Control device for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Operating device (500), in particular for a motor vehicle (1), in particular for operating a function of a motor vehicle (1), wherein the operating device (500) comprises a plurality of adjacent LEDs (50) and a fiber optic (51) arranged above the plurality of LEDs (50), wherein a computing device (57) is provided for determining whether light from at least a first LED of the plurality of LEDs (50) is reflected as a result of an operating action onto a side of the fiber optic facing away from the plurality of adjacent LEDs and is radiated into at least a second LED of the plurality of LEDs (50), and wherein the fiber optic (51) comprises a first group (555A) of adjacent light-conducting fibers with a first diameter and at least a second group (555B) of adjacent light-conducting fibers with a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an operating device for a motor vehicle, in particular for operating a function, in particular of the motor vehicle, wherein the operating device comprises a plurality of LEDs, e.g., arranged next to one another in a matrix-like manner, wherein a computing device is provided for determining whether light from at least a first LED of the plurality of LEDs is reflected and / or radiated into at least a second LED of the plurality of LEDs as a result of an operating action. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle with an operating device. The invention also relates to a method for operating an operating device.

[0002] US 9,207,851 B1 discloses a matrix of LEDs arranged behind the liquid crystal layer of an LCD device. For example, the matrix of LEDs may be a matrix of white LEDs. Such a matrix may include one or more rows and one or more columns, each containing one or more LEDs configured to emit white light. The matrix of white LEDs is optically and mechanically configured to act as a backlight for the LCD device, while also being electrically configured to operate its LEDs in both light-emitting mode and light-detecting mode.

[0003] US 2006 / 0086896 A1 discloses an array of red-green-blue LEDs with three chips in a matrix row / column configuration. Each LED may have a common cathode and three separate anodes. Instead of a single row driver for each row, three may be provided, e.g., one for the anode of each red, green, and blue chip. The common cathodes for all LEDs in a given column may be connected together to drivers. Each row may have a row sense amplifier, which may be connected to a red anode bus of an amplifier. A sensing procedure may be performed sequentially, e.g., one column at a time. All blue row drivers may be enabled, while all red and green row drivers may be disabled. This causes only the blue chips in the LEDs to act as emitters and generate light. The red chips may be used as detectors by the sense amplifier of each row.When a finger touches one of the LEDs in such a column, light can be reflected from the finger and received by the red chips. After a short delay (e.g., one microsecond) to allow the amplifiers to adjust, an ADC can perform a conversion for each input channel, and the results can be stored.

[0004] DE 10 2015 016 293 A1 discloses a display device, in particular for an operating device of a motor vehicle, comprising a display surface and a light source. At least one image element, in particular a symbol, character, lettering, function indicator, or the like representing the respective function to be triggered, can be displayed on the display surface. The light source serves to illuminate the image element on the display surface such that the image element is visible to the human eye. The display surface has at least one surface with essentially negligible roughness. The contour of the image element to be displayed is formed as a rough structure on at least one surface of the display surface and / or in the display surface such that the light emitted by the light source is decoupled at the display surface.

[0005] The object of the invention is to simplify and improve the operation of a motor vehicle.

[0006] The above-mentioned object is achieved by an operating device for a motor vehicle, in particular a function of the motor vehicle, according to claim 1, wherein the operating device comprises a plurality of (in particular substantially, in particular matrix-like, in particular) adjacently arranged (in particular matrix-like) LEDs and a fiber optic (51) arranged above the plurality of LEDs, wherein a computing device is provided for determining whether light from at least a first LED of the plurality of LEDs is reflected, due to an operating action, onto a side of the fiber optic facing away from the plurality of adjacently arranged LEDs and is radiated into at least a second LED of the plurality of LEDs, and wherein the fiber optic comprises a first group of adjacent light-conducting fibers having a first diameter and at least a second group of adjacent light-conducting fibers having a second diameter,Wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. Different functionality can be implemented using the different diameters. For example, it can be provided that the fiber with the considerably larger cross-section is assigned to an on / off function, whereas the fibers with a smaller cross-section are intended to detect wiping. The diameters of the fibers can also be used, in particular, to optimize the operability of the operating device depending on the dimensions and / or properties of the LEDs. The diameter of a light-conducting fiber within the meaning of this disclosure depends, in particular, on the desired resolution. In particular, it is provided that a smaller diameter is selected for a desired high resolution, whereas a larger diameter is selected for a desired lower resolution.

[0007] The first LED is thus an LED in light emission mode, and the second LED is an LED in light detection mode. These two modes can be switched between quickly, at such a speed that the switch is invisible to the human eye. Similar to the teachings disclosed in US 9 207 851 B1 or US 2006 / 0086896 A1, the LEDs switch between light emission mode and light detection mode at such a high frequency that this switch is imperceptible to the human eye. In the simplest case, the mode / state of the LED changes in such a way that it is determined whether light from the second LED of the plurality of LEDs is reflected into and / or radiated into the first LED of the plurality of LEDs.Then, the first LED of the plurality of LEDs is used to radiate light into a fiber of the fiber optics, and the second LED of the plurality of LEDs is used to check whether this light beam is reflected and radiated through a fiber of the fiber optics into the second LED. However, it can also be provided that different LEDs are alternated, so that, for example, a third LED or another LED of the plurality of LEDs subsequently radiates light in the direction of the first LED or second LED.

[0008] A fiber optic within the meaning of this disclosure is in particular an optical component which consists of many parallel arranged transparent fibers, in particular glass fibers, as light guides (TIR), which are fused together, for example as a support plate, to form a mechanically homogeneous block. Transparent within the meaning of this disclosure can mean and / or include translucent. A transparent fiber within the meaning of this disclosure can have an opaque coating or can include or have an opaque cladding surface in order to avoid scattered light. An opaque cladding surface of a fiber can, for example, be black. A fiber optic within the meaning of this disclosure can also be referred to as fiber optics or fused fiber optics. A fiber optic within the meaning of this disclosure can include a plurality of light guides which are arranged (essentially) perpendicularly ororthogonal to the side of the fiber optics facing the majority of LEDs or to the plane in which the majority of LEDs are arranged. A fiber optic within the meaning of this disclosure can be designed as a fiber bundle, as a fiber bundle with partial fiber bundles, or as a fiber plate. In one embodiment of the fiber optics within the meaning of this disclosure, light guides are used that are not fused together, but consist of loosely arranged, flexible individual fibers that are only geometrically strictly ordered and firmly enclosed on the input and output sides. The distance between the individual pixels is, for example, 4-10 µm. The fiber plate or fiber optic can be a one-piece component or a composite structural component. A light-conducting fiber within the meaning of this disclosure consists of or comprises, for example, PE, PMMA, or glass. Each individual fiber consists, for example,as in a light guide consisting of a core glass and an enveloping cladding glass with a low refractive index. Between these, for example, additional strands of black (absorbing) glass are arranged to retain stray scattered light. A fiber optic within the meaning of this disclosure can have magnification or reduction properties (taper). The cylindrical block (fiber optic) created after fusion is then heated and drawn again, tapers in the middle, and can be separated at the resulting waist. In this way, a taper, i.e., a fiber optic, can be produced for a reduction or magnification deviating from the 1:1 scale. A fiber optic within the meaning of this disclosure can be coated with a semitransparent layer.

[0009] A light-conducting fiber within the meaning of this disclosure has, in particular, a round, in particular a circular, cross-section. However, it can also be provided that a light-conducting fiber within the meaning of this disclosure has a rectangular, square, or hexagonal cross-section. In the case of a rectangular or square cross-section, it is particularly provided that the diameter within the meaning of this disclosure is the diagonal.

[0010] A group of adjacent optical fibers comprises, in particular, at least nine fibers, in particular at least 25 fibers. A group of adjacent optical fibers within the meaning of this disclosure comprises, in particular, three fibers in a first direction orthogonal to the fiber axis or the axis of the fibers or the optical axis of the fibers or an axis through the fibers, and at least three adjacent optical fibers in a second direction orthogonal to the fiber axis or the axis of the fibers or the optical axis of the fibers or an axis through the fibers, wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.

[0011] A function of a motor vehicle within the meaning of this disclosure can be an infotainment system, a navigation system, a telephone or a telephone interface, a window lift, operating elements for a side mirror, a sunroof, etc. An operating action within the meaning of this disclosure can, in particular, be touching, in particular with a finger, an operating surface of the fiber optic system provided for operation. An arrangement above the plurality of LEDs within the meaning of this disclosure means, in particular, that the fiber optic systems or the fibers of the fiber optic systems are configured such that the LEDs radiate light into the fibers of the fiber optic system.

[0012] An LED within the meaning of this disclosure can also be an LED with a color filter or an LED that includes a color filter. It is particularly intended that an LED within the meaning of this disclosure also includes an OLED. An LED within the meaning of this disclosure can also be a QDOT or a laser. It is particularly intended that the color white is formed using phosphor.

[0013] A computing device within the meaning of this disclosure may, for example, comprise circuits or evaluation circuits as disclosed in US Pat. No. 9,207,851 B1 and US Pat. No. 2006 / 0086896 A1. A computing device within the meaning of this disclosure particularly comprises an interface to a vehicle bus, such as a CAN interface.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fiber optic comprises a side facing the plurality of LEDs and a side facing away from the plurality of LEDs (side facing a user of the operating device), wherein the side facing away from the plurality of LEDs and / or the side facing the plurality of LEDs comprises a curved region, a free form or discontinuities or kinks. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fiber optic is, at least in part, curved. The curvature can be convex and / or concave. The coupling surface, i.e. the side of the fiber optic facing the plurality of LEDs, can also be designed in a step-like manner. In a further embodiment of the invention, the fiber optic can be bent (2 1 / 2 D).

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first group of adjacent light-conducting fibers is assigned the operation of an individual function of the motor vehicle. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second group of adjacent light-conducting fibers is assigned a display function of the motor vehicle. A display function within the meaning of this disclosure relates in particular to operation and functions that can be operated via a bus system. A display function within the meaning of this disclosure is in particular an infotainment system and / or a navigation system and / or a telephone. A display function within the meaning of this disclosure uses, for example, a bus interface of the computing device. A display function within the meaning of this disclosure is in particular a function or a plurality of functions that depend on what is displayed. A display function within the meaning of this disclosure is in particular menu-guided operation.A display function within the meaning of this disclosure may also include a plurality of apps that can be operated or called up when displayed.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the plurality of adjacent LEDs comprises a first group of adjacent LEDs assigned to the first group of adjacent light-conducting fibers, and a second group of adjacent LEDs assigned to the second group of adjacent light-conducting fibers. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fiber optic system comprises a side facing the plurality of LEDs and a side facing away from the plurality of LEDs, wherein the side facing away from the plurality of LEDs comprises a curved region.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fiber optic system splits into at least two partial fiber bundles in the direction of the side facing away from the plurality of LEDs and / or in the direction of the side facing the plurality of LEDs. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fiber optic system splits into at least three partial fiber bundles in the direction of the side facing away from the plurality of LEDs and / or in the direction of the side facing the plurality of LEDs. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fiber optic system splits into at least four partial fiber bundles in the direction of the side facing away from the plurality of LEDs and / or in the direction of the side facing the plurality of LEDs.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first LED has a first light emission spectrum, for example predominantly in the infrared range, and a second LED has a second light emission spectrum, wherein the first light emission spectrum differs from the second light emission spectrum.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the operating device has at least one third LED with a third light emission spectrum and at least one fourth LED with a fourth light emission spectrum, wherein the at least first light emission spectrum differs from the at least third light emission spectrum and from the at least fourth light emission spectrum, wherein the at least second light emission spectrum differs from the at least third light emission spectrum and from the at least fourth light emission spectrum, wherein the at least third light emission spectrum differs from the at least fourth light emission spectrum, wherein the computing device is designed to determine whether light from the at least first LED is reflected and / or radiated into the at least second LED, the at least third and / or the at least fourth LED as a result of an operating action.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the LEDs of the majority of LEDs form a color display. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second group of LEDs forms a color display. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the LEDs of the majority of LEDs are designed as a color display (for displaying different color image contents). In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the display shows the function of the operating device, for example in the form of an icon or a symbol. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the display is part of a, in particular multi-touch, HMI, for example an encapsulated HMI, as in Fig. 6, Fig. 7, and Fig. 8 of EP 1 764 674 B1, but the touchscreen 11 is omitted and the transparent part 17 of the housing is or is replaced by a fiber optic system within the meaning of this disclosure. Thus, the location of a touch is also determined in the encapsulated area, namely in the already encapsulated display. This creates a particularly robust display and operating system that is multi-touch capable and optionally features haptic feedback, particularly one that is also well-suited for outdoor use.

[0021] The invention also relates to a method for operating an operating device, in particular for operating an aforementioned operating device, wherein the operating device comprises a plurality of LEDs, wherein a fiber optic is arranged above the plurality of LEDs, wherein the fiber optic comprises a first group of adjacent light-conducting fibers having a first diameter and at least one second group of adjacent light-conducting fibers having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter, wherein a first LED of the plurality of LEDs radiates light into a fiber of the first group of adjacent light-conducting fibers, which light is reflected (multiple times) in the fiber and exits from the surface of the fiber optic and / or the fiber facing away from the first LED,wherein, for the purpose of operating the operating device, an operator's finger touches or almost touches the fiber optic on the surface of the fiber optic facing away from the first LED, wherein light emerging from the surface of the fiber optic or the fiber facing away from the first LED, which is (diffusely) reflected by the finger and thereby radiated into the fiber and / or into one or more directly or indirectly adjacent fibers of the fiber optic, is guided by the latter to a currently non-illuminated LED of the plurality of LEDs, so that the second LED provides a signal on the basis of which it is decided whether an operation of the operating device has been carried out.

[0022] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising the aforementioned operating device. A motor vehicle within the meaning of the invention is, in particular, a land vehicle that can be used individually in road traffic. Motor vehicles within the meaning of the invention are, in particular, not limited to land vehicles with internal combustion engines. A motor vehicle within the meaning of this disclosure can also be understood to mean a motor-driven vehicle, for example, a vehicle for 3D mobility.

[0023] Further advantages and details are revealed in the following description of exemplary embodiments. These show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a motor vehicle in an interior view, Fig. 2 a detailed view of the steering wheel of the motor vehicle according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a schematic view of the motor vehicle according to Fig. 1, Fig. 4 Control elements according to Fig. 2 in an enlarged cross-sectional view in a simplified representation, Fig. 5 alternatively designed control elements according to Fig. 2 in an enlarged cross-sectional view in a simplified representation, Fig. 6 the basic design of an operating device according to the invention in the form of an embodiment, Fig. 7 an embodiment of an operating device using the operating elements according to Fig. 3, Fig. 8 a plan view of one of the control elements according to Fig. 3, Fig. 9 is a further plan view of another of the control elements according to Fig. 3 and Fig. 10 a to the embodiment according to Fig. 7 alternative embodiment of an operating device using the operating elements according to Fig. 3, wherein at least two groups of different LEDs are provided, Fig. 11 an exemplary embodiment of a control element in a center console of the motor vehicle according to Fig. 1 in a basic cross-sectional view, Fig. 12 a top view of the control element according to Fig. 11, where a display function and two individual functions are implemented.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an interior view of a motor vehicle 1. Reference numeral 2 denotes a steering wheel, and reference numeral 3 denotes an HMI. Reference numeral 4 denotes a door, and reference numeral 5 denotes a control element in the center console of the motor vehicle 1. Fig. 2 shows - based on EP 2 981 446 B1 - a section of the steering wheel 2 from Fig. 1 with an enlarged view of an operating area 20 arranged in the region of the spoke 25 of the steering wheel 2 with operating elements 21, 22, 23, 24 for operating functions of the motor vehicle 1. In the present exemplary embodiment, the operating elements 22 and 24 are used to operate a telephone MT via a telephone interface 14. By means of the operating elements 21 and 23, it is provided to vary the volume of the telephone signal.

[0025] The motor vehicle 1 comprises an HMI designated by reference numeral 3, which comprises a display 12 controlled by a display and operating controller 10, as well as an operating arrangement 11 assigned to the display 12 and by means of which the display 12 or the information shown thereon can be influenced via the display and operating controller 10. The operating arrangement 11 can, for example, be a touchscreen arranged in front of the display 12 or comprise a touchscreen. Non-safety-critical functions of the motor vehicle 1, such as the telephone interface 14 for the mobile phone MT, an automatic climate control system 15, a navigation system 16, an infotainment system 17, or other functions, can be controlled by means of the operating arrangement 11.For this purpose, the telephone interface 14, the automatic climate control system 15, the navigation system 16, the infotainment system 17, and other non-safety-critical functions are connected to the display and operating control 10 of the HMI 3 via a bus system B1. Other non-safety-critical functions of the motor vehicle 1 may include a WLAN interface 18, a Bluetooth interface, or, for example, a USB interface.

[0026] The motor vehicle 1 also includes safety-relevant functions such as an engine control 31, an ESP 32 or a transmission control 33. Reference numerals 34, 35, 36 denote further safety-critical functions or modules of the motor vehicle 1. The safety-critical modules of the motor vehicle 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 are coupled by means of a bus system B2, which is coupled to the bus system B1 via a gateway 100.

[0027] Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show the operating area 20 in an enlarged cross-sectional view in simplified form. The operating area 20 comprises an LED arrangement 50 and a fiber optic 51 arranged above the LED arrangement 50, whereby these can also be arranged at a distance from each other, as shown in Fig. 5. On the side of the fiber optic 51 facing away from the LED arrangement 50, the surface area of ​​the control elements 21, 22 is convexly curved with a concave transition to simulate the haptics of a control element.

[0028] Fig. 6 shows the basic design of an operating device 500 according to the invention using the example of the operating area 20. An LED 501 of the LED arrangement 50 configured as a display emits light, which is reflected (multiply) in a fiber 511 of the fiber optic 51 and exits from the side of the fiber optic 51 facing away from the LED arrangement 50. If the finger F of an operator is located on the surface of the fiber optic 51 facing away from the LED arrangement 50 for the purpose of operating the operating device 500, the light emerging from the surface is reflected (diffusely) into the fiber 511 of the fiber optic 51 and / or into one or more directly or indirectly adjacent fiber(s) of the fiber optic and is guided from there to a currently non-illuminated LED 502, by means of which a computing device 57 can decide that a touch operation of the corresponding operating element of the operating device 500 has been performed.The computing device 57 of the operating device 500 communicates with the functions of the motor vehicle 1 that are to be operated or controlled, such as the operating elements 21, 22, 23 and 24.

[0029] Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the fiber optics of the 51 operating device 500, wherein the arrangement 50 is not supplemented by a fiber optic designed as a fiber plate, but by a fiber bundle 55 with partial fiber bundles 551, 552, 553, 554, 555 and 556. The operating surfaces at the end of the partial fiber bundles 551, 552, 553 and 554 correspond to the operating elements 21, 22, 23 and 24 and the operating surfaces at the end of the partial fiber bundles 555 and 556 correspond to an operating element 25 for operating the hazard warning light WBL and an operating element 26 of a telephone number display, wherein displayed telephone numbers can be selected. The fibers of partial fiber bundles 551, 552, 553, and 554 have a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the fibers of partial fiber bundle 555. The fibers of partial fiber bundle 556 have a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of partial fiber bundles 551, 552, 553, and 554.

[0030] The operating elements 21, 22, 23, and 24 can be integrated into an operating device corresponding to the operating device 500 and accordingly be part of a fiber optic system. It can also be provided that the operating elements 21, 22, 23, and 24 are designed as softkeys, so that the operating elements 21, 22, 23, and 24 operate different functions depending on the context. In particular, it can be provided that the LED arrangement 50 generates symbols or icons that are visible on the respective operating elements 21, 22, 23, and 24, and thus display the current functionality of the respective operating element 21, 22, 23, and 24. In an analogous manner, the HMI 3 can also be provided with a fiber optic system oriented as a fiber plate.

[0031] Fig. 10 shows a Fig. The operating device shown in Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of an operating device. It is provided that at least two groups 50A and 50B of LEDs of the LED arrangement 50' form an alternative to the LED arrangement 50. It is provided that the LEDs 50B form a TFT or another form of matrix display for displaying variable information at high resolution. In contrast, the LEDs of group 50A are designed with a lower resolution than the LEDs of group 50B. It can also be provided that the LEDs of group 50A are individual LEDs, as disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 9,207,801 B1.

[0032] Fig. 11 shows a basic cross-sectional view of the operating device 5 according to Fig. 1, wherein a fiber optic 555 in the form of a fiber plate is arranged on an LED array 550. The fiber optic 555 has a group 555A of fibers and a group 555B of fibers, wherein the diameter of the fibers of group 555A is smaller than the diameter of the fibers of group 555B.

[0033] Fig. 12 shows an exemplary embodiment of a top view of the control element 5, wherein a display function 521 is represented by group 555A and individual functions 522 are represented by group 555B. The display functions are used in particular to operate the infotainment system 17 and the telephone interface 14. The individual functions 522 can, for example, relate to switching a WSP on and off and switching a racing mode. This individual function is accessed via the bus system B1, a gateway (not shown in detail), and another bus system (not shown in detail).

[0034] The elements and fibers in the Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 10, Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 are drawn for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements or fibers are significantly exaggerated relative to others in order to enhance understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] The invention allows for adaptive adjustment of the fiber optic panel or fiber optics to the required geometry of the existing LED matrix and the required functions. Adaptation to an uneven surface is also possible. Furthermore, the sensitivity of each area can be adjusted. It is also advantageous to implement some areas of the fiber optic panel or fiber optics without any function to ensure a closed surface. In particular, combining the different LEDs into a holistic display allows for cost advantages.

Claims

[1] Operating device (500), in particular for a motor vehicle (1), in particular for operating a function of a motor vehicle (1), wherein the operating device (500) comprises a plurality of LEDs (50) arranged next to one another and a fiber optic system (51) arranged above the plurality of LEDs (50), wherein a computing device (57) is provided for determining whether light from at least a first LED of the plurality of LEDs (50) is reflected, as a result of an operating action, onto a side of the fiber optic system facing away from the plurality of LEDs arranged next to one another and is radiated into at least a second LED of the plurality of LEDs (50), and wherein the fiber optic system (51) comprises a first group (555A) of adjacent light-conducting fibers having a first diameter and at least a second group (555B) of adjacent light-conducting fibers having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. [2] Operating device (500) according to claim 1, characterized by that the fiber optic (51) comprises at least a third group of adjacent light-conducting fibers having a third diameter, wherein the third diameter differs from the first diameter and from the second diameter. [3] Operating device (500) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the adjacent light-conducting fibers of the fiber optics (51) form a solid block. [4] Operating device (500) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the adjacent light-conducting fibers of the fiber optic system (51) form a first fiber bundle and at least one second fiber bundle. [5] Operating device (500) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the fiber optic (51) splits into at least two partial fiber bundles (551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556) in the direction of the side facing away from the majority of LEDs. [6] Operating device (500) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the plurality of adjacent LEDs comprises a first group of adjacent LEDs associated with the first group of adjacent light-conducting fibers and a second group of adjacent LEDs associated with the second group of adjacent light-conducting fibers. [7] Motor vehicle (1), characterized by that it comprises an operating device (500) according to one of the preceding claims. [8] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 7, characterized by that the first group of adjacent optical fibers is assigned the operation of an individual function of the motor vehicle (1). [9] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by that the second group of adjacent light-conducting fibers is assigned a display function of the motor vehicle (1). [10] A method for operating an operating device (500), in particular for operating an operating device (500) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the operating device (500) comprises a plurality of LEDs, wherein a fiber optic (51) is arranged above the plurality of LEDs, wherein the fiber optic (51) comprises a first group (555A) of adjacent light-conducting fibers having a first diameter and at least one second group (555B) of adjacent light-conducting fibers having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter, wherein a first LED (501) of the plurality of LEDs radiates light into a fiber (511) of the first group (555A) of adjacent light-conducting fibers, which light is reflected or reflected multiple times in the first fiber (511) and exits from the surface of the fiber optic (51) and / or the first fiber (511) facing away from the first LED (501),wherein a finger (F) of an operator, for the purpose of operating the operating device (500), touches or almost touches the fiber optic (51) on the surface of the fiber optic (51) facing away from the first LED (501), wherein light emerging from the surface of the fiber optic (51) or the fiber (511) facing away from the first LED (501), which light is reflected (diffusely) by the finger (F) and thereby radiated into the fiber (511) of the fiber optic (51) and / or into one or more directly or indirectly adjacent fiber(s) of the fiber optic, is guided by the latter to a currently non-illuminated LED (502) of the plurality of LEDs, so that the second LED (502) delivers a signal on the basis of which it is decided whether an operation of the operating device (500) has been carried out.

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