Operating device, method for operating a device using the operating device, motor vehicle, and control device

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating device (10) comprising a housing (22), a stationary guide nipple element (28), and a spherical operating element (14) having a first (26) and at least one further guide groove (30) on its outer side, wherein the at least two guide grooves (26, 30) each run along an axis of the operating element (14) and meet at at least one node (32), wherein the guide nipple element (28) engages in one of the at least two guide grooves (26, 30). The operating device (10) is configured to set a first control parameter of a given device (16) by adjusting the operating element (14) along the first of the at least two guide grooves (26, 30), and to set a further control parameter of a given device (16) by adjusting the operating element (14) along the further guide groove (30).The invention also relates to a method for operating the device (16) using the operating device (10), a motor vehicle (14) with the operating device (10), and a control device (18).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an operating device, in particular an operating device for a motor vehicle, a method for operating a device using the operating device, a motor vehicle, and a control device.

[0002] Input devices are used in many different situations. For example, in vehicles, buttons, switches, rockers, rollers, and other control elements serve as input options. These various input options should not only meet technical requirements but also be ergonomic, intuitive, and visually appealing.

[0003] Another possibility is to assign different functions to a single interaction point. For example, a single roller can not only increase but also decrease the volume of a device.

[0004] Another possibility is an embedded sphere that can, for example, operate an entire level. One example of this is the mouse ball that was familiar in the past and which enabled the mouse pointer to move across the screen before it was replaced by optical sensors. A disadvantage of this ball, however, is that it can be adjusted continuously and, at times, is uncontrolled. If, for example, you just want to reach the next level, such as skipping to the next track in a music environment, the sphere does not provide any feedback that tells the user when the next track has been reached. It is also difficult to accomplish motorically because the underlying algorithm is unknown to the user. The second problem is “uncontrolled” adjustment. This means that the manufacturer wants to offer the option of enabling two independent inputs with the input device.An example is the aforementioned "Skip Track" / "Reset Track" and the volume control. It's very rare for a user to want to adjust these two inputs at the same time, which would inevitably be the case with the Sphere, which has a diagonal adjustment.

[0005] US 2011 / 0 221 677 A1 describes an input device that can transmit a control signal to a host system. The input device can comprise a ball and one or more sensor arrays configured to detect the position of the ball. The input device can detect both the XY movement of the ball and the spin of the ball. Depending on the XY movement and the spin of the ball, different control signals can be sent to a host system.

[0006] DE 697 05 753 T2 relates to devices and methods for providing tactile feedback to a user.

[0007] US 2008 / 0 316 175 A1 discloses a trackball device that can store information in a ball. Embedded in a ball section of the trackball device is at least one contactless IC chip capable of storing various types of information. At least one reader is provided in a housing of the trackball device. The reader communicates with the contactless IC chip and reads information stored therein.

[0008] The trackball device of the latter state of the art still requires a user to move the magnetic stripe over IC chips while rotating the ball to trigger an operation. This doesn't solve the aforementioned problem, because the ball can slip and be accidentally moved diagonally, resulting in, for example, no volume change, or inadvertently triggering another control function, such as skipping a track. This problem becomes even more pronounced the smaller the ball. Such a trackball therefore requires space.

[0009] One object underlying the invention is to provide a more precise and thus more discreet operation of several operating functions with only one input device.

[0010] The stated object is achieved by the devices and method according to the invention according to the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are provided by the dependent claims.

[0011] The invention is based on the idea of ​​providing at least two guide grooves, i.e. at least two guide channels, in a spherical operating body, i.e. in a spherical operating element, wherein guiding the spherical operating element along the first guide groove can change a control parameter of a first operating function, and guiding the spherical operating element along the second guide groove can change a further control parameter that is different from the first control parameter. The spherical operating element is arranged and / or mounted on or on a guide nipple element, which engages in one of the guide grooves. A guide nipple element is understood to be a component designed as a nipple, mandrel, or pin. By combining at least two guide grooves and the guide nipple element, slipping away from the guide grooves when operating the operating element can be reduced or even prevented, even under greater pressure.

[0012] In other words, each of the guide grooves is assigned a setting for a control parameter of the device. At the junction point or points between the two guide grooves, i.e., where the guide grooves intersect, the guide nipple element can be moved from one guide groove to the other by turning the control element. This means that it is possible to switch from one control function to another without the control element leaving the guide grooves.

[0013] This allows at least two control parameters for a device to be set with one and the same control element. This provides more freedom than, for example, with the implementation of a switch or rocker switch. A much more discreet setting of the control parameter is possible, and the risk of slipping and accidentally changing the setting option is prevented. Since a rotary movement can be used to set both control parameters, operation is particularly intuitive and the user does not have to switch between different types of movement. The control device can therefore be operated without the user having to look at the control element. This also makes the control device particularly suitable for motor vehicles.Because of the particularly good guidance provided by the guide grooves, the control element can be operated very well even in a small design, and the control device is therefore also very well suited for installation in a steering wheel, for example, and the control element can then also be turned very well using just the thumb, for example.

[0014] An operating device is a device or group of devices designed to receive and record a user's operating action through at least one operating element. The operating device can therefore also be referred to, for example, as an input device. Accordingly, the operating element is understood to be the corresponding component that the user operates to input the desired operating action as an operating action.

[0015] The operating device according to the invention comprises a housing, a guide nipple element, and a spherical operating element. The housing can preferably comprise at least one opening in which the spherical operating element is mounted such that a user can touch and rotate it. The housing can also enclose only a portion of the components of the operating device, for example, forming only a cover or a partial cover for the operating element.

[0016] In other words, the operating element of the operating device according to the invention is spherical or designed as a ball and is rotatably mounted. The spherical operating element has a first and at least one further guide groove on its outer side, wherein the at least two guide grooves each run along an axis of the operating element. In other words, rotation of the operating element is guided by one of the guide grooves. The axes on which the operating element is guided by different guide grooves differ, so that the user must rotate the spherical operating element differently to rotate the spherical operating element in the first guide groove than when rotating another guide groove.

[0017] The at least two guide grooves meet at at least one node, i.e., the at least two guide grooves intersect on the outside of the spherical operating element. In other words, each of the two guide grooves follows its own axis of rotation of the spherical operating element. The stationary guide nipple element engages in one of the at least two guide grooves. In other words, the spherical operating element is mounted and guided by the engagement of the guide nipple element in the respective guide groove in the housing of the operating device. The guide nipple element can then be transferred from one guide groove to the other via the nodes or intersection points.

[0018] Each of the at least two guide grooves is assigned an operating function for setting a control parameter of the device to be controlled, with the respective control parameters being different. This allows multiple control parameters to be changed with one control element.

[0019] Accordingly, the operating device is configured to set a first control parameter of the specified device by adjusting the operating element along the first of the at least two guide grooves, and to set a further control parameter of the specified device by adjusting the operating element along the further guide groove. An operating action is detected by guiding and adjusting the guide nipple element within a guide groove.

[0020] The advantages described above arise.

[0021] The guide nipple element is located, for example, on the inside of the housing. In one embodiment of the operating device according to the invention, the guide nipple element can be arranged on a support element of the operating device via a spring element. A support element is understood to be a component that serves, for example, as the base or bottom of the housing and acts as an anchor for the guide nipple element. A spring element is understood to be a component that deforms in a targeted manner under load and recovers when the load is removed, thus representing an energy store. In other words, a spring element is understood to be a component that exerts a spring effect when subjected to force. The spring element can preferably be designed as a spring, for example as a helical spring or disc spring. This results in better engagement and disengagement of the guide nipple element, and engagement can be released with greater force.When designed as a helical spring, for example, the guide nipple element can rock in a horizontal axis when the user rotates the spherical control element.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the operating device according to the invention, the operating element can be adjustably mounted along a pressing axis, on which the operating element can be adjusted linearly, as opposed to rotating it by applying pressure. The operating device can be configured to set a further control parameter of the device by adjusting the operating element along the pressing axis. In other words, the pressing axis is the axis along which the operating element can be adjusted not by a rotating movement, but by applying pressure towards the interior of the housing. In addition to rotating along the first guide groove to set a first control parameter, rotating the operating element along a further guide groove to set a further control parameter, a third control parameter can be set by pressing the operating element towards the interior of the housing.This means, for example, that track selection on a media player and volume adjustment and, for example, a mute function can be activated and / or deactivated using two different rotary movements, and that an "accept call" function can be controlled by pressing or clicking the control element. When the spherical control element is pressed or clicked, various mechanical mechanisms known to those skilled in the art can ensure that the spherical control element, for example, remains offset towards the interior of the housing after being pressed or clicked until the user presses or clicks it again; or a spring mechanism can return the spherical control element to its original position each time it is pressed.This allows an even greater number of control parameters to be set, while operation is much simpler than if another embodiment of the operating device according to the invention were combined with, for example, a switch or rocker switch. The described embodiment is also particularly well-suited for installation in a motor vehicle steering wheel, since a large number of control parameters can be controlled with a control element suitable for thumb operation. Operation is therefore even simpler, and, particularly when installed in a motor vehicle, the user requires less attention.

[0023] For particularly sensitive but still stepped adjustment of control parameters, according to a further embodiment of the operating device according to the invention, each guide groove can have at least one electrical contact, preferably a plurality of electrical contacts. These can then be arranged along the guide groove, and each electrical contact can enable a stepped adjustment of the corresponding control parameter. An end of the guide nipple element facing the guide groove can then have a sensor element, wherein suitable sensor elements for triggering a control signal upon contact with or approach to one of the electrical contacts are known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, each guide groove can have at least one such sensor element, wherein the end of the guide nipple element facing the guide groove can have an electrical contact.A sensor element is a component with a sensor, i.e. a sensor.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the operating device, a button, switch, and / or proximity sensor can be arranged at at least one node. This enables particularly efficient switching between the functions, whose associated control parameters can be adjusted using the different guide grooves.

[0025] If at least one node and / or several of the guide grooves each have a locking element for locking the guide nipple element, for example, a small hole or blind hole or other type of locking element, oversteering, i.e., "over-rotation," can be effectively prevented. The guide nipple element can then be referred to as a locking element, which can lock into the locking element. Setting the control parameter becomes more precise accordingly.

[0026] In a further preferred embodiment, an end of the guide nipple element facing the guide groove can have an optical sensor. Such a sensor system is particularly precise for setting the control parameter. Accordingly, optically detectable markings for the respective control parameter values ​​can be applied in the respective guide grooves, for example.

[0027] The operating device may preferably be an operating device for a motor vehicle.

[0028] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a motor vehicle with an embodiment of the operating device according to the invention. The operating device can preferably be located in a center console, an armrest, or a steering wheel.

[0029] The above-stated object is also achieved, with the advantages already discussed, by a method for operating the device, for example, a media player of a motor vehicle, using an operating device according to one of the embodiments described above. A control device, which can be, for example, a control device of the device, the operating device, or a motor vehicle having the operating device, carries out the method.

[0030] A control device is a device, device component, or device group configured to receive signals, evaluate them, generate control signals, and transmit the generated control signals to other devices or device components. For this purpose, the control device may, for example, comprise a receiving module for receiving signals, one or more microprocessors, and a transmitting module. The control device may, for example, be configured as a control unit or control chip and may also be referred to as a control device.

[0031] The control device detects an operating action received by the operating element of the operating device. The operating action describes a rotation of the operating element along one of the at least two guide grooves. If the operating device is also designed to be pressed along a pressing axis, the operating action can accordingly additionally describe, for example, a pressing or clicking of the spherical operating element.

[0032] Depending on which of the at least two guide grooves the rotation occurred in, the control device determines the control parameter to be set for the device. For example, rotating the control element so that the guide nipple element "runs" along a first guide groove can determine the volume of a currently selected sound as a control parameter. Preferably, for example, a distance traveled can be evaluated to determine the volume level being set. Depending on the equipment of the spherical control element, for example, with electrical contacts and / or one or more sensors, a fine adjustment of the control parameter may be possible.If the control device detects that the control element is rotated in such a way that the guide nipple element is guided over a node into a second guide groove, the control device can specify that the control parameter to be set is no longer the volume, but rather, for example, skipping forward or backward in the music track sequence. Similarly, in the variant of the control element that requires pressing or clicking the control element, the control parameter can then be set to, for example, answering a phone call.

[0033] Based on a direction of rotation described by the detected operating action and / or based on an extent of rotation, the control device determines a change in the specified control parameter specified by the detected operating action, for example increasing the volume, and preferably also the volume amount to be set. The control device generates a control signal that describes the specified control parameter and the specified change in the specified control parameter. The control device then transmits the generated control signal to the device, which accordingly changes the volume, selects a different music track, and optionally accepts a telephone call, for example. In the variant with operation by pressing or clicking, the control device can optionally generate a further corresponding control signal and transmit it to another device.

[0034] The advantages already discussed above arise.

[0035] For use cases or application situations that may arise during the method and which are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, in accordance with the method, an error message and / or a request to enter user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0036] The invention also includes the control device for the motor vehicle. The control device can have a data processing apparatus or a processor device (processor circuit) that is configured to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor device can have at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor). In particular, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), or an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) can be used as the microprocessor. Furthermore, the processor device can have program code that is configured to carry out the embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor device.The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor device. The processor device can be based, for example, on at least one circuit board and / or on at least one SoC (System on Chip).

[0037] The motor vehicle according to the invention can preferably be configured as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle. The motor vehicle according to the invention has an embodiment of the operating device according to the invention, preferably additionally an embodiment of the control device according to the invention.

[0038] Preferably, an embodiment of the operating device according to the invention can also have an embodiment of the control device according to the invention.

[0039] The invention also includes further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the method according to the invention, and the control device according to the invention, which have features as already described in connection with the further developments of the operating device according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the method according to the invention, and the control device according to the invention are not described again here.

[0040] As a further solution, the invention also encompasses a computer-readable storage medium comprising program code which, when executed by a computer or computer network, causes the computer to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The storage medium can be provided at least partially as a non-volatile data memory (e.g. as a flash memory and / or as an SSD - solid state drive) and / or at least partially as a volatile data memory (e.g. as a RAM - random access memory). The storage medium can be arranged in the computer or computer network. However, the storage medium can also be operated on the Internet, for example, as a so-called app store server and / or cloud server. The computer or computer network can provide a processor circuit with, for example, at least one microprocessor.The program code can be provided as binary code and / or as assembly code and / or as source code of a programming language (e.g., C) and / or as a program script (e.g., Python). Alternatively, the computer-readable storage medium can be implemented as a signal with computer-readable data, e.g., a time-variant voltage signal and / or a radio signal.

[0041] The invention also encompasses combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also encompasses implementations that each comprise a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, unless the embodiments are described as mutually exclusive.

[0042] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. The single figure ("Fig.") shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the operating device according to the invention, the motor vehicle according to the invention, and the method according to the invention.

[0043] The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention that can be considered independently of one another, each of which also develops the invention independently of one another. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to encompass combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0044] In the figure, the same reference symbols denote elements with the same function.

[0045] The figure shows a schematic representation of an operating device 10, which can be arranged, for example, in a motor vehicle 12. The operating device 10 can be installed, for example, in a center console, in a steering wheel, or in an armrest, or, for example, on an armrest on the rear seat or in the rear seat. In the embodiment in which the operating device 10 can be arranged in a multifunction steering wheel, the dimensions, in particular of the operating element 14, can be selected such that the spherical operating element 14 can be rotated with a thumb.Due to the large number of different control parameters that can be set by the operating device 10, the advantage, especially in such a multifunction steering wheel, is that it is much easier and more intuitive to use than, for example, a combination of a trackball with a rocker switch or a button, since these combinations require different input movements and the thumb (or hand) has to be moved from one control element to the other control element.

[0046] The device 16 to be controlled by the operating device 10 can be, for example, a media player or a human-machine interface ("MMI"). The figure shows an embodiment in which the motor vehicle 12 has a control device 18, for example, a control unit or a control chip. Alternatively, the control device 18 can also be a component of the operating device 10. The control device 18 can preferably have a data memory and / or a processor device (neither of which are shown in the figure), wherein the processor device can have one or more microprocessors. Data communication between the control device 18 and the device 16, as well as between the control device 18 and the operating device 10, takes place via data communication connections 20, which can be wired, for example, in the form of a data bus of the exemplary motor vehicle 12.In the case of wireless data communication, the data communication connection 20 can be, for example, a WLAN connection or a Bluetooth connection. A housing 22 of the operating device 10 does not necessarily have to be a cuboid-shaped or continuous housing. Parts of the housing 22 are shown in the figure for clarity, and the housing in the example shown in the figure has a recess through which the operating element 14 protrudes and is held by an edge of the recess, but can still be rotated.

[0047] To illustrate the optional operating option of pressing or clicking the operating element 14, the course of the pressing axis 24 is also shown in the figure.

[0048] Rotating the spherical control element 14 such that a first guide groove 26 is guided along the guide nipple element 28, which is designed, for example, as a nipple, can be associated with changing the volume of a currently playing audio content. Rotating a second guide groove 30 along the guide nipple element 28 can be associated with skipping to the next or previous audio track. An optional press or click can then, for example, trigger a function for accepting a telephone call, or, for example, a "mute" function. The corresponding target device for the exemplary function for accepting a telephone call or "mute" function can, for example, be the device 16, which can then be designed, for example, as a multimedia device coupled to a telephone, or another device (not shown in the figure) coupled to a telephone.

[0049] In the example of the figure, only two guide grooves 26, 30 are shown, which can preferably meet at a right angle at a node 32. Optionally, a button, switch or proximity sensor, or another type of sensor, can be arranged at this node. This makes it possible, for example, to switch to the other control parameters when the guide nipple element 28 is touched or locked at one of the nodes 32. Additionally or alternatively, a node 32 can have a locking element, for example a recess into which the guide nipple element 28 can lock. Such a locking element can then be, for example, a blind hole into which the guide nipple element 28 fits, or for example a clasp into which the guide nipple element 28 can lock. Such a locking mechanism is particularly effective if, as shown in the figureAs shown, the guide nipple element 28 is mounted on an optional spring element 34, which can be designed, for example, as a spring, and which is connected to a support element 36 of the housing 22. The support element 36 can, for example, be a base plate of the housing 22 or a fixed attachment for fastening the spring element 34.

[0050] The preferred embodiment shown in the figure is that in which the operating element 14 has two guide grooves 26, 30 arranged at a right angle to each other. Alternatively, however, the operating element 14 can have several guide grooves, which can also be referred to as guide channels, for example, three guide grooves, each of which can be arranged at an angle of 45 degrees to each other around the operating element 14. In a configuration with three guide grooves 26, 30, three different control parameters can then be set by rotating the operating element 14.

[0051] Advantageous configurations of the sensor system for detecting the change in control parameters have already been discussed above. For example, electrical contacts can be arranged in the guide grooves 26, 30, and a sensor can be arranged at the tip of the guide nipple element 28. Alternatively or additionally, a tip of the guide nipple element 28 can have an optical sensor, and correspondingly sensitive markings can be applied in the corresponding guide groove 26, 30. Such an optical sensor can then detect a reflection in the travel path of the guide groove 26, 30. Suitable contacts and corresponding sensor systems are known to those skilled in the art.

[0052] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, a user of the motor vehicle 12 and thus a user of the operating device 10 can rotate the spherical operating element 14, for example, to adjust the volume. By adjusting the first guide groove 26, the control device can determine in S1 that the operating action, the exemplary rotation, is being carried out. In this case, a corresponding operating signal from the operating device 10, in addition to the rotation, i.e. the actual operating action, optionally describes in which of the two guide grooves 26, 30 the guide nipple element 28 is currently guided. Alternatively, a sensor system of the operating device 10 can determine the corresponding guide groove 26, 30. In the example in the figure, the control device can specify in S2 that the control parameters should reduce the volume by a predetermined value.Here, the control device 18 can determine (S3) whether the volume is being increased or decreased based on the direction of rotation and / or the extent of the rotation, i.e., based on the length of a travel path. In S4, the control device 18 then generates the control signal describing the corresponding control value and transmits it to the exemplary media player 16 in S5.

[0053] Overall, the examples show how a discretely adjustable multi-axis input device, i.e. a discretely adjustable multi-axis control device, can be provided.

[0054] This invention makes it possible to provide an input device such that adjustment is possible on only one axis at a time, the input device having two or more axes.

[0055] The drawing above shows the mechanism that enables discrete adjustment in just one axis. The guide nipple at the lower end is guided in a groove of the input ball, i.e., the control element 14. The two guide grooves are arranged at right angles to each other in the example. If the user now moves the sphere in one of the axes, the nipple prevents movement in another axis. Once the user has completed an input action (this happens, for example, when the guide nipple reaches a node), they can continue moving in the same axis or move the sphere in a different axis.

Claims

[1] Operating device (10), comprising: - a housing (22), - a fixed guide nipple element (28), - a spherical operating element (14) which has a first (26) and at least one further guide groove (30) on its outer side, wherein the at least two guide grooves (26, 30) each run along an axis of the operating element (14) and which meet at at least one node point (32), wherein the guide nipple element (28) engages in at least one of the guide grooves (26, 30), wherein the operating device (10) is designed to set a first control parameter of a given device (16) by adjusting the operating element (14) along the first of the at least two guide grooves (26, 30), and to set a further control parameter of a given device (16) by adjusting the operating element (14) along the further guide groove (30). [2] Operating device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the guide nipple element (28) is arranged on a support element (36) via a spring element (34). [3] Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating element (14) is adjustably mounted along a pressing axis (24) on which the operating element (14) is linearly adjustable, and wherein the operating device (10) is configured to set a further control parameter of the device (16) by adjusting the operating element (14) along the pressing axis (24). [4] Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: - each guide groove (26, 30) has at least one electrical contact, preferably a plurality of electrical contacts; and wherein an end of the guide nipple element (28) facing the guide groove (26, 30) has a sensor element; or - each guide groove (26, 30) has at least one sensor element; and wherein the end of the guide nipple element (28) facing the guide groove (26, 30) has an electrical contact. [5] Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a button, switch or proximity sensor is arranged at at least one node (32). [6] Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one node point and / or wherein one or more of the guide grooves (26, 30) have a latching element for latching the guide nipple element (28). [7] Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an end of the guide nipple element (28) facing the guide groove (26, 30) has an optical sensor. [8] Operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims for a motor vehicle (14). [9] Motor vehicle (14) with an operating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Method for operating a device (16) using an operating device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a control device (18): - detects (S1) an operating action received by the operating element (14) of the operating device (10) which describes a rotation of the operating element (14) along one of the at least two guide grooves (26, 30), - depending on which of the at least two guide grooves (26, 30) the rotation has taken place, determines the control parameter of the device (16) to be set (S2), - based on a direction of rotation described by the detected operating action and / or based on an extent of rotation, a change in the specified control parameter specified by the detected operating action is determined (S3), - generates a control signal (S4) which describes the specified control parameter and the specified change in the specified control parameter, and - transmits the generated control signal to the device (16) (S5). [11] Control device (18) which is arranged to carry out the method according to claim 10. [12] Motor vehicle (14) according to claim 9, comprising a control device (18) according to claim 11. [13] Operating device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, which has a control device (18) according to claim 11.

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