Device for user interaction in a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Abstract

Device (1) for user interaction in a motor vehicle, comprising: - a display unit (100) arranged in an interior (10) of a motor vehicle and configured to display motor vehicle information; and - an input unit (200) arranged spaced apart from the display unit (100) in the interior of the motor vehicle and comprising a first input element (210); wherein the input unit (200) is configured to display a reduced first information content (211) corresponding to the motor vehicle information displayed on the display unit (100) at the first input element (210), to receive a first touch input from a user at the first input element (210) and to perform a function in the motor vehicle corresponding to the first touch input.

Description

The invention relates to a device for user interaction in a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle with such a device. Devices for user interaction in a motor vehicle are often static and cannot be adapted to the needs of a driver. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for user interaction in a motor vehicle. This task is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims. According to one aspect, a device for user interaction in a motor vehicle is provided. The device comprises a display unit arranged in the interior of a motor vehicle and configured to display motor vehicle information, and an input unit arranged at a distance from the display unit in the interior of the motor vehicle and comprising a first input element, wherein the input unit is configured to display a reduced first information content corresponding to the motor vehicle information displayed on the display unit at the first input element, to receive a first touch input from a user at the first input element, and to perform a function in the motor vehicle corresponding to the first touch input. The device according to the invention serves in particular to provide a simple and quick interaction option for a user of the motor vehicle, whereby he can control a function of the motor vehicle in particular with a single touch input, which can also be referred to as one hit. The device initially comprises a display unit located in the interior of a motor vehicle. This display unit is centrally located within the vehicle, for example in the dashboard, particularly its upper section, and can also be referred to as an infotainment system and / or CID (central information display). The display unit is designed to show vehicle information. Vehicle information includes, in particular, information relating to the vehicle and / or its operation, or used for this purpose. Specifically, vehicle information includes a map or navigation system, music playback, interior climate control, and / or vehicle settings. The term "vehicle information" or "information" is used here in both the generic plural and the generic singular, meaning that it can encompass a single piece of information or multiple pieces of information. The device also includes an input unit, which is arranged in the interior of the motor vehicle at a distance from the display unit. The input unit is located in a central position within the interior, for example on or in the center console, and is particularly centrally positioned in the direction of travel. The input unit is spatially separated from the central display unit and distinct from it, yet connected to it via signaling. In particular, the input unit is positioned closer to the user than the display unit. The first input element is significantly smaller than the display unit, for example, no higher than 10 cm, 5 cm, 3 cm or 2 cm and no wider than 20 cm, 15 cm, 10 cm or 5 cm. In particular, the first input element is wider than it is tall. The user of the input device, who can also be referred to as the user, is a passenger and / or driver of the motor vehicle. Specifically, the user is a person sitting in the driver's seat and / or the front passenger seat of the vehicle. It is also possible for two or more users to interact with the device or input device simultaneously and provide touch input to it, as will be explained later. The input unit comprises a first input element, wherein the input unit is configured to display a reduced first information content corresponding to the vehicle information displayed on the display unit at this first input element. The first input element is designed to display information. It may include display elements configured to show information. In particular, the first input element is designed as a combined input and display element. Specifically, the first input element may be made of a translucent material, with information projected onto the back surface of the first input element via a display element behind it, or with information displayed behind it shining through the surface. In particular, the first input element is not a touchscreen, but primarily an input element capable of displaying various types of information. The information displayed on the first input element is reduced compared to the information displayed on the display unit. Specifically, the reduced information consists of a single symbol, icon, character, letter, and / or number that refers to or corresponds to more extensive information on the display unit. In particular, the information displayed on the first input element is at least partially, and especially completely, redundant with the information displayed on the display unit. In other words, the information displayed on the first input element is encompassed by the information displayed on the display unit, but not vice versa. For example, the display unit shows a map with navigation options, and the first input element shows a single symbol or icon related to a map or navigation option, such as a small house indicating a pre-configured home address. For example, the display unit shows an interior climate with climate options, and the first input element shows a single symbol or icon related to an interior climate option, such as a small arrow in a circle indicating a recirculation function. Similarly, for example, the display unit shows music playback with playback options, and the first input element shows a single symbol or icon related to music playback, such as a small pause symbol indicating a pause function for music playback. The first input element is designed to receive an initial touch input from a user at the first input element and to perform a function in the motor vehicle corresponding to the initial touch input. Touch input is defined as any touch, such as tapping, a tap, a hold, a press, a movement, a duration of input and / or complete gestures. For example, a small house is displayed on the first input element as described above, and in response to the touch input, navigation to a pre-configured home address is started. For example, on the first input element, as described above, a small arrow in a circle is displayed, and in response to the touch input, a recirculation function of the vehicle is activated. Similarly, for example, a small pause symbol is displayed on the first input element as described above, and the music playback is paused in response to the touch input. Additionally, touching the screen can also cause a change, in particular reversal, and / or removal of the information content displayed on the first input element. For example, after touching the small house icon and using the navigation function, the information content may disappear. Similarly, after touching the small arrow in the circle, the symbol may change to an arrow pointing from the outside at a car, indicating an outdoor airflow. Also, the small pause icon may change to a small triangle after being touched, indicating that playback will resume. Additionally, touch can also cause a change, in particular a reversal, of the information content displayed on the display unit, compared to the reduced information content. For example, after touching the small house icon and activating the navigation function, the navigation option may disappear from the display unit, and the route may be shown on the map instead. Similarly, for example, after touching the small arrow in the circle, an outdoor air quality function may be displayed on the display unit. Likewise, for example, after touching the small pause icon, a restart option may be displayed on the display unit. The device makes it possible to provide a simple and quick interaction option for a user of the motor vehicle, in particular allowing him to control a function of the motor vehicle with a single touch input, which can also be called one hit. According to a training course, the reduced initial information content can be configured by the user. In particular, the type and / or scope of the reduced information can be configured or adjusted by a user. For example, when a map with navigation options is displayed on the display unit, the user can choose whether they prefer to see navigation to their home address or a selection option of their recent destinations on the first input element. Similarly, for example, the user can choose whether, when music playback is displayed on the display unit, they would prefer to see a pause / play function or a mute option displayed on the first input element. This further training makes it possible to enable a particularly user-friendly input. According to further training, the input unit includes a second input element which is designed to receive a second touch input from the user on the second input element and to perform a function in the motor vehicle corresponding to the second touch input. The second input element is designed differently from and / or positioned further away from the first input element. In particular, the first and second input elements have different haptic textures, so that a user can immediately tell whether they are touching the first or the second input element. The function performed by the user's second touch input is different from the first function, or rather, the function provided by the second input element is different from the function provided by the first input element. For example, if music playback is displayed on the display unit, the first touch input provides a pause or play function, whereas the second touch input allows adjustment of the volume. The second input element may not be configured to display a second, reduced piece of information, or it may not provide such a display. Alternatively, however, the second input element may display a second piece of information, as will be described later. This further training makes it possible to provide various functions. According to a further training, the second input element is designed to display a reduced second information content corresponding to the vehicle information displayed on the display unit. The second reduced information content displayed differs in particular from the first reduced information content displayed by the first input element. Taking the example of music playback, the first piece of information can include a pause or play signal, and the second piece of information can include a volume up or down signal, which is represented, for example, by a rising triangle. This training makes it possible to differentiate the provided functions particularly well. According to further training, the input unit is trained to distinguish between different types of user touch input and to perform different functions in the motor vehicle based on this. In particular, according to further training, the type of first touch input differs from the type of second touch input. In particular, different types of touch inputs can be distinguished on the first input element and / or on the second input element, which then produce different functions. For example, the first input element is designed to receive and distinguish between a tap and a swipe gesture, and in response to a tap, to perform a first function, and in response to the swipe gesture, to perform a second function different from the first. For example, tapping the first input element executes the displayed function, such as a recirculation function, whereas swiping across the first input element changes a display, particularly its content. For instance, a swipe gesture on the first input element, especially from left to right and / or from right to left, can switch from interior climate information to map and navigation content. Similarly, for example, the second input element is designed to receive and distinguish between a rolling touch or actuation and a pressing touch or actuation, and to perform a first function in response to a rolling touch or actuation, and a second function in response to a pressing touch or actuation. For example, a rolling touch or activation on the second input element increases the volume of music playback, and a pressing touch or activation on the second input element mutes or unmutes the music playback. This further training enables a particularly wide range of functions. The device according to the invention can in particular also include an interaction unit which is arranged in the interior of the motor vehicle and which is configured to provide an interaction with a user, wherein the interaction unit is configured to change a degree of interaction of the interaction unit in response to a user input. Alternatively or additionally, the device can also be designed such that the display unit comprises a first display section configured to display first vehicle information and a second display section configured to display second vehicle information, wherein at least the first vehicle information is personalized based on user behavior. According to another aspect, a motor vehicle is provided, comprising a device for user interaction according to one of the preceding embodiments. The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle. In particular, the motor vehicle may be a vehicle that is at least partially autonomous, in which acceleration, braking, and / or steering actions are carried out at least partially autonomously, meaning without the intervention of a driver, by the vehicle itself, for example, by a driving computer. This may be an autonomous driving mode of level 3, 4, 5, or higher. The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also includes realizations that each exhibit a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, provided that the embodiments have not been described as mutually exclusive. The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention. Figure 1 shows a frontal view of an embodiment of a device for user interaction in a motor vehicle; and Figure 2 shows a perspective detail view of the device from Figure 1. The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which can be considered independently of one another and each further develops the invention independently. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described. In the figures, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements. Fig. 1 shows a frontal view of an embodiment of a device 1 for user interaction in a motor vehicle. The device 1 comprises a display unit 100, which is arranged in an interior 10 of the motor vehicle and which is designed to display motor vehicle information. The display unit 100 is arranged in an upper part 11 of a dashboard in the motor vehicle and extends essentially over at least half the width of the interior 10. The display unit 100 comprises a first display section 110 configured to display first motor vehicle information, a second display section 120 configured to display second motor vehicle information and a third display section 130 configured to display third motor vehicle information, wherein the first, second and third display sections are arranged side by side. At least the initial vehicle information is personalized based on user behavior. An example shown here is a left-hand drive motor vehicle with a steering wheel 14 on the left side in the direction of travel, wherein the first display section 110 is arranged closer to the steering wheel 14 and thus to a user sitting in a driver's seat which is not shown in detail here, and the third display section 130 is furthest away from it. The display unit 100 is configured to detect a user touch input on one of the display sections and to change the vehicle information in response to this touch input. In particular, the display unit 100 is configured to exchange the first and second vehicle information or to rotate through the vehicle information displayed on the first, second, and third display sections in response to a touch input, such as a swipe gesture, especially from right to left. The first display section 110 contains more vehicle information than the second display section 120, and the second display section 120 contains more vehicle information than the third display section 130. The vehicle information displayed on the first, second and / or third display section has several hierarchy levels, with the vehicle information displayed in the first display section 110 including at least one vehicle information from a lower hierarchy level. The device 1 also includes an input unit 200, which is arranged in the interior of the motor vehicle spaced apart from the display unit 100 and comprises a first input element 210, a second input element 220 and a third input element 230. The input unit 200 is located in a center console 12 of the interior 10 and is positioned closer to a driver in the driver's seat than the display unit 100 and also closer than the interaction unit 300 described later. The input unit 200 is configured to display a reduced first information content corresponding to the vehicle information displayed on the display unit 100 at the first input element 210, a reduced second information content corresponding to the vehicle information displayed on the display unit 100 at the second input element 220, and a reduced third information content corresponding to the vehicle information displayed on the display unit 100 at the third input element 230. The input unit 200 is also configured to receive a first touch input from a user at the first input element 210 and to perform a function corresponding to the first touch input in the motor vehicle, to receive a second touch input at the second input element 220 and to perform a function corresponding to the second touch input in the motor vehicle, and to receive a third touch input at the third input element 230 and to perform a function corresponding to the third touch input in the motor vehicle. The reduced first, second and / or third information content can be configured by the user. The input unit 200 is specifically designed to distinguish between different types of user touch input on the first, second and / or third input element and to perform different functions in the motor vehicle based on this. In particular, the type of first touch input can differ from the type of second touch input and the type of third touch input. The device also includes an interaction unit 300, which is arranged in the interior 10 of the motor vehicle and is configured to provide interaction with a user. The interaction unit 300 is centrally located in a lower part 13 of the dashboard, between the display unit 100 and the input unit 200. The interaction unit 300 is designed to change the interaction level of the interaction unit 300 in response to user input. The interaction level comprises one or more levels of connectivity, activity, and / or monitoring. The interaction unit further includes a display device, which is not labelled here for the sake of clarity, and which is designed to provide interaction with the user. The interaction unit is also designed to determine where the user with whom it interacts is located in the interior space and, in response, to direct the interaction towards the user. The interaction unit 300 also includes a movement unit, which is also not provided with a reference sign, designed to direct the interaction towards the user. The interaction unit 300 also includes a personalization unit, which is likewise not provided with a reference sign, and which is configured to provide a user preference for the interaction unit 300, wherein the personalization unit is interchangeable. The interaction unit 300 is also designed to receive touch input from the user at the display unit and to provide the user's touch input to the display unit 100. Fig. 2 shows a perspective detail view of the device or input unit 200 from Fig. 1 . As shown in Fig. 2, the interaction unit 200 includes, for example, a first information content 211 in the form of a small house, indicating a function for navigation to a pre-stored residence of the user; a second information content 212 in the form of a clock, indicating recently navigated destinations; and a third information content 213 in the form of a skyscraper, indicating a function for navigation to a workplace of the user. The first input element 210, which comprises these first, second, and third information contents, is configured to receive a tap on the respective information content and then execute the corresponding function and also display it on the display unit shown in Fig. 1; and to receive a swipe from left to right or vice versa and then display the vehicle information content shown in Fig. 2.The display unit shown in Figure 1 is to be changed. For this purpose, the first input element 210 is designed as a touch element. The interaction unit also includes, for example, a second input element 220 and a third input element 230, which are essentially identical in design and extend to the left and right ends of the first input element 210, respectively. Unlike the first input element 210, the second and third input elements are not designed as touch elements, but rather as scroll and push elements. Information content 221 and 231 can be displayed, but this has been omitted here due to the functions assigned to the second and third input elements. Like the first input element 210, the second and third input elements fulfill a function that, for example, relates to vehicle information, maps, and navigation, and which is displayed on the display unit, particularly in the first display section.The second input element, 220, can, for example, provide a zoom function on the map by scrolling and a marker by pressing. The third input element, 230, can, for example, provide scrolling through a list of recent destinations by scrolling and selecting one of these recent destinations by pressing. Overall, the examples show how a smart bar can be provided for simple one-hit interaction in a motor vehicle.

Claims

Device (1) for user interaction in a motor vehicle, comprising: - a display unit (100) arranged in an interior (10) of a motor vehicle and configured to display motor vehicle information; and - an input unit (200) arranged spaced apart from the display unit (100) in the interior of the motor vehicle and comprising a first input element (210); wherein the input unit (200) is configured to display a reduced first information content (211) corresponding to the motor vehicle information displayed on the display unit (100) at the first input element (210), to receive a first touch input from a user at the first input element (210) and to perform a function in the motor vehicle corresponding to the first touch input. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the reduced first information content is configurable by the user. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input unit (200) comprises a second input element (220) which is configured to receive a second touch input from the user at the second input element (220) and to perform a function in the motor vehicle corresponding to the second touch input. Device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the second input element (220) is configured to display a reduced second information content (221) corresponding to the motor vehicle information displayed on the display unit at the second input element (220). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input unit (200) is configured to distinguish different types of touch inputs from the user and to perform different functions in the motor vehicle based on these inputs. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the type of first touch input differs from the type of second touch input. Motor vehicle comprising a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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