Control unit, input apparatus and method for an information and communication system

Abstract

The invention relates to the controlling of functions of an information and communication system in a vehicle by means of physical keys. A control unit for an information and communication system of a vehicle is equipped for receiving a sequence of sensor signals of different proximity sensors of corresponding different mechanical function keys, to which corresponding first functions are assigned. The control unit is further equipped for detecting a swiping event over the mechanical function keys, wherein a swiping event comprises the fact that the sequence of sensor signals corresponds to the sensor signals of proximity sensors of corresponding adjacent mechanical function keys. The control unit is further equipped for assigning corresponding second functions to the mechanical function keys when a swiping event is detected.

Claims

1. A control unit for an information and communication system of a vehicle, wherein the control unit is configured to: receive a sequence of sensor signals of different proximity sensors of corresponding different mechanical function keys, wherein corresponding first functions of the information and communication system of the vehicle are assigned to each of the mechanical function keys, wherein each of the mechanical function keys is configured to trigger the corresponding assigned function when the mechanical function key is operated, detect from the sequence of sensor signals a swiping event over the mechanical function keys, wherein a swiping event comprises the fact that the sequence of sensor signals corresponds to the sensor signals of proximity sensors of corresponding adjacent mechanical function keys, and assign corresponding second functions of the information and communication system to each of the mechanical function keys when the swiping event is detected, wherein assigning corresponding second function to each mechanical function key comprises swipe-scrolling through a memory stored matrix of functions from a first sub-matrix of functions, the first sub-matrix consisting of the first functions, to a second sub-matrix of functions, the second set consisting of the second functions, and wherein the swiping event comprises the fact that a time interval between at least two successive sensor signals of the sequence of sensor signals is shorter than a sensor time interval.

2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to display a graphic output on a video screen of the information and communication system, wherein the graphic output comprises function descriptions for the first functions and the second functions assigned to the mechanical function keys.

3. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein the graphic output comprises a first page with the function descriptions of the first functions and a second page with the function descriptions of the second functions, and the control unit is further configured to change from the display of the first page of the graphic output to the display of the second page of the graphic output when the swiping event is detected.

4. The control unit according to claim 3, wherein the control unit is further configured to: detect a detail event from the sequence of sensor signals, wherein the detail event comprises the fact that a time interval between at least two successive sensor signals of the sequence of sensor signals is greater than the sensor time interval, and highlight the function description of one of the first functions in the graphic output.

5. The control unit according to claim 3, wherein the control unit is further configured to: determine, when a swiping event is detected by way of the mechanical function keys, from the sequence of sensor signals, a direction of the swiping event, and determine the second functions assigned to the mechanical function keys as a function of the direction of the swiping event.

6. The control unit according to claim 3, wherein the mechanical function keys are arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional keypad, at least one proximity sensor is assigned to each of the mechanical function keys, which each of the proximity sensors generate a sensor signal of the sequence of sensor signals when a physical body is approaching the assigned mechanical function key, and the sequence of sensor signals reflects a temporal sequence of the approach of the physical body toward the assigned different mechanical function keys.

7. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is further configured to: detect a detail event from the sequence of sensor signals, wherein the detail event comprises the fact that a time interval between at least two successive sensor signals of the sequence of sensor signals is greater than the sensor time interval, and highlight the function description of one of the first functions in the graphic output.

8. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein the mechanical function keys are arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional keypad, at least one proximity sensor is assigned to each of the mechanical function keys, which each of the proximity sensors generate a sensor signal of the sequence of sensor signals when a physical body is approaching the assigned mechanical function key, and the sequence of sensor signals reflects a temporal sequence of the approach of the physical body toward the assigned different mechanical function keys.

9. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is further configured to: determine, when a swiping event is detected by way of the mechanical function keys, from the sequence of sensor signals, a direction of the swiping event, and determine the second functions assigned to the mechanical function keys as a function of the direction of the swiping event.

10. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to: determine, when a swiping event is detected by way of the mechanical function keys, from the sequence of sensor signals, a direction of the swiping event, and determine the second functions assigned to the mechanical function keys as a function of the direction of the swiping event.

11. The control unit according to claim 10, wherein the mechanical function keys are arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional keypad, at least one proximity sensor is assigned to each of the mechanical function keys, which proximity sensor generate a sensor signal of the sequence of sensor signals when a physical body is approaching the assigned mechanical function key, and the sequence of sensor signals reflects a temporal sequence of the approach of the physical body toward the assigned different mechanical function keys.

12. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical function keys are arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional keypad, at least one proximity sensor is assigned to each of the mechanical function keys, which each of the proximity sensors generate a sensor signal of the sequence of sensor signals when a physical body is approaching the assigned mechanical function key, and the sequence of sensor signals reflects a temporal sequence of the an approach of the physical body toward the assigned different mechanical function keys.

13. An input device for a vehicle, wherein the input device comprises: a memory storing a matrix of functions, the matrix comprising: a first sub-matrix consisting of first functions, and a second sub-matrix consisting of second functions; a keypad, which comprises at least two mechanical function keys, wherein, in each case, at least one proximity sensor is assigned to each of the at least two mechanical function keys, wherein the proximity sensors are equipped for generating a sensor signal when the presence of a physical body is detected in the direct vicinity of the assigned mechanical function key, wherein corresponding first functions are assigned to each of the mechanical function keys, wherein each of the mechanical function keys are configured to trigger the respectively assigned function when the mechanical function key is operated; and a control unit configured to: receive a sequence of sensor signals of the at least two mechanical function keys, detect from the sequence of sensor signals a swiping event over the keypad, and assign corresponding second functions to the at least two mechanical function keys when a swiping event is detected, wherein assigning corresponding second functions comprises swipe-scrolling through the matrix from the first sub-matrix to the second sub-matrix, and wherein the swiping event comprises the fact that a time interval between at least two successive sensor signals of the sequence of sensor signals is shorter than a sensor time interval.

14. The input device according to claim 13, wherein the input device further comprises: a video screen which is equipped to display a graphic output, wherein the graphic output comprises function descriptions for at least one of the functions assigned to the mechanical function keys.

15. A process for the multiple assignment of functions to the mechanical function keys, wherein the process comprises the acts of: detecting a sequence of sensor signals of different proximity sensors of corresponding different mechanical function keys, wherein corresponding predefined first functions are assigned to the mechanical function keys, wherein each of the mechanical function keys is equipped for triggering the respectively assigned function when the mechanical function key is operated; detecting a swiping event over the different mechanical function keys from the sequence of sensor signals, wherein a swiping event comprises the fact that the sequence of sensor signals corresponds to the sensor signals of proximity sensors of corresponding adjacent mechanical function keys and assigning of corresponding predefined second functions to each of the mechanical function keys when the swiping event is detected, wherein assigning corresponding second functions to each mechanical function key comprises swipe-scrolling through a memory stored matrix of functions from a first sub-matrix of functions, the first sub-matrix consisting of the first functions, to a second sub-matrix of functions, the second set consisting of the second functions, and wherein the swiping event comprises the fact that a time interval between at least two successive sensor signals of the sequence of sensor signals is shorter than a sensor time interval.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following, the invention will be described in detail by means of embodiments:

(2) FIG. 1a is a view of an example of an input device for an information and communication system in a vehicle;

(3) FIG. 1b is a view of components of an example of an input device;

(4) FIG. 2 is a view of an example of a use of the input device illustrated in FIG. 1a; and

(5) FIG. 3 is a view of an example of an input device for an information and communication system in a vehicle having a two-dimensional keypad.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(6) As indicated in the introduction, nowadays vehicles usually have information and communication systems whose multiple functions can be controlled by means of physical keys and by means of a video screen as an input/output user interface. The information and communication systems (IK systems) may particularly have function keys which can be flexibly linked with frequently used functions in order to thus enable the user to make a direct selection and directly trigger a frequently used function. Examples of functions are a calling function (for example, for calling a specific call number), a radio function (for example, for playing a specific radio station), a music playback function (for example, for the playback of specific predefined play list), a navigation function (for example, for determining a route to a predefined destination) etc.

(7) Because of the limited available space on an instrument panel of the vehicle, the number of the physical (for example, mechanical) function keys and therefore also the number of directly selectable functions is limited. By means if this limited number of function keys, the efficiency of the input of functions of the information and communication system is in turn limited. It is therefore advantageous to increase the number of functions which can be triggered by means of a limited number of physical function keys.

(8) FIG. 1a illustrates an example of an input device 100, which permits the assignment of a plurality of functions to a function key. FIG. 1b illustrates an example of components of the input device 100. The input device 100 is typically part of the information and communication system of a vehicle. The input device 100 comprises a function keypad 120 with a plurality of function keys 121. The function keys 121 are physical, i.e. mostly mechanical keys. By pressing a key 121, typically electric contacts below the key 121 are closed or opened, or a switch is operated by pressing the key 121. As a result, a triggering signal is generated which is received and interpreted by a control unit 131 of the input device 100 or of the information and communication system. The information and communication system may comprise a stored function list, in which a specific triggering signal can clearly be assigned to a specific function of the system. This function list may be stored in a memory unit 132 of the input device or of the information and communication system. The function list can be changed by a user in order to thereby assign user-defined functions to the different function keys 121. By means of the function list, the control unit 131 can assign the received triggering signal of the operated function key 121 to a function of the information and communication system. The control unit 131 then triggers the assigned function of the information and communication system (for example, the playback of a specific radio station assigned to the function key). This is illustrated by the arrow 133 in FIG. 1b.

(9) The function keys 121 comprise pertaining proximity sensors 122 which are equipped for determining that a user's finger (or a general physical body or object) is approaching the function key 121. Examples of proximity sensors 122 are, for example, capacitive proximity sensors, which react without contact, i.e. without direct contact, to approaches of a conducting or non-conducting physical body (for example, a finger or an object) by means of an electric sensor signal. Further examples are optical and/or electromagnetic proximity sensors. The sensor signal detected by the proximity sensor 122 is received by the control unit 131. The control unit 131 can then display, for example, the function linked to the function key 121, on a video screen 140 of the input device, in order to inform the user as to which function is filed on the function key 121.

(10) The input device 100 is equipped for displaying a graphic output 110 (or abbreviated as output 110), which is associated with the functions of the information and communication system filed in the function keys 121. The graphic output 110 can be displayed on the video screen 140, for example, on a TFT (thin film transistor) video screen. The video screen 140 for the display of the graphic output 110 can be mounted as a dedicated video screen of the function keys 120 in the direct proximity (for example, above) the function keys 120 in order to display the functions of the function keys. As an alternative, the video screen 140 for the graphic output 110 may be the central video screen of the information and communication system, on which other aspects of the information and communication system are also displayed. The video screen 140 for the graphic output 110 could, for example, be the video screen that is used for displaying a route planning of the navigation unit of the information and communication system.

(11) The display of the graphic output 110 on the video screen 140 can be made as a function of the detection of one or more sensor signals by the proximity sensors 122 of the keypad 120. For example, the input device 100 (or the control unit 131) may be equipped for displaying the graphic output 110 on the video screen 140 only when at least one sensor signal is detected (i.e. when it is detected that a physical body is approaching a function key 121). This is advantageous particularly when the graphic output 110 is displayed on a video screen 140 on which also other aspects of the information and communication system are displayed.

(12) A plurality of function descriptions 114 can be displayed in the graphic output 110, each one of the plurality of function descriptions 114 describing the function of an assigned function key 121. A function description 114 may comprise, for example, a pictorial description of the assigned function (for example, by means of a pictogram or icon) and/or a (supplementary) written description of the function. The function descriptions 114 therefore enable a user to have a fast and precise overview of the functions that can be triggered by means of the function keys 121. As explained above, the display of the graphic output 110 may depend on the detection of a sensor signal by one of the proximity sensors 122. Thus, the graphic output 110 may, for example, be displayed on the video screen 140 only when it is detected that a user's finger is approaching a function key 121 of the function keypad 120.

(13) The detection of the approaching of a physical body by a specific function key 121 of the keypad 120 (i.e. the generating of a sensor signal by the specific proximity sensor 122 of the specific function key 121) can be used for highlighting the function description 114 in the graphic output 110 associated with the function key 121, for example, for enlarging or displaying it in a different color in comparison to the other function descriptions 114. Furthermore, the user can be informed, for example, of additional details of the specific function which are filed on the specific function key 121.

(14) In this document, it is suggested to use the proximity sensors 122 of the keypad 120 for being able to scroll or “swipe” within the graphic output 110 in order to thereby increase the number of functions which can be assigned to the function keys 121. In other words, it is suggested to provide several pages of the graphic output 110, in which case, each page of the graphic output 110 comprises different function descriptions 114 for different functions of the information and communication system. The proximity sensors 122 may be used for determining whether the user wants scroll or swipe between the pages of the graphic output 110 (for example, by detecting a fast “swiping” motion over a plurality of function keys 121) or whether the user would like to have a more precise display of the assignment of specific functions 121 within the just displayed page of the graphic output 110 (for example, by detecting a slow movement from one function key 121 to the next function key).

(15) The graphic output 110 illustrated as an example in FIG. 1a comprises three pages. By means of a page position display 112, the user is informed of which of the pages of the graphic output 110 is displayed (in FIG. 1a, the center page, i.e. the second page of the graphic output 110 is displayed). A page display 111, 113 of the graphic output 110 can inform a user (for example, by displayed arrows on the right and/or left next to the function descriptions 114) as to the direction in which the scrolling can take place in order to display another page of the graphic output 110. The input device 100 can permit a rolling view of the pages of the graphic output 110, where continued scrolling, when the last page of the graphic display 110 is shown, causes the display of the first page of the graphic display 110, and where backward scrolling, when the first page of the graphic display 110 is shown, causes the display of the last page of the graphic display 110.

(16) Navigating through the pages of the graphic display 110 enables the user to assign several different functions of the information and communication system to each function key 121 of the keypad 120. An example is illustrated in FIG. 2. By means of a fast swiping motion 201 over a plurality of function keys 121 (for example, at least over two function keys 121 or three function keys), the user can continue to scroll through the graphic output 110 and thereby receives the function descriptions 214 of further functions which can be triggered by means of the function keys 121. A changed scrolling position display 212 can indicate to the user which page of the graphic display 110 is being displayed. The scrolling display 111, 213 can indicate to the user in which direction a scrolling can take place from the current page of the graphic display 110. Thus, for example, the absence 213 of an arrow indicates that no continued scrolling can take place from the current page of the graphic display 110.

(17) The control unit 131 of the input device 100 or the information and communication system may be equipped for detecting a plurality of input events on the basis of the triggering signals or sensor signals of the keypad 120. Examples of input events are, for example, a triggering event: Reception of a brief triggering signal of a specific function key 121; the brief triggering signal has a time duration that falls below a predefined triggering time interval (for example, 2 seconds; the brief triggering signal is triggered by a correspondingly brief pressing of the specific function key; an editing event: Reception of a long triggering signal; the long triggering signal has a time duration which is equal to or greater than the predefined triggering time interval; the long triggering signal is triggered by a correspondingly long pressing of the specific function key 121; a detail event: Reception of a temporally isolated sensor signal of a specific function key 121; here, “temporally isolated” means that, within a predefined sensor time interval (for example, 0.5 seconds or 1 second), no further sensor signal of another (adjacent) function key 121 is received; the isolated sensor signal is triggered when a physical body is approaching the proximity sensor 122 of the specific function key; and a swiping event: Reception of a sequence of sensor signals of at least two or three adjacent function keys 121; here, the time interval between two directly successive sensor signals of the sequence is equal to or shorter than the predefined time interval; this condition should be met for at least one pair of directly successive sensor signals; the sequence of sensor signals is triggered by the swiping of a physical body by way of the proximity sensors 122 of the adjacent function keys 121; the swiping event may be independent of from which of the two or three adjacent function keys 121 of the keypad 120 the sequence of sensor signals is received; the swiping event may be direction-dependent, depending on the direction in which the sequence of sensors signals is taking place; thus, in the case of a one-dimensional keypad 120, a swiping event “to the right” or “to the left” can be detected; and, in the case of a two-dimensional keypad 120 (see FIG. 3), a swiping event “to the right”, “to the left”, “upwards” and/or “downwards” can be detected.

(18) The control unit 131 can trigger an action as a function of the detected input event and/or as a function of a state of the graphic output 110. A conceivable state of the graphic output 110 is, for example, the current page of the graphic output 110. The current page shows a current group of functions which are assigned to the function keys 121 of the keypad 120. The control unit 131 can therefore be equipped for triggering an action depending on the detected input events and/or depending on the group of functions which is assigned to the function keys. In the following, the behavior of the control unit 131 is described depending on the current state of the graphic output 110 which is synonymous with the behavior of the control unit 131 depending on the currently assigned group of functions.

(19) The control unit 131 can use a predefined state machine which defines actions to be carried out depending on a state of the graphic output 110 (or depending on the assigned group of functions) and depending on an input event to be implemented. Examples of actions are illustrated in Table 1, wherein x=1, . . . , X (X>1, for example, X=2,3,4,5,6,7) identifies a specific page of the graphic output 110, and wherein y=1, . . . , Y (Y>1, for example, Y=2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10) identifies a specific function key 121 of the keypad 120. As noted above, page x of the graphic output 110 corresponds to a group x of up to Y functions which may be assigned to the Y function keys 121.

(20) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 State Event Action x.sup.th Page Editing event Initiating of an input of the of the y.sup.th function, which enables the output function key user to assign a function of the IK system to the y.sup.th function key in the x.sup.th page of the output x.sup.th Page Triggering event Initiating of the function of the of the y.sup.th of the IK system assigned output function key to the y.sup.th function key in the x.sup.th page of the output; i.e. initiating the y.sup.th function in the x.sup.th group of functions. x.sup.th Page Detail event Initiating the display of of the of the the highlighted and/or output y.sup.th detailed function function key description of the function of the y.sup.th function key. x.sup.th Page swiping event Initiating the display of of the to the right the (x + 1).sup.th page of the output output; when x = X, initiating of the display of the 1.sup.st page of the output; i.e. assigning the (x + 1).sup.th or 1.sup.st group of functions to the function keys. x.sup.th Page swiping event Initiating the display of of the to the left the (x − 1).sup.th page of the output output; when x = 1, initiating of the display of the X.sup.th page of the output; i.e. assigning the (x − 1).sup.th or X.sup.th group of functions to the function keys.

(21) It therefore becomes possible to assign, on each of the plurality of pages of the display 110, a corresponding plurality of functions of the information and communication system of the vehicle to the function keys 121 of the keypad 120. By means of the swiping events, the user can select the x.sup.th page of the display 110, and by means of a triggering event of the y.sup.th function key (i.e. by operating the y.sup.th function key), trigger the implementation of the function, which is assigned to the y.sup.th function key in the x.sup.th page of the display 110. In other words, by means of swiping events, the user can assign the x.sup.th group of functions to the Y function keys, and, by means of the triggering event, trigger the y.sup.th function of the x.sup.th group of functions.

(22) For this purpose, a function list can be stored in the memory unit 132, which function list permits the assigning of a function of the information and communication system to the triggering signal of the y.sup.th function key 121 in the x.sup.th page of the graphic display 110. In other words, the function list can assign to the triggering events of the Y functions keys 121 in each case up to X functions (in the X groups of functions).

(23) For this purpose, the function list may contain corresponding entries for all x=1, . . . , X (i.e. for all pages of the display or for all groups of functions) and/or for all y=1, . . . , Y (i.e. for all function keys).

(24) FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an input device 300 with a two-dimensional keypad 320 and a two-dimensional graphic output 310. The keypad 320 comprises physical function keys 321 with corresponding proximity sensors 321. The graphic output 310 comprises function descriptions 314 which are arranged in a corresponding manner with respect to the arrangement of the pertaining function keys 321. The graphic output 310 comprises a plurality of pages with different function descriptions 314. As an orientation aid through the plurality of pages of the graphic output 310, the graphic output may comprise page position displays 312 and/or page displays 311.

(25) The pages of the graphic display 310 are arranged in a matrix, the matrix X comprising X rows and Z lines (Z>0, for example, Z=1,2,3,4,5,6,7). By means of swiping events to the right/to the left, the user can scroll through the X pages of the current z.sup.th line (z=1, . . . , Z). By means of upward/downward swiping events, the user can scroll through the Z pages of a current x.sup.th row. A function list can be stored in the memory unit 132, in which function list, a specific function of the information and communication system can be assigned to a page of the graphic display 310 of the x.sup.th row and the z.sup.th line for the y.sup.th function key (typically for all x=1, . . . , X; y=1, . . . , Y and z=1, . . . , Z). In other words, X times Z groups of functions can be stored in the function list, in each group, specific functions of the information and communication system being assignable to the Y function keys.

(26) In the present document, a control unit, an input device and a process are described, which permit the assigning of a number of functions to a limited number of physical function keys, which number of functions exceeds the number of physical function keys. As a result, it becomes possible to reduce the number of required physical function keys, while the number of functions is the same or is even higher, and to thereby reduce the space requirement and the cost for physical function keys. On the other hand, the remaining function keys may be enlarged in order to thereby increase precision in the selection of functions. Furthermore, the experiential value when selecting functions can be increased for the user (by the additional swiping/page input). In addition, the efficiency of the input can be increased by an larger number of directly selectable functions of the information and communication system.

(27) The present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. It should particularly be noted that the description and the figures are to illustrate only the principle of the suggested method, devices and system.