3] Touch-sensitive display device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the curvature has such a base area that from a stable relative position of the actuation area (6) the elastically inverted curvature assumes a stable form and thereby keeps the actuation area (6) in the stable relative position. [4] Touch-sensitive display device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control device (4) is configured to control the touch-sensitive flexible display (3) to display status information relating to the function in the actuation area (6) or in the remaining display area (5). [5] Touch-sensitive display device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one actuation area (6) or another actuation area (6) formed in the form of a protrusion relative to the rest of the display area (5) is formed in the form of a push button within the flexible display (3) which can be pressed in normally to the rest of the display area (5). [6] Touch-sensitive display device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the flexible display (3) has a layer comprising organic light-emitting diodes. [7] Touch-sensitive display device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the flexible display (3) comprises a capacitive layer structure for detecting touches. [8] Motor vehicle (1) with a touch-sensitive display device (2) according to one of the preceding claims. [9] Method for operating a touch-sensitive display device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the control device (4) triggers at least one function depending on a detected relative movement of the actuation area (6) and / or depending on a touch detected on the actuation area (6) by means of the touch-sensitive flexible display (3).

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