OPERATING AND / OR INPUT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ITS OPERATION

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a control and / or input device according to the preamble of claim 1. A control and / or input device operated in this manner can be used in particular for a motor vehicle. For example, the control and / or input device can serve to adjust a seat in the manner of a seat adjustment switch in a motor vehicle.

[0002] Such an operating and / or input device has a movable handle. The handle, in particular in the manner of a control stick, joystick, or the like, can be moved manually by a user. Specifically, the handle can be moved from one of several starting positions, which lie within a range around a coordinate zero point, in at least one direction up to a specific adjustment position. A corresponding signal can be generated for the movement of the handle. This signal then serves to control a device in the vehicle and / or, in the manner of a switching signal, serves to operate and / or trigger a function in the vehicle when the handle is in the adjustment position. Upon completion of the movement, i.e., in particular after the user has released it, the handle is return to one of the starting positions within the range.Due to tolerances, the exact coordinate zero point is generally not reached when resetting the handle, but rather a random starting position of the starting positions lying within the area.

[0003] This area thus represents the zero-point tolerance for the handle. Taking this zero-point tolerance into account, the previous method for operating the control and / or input device determined the position coordinates for the handle's movement relative to the coordinate zero point outside this area, similar to a zero-point threshold. These determined position coordinates were then evaluated to detect the adjustment direction and / or position of the handle.

[0004] It has now become apparent that some movements of the handle cannot be detected in this way. In particular, the existing method for operating the control and / or input device is not suitable for detecting subtle movements of the handle.

[0005] Various other operating and / or input devices, methods for operating such devices, and aspects relating to such methods and devices are given in the prior art, for example, by documents EP 3 040 107 B1, EP 3 187 979 B1, DE 10 2017 109 939 A1, EP 3 286 623 B1 and WO 2007 / 122773 A1.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of further developing the method for operating an operating and / or input device in such a way that the detection of the movement of the handle is improved.

[0007] This problem is solved by a method according to the invention for operating an operating and / or input device comprising the features of claim 1.

[0008] In the inventive method for operating a control and / or input device, the position coordinates for the movement of the handle within the area around the coordinate origin are additionally determined. These additionally determined position coordinates are also used for the evaluation to detect the adjustment direction and / or the adjustment position. Advantageously, this allows previously undetectable adjustments of the handle to be recognized, and in particular, enables sensitive detection of the movement of the handle. Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] To further improve the sensitivity of the motion detection, the position coordinates are continuously determined as the handle is moved, i.e., constantly read out. Alternatively or additionally, for ease of processing, the position coordinates are determined at predefined time intervals.

[0010] To provide various functionalities for the operating and / or input device, the position coordinates are continuously evaluated for a match with a predefined pattern. This pattern is a straight line, a stepped path, or a curved path. Upon detection of a matching pattern, the corresponding switching function is triggered.

[0011] Image recognition principles and / or algorithms can be used in a simple way to detect a pattern. For example, to detect a straight line, a corridor can be defined within which a certain proportion of the determined position coordinates must lie. For reliable and / or robust evaluation, Boolean conditions can be used for pattern detection. In particular, Boolean AND conditions are advantageous for this purpose. For example, a detected pattern, such as a straight line, is only verified if the position coordinates extend over a specific coordinate range. A criterion for defining this coordinate range can, in turn, be the equivalent of an actuation force for the handle.

[0012] The invention further provides an operating and / or input device for a motor vehicle with the features of claim 4. The operating and / or input device has a manually movable handle, in particular designed in the manner of a control stick, a joystick, or the like. The handle is movable from one of several initial positions, which lie within a range around a coordinate zero point in the form of a zero-point tolerance and / or zero-point threshold, in at least one adjustment direction to an adjustment position. The operating and / or input device includes a signal generation means for generating a signal corresponding to the movement of the handle. The signal, in particular in the form of a switching signal in the adjustment position, serves to operate and / or trigger a function and / or to control a device in the motor vehicle.Furthermore, a reset mechanism is provided for returning the handle to a random initial position within the area around the coordinate origin when the movement is completed. Finally, the operating and / or input device includes a position sensing device for determining the position coordinates for the movement of the handle relative to the coordinate origin outside this area, and an evaluation device for evaluating the position coordinates to detect the direction and / or position of the adjustment. According to the invention, the position sensing device additionally determines the position coordinates for the movement of the handle within the area around the coordinate origin. The evaluation device then uses these additionally determined position coordinates to detect the direction and / or position of the adjustment.

[0013] The following can be stated regarding a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0014] To detect arbitrary movements within a plane (XY coordinates), input devices based on the principle of a joystick or control stick are used. Depending on the required precision, the X and Y coordinates of the input device are read and processed at short intervals. After the input device is released, it should automatically return to its origin point and be ready for new inputs.

[0015] With small adjustment ranges or measuring ranges, or when high haptic requirements are necessary (e.g., no tactile click), a sufficiently precise mechanical zero-point reset (i.e., return to the starting point) is not possible. The zero point is therefore subject to variation and must thus have a correspondingly high zero-point switching threshold. With small measuring ranges, the zero-point switching threshold can then consume a large portion of the measuring range, leaving only a small part available for motion analysis. If additional switching thresholds, such as a force threshold or a displacement threshold, are to be evaluated during the movement, the remaining measuring range can be reduced even further.

[0016] Therefore, a solution must be found that does not require an exact zero-point reset or zero-point switching threshold. The mechanical reset is then only necessary to ensure that the next input can be processed and evaluated in all directions. Such a task could, in principle, also arise for movements in space, i.e., with XYZ coordinates.

[0017] The solution according to the invention is based on the understanding that the following applies in many cases: the more measured values ​​are available, the more accurate the result of an evaluation. Particularly in small measuring ranges, defined, for example, by the distance traveled or the number of digits, and where only a few measured values ​​are available, it is therefore advantageous to use as many measured values ​​as possible for motion evaluation. Accordingly, the solution according to the invention consists of using all measured values, including those within the zero-point switching threshold that were previously not evaluated. Thus, there is no need for a defined absolute zero point and / or a zero-point switching threshold. Rather, all available measured values ​​are used for motion evaluation, including those that were previously within the zero-point switching threshold and were not used.According to the invention, the XY coordinates are continuously read and can be continuously analyzed for predefined patterns, such as straight lines. As soon as a pattern is recognized, the corresponding switching function is triggered. Therefore, a specific starting point, such as a defined zero point and a zero-point switching threshold, is not required. Principles and / or algorithms of image recognition can be used for pattern recognition. For example, to recognize a straight line, a corridor can be defined within which a certain proportion of measurement points must lie.

[0018] To evaluate patterns more robustly, Boolean AND conditions can be created. For example, a recognized pattern, such as a straight line, is only output if the coordinates extend over a specific coordinate range. A criterion for defining this coordinate range could, for example, be the equivalent of an actuation force.

[0019] The invention thus comprises the use of all measured position coordinates for improved motion detection. The solution principle according to the invention is applicable to both area-based movements and movements in space, i.e., movements with XYZ coordinates.

[0020] According to the current state of the art, movements to be evaluated must have a displacement large enough to provide sufficient evaluable measured values ​​beyond the zero-point switching threshold. The advantages achieved with the invention, however, lie particularly in the fact that the detection and / or evaluation of smaller actuation displacements is possible because a zero-point switching threshold is not required. Rather, all measured values ​​of a movement are evaluated, and thus no measured values ​​remain unused.

[0021] An embodiment of the invention with various further developments and configurations is shown in the drawings and is described in more detail below. The drawings show... Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an operating and / or input device with a movable handle, Fig. 2 shows the previous method of determining the movement of the handle, and Fig. 3 shows the method of determining the movement of the handle according to the invention.

[0022] In Fig. 1 The diagram shows an operating and / or input device 20 for a motor vehicle, comprising a handle 21 that can be moved manually by a user and is designed in the manner of a control stick, joystick, or the like. The handle 21 protrudes from a housing 22 for movement by the user. The handle 21 is adjustable by means of a joint 23, allowing the user to move it from a starting position in at least one adjustment direction 24 to an adjustment position. A return element 25 acting on the handle 21, for example a spring, serves to return the handle 21 to a starting position when the user ceases movement.

[0023] The housing 22 contains a position sensing device 26 for determining the position coordinates for the movement of the handle 21 with respect to a coordinate zero point. Furthermore, an evaluation device 27 is provided for evaluating the position coordinates to detect the adjustment direction 24 and / or the adjustment position of the handle 21. Finally, a signal generation device 28 is provided for generating a signal 29 corresponding to the movement of the handle 21 according to the evaluated position coordinates, for example, for controlling a device in a motor vehicle. In particular, the signal 29 can be a switching signal in the adjustment position for operating and / or triggering a function in the motor vehicle. For example, the position sensing device 26 can be a Hall sensor interacting with a magnet on the handle 21.The evaluation device 27 and the signal generation device 28 can be formed by a microprocessor.

[0024] Due to tolerances, a return of the handle 21 to a specific starting position is not guaranteed. Rather, the handle 21 returns to a random starting position upon completion of the movement, with this random starting position occurring within a range of... Fig. 2 The area 2 shown lies around the coordinate origin. Thus, when the handle 21 is moved again from one of several starting positions that lie within an area around the coordinate origin, corresponding to a zero-point tolerance and / or zero-point threshold, it can be moved in the adjustment direction. To account for these tolerances corresponding to area 2 around the coordinate origin, only the position coordinates for the movement of the handle 21 outside area 2 are currently determined by the position detection device 26 and evaluated by the evaluation device 27.

[0025] As shown by the Fig. 2 As explained in more detail, sensitive movements of handle 21 cannot be detected using the current procedure.

[0026] In its initial state, handle 21 is in starting position 1, which in this representation is identical to the coordinate zero point. A first adjustment path 3 of handle 21, where an ideal, straight adjustment path is shown here, has XY position coordinates 6 and extends to adjustment position 4. For the first adjustment path 3, the position coordinates in the usable area 10, which lies outside area 2, are therefore available for evaluation. The position coordinates lying within area 2, in the manner of a zero-point switching threshold, are, however, located in area 11 of the first adjustment path 3, which is unusable for evaluation.

[0027] From the adjustment position 4, the reset mechanism 25 causes a return to a random further starting position 7 along the return path 5, wherein the further starting position 7 lies within the range 2 around the coordinate zero point and is generally different from the original starting position 1. If the handle 21 is subsequently moved in another direction 8 along a second adjustment path 8 to the adjustment position 9, it is evident that this movement of the handle 21 is not detected, since all measured values ​​for the position coordinates lie within the zero-point switching threshold 2.

[0028] To detect such sensitive movements of the handle 21, the position detection device 26 additionally determines the position coordinates for the movement of the handle 21 within the area 2 around the coordinate origin, and the evaluation device 27 uses the additionally determined position coordinates for detecting the adjustment direction 24 and / or the adjustment position 4, 9. Based on the Fig. 3 This procedure will be explained in more detail.

[0029] In its initial state, the handle 21 is again in the starting position 1, which is identical to the coordinate zero point. The first, straight adjustment path 3 of the handle 21 has the XY position coordinates 6 and leads to the adjustment position 4. For the first adjustment path 3, however, the position coordinates across the entire range of the first adjustment path 3 are available as a usable area 10 for evaluation. From the adjustment position 4, the reset mechanism 25 causes a return along the return path 5 to a further random starting position 7, which is generally different from the original starting position 1. If the handle 21 is then moved in a different direction along a second adjustment path 8 to the adjustment position 9, this movement of the handle 21 is also detected, since all measured values ​​for the position coordinates of the entire second adjustment path 8 are used as a usable area 12 for evaluation.The position coordinates 6 can be determined continuously and / or at predefined time intervals during the movement of the handle 21 along the adjustment paths 3, 8. Although in . Fig. 3 The adjustment path 3, 8 is shown as a straight line; however, other movements of the handle 21 are of course possible. The evaluation of the position coordinates 6 can then be performed continuously to check for a match with a predefined pattern, such as a straight line, a stepped path, a curved path, or the like. In this case, when the pattern is detected by the evaluation device 27, the switching function corresponding to the pattern is triggered by the signal generation device 28. Principles and / or algorithms for image recognition by the evaluation device 27 can be used for pattern detection. Boolean conditions can also be used by the evaluation device 27 for pattern detection.

[0030] The invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiment. Rather, it also encompasses all technically advanced developments within the scope of the invention defined by the claims. Thus, the operating method according to the invention can advantageously be used with all force-sensitive switches and actuators with small adjustment ranges that are imperceptible to the operator. Furthermore, the invention can be used not only in operating and / or input devices in motor vehicles but also in computers, machines, household appliances, and the like. Reference numeral list:

[0031] 1: (Original) starting position 2: Range / Zero point switching threshold 3: (First) adjustment path 4: (First) adjustment position 5: Return path 6: (XY) position coordinates 7: Further starting position 8: (Second) adjustment path 9: (Second) adjustment position 10: Usable range (for first adjustment path) 11: Unusable range (for first adjustment path) 12: Usable range (for second adjustment path) 20: Operating and / or input device 21: Handle 22: Housing 23: Joint 24: Adjustment direction 25: Reset means 26: Position detection means 27: Evaluation means 28: Signal generation means 29: Signal

Claims

1. A method for operating a control and / or input device (20) of a motor vehicle with a movable handle (21), wherein the handle (21) is movable from one of several starting positions (1, 7) which lie within an area (2) around a coordinate zero point in at least one adjustment direction (24) up to an adjustment position (4, 9), wherein a signal (29) corresponding to the movement of the handle (21) can be generated, wherein the handle (21), upon termination of the movement, can be reset to a starting position (7) of the several starting positions (1, 7) lying within the area (2), and wherein the position coordinates for the movement of the handle (21) with regard to the coordinate zero point outside the area (2) are determined and evaluated for detecting the adjustment direction (24) and / or the adjustment position (4, 9), wherein additionally the position coordinates for the movement of the handle (21) within the area (2) are determined and consulted for the evaluation for detecting the adjustment direction (24) and / or the adjustment position (4, 9), wherein the position coordinates are determined continuously and / or in predetermined time intervals when moving the handle (21), characterised in that the evaluation of the position coordinates is continuously with regard to correspondence with a predetermined pattern, and upon recognition of a pattern, a switching function corresponding to the pattern is triggered, wherein the predetermined pattern is a straight line, a step-like path or a curved path.

2. The method for operating a control and / or input device (20) according to claim 1, characterised in that principles and / or algorithms for image recognition are used for recognising a pattern.

3. The method for operating a control and / or input device (20) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that Boolean conditions are used for recognising a pattern.

4. A control and / or input device for a motor vehicle with a movable handle (21), wherein the handle (21) is movable from one of several starting positions (1, 7) which lie within an area (2) around a coordinate zero point in at least one adjustment direction (24) up to an adjustment position (4, 9), wherein a signal generation means (28) for generating a signal (29) corresponding to the movement of the handle (21) is provided, wherein a resetting means (25) for resetting the handle (21) upon termination of the movement to a starting position (7) of the several starting positions (1, 7) lying within the area (2) is provided, with a position sensing means (26) for determining the position coordinates for the movement of the handle (21) with regard to the coordinate zero point outside the area (2) and with an evaluation means (27) for evaluating the position coordinates for detecting the adjustment direction (24) and / or the adjustment position (4, 7), wherein the position sensing means (26) additionally determines the position coordinates for the movement of the handle (21) within the area (2), and in that the evaluation means (27) consults the additionally determined position coordinates for detecting the adjustment direction (24) and / or the adjustment position (4, 9), wherein the position sensing means (26) is formed to determine the position coordinates continuously and / or in predetermined time intervals when moving the handle (21), characterised in that the evaluation means (27) is formed to continuously evaluate the evaluation of the position coordinates with regard to correspondence with a predetermined pattern and to trigger a switching function corresponding to the pattern upon recognition of a pattern, wherein the predetermined pattern is a straight line, a step-like path or a curved path.