Motor vehicle operating device controlling motor vehicle applications

A motor vehicle operating device is presented that comprises a presence-sensitive sensor device and is configured to provide, in a motor vehicle, an activated first application and at least one deactivated further application. A driver can control an activated application by means of the presence-sensitive sensor device and cannot control a deactivated application by means of the presence-sensitive sensor device. The motor vehicle operating device is configured to receive an input signal, which refers to a number of input objects with which the input is made at the presence-sensitive sensor device, wherein different numbers of input objects are assigned to the applications. OIf the input signal refers to a number of input objects assigned to the first application, control of the first application takes place and, if the input signal refers to a number of input objects assigned to the further application, activation of the further application takes place.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority from German Application No. 10 2014 012 550.5, filed on 20 Aug. 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of motor vehicle operating devices. It relates in particular to a motor vehicle operating device for controlling motor vehicle applications by means of a presence-sensitive sensor device.

BACKGROUND

In the field of automotive technology, the number of functions made available to the driver of a motor vehicle has steadily risen. At the same time, increasingly complex control options are offered for different functions. Above all, the integration of electronic devices into motor vehicles has sharply accelerated the increase in control options that a driver can select during the journey.

In the motor vehicle, however, problems in designing a suitable operating interface result from an increased number of available functions and control options. On the one hand, the space available for arranging easily accessible operating elements in the range of the driver is limited. On the other hand, road traffic safety demands that the driver can find safety-relevant or frequently used control elements easily and can also operate these “blind” where possible.

To provide a large number of primarily electronic functions without overloading the driver's area with operating elements, electronic display and input systems have been installed increasingly recently as multifunctional operating elements, such as touchscreens in the area of the centre console, for instance. In connection with such systems, a menu-like breakdown of control options facilitates virtually any expansion of controllable vehicle devices.

While the use of touchscreens as part of a vehicle system can thus contribute to saving a plurality of conventional operating elements, a clear arrangement of the control options can only be achieved in turn with difficulty as part of such touch operation. Above all, branched selection menus call for a very high degree of attentiveness for their operation. This is particularly disadvantageous if the driver wishes to control the pertinent vehicle device during the journey.

A technique that improves the operation of controllable motor vehicle devices is therefore desirable.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, a motor vehicle operating device is described for controlling motor vehicle applications. The motor vehicle operating device comprises a presence-sensitive sensor device and is configured to provide, in the motor vehicle, an activated first application and at least one deactivated further application, wherein a driver can control an activated application by means of input at the presence-sensitive sensor device and cannot control a deactivated application by means of input at the presence-sensitive sensor device, to receive an input signal, which refers to a number of input objects with which the input is made at the presence-sensitive sensor device, wherein different numbers of input objects are assigned to the applications, and if the input signal refers to a number of input objects assigned to the first application, to control the first application on the basis of the input signal and, if the input signal refers to a number of input objects assigned to the further application, to activate the further application.

The activating of an (e.g. the further) application can comprise providing optical, acoustic and/or haptic information to the driver by means of the application. Optical information can be output at a display device. The controlling of an (e.g. the first) application can comprise changing a setting and/or an actuating value of the application.

The presence-sensitive sensor device can comprise a contact sensor and/or a contactless gesture sensor. In addition or alternatively to this, the motor vehicle operating device can comprise a programmable processor. Furthermore, in addition or alternatively to this, the motor vehicle operating device can comprise a display device. The display device and the presence-sensitive sensor device can generally be components of a touchscreen of the motor vehicle operating device.

An input at the presence-sensitive sensor device can be made by means of fingers as input objects. The input signal can refer in this case to a number of up to five fingers of a hand of the driver, with which the input is made. In addition or alternatively to this, the motor vehicle operating device can be configured to provide between one and four further applications, to which different numbers of input objects are assigned.

The motor vehicle operating device can also be configured to output a control signal on the basis of controlling of an application. The motor vehicle operating device can be configured in this case to output the control signal to a controllable motor vehicle device.

According to a second aspect, a motor vehicle is described. The motor vehicle comprises a motor vehicle operating device of the type presented here and at least one controllable motor vehicle device. The further or each application can be configured in this case to determine a control signal for the motor vehicle device based on an input. The motor vehicle operating device can then further be configured to output the control signal to the motor vehicle device.

The motor vehicle device can be at least one of a motor vehicle audio system, a motor vehicle air conditioning system, a motor vehicle navigation system, a motor vehicle communication device for a motor vehicle online application, a motor vehicle communication device for a telephone application, a motor vehicle driver assistance system, a motor vehicle sliding roof, a motor vehicle external mirror and an automatic window winder. In addition or alternatively to this, the control signal can be related to a main function of the motor vehicle device. The control signal can be related to one of a volume of a motor vehicle audio system, a temperature of a motor vehicle air conditioning system, a map display of a motor vehicle navigation system, an operation of a motor vehicle communication device for a motor vehicle online application, an operation of a motor vehicle communication device for a telephone application, an operating state of a motor vehicle driver assistance system, a position of a motor vehicle sliding roof, a position of a motor vehicle external mirror and a position of an automatic window winder.

According to a third aspect, a method for controlling motor vehicle applications using a presence-sensitive sensor device is described. The method comprises providing, in the motor vehicle, an activated first application and at least one deactivated further application, wherein a driver can control an activated application by means of input at the presence-sensitive sensor device and cannot control a deactivated application by means of input at the presence-sensitive sensor device, receiving an input signal, which refers to a number of input objects with which the input is made at the presence-sensitive sensor device, wherein different numbers of input objects are assigned to the applications; and if the input signal refers to a number of input objects that is assigned to the first application, controlling the first application on the basis of the input signal and, if the input signal refers to a number of input objects that is assigned to the further application, activating the further application.

The method can further comprise deactivating the further application. The deactivating of the further application can take place if the further application is activated and if no further input that satisfies a preset condition is made.

The preset condition can require that the further input follows on without interruption from the input on the basis of which the further application was activated. Alternatively to this, the preset condition can require that the further input is made within a preset period following a previous input. In addition or alternatively to this, the preset condition can require that the further input is also made with the number of input objects that is assigned to the further application. Alternatively to this, the further input can be made with a number of input objects that is different from and/or independent of the number of input objects assigned to the further application. The further input can be made by the input objects remaining in the same position over a preset period as in the previous input. One or more periods preset in connection with the further input can be determined at least partially by the further application.

The method can further comprise, if the further application is activated and if a further input is made that satisfies the preset condition, controlling the further application on the basis of the further input.

The controlling of the further application can be carried out on the basis of a primary gesture, which comprises an at least substantially linear movement of the one or more input objects at the presence-sensitive sensor device. Here the input, on the basis of which the further application was activated, can comprise an arranging of a number of input objects assigned to the further application on the presence-sensitive sensor device and the control of the further application can be carried out on the basis of a subsequent linear movement of the input objects. The arranging and the movement of the input objects can be carried out here in a single input gesture.

In addition or alternatively to this, the input signal can also refer to one of several input areas of the sensor device, in which area the input is made. The control of the further application can take place, furthermore, on the basis of the input area. The number of input areas can be two to four.

The number of input objects assigned to the first application can be one. A number of input objects that amounts to more than one can be assigned to each further application.

The further application can be configured to determine a control signal for at least one controllable motor vehicle device on the basis of input. Furthermore, the method can comprise an output of the control signal.

The input areas of the sensor device can be assigned to different areas of a motor vehicle and the control signal determined with regard to the area of the motor vehicle to which the input area that the input signal refers to is assigned. Different input areas can be assigned to an area of the driver and an area of the passenger in the motor vehicle. In addition, different input areas can be assigned to other different seating areas in the motor vehicle.

Upon activation of an application, a previously activated application can be deactivated. In this case always precisely one application can be activated.

The activating of an application can further comprise the outputting of a display signal, which is assigned to the activated application. The display signal can be configured to refer to a controlling of the application on the basis of the input signal. The display signal can further be configured to refer to the area of the motor vehicle in relation to which the control signal is determined.

The method can further comprise providing a graphical display on the basis of the display signal. In addition or alternatively to this, the method can comprise, in the case of controlling and/or activating of an application, providing an acoustic and/or haptic signal.

According to a fourth aspect, a computer program product is described. The computer program product comprises portions of program code which, if they are executed on a processor unit of a motor vehicle operating device, cause the motor vehicle operating device to carry out the method of the type presented here.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1a-1cshow schematic representations of an embodiment for a motor vehicle operating device100with respectively different activated motor vehicle applications A1, A2.

The motor vehicle operating device100comprises a presence-sensitive sensor device110and a display device for outputting a graphical display120. In the example shown, the presence-sensitive sensor device and the display device110of the motor vehicle operating device100are combined in the form of a touchscreen. The operating device100is further configured to provide different motor vehicle applications A1, A2and to detect by means of the presence-sensitive sensor device110user inputs E at the sensor device110, which can be made by means of different numbers of input objects EO.

The motor vehicle operating device100is part of a vehicle system, for example. In this case the motor vehicle operating device100is installed, for example, in the area of a central console or a dashboard as a multifunctional operating element for controllable vehicle devices in the access area of the driver.

FIG. 1ashows the operating device100in an operating mode in which a first application A1is activated. The first application A1can be any type of motor vehicle application, which provides a driver with information or options for interaction with vehicle devices, for example. The application A1is an application, for example, which offers the driver targeted access to different control options in a conventional manner via represented selection menus or a plurality of represented operator interfaces. In the example shown of a touchscreen110, such an application A1is typically operated with a single finger of a hand. In the present example, a single input object is therefore assigned to the application A1for its operation.

FIG. 1bshows the operating device100in a second operating mode deviating from the first fromFIG. 1a. Here the application A2is activated instead of the application A1, while an input E is made at the presence-sensitive sensor device110by means of two input objects EO. Starting out from the first operating mode fromFIG. 1a, the detection of the input E, which refers to a number of input objects EO assigned to the application A2, leads to the application A1being temporarily deactivated and the application A2being activated on receipt of the input E. In the example shown, the input E is made by two fingers of a hand, i.e. by two input objects. The number of two input objects is assigned here to the application A2.

The activation of the application A2has the effect that the driver can now control the application A2instead of the previously activated application A1by further input. In the example shown, the further input consists in a linear movement of the overlying two fingers in the direction of an upper area of the presence-sensitive sensor device110. Due to this, an actuating value of the application A2is increased, for example. On the basis of an actuating value of a certain application A2increased in this way, a control signal can be determined by the motor vehicle operating device100and be output to a motor vehicle device assigned to the application A2. For example, the volume level of a motor vehicle audio system can be assigned to the application A2, which is increased by the operating gesture shown.

For feedback on the activation of the application A2and the change of an actuating value of the application A2, a graphical display120is output by the operating device100. This is configured in such a way that it displays the activation of the application A2and the change made in an actuating value recognizably for the driver even out of the corner of the eye. In some examples the driver can even be informed via acoustic or haptic feedback, for instance in the form of a vibration, about a switch in the activated application and a change made to a setting or an actuating value, without the driver having to divert his attention from traffic events.

In the example shown, activating the application A2is carried out solely on the basis of the number of input objects EO detected by the presence-sensitive sensor device110. The input can be made, therefore, at any point of the presence-sensitive sensor device110. In addition, the gesture shown for changing an actuating value of the application A2is intuitively easily graspable in the form of a linear movement and a corresponding increase or reduction in the actuating value. The switch shown from the application A1to the application A2and the corresponding control of the related vehicle device can thus be achieved by the driver completely in a manner that demands the minimum of attention from the driver. The control shown of the application A2is thus suitable especially for blind operation of the assigned vehicle device.

FIG. 1cshows the operating device100in a third operating mode, in which following the control carried out of the application A2, this is deactivated again and the first application A1is activated once more. The deactivation of application A2and the renewed activation of the application A1take place automatically here on the basis of a preset condition T. For example, the switch from the application A2to the application A1takes place automatically as soon as no further input is made by the driver over a certain period to the input E to control the application A2.

The switch of the motor vehicle operating device100shown inFIGS. 1a-1cbetween different operating modes follows a hierarchy of the different applications A1, A2here. A basic setting of the operating device100provides for an activation of the first application A1in this case. For example, the application A1is a special or particular application selected or activated by the driver in a conventional manner from among several motor vehicle applications. In contrast, the application A2is directed to the control of a certain safety-relevant or frequently used vehicle device, to which the driver should advantageously have easy and quick access at any time and independently of an activated particular application A1.

The switch shown inFIGS. 1ato 1cof operating modes as a function of a number of input objects EO at the presence-sensitive sensor device110permits a driver, for example, to increase a volume level of the audio system of the vehicle without having to deactivate a currently activated particular application A1in the long term and then to have the previously selected application A1made available again.

The operating device100is arranged in the area of the central console of a vehicle, for example, for the purpose of single-handed operability. In addition to a conventional selection of particular applications A1, the technique described here makes it possible to provide up to four further applications A2, to which the driver has direct access at any time by a corresponding number of fingers used. Compared to the particular applications A1, the further, generally accessible applications are thus regarded as global applications.

Each global application can in addition be controllable with reference to several actuating values and setting by corresponding intuitive gestures. For example, a control gesture in a vertical direction can change a first actuating value for a certain further application A2and a control gesture in a horizontal direction can change a second setting or a second actuating value. For the purpose of simple and intuitive operability of the further applications A2, however, these are limited to a minimum selection of particularly relevant applications and in each of these applications in turn to a minimum number of controllable actuating values. Thus a further application of the operating device100for changing the volume level of an audio system of the vehicle, another further application for changing a temperature actuating value of an air conditioning system of the vehicle, yet another further application for representing a map of a navigation system and a further application for locking the vehicle doors or for actuating automatic window winders of one or more windows of the vehicle is provided. In other examples, one or more of the aforesaid applications are replaced by applications for changing an operation of a motor vehicle communication device for a motor vehicle online application, for example, an operation of a motor vehicle communication device for a telephone application, an operating mode of a motor vehicle driver assistance system, a position of a motor vehicle sliding roof or a position of a motor vehicle external mirror.

In the example shown inFIG. 1c, the deactivation of the application A2and the renewed activation of the particular application A1take place after a preset period T, during which no further user input has taken place when the application A2is activated. In other examples, however, the deactivation of the further application A2can be determined by other conditions, for instance if no further input is made that satisfies one or more preset conditions when application A2is activated. For example, the application A2can be deactivated directly following the input E in the manner of an “on-release” deactivation. In this case both the activation of the application A2and possible control are carried out by a single, for example a continuous, input gesture of the driver. While such an “on-release” deactivation is advantageous for changing a temperature or volume level actuating value, for example, in other applications, such as a navigation application, it is desirable if this remains activated for a certain period even after an input E has been made. The condition T for deactivation of a further application A2is therefore determined individually by the respective application A2, for example.

Even if in the example ofFIG. 1bthe control gesture is made, furthermore, with the same number of input objects by which the application A2was activated, it is not necessary in other examples that a control input made when application A2is activated is likewise made with the assigned number of input objects. For example, touching the presence-sensitive sensor device with the assigned number of input objects can cause an activation of the further application A2, whereupon the user can perform control of the further application A2with any number of input objects A2. This is advantageous in a telephone application, for example, which is activated by an assigned number of input objects, whereupon a stored contact can be selected from a displayed telephone book by a single finger. The same applies for the possibility of a selection from a media database for reproducing media data by an infotainment system of the motor vehicle.

FIG. 2shows a schematic representation of a level model for a method for controlling motor vehicle applications, for example by means of a motor vehicle operating device according toFIGS. 1a-1c.

The level model inFIG. 2shows a basic level, which is represented by the particular application A1. The particular application A1corresponds in this case to an application selected individually by the driver, which can consist of any application provided by the operating device100ofFIG. 1. The particular application A1is the preferably activated application on the operating device100in this case. The preferred activation of the application A1results for example from the fact, for example, that the application A1is always activated automatically if no input is made at the operating device100that satisfies a preset condition for the temporary activation of a further application, i.e. a global application, A3. In the example ofFIG. 2the particular application A1is controllable by a user input E1, which is made by a single input object EO.

FIG. 2shows, moreover, in a level superposed on the basic level, a global application A3, to which a number of three input objects EO is assigned for its activation and which can be activated by a corresponding input E2and can be controlled by a subsequent linear input gesture E3of the three input elements EO. As shown by the dashed lines and as described in connection withFIG. 1, the level model ofFIG. 2can have several superposed levels, which each correspond to a global application A3. Assigned in turn to these several global applications A3respectively is a different number of input objects varying from one.

FIG. 3shows a flow chart of an embodiment for a method300for controlling motor vehicle applications, for example by means of the motor vehicle operating device100inFIG. 1.

In a first step, the method300inFIG. 3comprises providing (310), in a motor vehicle, an activated first application and at least one deactivated further application, wherein a driver can control an activated application by means of input at the presence-sensitive sensor device and cannot control a deactivated application by means of input at the presence-sensitive sensor device. In a further step, the method300comprises receiving (320) an input signal, which refers to a number of input objects with which the input is made at the presence-sensitive sensor device, wherein different numbers of input objects are assigned to the applications. For example, the applications are the applications A1, A2, A3of the examples fromFIGS. 1 and 2, to which 1, 2 or 3 input objects EO are assigned respectively.

On receiving the input signal, it is checked whether the number of input objects to which the input signal refers is assigned to the first application. The first application is the particular application A1fromFIGS. 1 and 2, for example, which can be controlled by a single input object EO in a conventional manner. If the input signal EO refers in this case to a single input object, controlling (330) of the first application takes place on the basis of the input signal. If the input signal refers on the other hand to a number of input objects that is not assigned to the first application, i.e. in the present example to more than one input object, it is checked whether this number of input objects is assigned to a further application. These are the applications A2, A3of the preceding examples, for instance, to which 2 and 3 input objects are assigned respectively.

If the input signal refers to one of these numbers of input objects, then activating (340) of the corresponding further application takes place. The activation of the further application comprises, for example in the case of a navigation application, a provision of further application information to the user. In addition, the activating of the further application can permit the user to take control of the application by further input. Following activation of the further application, it is checked, therefore, whether a further input is made that satisfies one or more preset conditions. If the driver makes a corresponding further input, controlling (360) of the further application takes place on the basis of the further input. Otherwise deactivating (350) of the further application takes place. A renewed activation of the first application takes place at the same time here, for example.

The case of a user input with a number of input objects that is not assigned to any of the applications provided is not determined in the method300shown inFIG. 3. Such inputs can be assigned automatically in some examples to the further application to which the highest number of input objects is assigned. In other examples such user inputs can be rejected. In yet other examples such user inputs can activate other functions of the operating device.

In one example the method300further comprises, following the control (360) of the further application on the basis of the further input, a determination and output of a control signal for at least one controllable motor vehicle device, which is assigned to the further application. Furthermore, in further examples of the method300, some or all of the activation and control steps also comprise the output of a display signal and of an acoustic and/or haptic reference signal. Here the method300further comprises in some examples a provision of a graphical display on the basis of the display signal that was output.

FIG. 4shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of the motor vehicle operating device100in different operating modes.

What was said in connection with the operating device100inFIG. 1applies accordingly to the operating device100inFIG. 4. In particular, the operating device100inFIG. 4is configured to provide different motor vehicle applications A1, A3. Of these, a first application A1is preferably activated as a particular application, whereas a user input E3, which refers to a number of input objects at the operating device100, causes a switch to a further application A3.

By analogy withFIG. 1a,FIG. 4ashows the operating device100in a first operating mode, in which the particular application A1is activated. Deviating from the exampleFIG. 1b,FIG. 4bshows the operating device100in an operating mode, however, in which a further application A3deviating from the further application A2is activated. A number of 3 input objects is assigned here to the further application A3. The application A3is thus activated by the user input E3shown inFIG. 4bby three fingers and can be controlled by a linear input gesture. Further deviating from the example inFIG. 1b, an input field of the operating device100is divided into several input areas EB1, EB2in the case of the application A3inFIG. 4b. The control of the application A3takes place as a function of the input area EB1, EB2, in which the input E3is made.

The different input areas EB1, EB2are assigned, for example, to different areas of a motor vehicle into which the operating device100is integrated. The application A3is configured here to control an actuating value of a vehicle device for each of these vehicle areas at least partly independently of one another. For example, a temperature actuating value of a motor vehicle air conditioning system can be set independently for different seating areas of the vehicle by the application A3. As indicated inFIG. 4b, for such seat-specific control of a motor vehicle device an operating field of the operating device100can be divided into four input areas EB1, EB2. While the division described of the input field of the operating device100thus offers a larger selection of functions, which are controllable by means of the technique described here, a corresponding division of the operating field should not adversely affect an intuitive and easy operability of the further applications A2, A3. However, in the case of conventional operating fields a division into up to four areas has not turned out to be disadvantageous.

As also shown in the example inFIG. 4, a display signal that refers to the activated application and the control undertaken can also be output in the case of activation and control of the application A3. In the example shown, the display also shows the input area EB1, EB2and thus the vehicle area in relation to which the input E3is made.

Corresponding to the example fromFIG. 1c,FIG. 4calso shows the automatic renewed activation of the particular application A1when the condition T is present. With reference to the condition T for the renewed activation of the particular application A1and the simultaneous deactivation of the further application A3, what was said about the example inFIG. 1capplies accordingly.

FIG. 5shows a schematic view of an embodiment for a motor vehicle500with a motor vehicle operating device510of the type described above.

The motor vehicle500comprises a driver area502and a passenger area504. In addition, the motor vehicle500comprises several motor vehicle devices530,532, which are controllable by the motor vehicle operating device510. According to the examples described previously, the operating device510has a presence-sensitive sensor device520, which is likewise executed as a touchscreen in the example shown.

The motor vehicle devices530,532are a motor vehicle audio system530and a motor vehicle air conditioning system532, for example. Beyond the motor vehicle devices shown, however, the motor vehicle500can also comprise further motor vehicle devices, which are controllable by the operating device510, for example a motor vehicle communication device for a motor vehicle online application, a motor vehicle communication device for a telephone application, a motor vehicle driver assistance system, a motor vehicle sliding roof or a motor vehicle external mirror.

What was said regarding the preceding examples fromFIGS. 1 to 4applies accordingly to the motor vehicle operating device510inFIG. 5. Thus the operating device510is configured to provide, apart from a particular application A1, at least one further global application A2, A3. By means of this the driver can determine as a function of a number of input objects at the operating device510, independently of a previously selected particular application A1, a control signal for one of the motor vehicle devices530,532, which signal is output by the operating device510to the corresponding motor vehicle device530,532. As described in connection withFIG. 4b, such a control signal can be determined independently for each of the vehicle areas502,504.

In addition to the examples shown of a motor vehicle audio system and a motor vehicle air conditioning system, the motor vehicle500can comprise further vehicle devices controllable by the operating device510. These include, for example, a motor vehicle navigation system, automatic window winders, an automatic door locking system, a motor vehicle driver assistance system, a motor vehicle communication device for a motor vehicle online application, an external mirror, a sliding roof and a motor vehicle communication device for a motor vehicle telephone application. The motor vehicle operating device510here permits in the manner described above, independently of a currently activated particular application A1, the control of one or more main functions and/or safety-relevant functions of one or more of said motor vehicle devices530,532by simple and intuitive user input without permanently deactivating the previously selected particular application A1. Instead, a particular application A1selected in this way is automatically made available to the driver again after control of a main function has been undertaken according to one of the global applications.

When using a multifunctional operating element in a motor vehicle, the techniques described here make it possible on the one hand to make available for the driver a plurality of equipment functions through a plurality of control options in a known manner. At the same time, the described technique of intuitive control of global applications depending on the number of fingers guarantees simple and intuitive access to particularly relevant functions in the motor vehicle without the driver having to divert his attention from traffic events for this. The techniques described have been described in the particular context of a motor vehicle and in connection with certain controllable motor vehicle devices. However, it is obvious that the techniques presented can also find advantageous application even away from the examples described.