Operating device for a quick-access menu

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for operating a selection menu for a quick-access process on an input-display unit in a vehicle, comprising: a physical hardware operating element which is provided separately from the input-display unit and is configured to open a selection menu for quick-access processes on the input-display unit upon actuation, the selection menu having at least one quick access which is provided for directly activating a function. At least two touch inputs on the input-display unit are required in order to activate a function without the at least one quick-access process.

Description

[0001] 24-2483

[0002] 1

[0003] Control device for a quick access menu

[0004] It has been shown that the exclusive focus on operating input-display units such as touchscreens (touch operation) in vehicles, by eliminating dedicated hardware controls, makes operating a vehicle while driving more difficult.

[0005] Older vehicles feature numerous dedicated hardware controls that allow direct operation of the desired functions. In contrast, newer vehicles primarily rely on input / display units, such as touchscreens. These often require multiple steps to activate a single function. Any remaining hardware controls merely serve as entry points for further operation, for example, displaying all climate control options, from which further steps are then performed via touchscreen.

[0006] To facilitate operation, large input / display units are typically used to display large touch controls. These large controls allow for safe operation while driving. Touch controls offer quick access to direct function activation via touch-sensitive buttons on the input / display unit. However, these are embedded within other menu structures and must first be accessed through further touch interactions, such as swiping down or sideways on the input / display unit.

[0007] Large input / display units, however, mean that the distance between a vehicle user and the entire input area of ​​the unit can be considerable. This creates areas that are difficult to operate. Particularly due to the necessary arm length, uneven road surfaces can cause the finger to deflect significantly, potentially leading to errors. Furthermore, the mental strain is increased by the required hand-eye coordination, understanding the menu structure, and planning subsequent actions, further complicating the driving task and increasing the likelihood of accidents.

[0008] The invention therefore provides a solution according to the independent claims. Further developments of the claims are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] In a first aspect, a device for operating a quick-access selection menu on an input / display unit in a vehicle is provided, comprising: a physical hardware control element, separate from the input / display unit, configured to open a quick-access selection menu on the input / display unit upon activation, wherein the selection menu includes at least one quick access option intended for direct function activation. Function activation without the at least one quick access option requires at least two touch inputs on the input / display unit.

[0010] The input / display unit can evaluate the duration of a hardware control button press. Depending on the evaluated press duration, the input / display unit can select and / or execute a specific quick access command from the quick access menu.

[0011] The input / display unit can compare the duration of the hardware control's operation with at least one threshold value. Depending on this comparison, the input / display unit can select and / or execute a specific quick access action from the quick access menu. The input / display unit can evaluate an operation duration below the threshold value by opening the quick access menu on the input / display unit. Conversely, the input / display unit can evaluate an operation duration above the threshold value by selecting and / or executing the specific quick access action from the quick access menu.

[0012] The hardware control can detect at least one touch gesture. The input / display unit can evaluate this at least one touch gesture and accordingly implement navigation in the quick access selection menu.

[0013] The hardware control can detect directional information related to the executed touch gesture. The input / display unit can evaluate and / or use this detected directional information to navigate through the quick access selection menu.

[0014] In another aspect, an operating procedure for using a quick access menu on an input / display unit in a vehicle is provided, comprising the steps of: opening a selection menu for quick access on the vehicle's input / display unit when a hardware control is activated; displaying at least one quick access item in the selection menu that is intended for direct function activation, wherein function activation without the at least one quick access item requires at least two touch inputs on the input / display unit.

[0015] The present invention solves the problem by providing a hardware control element which opens a central menu on the touchscreen in which a user can store quick access functions that lead to direct function activation when touched.

[0016] A hardware control is a physical control element provided separately from the input / display unit. It differs from a control element provided or displayed by the input / display unit. A quick access element is a shortcut to achieve a user goal, such as a selection in a menu provided by the input / display unit. Specifically, selecting the quick access element calls up and / or executes an associated menu function. Therefore, only one touch operation is necessary to achieve the desired user goal.

[0017] By providing at least one quick access option in the quick access menu, i.e., the quick access menu itself, navigating through menu structures via touch control to reach the desired function is no longer necessary. Additionally, the hardware control element can facilitate further operation within the menu, enabling a higher degree of blind operation, which significantly reduces the mental workload compared to touch operation.

[0018] The hardware control element can be a simple button or switch that can transmit a pressed / not pressed or touched / not touched state via a bus system to the input / display unit, whereupon the quick access menu is opened on the latter.

[0019] By analyzing the duration of the button press, the input / display unit can also evaluate the activation of the hardware control element with regard to other operating functions. For example, if the hardware control element is pressed for a certain period of time, a specific shortcut can be selected, and the associated function triggered. The input / display unit can, for example, compare the duration of the hardware control element press with a threshold value. If the hardware control element is pressed for longer than defined by the threshold value, the specific shortcut is executed.

[0020] It can also be provided that the input / display unit evaluates the duration of the actuation in multiple ways. For example, the input / display unit can evaluate the actuation duration as a short actuation if the actuation duration is below the threshold value.

[0021] A longer actuation duration is evaluated by the input / display unit if the duration exceeds the threshold. For example, if the actuation duration is below the threshold, the quick access menu on the input / display unit can be opened. If the actuation duration exceeds the threshold, the input / display unit can interpret this as a command to activate the specific quick access function, as described above.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, particularly if more than one quick access method is defined, an actuation duration exceeding the threshold can be evaluated in such a way that, successively, and especially when at least a second threshold for the actuation duration of the hardware control element is exceeded, a different quick access method is selected depending on the evaluated actuation duration. For example, a series of quick access methods can be executed, switching from one quick access method to the next as long as the hardware control element is being actuated.

[0023] It may be provided that a selected quick access is activated or executed when the operation of the hardware control ends, i.e., when the user no longer operates the hardware control. Alternatively, it may be provided that a selected quick access remains selected when the operation of the hardware control ends, i.e., when the user no longer operates the hardware control. In this case, the selected quick access can then be activated or executed by a further operation of the hardware control, preferably one that is shorter than the threshold for the duration of the operation of the hardware control.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, if a further action exceeds the threshold for the action duration, you can switch again to selecting a different quick access option in the quick access menu.

[0025] Alternatively, the input / display unit can interpret repeated activation of the hardware control, particularly when the activation duration is below the threshold (e.g., repeated tapping), as selecting the next quick access option. A subsequent activation of the hardware control, especially when the activation duration exceeds the threshold, can trigger the function associated with the selected quick access option.

[0026] In one embodiment, the hardware control can detect a touch gesture. The input / display unit can then be configured to evaluate touch gestures; in particular, the hardware control and / or the input / display unit can be configured to detect directional information indicating the direction in which the user performs a touch gesture on the hardware control. This directional information is evaluated by the hardware control and / or the input / display unit and can be used for navigation within the quick access menu. Thus, by touching the hardware control, the user can select or activate specific quick access options within the quick access menu. A selected quick access option can then be activated or called up by the user again by pressing the hardware control.

[0027] All described variants enable blind operation of the quick access menu by means of one or more activations of the hardware control element. 24-2483

[0028] 7

[0029] Fig. 1 shows an example of a vehicle operating system with an input / display unit 10 and a hardware control element B. The input / display unit 10, e.g., a touchscreen, is configured to operate vehicle functions. The hardware control element B is configured so that, upon activation, it opens a selection menu 20 for quick access on the input / display unit 10. The selection menu 20 displays several quick access options 30 that lead to direct function activation.

[0030] Figure 1a) shows a situation in which a user N does not operate the hardware control B. When the user N operates the hardware control B, the selection menu 20 for quick accesses is displayed on the input / display unit 10, as shown in Figure 1b). The selection menu 20 for quick accesses can contain several quick accesses 30. The user N can then select a quick access from the selection menu 20, for example, by touching the input / display unit 10. However, the user N can also select a quick access 31 by pressing the hardware control B again and / or for a longer period, as illustrated in Figure 1c). The quick access 31 can then be executed by pressing the hardware control B again and / or for a longer period. Alternatively, the quick access can be executed when the user N stops pressing the hardware control B.

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an alternative implementation of the vehicle operating system from Fig. 1, in which a hardware control element T additionally has an input function for touch gestures. The same reference numerals in Fig. 2 denote essentially the same components as in Fig. 1. The input function for touch gestures on the hardware control element T enables the selection of a quick access option (32) within the selection menu 20 for quick access options. Fig. 2a) shows a situation in which a user N does not operate the hardware control element T, e.g., a touchpad.

[0032] When the user N activates the hardware control element T, the selection menu 20 for quick access is displayed on the input / display unit 10, as shown in Fig. 2b). The selection menu 20 for quick access can contain several quick access options 30. The user N can then, for example, select a quick access option from the selection menu 20 for quick access by touching the input / display unit 10.

[0033] However, as illustrated in Fig. 2c), user N can also select a quick access function 31 by pressing and / or holding the hardware control T again. The quick access function 31 can then be executed by pressing and / or holding the hardware control T again. Alternatively, the quick access function can be executed when user N releases the hardware control T.

[0034] By making a touch gesture G on the hardware control T, e.g., a movement in a southerly / downward direction, a different quick access 32 can be selected from the quick access selection menu 20, as shown in Fig. 2d). It should be understood that the touch gesture G can also be made in a different direction or in different directions.

[0035] The touch gesture G is then translated into navigation through the quick access selection menu 20. Thus, a selection can be made in the quick access selection menu 20 based on the touch gesture G, and a quick access option 31, 32 can be selected. The quick access option 31, 32 can then be executed by pressing and / or holding the hardware control T again. Alternatively, the quick access option can be executed when the user N releases the hardware control T. Figure 3 schematically shows the procedure for accessing the quick access selection menu (20). In a first step S10, the quick access selection menu 20 is displayed on the input / display unit 10 upon pressing the hardware control B, T. In a second step S20, at least one quick access option is displayed in the quick access selection menu 20.

[0036] It is also understood that the input display unit 10 and the hardware control element B, T may have a control unit for evaluating user input or for comparing an actuation duration with at least one threshold value.

[0037] The hardware control element B, T is therefore essentially used to open the quick access menu 20 on the input display unit 10 of the vehicle and to navigate through the quick accesses 30, 31, 32 contained in the quick access menu 20 to function activations.

Claims

10 Claims 1. Operating device for a selection menu (20) for quick access (30) on an input / display unit (10) in a vehicle, comprising: - a physical control element (B, T) provided separately from the input / display unit (10), which is configured to open the selection menu (20) for quick access (30) on the input / display unit (10) when pressed, - wherein the selection menu (20) has at least one quick access (31, 32) which is intended for direct function activation, wherein function activation without the at least one quick access (31, 32) requires at least two touch inputs on the input-display unit (10).

2. Operating device according to claim 1, - wherein the input display unit (10) is configured to evaluate the duration of an actuation of the hardware control element (B, T), - and wherein the input display unit (10) is configured to select and / or execute a specific quick access (31) from the quick access selection menu (20) depending on the evaluated actuation duration.

3. Operating device according to claim 1 or 2, - wherein the input display unit (10) is configured to compare an actuation duration of the hardware control element (B, T) with at least one threshold value, - and wherein the input / display unit (10) is configured to select and / or execute a specific quick access (31, 32) from the quick access selection menu (20) (30) depending on the comparison of the actuation duration with the threshold value.

4. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the input / display unit (10) is configured to evaluate an actuation duration below the threshold value such that the quick access selection menu (20) (30) is opened on the input / display unit (10), - and wherein the input display unit (10) is configured to evaluate an actuation duration above the threshold such that the specified quick access (31) is selected and / or executed from the quick access selection menu (20) (30).

5. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the hardware control element (B, T) is configured to detect at least one touch gesture (G), - and wherein the input display unit (10) is configured to evaluate the detected at least one touch gesture (G) and to implement navigation accordingly in the selection menu (20) for quick access (30).

6. Operating device according to claim 5, - where the hardware control element (B, T) is configured to capture directional information about the executed touch gesture (G), - and wherein the input display unit (10) is configured to use the captured direction information for navigation through the selection menu (20) for quick access options (30).

7. Operating procedure for operating a selection menu (20) for quick access (30) on an input-display unit (10) in a vehicle, comprising the steps: - Opening a selection menu (20) for quick access on the input-display unit (10) of the vehicle when operating a hardware control element (B, T), - Representing at least one quick access (31, 32) in the quick access selection menu (20) which is intended for direct function activation, wherein function activation without the at least one quick access (31, 32) requires at least two touch inputs on the input display unit (10).

8. Operating method according to claim 7, with the further steps - Evaluating the duration of operation of the hardware control element (B, T), and / or - Selecting and / or executing a specific quick access (31) from the selection menu (20) for quick access depending on the evaluated actuation duration.

9. Operating method according to claim 7 or 8, with the further steps - Comparing the duration of operation of the hardware control element (B, T) with at least one threshold value in the input / display unit (10), and / or - Selecting and executing a specific quick access (31) from the quick access selection menu (20) depending on the comparison of the actuation duration with the threshold value.

10. Operating method according to one of claims 7 to 9, comprising the further steps - Capturing touch gestures (G) on the hardware control element (B, T), - Evaluating the captured touch gestures (G) in the input display unit (10) and implementing navigation through the selection menu (20) for quick access.

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