Operating device

Abstract

Operating device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising an operating surface (2) and a sensor device (6), such that a signal (8) can be generated by the sensor device (6) by moving an element (7), in particular a body part, such as a finger of a hand, of the user, in the vicinity of the operating surface (2) and / or by touching the operating surface (2) by means of the element (7) and / or by applying pressure to the operating surface (2) by means of the element (7), and comprising a projection device (5) for projecting an image element (3, 4) onto and / or on the operating surface (2), characterized in that the operating surface (2) comprises the sensor device (6), in particular that the sensor device (6) is integrated into the operating surface (2) and / or the operating surface (2) is designed to be sensitive.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an operating device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such control devices are used in motor vehicles to allow a user to operate a wide variety of functions. In particular, such a control device can be used on the steering wheel of a motor vehicle.

[0003] Such an operating device, known from DE 10 2013 007 105 A1, comprises an operating surface and a sensor device. Furthermore, the operating device includes a projection device for projecting an image element onto the operating surface. A signal can be generated by the sensor device through the movement of an element, which may be, in particular, a part of the user's body, such as a finger, near the operating surface and / or by touching the operating surface with the element and / or by applying pressure to the operating surface with the element. The signal then triggers a corresponding function in the vehicle, symbolized by the image element. It has been found that inaccuracies occur in the generation of the signal in some cases.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of further developing the operating device with regard to the precision of operation.

[0005] This problem is solved in a generic operating device by the characterizing features of claim 1.

[0006] In the operating device according to the invention, the operating surface comprises the sensor device. In particular, it is advantageous for the sensor device to be integrated into the operating surface and / or for the operating surface to be designed to be sensitive. Because the user's actions are detected by the operating surface itself, inaccuracies are avoided and precise operation of the operating device is advantageously ensured. Furthermore, this allows the operating device to be designed more compactly than previously possible. Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] In a further suitable embodiment, the image element projected onto the control surface can be a symbol, a marker, a function indicator, the illumination of an area, information, or the like. The signal, in turn, can serve as a switching and / or control signal for switching and / or triggering a function associated with the respective symbol, marker, area, or the like. In particular, this can be a corresponding function in a motor vehicle.

[0008] The sensor device can be easily adapted to the specific function of the operating device. It can operate capacitively, resistively, inductively, using surface acoustic waves (SAW), with a piezoelectric element, with a Hall effect sensor, or similar technologies. With such sensors, the signal can be generated with high precision by contact with the operating surface via the sensor element and / or by pressure applied to the operating surface by the sensor element.

[0009] In another embodiment, the sensor device can also operate optically using a camera, via time-of-flight (TOF) measurement, radar, or similar technology. With the aid of such sensors, the signal can be generated by the sensor device with high precision by the movement of the element near the operating surface.

[0010] For flexible display of the image elements on the control surface, the projection device can operate using an LED and / or a laser projector. In a further configuration, the control surface can have a front side visible and / or accessible to the user, and a back side not visible and / or inaccessible to the user, with the user interacting with the element on the front side. The control surface can be made of an opaque material. This allows for simple projection from the front of the control surface, i.e., from the user's side. In other words, the projection device projects the image element onto the front of the control surface, making the image element directly visible to the user. Alternatively, the control surface can be made of a partially translucent material.Thus, projection can be easily performed on both the user-facing and the user-away side of the control surface, i.e., from the front and / or the back. In particular, the projection device can project the image element onto the back of the control surface, with the image element then being indirectly visible to the user on the front.

[0011] The following can be stated about a particularly preferred embodiment of the operating device according to the invention.

[0012] There is a need for more functions to be operated inside the vehicle, and the user interface should be customizable. This is not possible with current fixed control components. Furthermore, automakers are demanding a clean and simple design for future controls, which in some cases makes conventional buttons and / or switches undesirable. Conventional controls may play a less prominent role in the interiors of future autonomous vehicles. However, the functions will become more diverse and must still be presented and operated in a simple yet intuitive manner.

[0013] With a control device that meets these requirements, information and / or controls can be projected onto available surfaces inside the car using a projector. This allows for the display of any number of controls with any layout and / or a design customized to the vehicle manufacturer. Personalization for each user is also easily achievable. The user interface is equipped with sensitive technology that can detect touches and / or movements. This enables the operation of simple buttons, toggle switches, sliders, rotary controls, and the like, and even allows for zoom and / or other multi-touch gestures. Possible sensor technologies include capacitive, resistive, and inductive sensors, SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) technology, piezoelectric sensors, Hall effect sensors, and the like.Alternatively, methods can be used that separate the detection of touches and / or movements from the control panel, such as cameras, time-of-flight (TOF), or radar. For projection, high-brightness LED and / or laser projectors can be used to display the controls on surfaces. The user interface consists of a material that is opaque or partially transparent when projected from the front (depending on the user's side), and only partially transparent when projected from the back.

[0014] The result is a control device with a sensitive user interface and projected controls. In particular, information and / or colored elements can be projected onto a vehicle's steering wheel using this device. A mini-projector can be integrated into the steering wheel for this purpose.

[0015] The advantages achieved with the invention lie particularly in the fact that several different control elements can be displayed and / or used on a single surface. Instead of the previously fixed buttons and / or controls, multiple elements in different layouts and / or grids can now be displayed on the surface. Furthermore, the elements can be modified more easily and / or produced more cost-effectively.

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the invention with various further developments and configurations are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below. They show Fig. 1. An operating device in a schematic form according to a first embodiment and Fig. 2 an operating device according to a second design.

[0017] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an operating device 1 for a motor vehicle, which serves, for example, to operate the car radio. The operating device 1 comprises a control surface 2, wherein the control surface 2 is a part of the surface of a steering wheel spoke, the dashboard, the center console, or the like in the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the operating device 1 comprises a projection device 5 for projecting an image element 3 onto and / or the control surface 2, wherein the image element 3 is, for example, the symbol for the volume control of the car radio. Additionally, information as an image element 4, such as a station overview for the car radio, is also projected onto and / or the control surface 2 by means of the projection device 5. Finally, a sensor device 6 is provided for the operating device 1, which is located in Fig. Figure 1 schematically depicts a capacitive sensor device. According to the invention, the sensor device 6 is encompassed by the operating surface 2; in particular, the sensor device 6 is integrated into the operating surface 2 and / or the operating surface 2 itself is designed to be sensitive. With the aid of the sensor device 6, a signal 8 can be generated by moving an element 7, which is a body part of the user, for example, a finger of their hand, near the operating surface 2 and / or by touching the operating surface 2 with the element 7 and / or by applying pressure to the operating surface 2 with the element 7. Of course, the element 7 can also be a pen or the like.

[0018] As already mentioned, the image element 3 projected onto the control surface 2 is a symbol, a marker, a function indicator, the illumination of an area, or another type of sign. The signal 8 then serves as a switching and / or control signal to activate and / or trigger a function in the vehicle associated with the respective symbol, marker, area, etc. For example, if image element 3 is the symbol for the volume control, then pressing it with the user's finger 7 generates a signal 8 encoding the volume selected by the user. The signal 8 is then transmitted to the car radio, which then adjusts the selected volume.

[0019] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a sensor device 6 that operates capacitively with a capacitor C. The sensor device 6 can also be described as follows: Fig. The sensor device 6 can operate resistively with a resistor R. Of course, it can also operate inductively with a coil, using surface acoustic waves (SAW), a piezoelectric element, a Hall effect sensor, or the like, although this is not shown here. A sensor device 6 configured in this way is particularly suitable if the signal 8 is to be generated by the sensor device 6 through contact with the operating surface 2 by the element 7 and / or by pressure being applied to the operating surface 2 by the element 7. Furthermore, the sensor device 6 can also operate using an optical camera, a time-of-flight (TOF) measurement, radar, or the like. A sensor device 6 configured in this way is again particularly suitable if the signal 8 is to be generated by the sensor device 6 through movement of the element 7 in close proximity to the operating surface 2.

[0020] The control surface 2 shows according to Fig. 2 a front side 9 visible and / or accessible to the user and a back side 10 not visible and / or inaccessible to the user. The action by means of the element 7 takes place on the front side 9 visible and / or accessible to the user. The projection device 5 operates, for example, by means of a light-emitting diode (LED) and / or a laser projector. If the projection device 5 is arranged on the front side 9 of the operating surface 2 facing the user, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the control surface 2 consists of a material that is opaque to light in the spectrum visible to the human eye or of a material that is partially transparent to light. If, on the other hand, the projection device 5 is arranged on the rear side 10 of the control surface 2 facing away from the user, as shown in Figure 1, the control surface 2 is made of a material that is either opaque to light in the spectrum visible to the human eye or partially transparent to light. Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the control surface 2 consists of a material that is partially transparent to light in the spectrum visible to the human eye. Thus, the projection device 5, as shown in Figure 2, consists of a material that is partially transparent to light in the spectrum visible to the human eye. Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the projection device 5 is arranged on the front 9, so that the image element 3, 4 is directly projected onto the front 9 of the control surface 2, with the image element 3, 4 being visible to the user on the front 9. If, however, the projection device 5 is arranged as shown in Figure 1, the image element 3, 4 is directly projected onto the front 9 of the control surface 2, so that the image element 3, 4 is visible to the user. Fig. Since the image element 3, 4 is located on the back 10, the projection device 5 projects the image element 3, 4 onto the back 10 of the control surface 2. Due to the control surface 2 being partially transparent to light in the spectrum visible to the human eye, the image element 3, 4 then becomes visible to the user on the front 9.

[0021] The invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments. Rather, it also encompasses all technically advanced developments within the scope of the invention defined by the claims. Thus, the invention can be used for displaying and using information and / or control elements on a wide variety of surfaces in motor vehicles. The invention can be used particularly advantageously according to the Fig. The invention, as further developed, can be used for a steering wheel control unit, wherein the projection device, in the form of a mini-projector, is arranged directly in the steering wheel. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to use for control elements in motor vehicles. The control device according to the invention can also be used in other devices, for example, household appliances, machine tools, computer controls, or the like. Reference symbol list 1 Operating device 2 Control surface 3.4 Image element 5 Projection equipment 6 Sensor setup 7th Element / Finger 8 Signal 9 Front (of the control surface) 10 Back (of the control surface) QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2013 007 105 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Control device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a control surface (2) and a sensor device (6), such that a signal (8) can be generated by the sensor device (6) by moving an element (7), in particular a part of the user's body, such as a finger of a hand, in the vicinity of the control surface (2) and / or by touching the control surface (2) by means of the element (7) and / or by applying pressure to the control surface (2) by means of the element (7), and comprising a projection device (5) for projecting an image element (3, 4) onto and / or on the control surface (2), characterized by , that the operating surface (2) includes the sensor device (6), in particular that the sensor device (6) is integrated into the operating surface (2) and / or that the operating surface (2) is designed to be sensitive. [2] Operating device according to claim 1, characterized by, that the image element (3, 4) projected onto the and / or on the control surface (2) is a symbol, a marker, a function indicator, the illumination of an area, information or the like. [3] Operating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the signal (8) serves in the manner of a switching and / or control signal for switching and / or triggering a function assigned to the respective symbol, marking, area or the like, in particular in motor vehicles. [4] Operating device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by , that the sensor device (6) operates capacitively, resistively, inductively, by means of Surface Acoustic Waves (SAW), by means of a piezo element, by means of a Hall element or the like, in particular such that the signal (8) is generated by the sensor device (6) by touching the operating surface (2) by means of the element (7) and / or by applying pressure to the operating surface (2) by means of the element (7). [5] Operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the sensor device (6) operates by means of a camera, by means of a TOF (Time of Flight) measurement, by means of radar or the like, in particular such that the signal (8) is generated by the sensor device (6) by movement of the element (7) in the vicinity of the operating surface (2). [6] Operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the projection device (5) operates by means of an LED and / or a laser projector. [7] Operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the operating surface (2) consists of a light-impermeable and / or a light-partially translucent material. [8] Operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by, that the operating surface (2) has a front side (9) visible and / or accessible to the user and a back side (10) not visible and / or inaccessible to the user, and that the action is taken by means of the element (7) on the front side (9) visible and / or accessible to the user. [9] Operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the projection device (5) projects the image element (3, 4) onto the front (9) of the control surface (2), the image element (3, 4) being visible to the user on the front (9). [10] Operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that the projection device (5) projects the image element (3, 4) onto the back (10) of the control surface (2), with the image element (3, 4) being visible to the user on the front (9).

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