U.S. patent application number 11/460157 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-03 for input device.
Invention is credited to Philippe Alessandrini, Brian Finn, Brian Ng, Arne Stoschek.
Application Number | 20070097091 11/460157 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37912954 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070097091 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ng; Brian ; et al. |
May 3, 2007 |
Input Device
Abstract
An input device, especially for a vehicle, includes a first
display for optical display of information, at least a second
display arranged above the first display for optical display of
information and a touchscreen arranged above the second display for
entry of commands by touching an operating surface of the
touchscreen.
Inventors: |
Ng; Brian; (Los Angeles,
CA) ; Alessandrini; Philippe; (Palo Alto, CA)
; Finn; Brian; (East Palo Alto, CA) ; Stoschek;
Arne; (Palo Alto, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER BOTTS L.L.P.;PATENT DEPARTMENT
98 SAN JACINTO BLVD., SUITE 1500
AUSTIN
TX
78701-4039
US
|
Family ID: |
37912954 |
Appl. No.: |
11/460157 |
Filed: |
July 26, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60731302 |
Oct 28, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60K 2370/143 20190501;
G06F 3/0412 20130101; B60K 2370/1438 20190501; B60K 35/00 20130101;
B60K 37/06 20130101; G06F 3/041 20130101; G06F 3/016 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/173 |
International
Class: |
G09G 5/00 20060101
G09G005/00 |
Claims
1. An input device comprising: a first display for optical display
of information; at least a second display arranged above the first
display for optical display of information; and a touchscreen
arranged above the second display for input of commands by touching
an operating surface of the touchscreen.
2. An input device according to claim 1, wherein the operating
surface is arranged on a side of the touchscreen facing away from
the second display.
3. An input device according to claim 2, wherein the touchscreen is
connected to the second display.
4. An input device according to claim 1, wherein the distance
between the first display and the second display is variable.
5. An input device according to claim 1, wherein the second display
is transparent, at least in a large region.
6. An input device according to claim 1, further comprising: a
control to drive the second display, so that an operating element
or a warning message can be displayed by means of a second
display.
7. An input device according to claim 6, wherein an explanation of
the operating element or a context of the operating element can be
displayed by the first display.
8. An input device according to claim 8, further comprising: an
actuator to move the touchscreen in at least one direction.
9. An input device according to claim 8, wherein the second display
is moveable by means of the actuator.
10. An input device according to claim 9, wherein the touchscreen
is connected to the second display.
11. An input device according to claim 1, wherein the distance
between the first display and the second display is variable.
12. An input device according to claim 8, wherein the second
display is transparent, at least in a large region.
13. An input device according to claim 8, further comprising: a
control to drive the actuator, so that the touchscreen can be moved
for confirmation of touching of an operating surface of a
touchscreen.
14. An input device according to claim 13, wherein the operating
element can be displayed by the second display.
15. An input device according to claim 14, wherein an explanation
of the operating element or a context of the operating element can
be displayed by the first display.
16. An input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device
is arranged in a vehicle.
17. A method for operation of an input device comprising a first
display for optical display of information, at least a second
display arranged above the first display for optical display of
information, and a touchscreen arranged above the second display
for input of commands by touching an operating surface of the
touchscreen, the method comprising the step of: displaying an
operating element and/or a warning message by the second
display.
18. A method according to claim 17, the method further comprising:
displaying an explanation of the operating element or a context of
the operating element by means of the first display.
19. A method according to claim 17, the method further comprising:
movement of the touchscreen to confirm touching of the operating
surface of the touchscreen.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/731,302 filed on Oct. 28, 2005, entitled
"EINGABEVORRICHTUNG", which is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention concerns an input device, especially for a
vehicle, with a touchscreen.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A touchscreen is known, for example, from DE 201 02 197 U1
(incorporated by reference). A touchscreen for display of
electronic signals and a confirming touch input of characters and
symbols, consisting of a functional level for display and key input
and a higher order, point-deformable protective level corresponding
to it, is disclosed in DE 201 02 197 U1. A confirmation signal for
the sense of touch (haptic stimulation) of the user, detectable at
the position of the contact point in the deformed protective level,
is generated during selection of certain points of the functional
level by touching the protective level, and the confirmation signal
for the sense of touch (haptic stimulation) is generated by
oscillation elements eccentrically arranged within and/or beneath
the functional level. In addition, transmission of the generated
oscillations from the functional level to the protective level
occurs in the touchscreen known from DE 201 02 197 U1 by direct
contact of the two levels and/or via the edge regions of these
levels by rigid or elastic connection elements.
[0004] Touchscreens are also known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,565 and
EP 920 704 B1. Appropriate touchscreens can be obtained, for
example, from 3M.TM. (see www.3M.com). Additional details
concerning touchscreens can be taken from EP 1 560 102 A1.
[0005] A touch control with haptic feedback for input of signals
into a computer and for output of forces to a user of the touch
control is known from DE 201 80 024 U1 and the corresponding WO
01/54109A1 (incorporated by reference) for haptic feedback, in
which the touch control has a touch input device that has a roughly
flat contact surface, operated so that a position signal is entered
into a processor of the computer based on a position on the contact
surface that a user touches, in which the position signal indicates
the position in two dimensions. The touch control according to WO
01/54109 A1 also has at least one actuator connected to the touch
input device, in which the actuator sends a force to the touch
input device, in order to provide a haptic sensation to the user
touching the contact surface, in which the actuator sends the force
directly to the touch input device based on force information
issued by the processor.
[0006] Haptic feedback is also known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,429,846,
WO 03/038800 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,902, WO 922/26230 A1, WO
97/21160 A1, DE 200 22 244 U1 and WO 03/41046 A1.
SUMMARY
[0007] The task of the invention is to improve an input device with
a touchscreen. It is desirable to create an input device
particularly suited for vehicles.
[0008] The aforementioned task is solved by an input device,
especially for a vehicle, in which the input device includes a
first display for optical display of information, at least a second
display arranged above the first display for optical display of
information and a touchscreen arranged above the second display for
input of commands by touching the operating surface of the
touchscreen.
[0009] The touchscreen according to the invention is especially a
transparent touchscreen. The display according to the invention is
especially a display or matrix display for variable display of
information. A first display according to the invention can be a
TFT, for example.
[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, the operating
surface is provided on a side of the touchscreen facing away from
the second display.
[0011] In another embodiment of the invention, the touchscreen is
connected to the second display.
[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, a spacing between
the first display and second display is variable.
[0013] In another embodiment of the invention, the second display
is transparent, at least in a significant area.
[0014] In another embodiment of the invention, the input device
includes a control to drive the second display, so that, by means
of the second display, an operating element and/or a warning
message can be displayed. In another embodiment of the invention,
by means of the first display, an explanation of the operating
element and/or a context of the operating element can be
displayed.
[0015] In another embodiment of the invention, the input device
includes an actuator to move the touchscreen in at least one
direction. In another embodiment of the invention, the second
display can be moved by means of the actuator. In another
embodiment of the invention, the touchscreen is connected to the
second display. In another embodiment of the invention, a spacing
between the first display and the second display is variable. In
another embodiment of the invention, the second display is
transparent, at least in a large area.
[0016] In another embodiment of the invention, the input device
includes a control to drive the actuator, so that the touchscreen
can be moved to confirm touching of an operating surface of the
touchscreen. In another embodiment, it is prescribed that the
operating element can be displayed by means of the second display.
In another embodiment, an explanation of the operating element
and/or a context of the operating element can be displayed by means
of the first display.
[0017] The aforementioned task is also solved by a method for
operating of an input device (especially comprising one or more of
the aforementioned features) with a first display for optical
display of information, with at least a second display arranged in
the first display for optical display of information, and with a
touchscreen arranged above the second display for input of commands
by touching an operating surface of the touchscreen, in which an
operating element and/or a warning message is displayed by means of
the second display.
[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, an explanation of the
operating element and/or a context of the operating element is
displayed by means of the first display.
[0019] In another embodiment of the invention, the touchscreen is
moved to confirm touching of the operating surface of the
touchscreen.
[0020] Vehicle according to the invention is especially an
individual land vehicle, usable in traffic. Vehicles according to
the invention are not particularly restricted to land vehicles with
internal combustion engines.
[0021] Touching of the touchscreen can also or only be pressing on
the touchscreen, according to the invention.
[0022] Operating elements, displayed by means of the display,
according to the invention can be buttons, pushbuttons, slides,
knobs, etc. It can be prescribed that information displayed on the
display, like information in the narrow sense, an operating
element, a warning, etc., can be "moved" from one display to a next
display. It can then be prescribed that this is connected to a
haptic confirmation by moving of the touchscreen.
[0023] It can be prescribed that at least two different displays
are assigned different haptic feedbacks. These haptic feedbacks
then differ, in particular, in that they are distinguishable for an
average user.
[0024] It can be prescribed that a graphic element is movable
during light touching of the touchscreen and executable during
strong touching of the touchscreen. Both functions can be assigned
different haptic feedbacks.
[0025] It can be prescribed that inactive operating element are
displayed on the (rear) first display and active operating elements
on the (front) second display. If an inactive operating element
becomes active, i.e., the entered function is operable,
corresponding operating elements are displayed by means of a second
display.
[0026] It can also be prescribed to use one of the displays,
especially the second display, to display alternative input
functions, like speech recognition or gesture recognition.
[0027] Another invention or embodiment concerns a navigation system
with an input device (especially comprising one or more of the
aforementioned features), in which the input device includes a
first display for optical display of information, at least a second
display arranged above the first display for optical display of
information and a touchscreen arranged above the second display for
input of commands by touching an operating surface of the
touchscreen, and in which the input device includes a control to
drive the first and second display, so that, by means of the first
display, a map can be displayed and, by means of the second
display, direction information and/or an operating element can be
displayed.
[0028] Another invention or embodiment concerns a method for
operation of a navigation system with an input device (especially
comprising one or more of the aforementioned features), in which
the input device includes a first display for optical display of
information, at least a second display arranged above the first
display for optical display of information and a touchscreen
arranged above the second display for entry of commands by touching
an operating surface of the touchscreen, and in which a map is
displayed, by means of the first display, and direction information
and/or an operating element is displayed by means of the second
display.
[0029] Another invention or embodiment concerns a diagnosis system
with an input device (especially with one or more of the
aforementioned features), in which the input device has a first
display for optical display of information, at least a second
display arranged above the first display for optical display of
information and a touchscreen arranged above the second display for
input of commands by touching an operating surface of the
touchscreen, and in which the input device includes a control for
driving the first and second displays, so that diagnosis
information can be displayed by means of the first display and
direction information and/or an operating element can be displayed
by means of the second display.
[0030] Another invention or embodiment concerns a method for
operation of a diagnosis system with an input device (especially
comprising one or more of the aforementioned features), in which
the input device includes a first display for optical display of
information, at least a second display arranged above the first
display for optical display of information and a touchscreen
arranged above the second display for input of commands by touching
an operating surface of the touchscreen, and in which diagnosis
information is displayed by means of the first display and an
operating element is displayed by means of the second display.
[0031] Additional features and details are apparent from the
following description of the practical examples.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 shows a practical example of a vehicle in an interior
view;
[0033] FIG. 2 shows a practical example of an input device in a
sketch;
[0034] FIG. 3 shows the input device according to FIG. 2 in a
perspective side view;
[0035] FIG. 4 shows the input device according to FIG. 2 in a
perspective side view; and
[0036] FIG. 5 shows a method for operation of the input device
according to FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] FIG. 1 shows a practical example of a vehicle 1 in an
interior view. In vehicle 1, a steering wheel 2 is arranged beneath
the dashboard 3. The dashboard 3 has an input device 4 arranged
next to steering wheel 2. As an alternative or in addition, an
input device corresponding to input device 4 can also be arranged
in steering wheel 2. As an alternative, a display according to the
input device 4, designated with reference number 5, can also be
equipped.
[0038] FIG. 2 shows the input device 4 in a sketch. FIG. 3 and FIG.
4 show the input device 4 in a reduced perspective side view. The
input device 4 includes a display 12 for optical display of
information, at least an additional, essentially transparent
display 14 arranged above display 12 for optical display of
information and a touchscreen 11 arranged above display 14 for
input of commands by touching an operating surface 16 of
touchscreen 11. Additional, essentially transparent displays can be
arranged between display 12 and display 14. In an optional
embodiment, the input device 4 includes an actuator 13 to move
touchscreen 11 in at least one direction. One embodiment of
actuator 13 can be taken, for example, from EP 1 560 102 A1. In
addition, piezo actuators or so-called voice coils can be used as
actuator 13. It can be prescribed that the distance D between
display 12 and display 14 is variable.
[0039] The input device 4 also includes a control 12, by means of
which different information can be displayed by output of the
corresponding display signals A1 and A2 on displays 12 and 14. In
addition, the control 10 enters the position signal P sent by the
touchscreen 11, which states the position of touching of the
operating surface 16 or pressing on the operating surface. In
addition, the control 10, if provided, controls movement of
actuators 13 by output of the control signal S. It can be
prescribed that at least two different pressure stages are
distinguishable by means of touchscreen 11. In this case, the
position signal P also includes the extent of the pressure exerted
on touchscreen 11.
[0040] The displays 12 and 14 and touchscreen 11 can be arranged in
a housing. In an alternative embodiment of the input device 4, the
display 12 is arranged in a housing (not shown), which can be moved
relative to display 12 by means of actuator 13. Outside on the
housing, the display 14 is arranged above display 12 and
touchscreen 11 above display 14. The housing is transparent in the
region of display 14. It can also be prescribed that display 14 is
part of the housing.
[0041] In another embodiment, the input device 4 includes the
display 12, the display 14 arranged above display 12, the
touchscreen 11 arranged above display 14, as well as a flexible
element arranged between display 12 and display 14 (for a case, in
which the touchscreen 11 is connected to display 14 and is movable
relative to display 12) or between the display 14 and the
touchscreen 11 (for the case, in which the touchscreen 11 is
movable relative to display 14) (not shown) to prevent penetration
of particles between display 12 and display 14 (for a case, in
which the touchscreen 11 is connected to display 14 and movable
relative to display 12) or between display 14 and touchscreen 22
(for a case, in which the touchscreen 11 is movable relative to
display 14). The flexible element is then advantageously arranged
on the edge of the touchscreen, so that it does not cover a display
surface of display 12 or 14. In an advantageous embodiment, the
flexible element has a rigidity that is adjusted to the weight of
the touchscreen 11 and display 14 or a weight of the touchscreen
11, so that touchscreen 11, in conjunction with the flexible
element, has a mechanical natural frequency between 5 Hz and 150 Hz
in the movement direction. The natural frequency is then adjusted
especially to actuator 13 or actuator 13 is chosen according to the
natural frequency. The flexible element can consist of a foamed
material, like polyurethane, or an elastomer. The flexible element
can be configured according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,186 or the
corresponding DE 2 349 499.
[0042] For the case, in which touchscreen 11 is connected to
display 14 and movable relative to display 12, it can be prescribed
that the information displayed by means of display 14 is shifted
oppositely, so that it does not appear moved for a user.
[0043] In the state shown in FIG. 3, the input device 4 serves as a
man-machine interface for a navigation system. For this purpose, a
map 100 is displayed by means of display 12 and a direction
information 101 and warning 110 by means of display 14. Traffic
characters and/or operating elements can also be displayed by means
of display 14. It can also be prescribed that a selection window
for selection of an enlarged map section can be displayed by
display 14. Warnings can be connected to an acoustic signal.
[0044] In the state depicted in FIG. 4, the input device 4 serves
as a man-machine interface for a diagnosis system. For this
purpose, diagnosis information 150 is displayed by display 12 and
operating elements 151, 152 by display 14. By touching touchscreen
11 in the region of operating elements 151, 152, the diagnosis
information 150 displayed by display 12 can be changed. By moving
the touchscreen 11, a haptic confirmation of successful operation
of one of the operating elements 151, 152 can occur. Different
operating elements 151, 152 can be assigned different haptic
effects. In particular, operating elements with a warning function
can be assigned a special haptic effect. It can also be prescribed
that details of the diagnosis information 150 are displayed by
means of display 14. It can also be prescribed that this can be
pushed into the foreground by an operator from display 12 from the
background of display 14.
[0045] FIG. 5 shows an example of a method for operation of the
input device 4. An operating element is displayed in a step 20 by
means of display 14 and an explanation of the operating element
and/or a context of the operating element is displayed by means of
display 12. Step 20 is followed by a query 21 whether the operating
surface 16 of the touchscreen 11 is touched in the region of this
operating element. If the operating surface 16 of the touchscreen
11 is not touched in the region of this operating element, step 20
follows query 21. If the operating surface 16 of touchscreen 11, on
the other hand, is touched in the region of this operating element,
query 21 is followed by step 22, in which a function assigned to
the operating element is executed. Step 22 is followed by step 20,
in which, under some circumstances of operation of the operating
element, corresponding different information is displayed.
[0046] Although described in conjunction with a vehicle as a
particularly appropriate application for the invention, the
invention is not to be restricted for this application.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0047] 1 Vehicle [0048] 2 Steering wheel [0049] 3 Dashboard [0050]
4 Input device [0051] 5 Display [0052] 10 Control [0053] 11
Touchscreen [0054] 12, 14 Display [0055] 13 Actuator [0056] 16
Operating surface [0057] 20, 22 Step [0058] 21 Query [0059] 100 Map
[0060] 101 Direction information [0061] 110 Warning [0062] 150
Diagnosis information [0063] 151, 152 Operating element [0064] A1,
A2 Display signal [0065] D Distance [0066] P Position signal [0067]
S Control signal
* * * * *
References