Input device having an input field which can be actuated by touch and a button for switching the input field from an energy-saving mode to an active operating mode, and associated method

Abstract

The invention relates to an input device (1) having an input field (10) which can be actuated by a touch of an operator (2), a button (11) and control electronics (12), wherein the input field (10) has a touch-sensitive input surface (13) on one side and the button (11) is arranged on a second side of the input field (10) opposite the first side, wherein the button (11) is designed to be actuated by an actuation of the input field (10) and / or by a force acting on the input surface (13) in the direction of the button (11) and / or by the operator (2) approaching the input surface (13), and the control electronics (12) are designed to switch the input field (10) from an energy-saving mode to an active operating mode in the event that the button (11) is activated, in which active operating mode the input field (10) consumes more energy than in the energy-saving mode and are designed to determine a position of the touch on the input surface (13).

Description

[0001] Input device with a touch-activated input field and a button for switching the input field from a power-saving mode to an active operating mode, and associated method

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to an input device with an input field that can be actuated by touching an operator, in particular by his finger, and a button for switching the input field from an energy-saving mode to an active operating mode, as well as an associated method.

[0004] A variety of different input fields, which can also be referred to as touchscreens or touchpads, are known from the state of the art. However, when used as intended—that is, when they determine the position of a touch on their input surfaces and transmit the position—these can have a comparatively high energy consumption. This energy consumption also persists when the input fields are in their active operating mode but are not being operated or touched, and therefore are not needed.

[0005] Accordingly, the energy consumption of such input fields is comparatively high, regardless of activation.

[0006] In order to reduce the energy consumption, ie the power consumption, it is known in the art to switch the input fields into an energy-saving mode when they are not needed and to switch them back into the active operating mode when they are needed again.

[0007] For this purpose, additional buttons are provided, some of which are adjacent to the input fields or adjacent to the input areas of the input fields, so that the button must first be pressed in order to then be able to operate or press the input field.

[0008] As a result, two different or two consecutive movement sequences are required to operate such input fields, which is perceived by the operator as non-intuitive and cumbersome.

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the object of overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages and providing an input device with an input field that can be actuated by touch by an operator, wherein the input device should have low energy consumption and be intuitive and easy to operate.

[0010] This problem is solved by the combination of features according to patent claim 1.

[0011] According to the invention, an input device is therefore proposed with an input field that can be actuated by touch by an operator, a button, and control electronics. The input field has a touch-sensitive input surface on a first side, wherein the button is arranged on a second side of the input field opposite the first side. The first side of the input field can in particular form the visible side of the input device, so that the button is arranged behind the input field or, from the visible side, behind the input field. In addition to the touch-sensitive input surface, the input field can also have evaluation electronics for evaluating the touch of the input surface and in particular for determining the position of the touch, as well as optionally a power supply device for supplying power to the input field.To detect touch, the input field can, for example, have a capacitive film which extends over the input surface. The button is designed to be actuated by actuating the input field, i.e. by touching the input surface and / or by a force acting on the input surface in the direction of the button and / or by the operator approaching the input surface. If the input device is part of a mobile unit, it is preferably provided that the button cannot be actuated by the operator simply approaching the input surface, but only by a force acting on the input surface in the direction of the button, since this can prevent the button from being actuated, for example, by approaching when the input device is put in a bag or trouser pocket.According to the invention, the control electronics are designed to switch the input field from an energy-saving mode to an active operating mode upon actuation of the button, in which the input field consumes more energy than in the energy-saving mode. In this case, the input field is designed to determine a touch position on the input surface in the active operating mode.

[0012] If the input field is not needed or not being used, it enters a low-energy energy-saving mode, which requires less energy (i.e., less power) than the active operating mode. In this mode, it can determine the position of the touch and transmit it to operate a device. Such position determination is not possible in energy-saving mode. In energy-saving mode, the input field's energy consumption can also be reduced to "0" Wh.

[0013] If the operator presses the input field, they do not need to activate it separately beforehand. A single movement is sufficient, which simultaneously operates the input field and can be switched from energy-saving mode to active operating mode using the button.

[0014] In addition to the reduced power consumption and the intuitive operation by means of a single movement sequence, which does not deviate from the conventional movement sequence for operating the input surface, a further advantage is that unintentional activation of the input field is avoided.

[0015] In order to switch the input field from the active operating mode back to energy-saving mode when it is no longer needed, i.e., is no longer touched, an advantageous development provides that the control electronics or the input field itself is designed to switch the input field from the operating mode to energy-saving mode upon expiration of a predetermined waiting time, which can also be referred to as a dead time, after the input field has been actuated. In particular, the waiting time is reset upon further actuation of the input field within the waiting time, so that the input field is preferably only switched back to energy-saving mode when there is no (further) actuation by the operator within the waiting time.

[0016] In order to switch the input field into its energy-saving mode, it can be provided that the control electronics are designed to disconnect the input field from a power supply device of the input field when switching to energy-saving mode, so that the input field is no longer supplied with current or energy and consumption is reduced accordingly. In particular, if a separate power supply device is provided for the input field, it can alternatively be provided that the power supply device itself is switched off or disconnected from the mains voltage. Switching to energy-saving mode can be carried out by means of appropriate isolating switches, i.e. on the hardware side, or by appropriate programming, i.e. on the software side. When switching from energy-saving mode to active operating mode, the connection between the power supply device and the input field can be restored or broken accordingly.the power supply device must be switched on.

[0017] Additionally or alternatively, the control electronics can be designed to transmit a signal to the input field to switch off the input field.

[0018] The button can also be based on different operating principles. For example, the button can be a mechanical button, a capacitive button, an inductive button, or an optical button. Sensors such as a capacitive sensor or a force sensor can also function as buttons or be understood as such. A mechanical button is understood in particular to mean that an electrical contact can be closed by a movement. Accordingly, a button based on a mechanical operating principle can be designed, for example, as a safety mat.

[0019] A piezoelectric switch that acts as a button is also advantageous. When activated, the piezoelectric effect generates power to operate the control electronics and / or to switch the input field from energy-saving mode to operating mode. This further reduces the energy consumption of the entire input device, including the input field, in energy-saving mode, and possibly even to 0 Wh.

[0020] If a force sensor is used as a button, it can interact with the input field during active operation. For example, during active operation of the input field, a touch position and a touch force can be detected by the force sensor. These together represent the operator's input and can be transmitted to a device connected to the input device. If no further input or touch is made, the input field can be switched back to energy-saving mode, while the force sensor remains active to switch the input field back to active operating mode.

[0021] An advantageous development provides, in particular, that the button is a mechanical button, which is designed to measure a predetermined force acting on it via the input field or to be actuated by or upon a predetermined force acting on it via the input field. If the button is designed to be actuated at a predetermined force, correspondingly strong springs or the like can be provided, for example. Furthermore, the control electronics are designed to switch the input field from the energy-saving mode to the active operating mode when the button is actuated with the predetermined force.

[0022] The input field has a flat and planar extension, particularly on the side of the input surface, and is in particular a touchscreen or a touchpad.

[0023] The input surface of the input field can also have a flat and planar extension. Alternatively, however, the input surface can also be designed as a free-form surface, in particular one with no jumps, so that the input field provides a non-flat surface at least on the first side. The input field can also have a 3D contour in its entirety and, for example, be convexly and / or concavely curved at least in sections.

[0024] A particularly advantageous variant provides for the input field to be mounted completely and / or partially movable against the button in the direction of actuation of the button. This allows, for example, a force acting on the input surface in the direction of actuation to be transmitted to the button for actuating the button.

[0025] Such a bearing can be achieved by a reversible elastic deformation of the input field, i.e. preferably by a central area of ​​the input field being pressed against the button by bending the input field.

[0026] Alternatively, and according to an advantageous embodiment, the input field can be displaceable from an original position against the button into an actuated position and can be spring-returned from the actuated position to the original position. This means that the input field can preferably be displaced as a whole from an initial or original position along a displacement path into the deflected end position or actuated position and against the button, thereby generating haptic feedback. In such a variant, guide elements and / or stops can also be provided to guide and limit the displacement along the displacement path. The displacement path along which the input field is to be displaceable can be minimal, preferably less than 1 mm, more preferably less than 0.5 mm.

[0027] To generate haptic and / or acoustic feedback, a spring element can be arranged between the input field and the button or integrated into the button, by means of which a "click" can be generated, for example, when the button is actuated or when the actuating position is reached, so that the haptic and / or acoustic feedback is provided.

[0028] Particularly if the input field is movable relative to the button or the control electronics, it can be provided that the input field is connected to the control electronics and / or a power supply device of the input field via a flexible power and / or data line in order to compensate for the relative movement.

[0029] A particularly advantageous development provides that the input device is completely enclosed on the first side of the input field and, in particular, is completely defined by the input surface. If the button is designed, for example, as an optical button or as a capacitive or inductive button, the button can extend partially into the input field, with the latter having a smaller thickness in the area of ​​the button than in adjacent areas. Adjacent to the button, the input surface can also have, for example, a transparent section to enable optical detection.

[0030] Furthermore, the input device can provide a housing that frames the input field, particularly on the visible side, i.e., on the side of the input surface of the input field, and to which the control electronics and / or the button can be fixed. The housing can be connected to the input field via an elastic and, in particular, frame-shaped element, so that the input device can be completely closed on the visible side or on the first side of the input field, even if the input field is movable relative to the housing.

[0031] To enable targeted actuation of the button, according to an advantageous development, the input surface has a predetermined and particularly marked functional area. The button is designed to be actuated exclusively by actuating the input field in the functional area and / or exclusively by a force acting on the input surface in the direction of the button in the functional area and / or exclusively by the operator approaching the functional area of ​​the input surface. The functional area can also be detectable, for example, visually or haptically and, in particular, be color-coded or have a different shape than the surrounding areas of the input surface.

[0032] Alternatively, and for example, in the case of a touchscreen, an electronic display area is provided overlaying the input area. This display area can also be active when the input field is in energy-saving mode and on which one or more functional areas are displayed. If the operator wishes to trigger a function associated with a functional area, they touch the input area or input field in the area of ​​the respective functional area and simultaneously press the button.

[0033] If the control electronics or the button are not required as long as the input field is in its active operating mode, the control electronics can be designed to switch itself into an operating mode when the input field is switched to energy-saving mode and into an energy-saving mode when the input field is switched to operating mode.

[0034] The control electronics are preferably formed by electrical components arranged on a circuit board, which is arranged in particular parallel to the input field, wherein the button is arranged on the circuit board.

[0035] Alternatively, the control electronics can also be formed by electrical components arranged on several circuit boards, with at least one or exactly one of the circuit boards being arranged parallel to the input field. In such a variant, the button can be provided on the circuit board arranged parallel to the input field, with the circuit boards being electrically connected to one another, for example, by flexible cables.

[0036] If the button is arranged on a circuit board of the control electronics, a variant in which the button is designed in two parts is particularly advantageous, with a first part of the button on the circuit board and a second part of the button adjacent to it on the input field, so that the first part and the second part can be brought into contact by a movement of the input field in the direction of the circuit board or in the direction of the first part of the button, whereby an electrical contact can be established and the button can therefore be actuated. The first part of the button can provide two contacts which are contacted with one another by the second part. Alternatively, the second part of the button can also be contacted, for example, via the flexible cable connecting the control electronics to the input field.

[0037] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating an input device according to the invention. According to the method, the control electronics switches the input field from the energy-saving mode to the operating mode upon actuation of the button, wherein the control electronics subsequently switches the input field from the operating mode to the energy-saving mode upon expiration of the predetermined waiting time after actuation of the input field. Preferably, the waiting time is reset upon further actuation of the input field within the waiting time.

[0038] The features disclosed above can be combined as desired, as long as this is technically possible and they do not contradict each other.

[0039] Other advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are presented in more detail below, together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the figures. They show: Fig. 1 Input device in a first state;

[0040] Fig. 2 input device in a second state;

[0041] Fig. 3 Input device in a third state;

[0042] Fig. 4 Process for controlling the input device.

[0043] The figures are schematic examples. Identical reference numerals in the figures indicate identical functional and / or structural features.

[0044] Figures 1 to 3 show an input device 1 in different states.

[0045] In Figure 1, the input field 10 is in its energy saving mode, so that it requires little or no energy but also cannot detect any touch from the operator 2 and accordingly cannot determine the position of the touch.

[0046] If the operator 2 wishes to operate the input device 1, he places his finger on the input surface 13 of the input field 10, as shown, and exerts pressure or a force on the input surface 13.

[0047] As a result, the movably mounted input field 10 is displaced or pressed from the starting or original position shown in Figure 1 into the actuation direction X in the direction and, as shown in Figure 2, against the button 11 arranged at the rear of the input field 10. It is sufficient that the displacement path from the starting position shown in Figure 1 to the end or actuation position shown in Figure 2 is minimal, for example, less than 1 mm. If the input device 1 has a housing 15 as shown, which together with the input surface 13 determines the visible side of the input device, the input field sinks into the housing 15 or is moved into it as it moves in the direction of the button 11. To detect the position of the touch by the operator 2, the input field 10 can have a capacitive film and be designed as a touchpad or touchscreen.

[0048] In the illustrated variant, the button 11 is designed as a mechanical button, which is switched or actuated by contact with the input field 10. When the button 11 is actuated, the control electronics 12 switches the input field 10 from its energy-saving mode to its active operating mode, in which position detection or determination of the touch position is possible.

[0049] The control electronics 12 is depicted here as a circuit board on which electronic components of the control electronics 12 and the button 11 are arranged and interconnected. To compensate for the relative movement of the control electronics 12 and the input field 10, they are connected by a flexible power and / or data line 14, so that the control electronics can switch the input field 10 between its modes or the power supply to the input field 10 can be provided via the control electronics 12.

[0050] After actuating the button 11, as shown in Figure 2, the pressure or force of the operator 2 on the input surface 13 can be reduced, whereby the input field 10 is spring-returned back to its initial position, as shown in Figure 3.

[0051] If the button 11 is no longer pressed, the input field 10 remains in its active operating mode. After a predetermined waiting time of, for example, 30 seconds, the input field 10 switches back to energy-saving mode in the control electronics if the input field 10 is not pressed within the waiting time, i.e., if no touch of the input surface is detected by the input field. Activation, i.e., touching the input field 10 by the user, can be reported from the input field 10 to the control electronics 12 via the flexible cable 14.

[0052] In Fig.4 this procedure is shown in a simplified manner, based on a flow chart.

[0053] A: Input field 10 is in its power saving mode.

[0054] B: Is button 11 pressed?

[0055] No: The input field remains in its power saving mode.

[0056] Yes: The input field is switched to its active operating mode (state C).

[0057] C: Input field 10 is in its active operating mode.

[0058] D: The waiting time or the waiting timer is restarted. Is the input area 13 of the input field 10 touched by user 2 within the waiting time?

[0059] Yes: The input field remains switched in its active operating mode (state C).

[0060] No: The input field is switched to its energy saving mode (state A).

[0061] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable that utilize the solution presented even in fundamentally different embodiments.

[0062] * * * * *

Claims

Patent claims 1 .Input device (1) with an input field (10) which can be actuated by touching an operator (2), a button (11) and control electronics (12), wherein the input field (10) has a touch-sensitive input surface (13) on a first side and the button (11) is arranged on a second side of the input field (10) opposite the first side, wherein the button (11) is designed to be actuated by an actuation of the input field (10) and / or by a force acting on the input surface (13) in the direction of the button (11) and / or by an approach of the operator (2) to the input surface (13), and the control electronics (12) is designed to switch the input field (10) upon actuation of the button (11) from an energy-saving mode into an active operating mode, in which the input field (10) consumes more energy than in the energy-saving mode and is designed to detect a position of the touch on the input area (13).

2. Input device according to claim 1, wherein the control electronics (12) or the input field (10) is designed to switch the input field (10) from the operating mode to the energy-saving mode upon expiration of a predetermined waiting time after actuation of the input field (10).

3. Input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control electronics (12) is designed to separate the input field (10) from a power supply device of the input field when switching to the energy saving mode or to to switch off the supply facility.

4. Input device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the button (11) is a mechanical button or capacitive button or inductive button or optical button.

5. Input device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the button (11) is a mechanical button which is designed to measure a predetermined force acting on it via the input field (10) or to be actuated when a predetermined force acts on it via the input field (10), and wherein the control electronics (12) are designed to switch the input field (10) from the energy-saving mode to the operating mode when the button (11) is actuated with the predetermined force.

6. Input device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input field (10) has a flat and planar extension and is in particular a touchscreen or touchpad.

7. Input device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input field (10) is mounted completely and / or partially movable against the button (11) in an actuation direction (X) of the button (11).

8. Input device according to the preceding claim, wherein the input field (10) is displaceable from an original position against the button (11) into an actuating position and is spring-returned from the actuating position into the original position.

9. Input device according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein between the input field (10) and the button (11) or a spring element is arranged integrated into the button (11), which spring element is designed to generate haptic and / or acoustic feedback, in particular when the button (11) is actuated.

10. Input device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input field (10) is connected to the control electronics via a flexible power and / or data line (14).

11. Input device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input device (1) is completely closed on the first side of the input field (10) and in particular is completely determined by the input surface (13).

12. Input device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input surface (13) has a predetermined and particularly marked functional area and wherein the button is designed to be actuated exclusively by an actuation of the input field (10) in the functional area and / or exclusively by a force acting in the functional area on the input surface (13) in the direction of the button (11) and / or exclusively by an approach of the operator (2) to the functional area of ​​the input surface (13).

13. Input device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control electronics (12) are designed to switch themselves into an operating mode when the input field (10) is switched into the energy saving mode and into an energy saving mode when the input field (10) is switched into the operating mode.

14. Input device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control electronics (12) is formed by electrical components arranged on a circuit board, which in particular are parallel lei to the input field (10), and wherein the button (11) is arranged on the circuit board, so that the control electronics (12) and button (11) form a unit. Method for operating an input device according to at least the preceding claims 1 and 2, wherein the control electronics (12) switches the input field (10) from the energy-saving mode to the operating mode upon actuation of the button (11), and wherein the control electronics (12) switches the input field (10) from the operating mode to the energy-saving mode upon expiration of the predetermined waiting time after actuation of the input field (10).

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