Navigation system, particularly for a motor vehicle

A navigation system, particularly for a motor vehicle, determines the position of the navigation system or the motor vehicle and for determining a route to a destination. The navigation system includes a display for presenting variable information and a transparent touchscreen arranged above the display or a touchpad arranged independently of the display for recognizing the position of a touch on the touchscreen or the touchpad. The navigation system also includes a controller for displaying a map presentation on the display as a first operator control area and for displaying at least one second operator control area on the display. A contact-based dragging movement using the touchscreen over the first operator control area allows movement of the map presentation, rotation of the map presentation or inclination of the map presentation to be executed. A contact-based dragging movement using the touchscreen over the second operator control area allows movement of the map presentation, rotation of the map presentation and inclination of the map presentation to be executed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and hereby claims priority to International Application No. PCT/EP2010/002818 filed on May 8, 2010 and German Application No. 10 2009 030 791.5 filed on Jun. 27, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

A navigation system can be used, particularly for a motor vehicle, for determining the position of the navigation system or the motor vehicle and for determining a route to a destination.

DE 41 21 180 A1 discloses a method for manually controlling an electronic display apparatus which comprises a screen and operator control elements and also an evaluation circuit, wherein the evaluation circuit is used to convey two distance zones and the approach of a hand of a user prompts the use of said distance zones to initiate operator control functions.

US 2007/0109323 A1 discloses a map display system having a touchpanel and a display, wherein a windowframe for a map display and also a module for recognizing contact with an indication element on the windowframe are provided. In this case, the size of the window is altered to match the size of a movement by the indication element.

WO 2008/015504 A2 discloses a display and a display controller for presenting a window and an image in the window, wherein the window comprises a scrollbar for altering the horizontal or vertical position of the window relative to the image in the window.

DE 602 20 933 T2 discloses a method for distinguishing between two or more chronologically overlapping touch statements in a touchscreen system.

US 2006/0161871 A1 discloses an input/output platform which has an input/output interface having one or more input/output devices. Furthermore, an approach system for recognizing whether a finger is in the close surroundings of the input/output interface without touching it is provided.

EP 1 517 228 A2 discloses a method for gesture recognition, wherein an image is presented on a contact surface, wherein a touch on this contact surface is detected and it is ascertained whether multiple touches correspond to a gesture, wherein the presented image is altered if a particular gesture is recognized.

SUMMARY

It is one possible object to specify an improved navigation system, particularly an improved navigation system for a motor vehicle. In particular, it is desirable to speed up the operator control of a navigation system for a motor vehicle so that the necessary visual contact on a display in the navigation system is as little as possible.

The aforementioned object is achieved by a navigation system, particularly for a motor vehicle, for determining the position of the navigation system or the motor vehicle and for determining a route to a destination, wherein the navigation system comprises a display or a display device for presenting variable information and a transparent touchscreen arranged above the display or a touchpad arranged independently of the display or of the display device for recognizing the position of a touch on the touchscreen, wherein the navigation system comprises a controller for displaying a map presentation on the display as a first operator control area and for displaying at least one second operator control area on the display, wherein a contact-based dragging movement using the touchscreen over the first operator control area allows a function from the group comprisingmovement of the map presentation,rotation of the map presentation andinclination of the map presentation

to be executed, and wherein a contact-based dragging movement using the touchscreen or the touchpad over the second operator control area allows a different function from the group comprisingmovement of the map presentation,rotation of the map presentation andinclination of the map presentation
to be executed.

A map presentation within the context of this discussion may be a map, a satellite picture or a 3D graphic. The map, the satellite picture or the 3D graphic can in this case be presented in plan view, in birds eye perspective or in a first person view.

A display or a display device within the context of this discussion, is in particular, a display having independently actuatable pixels. The display may be a matrix displaysuch as a TFT.

The touchpad arranged independently of the display is in a form such that the co-ordinates of the touchpad are coordinated with the co-ordinates of the display or of the display device, that is to say that a touch on the touchpad or an operator control gesture can be associated with defined co-ordinates on the display.

In one advantageous refinement, the controller can be used to present a third operator control area on the display, wherein a contact-based dragging movement using the touchscreen or the touchpad over the third operator control area allows the remaining function from the group comprisingmovement of the map presentation,rotation of the map presentation andinclination of the map presentation
to be executed. In an additionally advantageous refinement, the second operator control area and the third operator control area form a frame surrounding the first operator control area. In an additionally advantageous refinement, the second operator control area is associated with the lower portion of the frame and/or with the upper portion of the frame. In an additionally advantageous refinement, the third operator control area is associated with the left-hand portion of the frame and/or with the right-hand portion of the frame.

In an additionally advantageous refinement, the second operator control area is oriented horizontally. In an additionally advantageous refinement, the third operator control area is oriented vertically.

In an additionally advantageous refinement, the map presentation can be moved upon a contact-based dragging movement using the touchscreen or the touchpad over the first operator control area. In an additionally advantageous refinement, the map presentation can be rotated upon a contact-based dragging movement using the touchscreen or the touchpad over the second operator control area. In an additionally advantageous refinement, the map presentation can be inclined upon a contact-based dragging movement using the touchscreen or the touchpad over the third operator control area.

In an additionally advantageous refinement, the touchscreen is designed as a multitouchscreen or the touchpad is designed as a multitouchpad, wherein a contact-based compressing or spreading movement using the multitouchscreen or the multitouchpad over the first operator control area allows a function from the group comprisingreduction or enlargement of the map presentation andinclination of the map presentation
to be executed, and wherein a contact-based compressing or spreading movement using the multitouchscreen over the second operator control area and/or over the third operator control area allows the other function from the group comprisingreduction or enlargement of the map presentation andinclination of the map presentation
to be executed.

The multitouchscreen or multitouchpad may be a touchscreen or a touchpad which can be used to distinguish at least two simultaneously occurring touches on the touchscreen or the touchpad from one another, wherein the position of the first touch and the position of the at least second touch can be determined independently of one another.

The multitouchscreen or multitouchpad may have touch-sensitive or pressure-sensitive areas which are arranged in pixel or grating form.

A compressing movement within the context of this discussion is, in particular, a movement in which two touch positions need to move toward one another. A spreading movement within the context of this discussion is, in particular, a movement of two contact positions apart. By way of example, a compressing movement within the context of the invention can be achieved by the movement toward one another of two fingertips which are touching the multitouchscreen or the multitouchpad. A spreading movement can be achieved, in particular, by two fingertips which are touching the multitouchscreen or the multitouchpad when said fingertips move away from one another.

The aforementioned object is—particularly in connection with the aforementioned features—also achieved by a navigation system, particularly for a motor vehicle, for determining the position of the navigation system or the motor vehicle and for determining a route to a destination, wherein the navigation system comprises a display for presenting variable information and a transparent multitouchscreen arranged above the display for recognizing the positions of at least two simultaneously occurring touches on the multitouchscreen, wherein the navigation system comprises a controller for displaying a map presentation on the display as a first operator control area and for displaying at least one second operator control area on the display, wherein a contact-based compressing or spreading movement using the multitouchscreen or the multitouchpad over the first operator control area allows a function from the group comprisingreduction or enlargement of the map presentation andinclination of the map presentation
to be executed, and wherein a contact-based compressing or spreading movement using the multitouchscreen over the second operator control area allows the other function from the group comprisingreduction or enlargement of the map presentation andinclination of the map presentation
to be executed.

The aforementioned object is—particularly in connection with the aforementioned features—also achieved by a method for operating a navigation system for determining the position of the navigation system or the motor vehicle and for determining a route to a destination, wherein the navigation system comprises a display for presenting variable information and a transparent touchscreen arranged above the display or a touchpad arranged independently of the display for recognizing the position of a touch on the touchscreen or the touchpad or a transparent multitouchscreen arranged above the display or a multitouchpad arranged independently of the display for recognizing the positions of at least two simultaneously occurring touches on the multitouchscreen or the multitouchpad, wherein the display is used to present a map presentation as a first operator control area and a second operator control area, wherein a contact-based dragging movement using the touchscreen or the multitouchscreen or the touchpad or the multitouchpad over the first operator control area prompts a function from the group comprisingmovement of the map presentation,rotation of the map presentation andinclination of the map presentation
to be executed, and wherein a contact-based dragging movement using the touchscreen or the multitouchscreen or the touchpad or the multitouchpad over the second operator control area prompts a different function from the group comprisingmovement of the map presentation,rotation of the map presentation andinclination of the map presentation
to be executed.

In one advantageous refinement, the display is used to present a third operator control area, wherein a contact-based dragging movement using the touchscreen or the multitouchscreen or the touchpad or the multitouchpad over the third operator control area prompts the remaining function from the group comprisingmovement of the map presentationrotation of the map presentation andinclination of the map presentation
to be executed.

In an additionally advantageous refinement, the touchscreen is designed as a multitouchscreen or the touchpad is designed as a multitouchpad, wherein a contact-based compressing or spreading movement using the multitouchscreen or the multitouchpad over the first operator control area prompts a function from the group comprisingreduction or enlargement of the map presentation andinclination of the map presentation
to be executed, and wherein a contact-based compressing or spreading movement using the multitouchscreen or the multitouchpad over the second operator control area and/or over the third operator control area prompts the other function from the group comprisingreduction or enlargement of the map presentation andinclination of the map presentation
to be executed.

The motor vehicle may be a land vehicle which can be used individually in road traffic. Motor vehicles are, in particular, not limited to land vehicles with an internal combustion engine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1shows an exemplary embodiment of a detail from an internal view of a motor vehicle1, a basic illustration of which is shown inFIG. 2. In this case, the motor vehicle1comprises an operator control apparatus4arranged next to the steering wheel2on the dashboard3. The operator control apparatus4can be used to operate a navigation kernel23and also, by way of example, an automatic air-conditioning system24, an entertainment system25and—via a mobile telephone interface22—a mobile telephone21. To this end, the operator control apparatus4is coupled to a display controller10which is connected by a bus system to the telephone interface22, to the navigation kernel23, to the automatic air-conditioning system24and to the entertainment system25. In this case, the navigation kernel23, the display controller10and the operator control apparatus4form an exemplary embodiment for a navigation system.

The operator control apparatus4comprises—asFIG. 3shows—a display12for presenting variable information and a transparent multitouchscreen11arranged above the display12for recognizing the position of at least two simultaneously occurring touches on the multitouchscreen11. The multitouchscreen11comprises a matrix-like structure of conductive lines/surface areas with columns and rows. By way of example, this structure can be formed of ITO surface areas or fine wires.

The display12of the operator control apparatus4can—asFIG. 4shows—be used to present a map presentation30for the navigation kernel23or from the navigation kernel23, in particular in connection with a route31from a location of the motor vehicle1to a destination. In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 4, the map presentation30is a three-dimensional depiction of a landscape in a birds eye perspective representation.

When the multitouchscreen11is touched, the presentation shown inFIG. 4changes to a presentation as shown inFIG. 5, in which a frame41surrounds an inner area40. The inner area40is an exemplary embodiment for a first operator control area. In the inner area40, the map presentation is retained. Provision may be made for the map presentation also to be retained in the frame41. In this case, however, provision is advantageously made for the map presentation to be presented and contrasted, for example in dimmed form. The frame41comprises an upper portion411, a lower portion412, a left-hand portion413and a right-hand portion414. The upper portion411and the lower portion412of the frame41form an exemplary embodiment for a second operator control area. The left-hand portion413and the right-hand portion414of the frame41form an exemplary embodiment for a third operator control area.

If a contact-based dragging movement using the multitouchscreen11is effected in the inner area40, as symbolized inFIG. 6by the arrow denoted by reference symbol51, then the map presentation30is moved in accordance with this movement.

If a contact-based spreading movement using the multitouchscreen11is effected in the inner area40, as symbolized inFIG. 6by the double-headed arrow denoted by reference symbol52, then the map presentation30is presented in enlarged form in accordance with this spreading movement (reduction of the scale).

If a contact-based compressing movement using the multitouchscreen11is effected in the inner area40, as symbolized inFIG. 6by the pair of arrows denoted by reference symbol53, then the map presentation30is presented in reduced form in accordance with this movement (enlargement of the scale).

If a contact-based dragging movement using the multitouchscreen11is effected in the upper portion411or lower portion412of the frame41, as symbolized inFIG. 6by the arrow denoted by reference symbol61, then the map presentation30is rotated in a manner similar to this movement.

If a contact-based spreading movement using the multitouchscreen11is effected in the upper portion411or lower portion412of the frame41, as symbolized inFIG. 6by the double-headed arrow denoted by reference symbol62, then the map presentation30is inclined in the direction of a greater angle of inclination in accordance with this movement.

If a contact-based compressing movement using the multitouchscreen11is effected in the upper portion411or lower portion412of the frame41, as symbolized inFIG. 6by the pair of arrows denoted by reference symbol63, then the map presentation30is inclined in the direction of a smaller angle of inclination in accordance with this movement.

If a contact-based dragging movement using the multitouchscreen11upwards is effected in the left-hand portion413or right-hand portion414of the frame41, as symbolized inFIG. 6by the arrow denoted by reference symbol71, then the map presentation30is inclined in the direction of a greater angle of inclination in accordance with this movement.

If a contact-based dragging movement using the multitouchscreen11downwards is effected in the left-hand portion413or right-hand portion414of the frame41, as symbolized inFIG. 6by the arrow denoted by reference symbol72, then the map presentation30is inclined in the direction of a smaller angle of inclination in accordance with this movement.