Device, Means of Transport and Method for Operating a Digitizer

Abstract

A device for the operation of a digitizer includes a data input, an evaluation unit, and a data output. The evaluation unit is configured, in connection with the data input, to ascertain an approach by an input medium toward the digitizer without contact with the digitizer via an optical sensor. The evaluation unit is configured to transition the digitizer, in connection with the data output and in response to the data input, from a sleep mode to an operating mode.

Claims

1.-10. (canceled)

11. A method for operating a digitizer comprising a touch-sensitive input area, comprising the steps of: ascertaining an approach by an input medium toward the digitizer without contact with the digitizer via an optical sensor, and in response: switching the operational state of the digitizer from a sleep mode to an operating mode.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the sleep mode is an operational state without any power consumption by the digitizer.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the approach is additionally ascertained using a capacitive sensor.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the digitizer is transparent, and a screen is disposed behind the digitizer.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein a decorative interior surface of a vehicle is arranged behind or in front of the digitizer.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the digitizer has a surface that is embodied to be concave and/or convex.

17. An apparatus for the operation of a digitizer, comprising: a data input, an evaluation unit, and a data output, wherein the evaluation unit is configured, in connection with the data input, to ascertain an approach by an input medium toward the digitizer without contact with the digitizer via an optical sensor, and the evaluation unit is configured to transition the digitizer, in connection with the data output and in response to the data input, from a sleep mode to an operating mode.

18. A system for operating a digitizer comprising a touch-sensitive input area, comprising: a data input; a data output; a processor; a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing a plurality of instructions executable by the processor to cause the system to: ascertain, in connection with the data input, an approach by an input medium toward the digitizer without contact with the digitizer via an optical sensor, and in response: switch the operational state of the digitizer, in connection with the data output and in response to the data input, from a sleep mode to an operating mode.

19. A vehicle comprising the apparatus according to claim 17.

20. The vehicle according to claim 19, further comprising: a digitizer connected for information transfer to the data input and the data output, wherein the digitizer is disposed on or in: a dashboard, a center console, a multifunction steering wheel, and/or an interior door trim.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a plan view and a sectional view of an example embodiment of an apparatus according to the present subject matter;

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart illustrating steps of an example embodiment of a method according to the present subject matter for the operation of a digitizer; and

[0017] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of an example embodiment of a means of transport according to the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of an apparatus 20 according to the present subject matter, having a digitizer 1 and, located behind it, a screen 9. The digitizer 1 serves for operating a GUI, presented on the screen 9, in an operating mode. In time intervals during which the user does not interact with the apparatus 20, the digitizer 1 and also the screen 9 are set to a sleep mode and then not supplied with electric power. Only an infrared LED 3, an infrared sensor 4, and a capacitive sensor 5 are capable, as a proximity sensor system, in the sleep state to locate the finger 2 of the user in a predefined proximity in front of the digitizer 1. In other words, the infrared sensor 5 and the capacitive sensor 5 are able to ascertain that the normal distance of the finger 2 from the digitizer 1 has reached or undershot a predefined value. The electronic control device 6 is configured as an evaluation unit via a data input 7 to ascertain the predefined proximity of the finger 2 and, as a reaction thereto, to transition the digitizer 1 and the screen 9 from the sleep mode into the operating mode. In this state, the user can perform inputs on the digitizer 1 based on touch using their finger 2 for operating the screen 9. The digitizer 1 and the screen 9 are thus transitioned from sleep mode into the operating mode not only as a reaction to a touch by the finger 2, with the result that the user can orient themselves on the screen 9 even before touching the digitizer 1 and the electronic control device 6 can prepare the startup of the digitizer 1 to make possible the shortest possible delay of the touch-based operation of the apparatus 20 on the part of the user.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows steps of an example embodiment of a method according to the present subject matter for the operation of a digitizer. In step 100, a predefined proximity of an input medium to the digitizer is ascertained without contact with the digitizer by means of a proximity sensor. In step 200, the digitizer is transitioned as a reaction thereto from a sleep mode with reduced power consumption into a performance-oriented operating mode. In step 300, a touch-based user input on the digitizer is ascertained and, in step 400, associated with a graphical operating element (“button”). In step 500, a function that is associated with the button is called.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows an example embodiment of a means of transport according to the present subject matter in the form of a passenger car 10, in which a user 11 operates an example embodiment of an apparatus according to the present subject matter. A proximity sensor 12 in the form of an optical camera, which is connected for information transfer to the apparatus 20, is arranged in a roof operating module. Even before the user 11 touches the apparatus 20, the camera 12 makes it possible to ascertain a distance of the user 11 from the apparatus 20 being undershot (“approach” or “proximity”) and in this way enables the apparatus 20 to prepare a touch-based operation on the part of the user 11.

[0021] The proximity sensor can be embodied, for example, capacitively in the region of the digitizer (e.g. as a surrounding sensor system or in the peripheral region of the digitizer). Alternatively, or additionally, the proximity sensor system can have an optical implementation (e.g. via an infrared sensor system next to and/or below and/or above the display).

[0022] The method according to the present subject matter results in timely waking of the user interface to enable only a short waiting time, or no waiting time at all, until the actual operation via touch-based inputs for the user. The apparatus according to the present subject matter is ideally already active when the user touches the apparatus/the digitizer. It is possible to reduce the average power consumption of a user interface with a design according to the present subject matter compared to the prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0023] 1 Digitizer [0024] 2 Finger (of the user) [0025] 3 Infrared LED [0026] 4 Infrared sensor [0027] 5 Capacitive sensor [0028] 6 Electronic control device [0029] 7 Data input [0030] 8 Data output [0031] 9 Screen [0032] 10 Passenger car [0033] 11 User [0034] 12 Camera [0035] 20 Apparatus [0036] 100 to 500 Method steps