Abstract:
Disclosed is a motor vehicle multimedia system comprising: a display apparatus; a control unit for actuating the display apparatus; and a selection apparatus for a first plurality of selection areas display on the display apparatus; wherein selecting one of the plurality of selection areas using the selection apparatus retrieves a submenu visible via an animation wherein the size and/or position of at least some of the plurality of displayed first selection areas are continuously altered to create a display space for displaying a submenu comprising one or more additional selection areas.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The invention relates to a motor vehicle multimedia system having a display apparatus, actuated by a control unit, and a selection apparatus for first selection areas displayed on the display apparatus, where selecting a selection area using the selection apparatus is sued to retrieve a submenu linked to the selected selection area. The invention also relates to a method for arranging selection areas on a display apparatus in a motor vehicle multimedia system.  
           [0003]    2. Background of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Apart from car radios, which have been known for a long time, further entertainment options and communication functions are increasingly being made available in motor vehicles. In this case, in particular, a plurality of functions are arranged in an individual multimedia system. Such a multimedia system generally has a central control device which is linked to a display apparatus and to a control apparatus and also to the various functional modules. The functions which such a motor vehicle multimedia system may include may comprise, by way of example, the functions of a car radio, a CD player, a CD changer, a navigation system, a telephone and Internet access. Owing to the wide range of functions which can be carried out, user-friendly operation of the multimedia system is of particular importance in motor vehicle applications.  
           [0005]    WO 99/35008 discloses a graphical user interface for use in motor vehicles. In this user interface, the various functions which can be selected are represented on a display apparatus by symbols, which are frequently also referred to as “icons”. A specific icon is in this case selected by “scrolling” or rolling, by which means all the icons on the display apparatus are moved past the viewed in one direction, in this case from right to left or vice versa, and only some of the icons can be seen at any time. According to WO 99/35008, a selected screen position is provided for activating a function linked to an icon. After such activation, settings appropriate to this function can be made. One particular drawback of this embodiment is that, once a function has been selected, the icons disappear from the display apparatus, which means that it is necessary to return to the main menu before a new function can be selected by selecting a new icon.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,847,704 discloses a further display apparatus for motor vehicles, on which different displays can be produced. However, in the system described there, the individual functions are not selected by selecting icons or the like on the display apparatus, but rather by separate control buttons. Each system function is assigned such a control button. This means that the system requires a large number of control buttons. The display apparatus itself can display different information items, with a distinction being made between information which is required to drive the vehicle and additional information or additional functions. The former group includes, by way of example, the speed display, while the additional functions include the air conditioning or a telephone function. Speed and the like should always be displayed, irrespective of the display of additional information. Thus, if the control buttons are used to select the display of additional functions, the speed display is pushed to the edge area of the display apparatus and is displayed in a rotated form. In this way, display space is gained for displaying the additional functions in the central area of the display apparatus. A drawback of this embodiment is that a large number of control buttons are required. In addition, there are no details as to how the display can be changed in a user-friendly manner.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    It is an object of embodiments of the invention to specify a motor vehicle multimedia system having a user-friendly display, in particular when retrieving submenus. Furthermore, in one specific object, the aim is to ensure a rapid change to a new function without a large number of selection buttons being required. A further object is to specify a method for user-friendly arrangement of selection areas on a display apparatus.  
           [0008]    For one embodiment of a generic motor vehicle multimedia system, the first-mentioned object is achieved in that, after selection of a selection area, the display apparatus is actuated by the control unit in the form of an animation running on the display unit, the size and/or position of at least some of the displayed first selection areas being continuously altered in order to create display space for displaying further selection areas for a submenu for the selected selection area, and the selection areas of the submenu being produced in an animation on the display apparatus.  
           [0009]    The transition between different displays on the display apparatus after a particular function has been selected therefore does not take place abruptly, but rather, by means of the animation, in a sequence of pictures which result in a sequential movement for the user. In this case, not only are/is the size and/or position of at least some of the first selection areas continuously altered by means of an animation, but also the additional selection areas of the submenu are produced continuously on the screen by means of an animation. For this purpose, the display apparatus is actuated in an appropriate manner, known per se, by the control unit, with, by way of example, a sequence of pictures being produced by the control unit. In particular, the brightness of the displays to be displayed in the submenu can be continuously increased for a prescribed time period as part of the animation of the submenus to be displayed for the first time.  
           [0010]    A further aspect of embodiment of the invention is that at least some of the selection areas preferably contain symbols in a three-dimensional (3D) display for identifying the selection areas. These symbols, which are frequently also referred to as icons, are intended to make it easier for the user to use the overall system intuitively, in particular, in that the symbols indicate the function linked to the selection area. In particular, the three-dimensional symbols can be put into rotary motion during the animation, which gives the viewer an altering view of the 3D symbol. This impression is likewise produced by a sequence of different views of the 3D symbols which are passed on from the control unit to the display apparatus.  
           [0011]    In one particular embodiment, the animation is effected such that the unselected first selection areas are moved out of a display area on the display apparatus by the selected selection area. This results in a smooth transition between the display of submenus for a selected selection area. This type of display is particularly suitable when a large display area is required for displaying the submenu for the selected selection area. This can be done, in particular, by virtue of the selected selection area being first enlarged in a first phase of the animation in order to move the unselected selection areas out of the display area on the display apparatus, and being reduced in size in a second phase of the animation in order to create the display space for displaying the selection areas of the submenu.  
           [0012]    In another embodiment, the animation is effected such that the size of the unselected first selection areas is reduced, but the selection areas continue to be selectable using the selection apparatus. In this embodiment, the appropriate display space is likewise created on the display apparatus by reducing the size of the unselected first selection areas and by altering their position. In contrast to the embodiment described above, the unselected selection areas and by altering their position. In contrast to the embodiment described above, the unselected selection areas continue to remain visible, however, and can thus also be selected. This refinement has the particular advantage that it is a particularly easy matter to select a new selection area, since all the first selection areas can always still be selected.  
           [0013]    Combination of said embodiments are possible. Thus, some of the selection areas can be moved from the display apparatus by the selected selection area, while the size and position of the remaining display areas are altered but they remain visible and selectable.  
           [0014]    In one specific refinement of the invention, the symbol in one or more selection areas is masked out by the animation. To create the necessary display space for the submenus, the size of the first selection areas is reduced, as described above. It is thus possible for the size of the symbol for identifying the selection area to be reduced until it cannot be identified. To prevent this, the symbol is masked out by the animation, according to the invention. This means that the symbol is also masked out by a sequence of pictures. In that case, by way of example, only an alphanumeric display remains to identify the selection area.  
           [0015]    In another specific refinement of the invention, the animation continuously changes the color of at least one selection area. In this case, the color of unselected selection areas, in particular, can be continuously changed such that they merge into the background but continue to be visible and selectable.  
           [0016]    The selection apparatus can either be designed to be separate from the display apparatus or integrated into it. In the latter case, it may be, in particular, a touch-sensitive screen (touch screen). The inventive multimedia system can be fitted into the motor vehicle at the manufacturer&#39;s, but may also, in particular, be intended for retrospective fitting into the motor vehicle and, by way of example, may be of the same size and shape as conventional car radios.  
           [0017]    The multimedia system may also be part of a higher-level motor vehicle system, for example an onboard computer. Such an onboard computer carries out additional functions, going beyond the multimedia system, such as control of heating and air conditioning. In this case, in particular, selection areas for those functions which go beyond the multimedia system are also displayed on the shared display apparatus. These additional selection areas may also be included in the described animation.  
           [0018]    Another embodiment of the invention includes a method for arranging selection areas on a display apparatus in a motor vehicle multimedia system comprising the steps of selecting one of a plurality of selection areas; starting an animation phase; during the animation phase, continuously altering the size and/or position of at least some of the displayed selection areas in order to create display space for displaying further selection areas for a submenu for the selected selection area, and producing the selection areas of the submenu in an animation on the display apparatus. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the drawing, in which:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a multimedia system,  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 a  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 b  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 c  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 d  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 e  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 f  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 g  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 h  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 i  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 j  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 2 k  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2 l  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3 a  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with another embodiment of the invention,  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 3 a  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with another embodiment of the invention,  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 3 b  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with another embodiment of the invention,  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 3 c  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with another embodiment of the invention,  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 3 d  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with another embodiment of the invention,  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 3 e  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with another embodiment of the invention,  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 3 f  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with another embodiment of the invention,  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 3 g  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with another embodiment of the invention,  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 3 h  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with another embodiment of the invention,  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 3 i  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with another embodiment of the invention,  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 3 j  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with another embodiment of the invention,  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 3 k  depicts an animation stage on a display unit according to an animation in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0045]    [0045]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a motor vehicle multimedia system. The central component of the system is the control unit  1 . The control unit  1  contains, by way of example, a microprocessor and the associated memory elements and carries out the control of the connected modules using an appropriate program. Connected to the control unit  1  is an operating unit  2  which, in the form of the direction arrows  3 , contains a selection apparatus  4  for selection areas which are displayed on the display apparatus  5 . In alternative embodiments, the selection apparatus may also be, by way of example, in the form of a joystick, trackball or voice input system. A telephone module  6 , a navigation module  7 , a radio module  8  and a CD player module  9  are also connected to the central control unit  1  in this embodiment.  
         [0046]    Via the telephone module  6 , the multimedia system provides a hands-free device for an internal or external mobile telephone. The navigation module  7  allows the vehicle position to be determined, a route to be calculated and travel instructions to be output. Corresponding navigation systems are sufficiently well known and are in use in motor vehicles. The radio module  8  provides the known functions of a car radio. The CD playback module  9  allows an audio CD to be played, with the output being produced via the loudspeaker  10 . In addition, the CD playback module  9  allows cartographic data to be read from an appropriate CD-ROM map for the navigation module  7 . The system is operated using the operating unit  2 , with the capability to select selection areas displayed on the display apparatus  5 , in particular, for the various functions of the multimedia system using the selection apparatus  4  on the operating unit  2 .  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 2 a  shows, by way of example, a first screen display on the display apparatus  5 . In this case, various selection areas  11  to  20  are displayed. After selection of the selection area  11 , it is possible to enter or select a destination for the vehicle routing. Selecting the selection area  12  retrieves a submenu for navigation functions. The selection area  13  can be used to retrieve a submenu for an address book. The telephone function is activated using the selection area  14 . The selection area  15  initiates the necessary steps for setting up Internet access. The selection area  16  can be used to retrieve trip information. The selection area  17  starts playback of a CD or DVD. The selection area  18  can be used to retrieve a map display with map data. The selection area  19  is used to activate as SOS function, and the selection area  20  is used to switch to a standby mode.  
         [0048]    Some of the selection areas  11  to  20  also have symbols  21  to  27  in 3D display which communicate the function of the respective selection area to the driver intuitively.  
         [0049]    The direction keys  3  on the selection apparatus  4  can be used to select one of the selection areas. Selection of a selection area can be completed, in particular, by operating an enter key, although, by way of example, automatic selection of a chosen selection area is also possible without any additional action once a prescribed time interval has passed. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the selection area  12  has been selected, in order to retrieve the submenu for vehicle navigation.  
         [0050]    After selection of a selection area, an animation process is started, during which the control unit  1  transmits a sufficient sequence of picture displays to the display apparatus  5  to give the impression of continuous movement. The corresponding picture information may in this case already be permanently stored in a memory element, as a result of which it is sufficient for the control unit  1  to have comparatively little computation power. The corresponding actuation signals for producing the picture sequence may, alternatively, be calculated while the animation is taking place using an appropriate program, if more computation power is available. The production of computer animations per se, to which reference is made here, is adequately known.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIGS. 2 a  to  2   l  show a detail from a sequence according to the invention. During this sequence, the size of the selected area  12  is continuously increased. By contrast, the size of the remaining selection areas  13  to  20 , or the size and relative arrangement of the symbols and characters displayed in the remaining selection areas  13  to  29 , is kept unchanged. The animation now takes place in such a way that the arrangement of the selection areas with respect to one another is maintained, but the increase in the size of the selection area  12  has the effect of moving the rest of the selection areas  13  to  20  out of the display area on the display apparatus. During this process, the size of the selection areas  13  to  20  is maintained, but their position changes, os that some or all of the selection areas  13  to  20  fully or partly disappear from the display area during the animation.  
         [0052]    Changing the position of the selection areas  13  to  20  prevents the selection area  12  from overlapping these selection areas as it becomes larger. New selection areas  28  to  32 , which represent the submenu for the selected selection area  12 , are likewise created in an animation in the display space created by the enlargement of the selection area  12 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the animation produces the effect of the new selection areas  28  and  32  moving in from the left-hand side of the screen. The new selection areas  28  to  32  are also identified by animation. In this case, the brightness of the alphanumeric identification of the selection areas  28  to  32  is continuously increased during the animation, so that this once again gives the viewer the impression of a continuous build-up. Instead of alphanumeric identification of the selection areas  28  to  32 , they may also be identified by appropriate symbols (icons).  
         [0053]    As can also be seen from the sequence in FIG. 2, the view of the symbols  21  to  27  also changes. This is achieved, in particular, by slow rotation of the symbols  21  to  27  throughout the animation phase. This further strengthens the viewer&#39;s impression of movement.  
         [0054]    A second exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in the form of a picture sequence in FIG. 3. The original display shown in FIG. 3 a  largely matches the original display shown in FIG. 2 a.  However, it is not yet possible to see in FIG. 3 a  which of the selection areas  11 - 20  has been selected. An appropriate frame  33  for the selection area  11 , which frame indicates a selection which has been made, is produced only by an animation indicated in FIG. 3 b  and, finally, leads to the screen display  3   c.  In this case, the frame  33  can be produced, by way of example, on the basis of a point in the center of the picture in the selection area  11 , with the animation resulting in the point on the picture becoming an enlarged rectangle which encloses the selection area  11 .  
         [0055]    As already mentioned, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the selection area  11 , which allows selection of a destination, has been selected. As can be seen from the picture sequence in FIG. 3, the selection area  11  is now first of all enlarged, as has already been described above in conjunction with FIG. 2 for the selection area  12 . This enlargement of the selection area  11  occurs at the expense of the size of the remaining selection areas  12  to  20 . Thus, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, apart from the position of the selection areas  12  to  20 , their size is also changed. Finally, in an animation, the display of the selection areas  34  to  38  for location selection is generated in the enlarged selection area  11  (cf. FIGS. 3 i  and  3   k ). As described in conjunction with the previous example, the animation in this case takes place in such a way that the brightness of the displayed information, in this case the location names, is continuously increased. The location names are thus further selection areas  34  to  38 .  
         [0056]    This second exemplary embodiment has a further special feature, namely the masking out of the symbol  21  for vehicle navigation (cf. FIGS. 3 d  to  3   g ). To generate sufficient space to display the location names in the left-hand area of the screen, it is necessary to reduce the size of the navigation selection area  12  to a correspondingly great extent. Since this simultaneously results in a major reduction in the size of the associated symbol  21 , the symbol  21  is masked out during navigation. This masking out is effected by continuously reducing the brightness of the symbol  21  until it can no longer be seen against the background of the screen. With a colored screen display, this masking out of the symbol  21  can also be effected by virtue of the color of the symbol  21  being matched to the color of the screen background in this area, so that the symbol can no longer be distinguished from the background.  
         [0057]    The advantage of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is that the unselected selection areas  12  to  20  are also available for reselection at all times. This means that there is no need to jump to a higher-level main menu, thus greatly simplifying operation.  
         [0058]    In the exemplary embodiments, the selection areas are always bounded by rectangular boxes arranged next to one another. Other configurations of the display areas can likewise be provided, for example a pentagonal or hexagonal shape. In addition, the selection area may be identified by any desired geometric area surrounding the respective symbol, without its boundaries needing to be visible to the viewer in detail. Such an embodiment provides the same level of convenience in terms of operability, since a selection area is generally selected using navigation keys which, when operated, automatically cause jumping between the selection areas. A chosen or selected selection area may in this case also be made identifiable by changing the color of the associated symbol, for example.  
         [0059]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the method and system of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.