CONFIGURABLE USER INTERFACE

Abstract

A system with a configurable user interface for controlling a console of an agricultural vehicle to enable assignment of one or more configurable control keys of the user interface to one or more vehicle functions. At least one configurable control key of the user interface is determined for a selected vehicle function. The control key(s) is/are then indicated to a user to select the desired key(s) and assign the vehicle function to the selected control key(s).

Claims

1. A control system for controlling a console of an agricultural vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controllers, configured to: receive a first user input indicative of a selected vehicle function to be assigned to a control key of the console; determine at least one configurable control key for the selected vehicle function; control output of at least one indicator to an operator of the vehicle, indicating configurability of the at least one configurable control key; receive a second user input indicative of a selected configurable control key for assignment of the selected vehicle function; and assign the selected vehicle function to the selected configurable control key.

2. The control system of claim 1, configured to determine the at least one configurable control key based on a type of vehicle function selected.

3. The control system of claim 2, wherein the type of vehicle function comprises: a binary function; a discrete function; an analog function; or a combination thereof.

4. The control system of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to determine the at least one configurable control key for the selected vehicle function based on compatibility of the control key(s) with the selected vehicle function.

5. The control system of claim 2, further configured to determine the at least one configurable control key for the selected vehicle function based on compatibility of the control key(s) with the type of vehicle function selected.

6. The control system of claim 1, wherein the console comprises at least one key pair, wherein each key pair comprises two configurable control keys for controlling operation of a common vehicle function, wherein the control system is configured to: determine whether the selected vehicle function requires assignment of the key pair; and control output of at least one indicator to an operator of the vehicle, indicating configurability of the key pairs compatible with the selected vehicle function.

7. The control system of claim 6, wherein upon receipt of the second user input indicative of the selection of a first configurable control key of the key pair, the control system is configured to: assign a first setting option of the selected vehicle function to the selected first configurable control key; and assign a second setting option of the selected vehicle function to the second configurable control key of the key pair.

8. The control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one indicator comprises lighting devices integrated with a corresponding control key.

9. The control system of claim 8, wherein the lighting devices comprise at least one light emitting diode (LED).

10. The control system of claim 8, wherein the lighting devices comprise at least one liquid crystal display (LCD).

11. The control system of claim 8, wherein the lighting devices comprise at least one light emitting diode (LED) and at least one liquid crystal display (LCD).

12. The control system of claim 8, configured to control a color of the indicator based on compatibility of the corresponding control key with the selected vehicle function.

13. The control system of claim 8, configured to control a color of the indicator based on an assignment status of the corresponding control key.

14. A console for an agricultural vehicle, comprising at least one configurable control key; wherein the console comprises or is configured to be controlled by the control system of claim 1.

15. The console of claim 14, comprising two configurable control keys defined as a key pair wherein the control system is configured to: assign a first setting option of the selected vehicle function to a first control key of the key pair; and assign a second setting option of the selected vehicle function to a second control key of the key pair when one key of the key pair was selected.

16. The console of claim 15, further comprising a joystick with a thumb control panel, wherein the thumb control panel comprises the first and the second control keys of the key pair.

17. A method of controlling a console of an agricultural vehicle, comprising: receiving a first user input indicative of a selected vehicle function to be assigned to a control key of the console; determining at least one configurable control key for the selected vehicle function; outputting one or more indicators to an operator of the vehicle, indicating configurability of the at least one configurable control key; receiving a second user input indicative of a selected configurable control key for assignment of the selected vehicle function; and assigning the selected vehicle function to the selected configurable control key.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a console of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 is a further perspective view of components of the console shown in FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a control key forming part of the console of the preceding Figures;

[0034] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a control system of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method of the invention; and

[0036] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a tractor embodying aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The invention relates to a user interface, in the illustrated embodiments a console 1 comprising multiple configurable keys 7.1-7.8, 8.1-8.8, etc. for controlling functions of an agricultural vehicle, here in the form of a tractor 50, although the skilled person will appreciate that the invention is applicable to other agricultural vehicles, including combine harvesters, forage harvesters and the like, or indeed to vehicles more generally, including automotive vehicles or other work vehicles.

[0038] The console 1, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises several input devices, including a control lever 2, a joystick 3, a control knob 4, a touch sensitive screen 5 and a console keypad 6. Each of the input devices can comprise additional keypads or control keys, as discussed herein.

[0039] In the illustrated example, the lever 2 comprises a first keypad 7 and a second keypad 8, each having respective control keys 7.1-7.8; 8.1-8.8. As shown in FIG. 2, the lever 2 comprises a handle portion 20 suitable shaped to be grasped by an operator, in use, and the first keypad 7 is arranged at a lower part of this handle portion 20. The second keypad 8 is arranged as part of a thumb control panel 19 of the lever 2. The control keys 8.1-8.8 of the thumb control panel 19 are controllable by the thumb of an operator while the other fingers of his hand grasp the handle portion 20.

[0040] The first keypad 7 of the lever 2 comprises eight different control keys 7.1 to 7.8 and the second keypad 8 of the lever 2 comprises eight different control keys 8.1 to 8.8. The control keys 7.1-7.8 can be of different shape for optimized ergonomics, as will be appreciated. In the illustrated example, and as an example only, control keys 8.7 and 8.8 comprise a combined surface with a concave shape so that a thumb of an operator can slide continuously between the control keys 8.7 and 8.8.

[0041] The joystick 3 is also shaped to be grasped by an operator, in use. As will be appreciated, the joystick 3 may be displaceable in one, two or more directions to provide a directional input for the tractor 50, e.g. to control a steering direction of the tractor 50 or indeed movement of an implement coupled thereto (not shown). The joystick 3 in the illustrated embodiment includes a control key 9 positioned on a side of the joystick 3.

[0042] The control knob 4 comprises a rotary control and is provided with an additional keypad 15 adjacent thereto. The additional keypad 15 itself includes a number of control keys. It will be appreciated that the touch sensitive screen 5 may be used to display multiple different display screens depending on the operation of the tractor 50. Here, in the illustrated embodiment the display screen 5 is showing multiple virtual keys 10.1-10.x, the operational use of which is discussed herein below. The console keypad 6 takes the form of a line of user operable control keys, here positioned below the lever 2, joystick 3 and control knob 4. The operational use of the control keys of the console keypad 6 is described further below.

[0043] The console 1 comprises and is controllable under operation of a control system 100, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The control system 100 comprises a controller 102 having an electronic processor 104, an electronic input 106, and an electronic output 108. The processor 104 is operable to access a memory 112 of the controller 102 and execute instructions stored therein to perform the steps and functionality of the present invention discussed herein, e.g. by controlling indicator elements of appropriate control keys 7.1-7.8, 8.1-8.8, etc. (see below) and/or to control the storing of configured settings, e.g. vehicle functions assigned to respective control keys, which may also be stored in the memory 112.

[0044] The control system 100 may additionally be operable to cause/trigger operation of a vehicle function in dependence on one or more of the control keys being pressed or otherwise activated by an operator. In such an embodiment, the control system 100, and specifically the controller 102 may include one or more additional electronic outputs for outputting control signal(s) to respective functional components of the tractor 50, either directly or via local control units associated with those functions.

[0045] The operational use of embodiments of the invention is now discussed with reference to the Figures.

[0046] As discussed herein, the present invention relates to assigning different vehicle functions, or at least control over those functions to respective control keys (or other control elements) of the console 1. The functions can be any one or more of:

[0047] a binary function, i.e. one which may be in one of two operational states, which may include switching a device of the vehicle (e. g. a light) on or off;

[0048] a discrete function, i.e. one which may be in one of a plurality of different discrete states, which may include the stepwise changing a parameter of a device of the vehicle (e. g. an increase or decrease in the brightness of the light between multiple different brightness levels); and/or

[0049] an analog function, e.g. continuously changing a parameter of a device of the vehicle (again, this may include an increase or decrease in the brightness of the light, but this time over a continuous range of brightness levels).

[0050] The following table Tab. 1 shows an example, non-complete list of example vehicle functions and an indication of a possible function type.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Function types of vehicle functions. Function Function type Vehicle function object Binary Discrete Analog Switching headlights 10.1 X on/off Switching parking brake 10.2 X apply/release Changing screen 10.3 X brightness Switching cabin lights 10.4 X on/off Changing cabin light 10.5 X X brightness Switching radio on/off 10.6 X Changing volume of radio 10.7 X X Changing vehicle chassis 10.8 X height Changing hitch height 10.9 X Changing front loader 10.10 X height Changing cruise control 10.11 X X speed Switching windscreen 10.12 X wiper on/off Changing windscreen 10.13 X X wiper speed

[0051] In case of a function of a binary type, the function can be toggled by pressing the relevant control key a first time to activate the function and pressing the same control key a second time to deactivate the function.

[0052] In case of a function of a discrete type, a parameter is changed from one value to another value by stepwise increasing or decreasing the parameter by a predefined value after every control key press or after a predefined time interval as long as the control key is pressed and held, e. g. a stepwise increase of the parameter by 5% every 200 milliseconds.

[0053] In case of a function of an analog type, a parameter is changed from one value to another value by continuously increasing or decreasing the parameter as long as the control key is pressed and held.

[0054] Besides triggering a function using the control keys, a function can also be triggered by touching the touch sensitive screen 5. All available vehicle control functions can be displayed on the screen 5 as virtual keys 10.1 to 10.x. Depending on whether the function is of a binary, discrete or analog type the function can be triggered analogously to the pressing scheme of the control keys 7.1 to 7.8, 8.1 to 8.8 or 9 as described above.

[0055] FIG. 3 represents one of the control keys of the console 1, e. g. one of the keys 7.1 to 7.8, 8.1 to 8.8 or 9 (each key of the console 1 can be designed as the key shown in FIG. 3). The control key shown in FIG. 3 comprises indicators 11, 12, 13. The indicators 11, 12 are integrated in the key and in the illustrated embodiment are of an optical type, specifically a light emitting diode (LED) 11, 12. Indicator 13 comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) 13. It will be appreciated that other types of optical indicators can be integrated in the control key.

[0056] The LEDs 11 and 12 are configured to emit light in different colors as red, blue, green, white etc. The LCD 13 displays symbols or pictograms representing a function assigned to that key. In the illustrated example, the control key is configured to control switching of a headlight of the tractor 50, and the LED 13 displays a standardized headlight symbol 18.

[0057] All keys, i.e. the control keys as well as the virtual keys, can be distinguished between two groups: configurable keys and non-configurable keys. Here, the property whether a key is configurable or not is stored in the memory 112. If a key is configurable the operator can assign any vehicle control function to that key. If a key is non-configurable the function of the key cannot be changed by assigning another function.

[0058] Non-configurable keys may be predefined and in some instances may be reserved for functions required by national regulations, which may include the (de-)activation of a parking brake of the tractor 50, for example. In addition, the (non-)configurability may depend on the type of the function to be assigned to the key, e.g. dependent on whether the assigned function is a binary, discrete or analog function (as described above). It is possible that the configurability of a key is restricted to one of the three types (e. g. binary only), to two of the three types (e. g. binary and discrete only) or to all three types (i. e. binary, discrete and analog). The property of the key which function types can be assigned is stored in the memory 112, e. g. as a lookup table.

[0059] Some control keys of the console 1 are combined as a key pair. A key pair defines a set of two keys which are both automatically configured with a function when one of the both keys is selected by the operator to assign the function—i.e. the function will be split on the two keys of the key pair without the need to select both keys separately for the assignment. Preferably, the key pairs are used for vehicle functions having two, especially complementary, setting options wherein one setting option is assigned to one key of the key pair and the other setting option is assigned to the other key of the key pair. For example: The vehicle function 10.3 “Changing screen brightness” enables to increase or decrease the brightness of the screen 5. If an operator selects a key of a key pair to assign the vehicle function 10.3 to the selected key the control system 100 splits the vehicle function 10.3 and assigns the setting option for increasing the brightness of the screen 5 to a first control key of the key pair and the setting option for decreasing the brightness of the screen 5 to a second control key of the key pair. The property of a control key being part of a key pair (or not) is stored in the memory 112.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the configurability of the control key 9 associated with the joystick 3, the control keys of keypads 6 and 15 are restricted to the binary functions. Control keys 8.1, 8.2, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7 and 8.8 of the lever 2 are configurable with a function of any of the three types binary, discrete or analog. The thumb control panel 19 of the lever 2 comprises at least one key pair, here including a first key pair including the keys 8.1 and 8.2, a second key pair including the keys 8.5 and 8.6 and a third key pair including the keys 8.7 and 8.8.

[0061] One of the indicators 11, 12 or 13 is used to indicate to the operator whether a specific function can be assigned to a particular control key. For example, the indicator 11 of all keys configurable with a particular function is configured/controlled to emit a green light whereas the indicators 12 of all keys non-configurable with the specific function is configured/controlled to emit a red light. In addition or alternatively, the indicator 13 can display a “Y” if an assignment of the function complies with the property of the control key, or an “N” if not.

[0062] In an extension, at least one of the indicators 11, 12 or 13 of a control key, when configurable with the particular function, may be controlled to indicate when no function is assigned to the control key such that the operator is informed that the key may be assignable. In another variant, at least one of the indicators 11, 12 or 13 of a control key, when configurable with a particular function, may be controlled to indicate when a function has been already assigned to the control key such that the operator is informed that any new assignment would override the currently assigned function.

[0063] FIG. 5 shows several steps of a computer implemented method that can be stored as a computer program product in the memory 112. As discussed herein, the control system 100 is suitable configured to execute the computer implemented method described herein.

[0064] The method is used for assigning a vehicle function (e. g. one of Tab. 1) to a key of the console 1 wherein the method advises the operator which keys of the console 1 are configurable based on the type of the vehicle function.

[0065] The method starts with step S1 when the operator activates it e. g. by touching an app icon on the touch sensitive screen 5.

[0066] The method proceeds with step S2 and detects which vehicle function the operator wants to assign to a control key. The available vehicle functions to be assigned to a key can be displayed on the screen 5. Each vehicle function can be represented by a corresponding function object 10.1 to 10.x. The operator can select a specific function by touching the corresponding function object on the screen 5. It is assumed that the operator wants to assign the function “Changing screen brightness” to a control key of the console 1 and touched the corresponding function object 10.3. As shown in FIG. 5 for example, the control system 100 is configured to determine the selection of function object 10.3 highlighted with a dotted line on the screen 5.

[0067] The method proceeds with step S3 and determines the type of the selected vehicle function, here the selected vehicle function 10.3. Specifically, the method comprises determining whether the vehicle function is of a binary, discrete or analog type or a combination thereof. The corresponding type of the vehicle function 10.3 is stored in the memory 112, for example in terms of a look up table similar to Tab. 1. The controller 102 (e.g. the processor 104 thereof) is configured to match the selected vehicle function 10.3 with the stored look up table and determine here that the vehicle function 10.3 is of a discrete type.

[0068] The method proceeds with step S4 and determines all control keys of the console 1 to which a vehicle function of a type of the selected vehicle function can be assigned to. Since the selected vehicle function 10.3 is of a discrete type, the processor 104 determines all control keys of the console 1 to which a vehicle function of a discrete type can be assigned to. This information can be gathered by the processor 104 by matching the discrete function type of the selected vehicle function 10.3 with another look up table stored in the memory 112 that contains the property of each control key, e.g. the processor 104 is configured, for each control key, to determine whether its property complies with the type of the selected function, here the discrete type. If so, that control key is determined by the processor 104 as a configurable key.

[0069] In addition, the processor 104 is configured to check whether the selected vehicle function 10.3 requires a key pair. If so, only control keys being part of a key pair and complying with the function type will be determined by the processor 104 as a configurable key.

[0070] By way of example only, it is assumed now that the keys of the keypad 15 are non-configurable due to a reservation for functions required by national regulations, the keys 8.1, 8.2, 8.5-8.8 of the thumb control panel 19 are configurable for vehicle functions of any of the three function types (binary, discrete and analog), and the other keys of the console 1, e. g. keys 7.1-7.8, 9, all keys of keypad 6, etc., can be configured with binary vehicle functions, only.

[0071] In such an example, the processor 104 is configured to determine the keys 8.1, 8.2, 8.5-8.8 of the thumb control panel 19 as configurable keys for assigning the selected vehicle function 10.3.

[0072] The method proceeds with step S5 and indicates all configurable control keys to the operator. As explained above there are multiple possibilities. For example, the control system 100 may be configured to control operation of the first indicator 11 of each configurable control key to illuminate a light in a first color (e. g. green). In addition, the control system 100 is configured to control operation of the second indicator 12 of those configurable keys having a vehicle function already assigned thereto to illuminate a second light (e. g. yellow). In this way, the operator can easily see which keys of the console 1 can be configured and which of those are already assigned to a vehicle function.

[0073] To assign the selected vehicle function 10.3 to at least one of the configurable control keys the operator needs to select one. In this way, the operator is required to press or touch the same control key during the configuration process that he will press or touch again during live operation to initiate/adjust the function assigned to that control key. In contrast to a virtual configuration process or an off-board configuration process using a programming tool other than the control key, the operator uses exactly the same element (key) for programming and operation after programming. I. e. the configuration process is very intuitive and promotes the user to remember which key was configured with which function. If the operator calls the function assigned to the control key in live operation the user presses or touches the key at least a second time because the first touch or press was done for the configuration process.

[0074] The method proceeds with step S6 to check whether a configurable control key was selected by the operator. The control system 100 is configured to detect a control key selection when the operator presses or touches a key. If the key comprises a proximity sensor the key selection can be detected contactless.

[0075] The control system 100 is then configured to determine whether the selected control key is configurable for assigning the selected vehicle function 10.3. If so, for example when the operator pressed one of the control keys 8.1, 8.2, 8.5-8.8, the method proceeds with step S7. If not, the method steps back to step S5. If the operator touched the screen 5 to select a vehicle function the method steps back to step 2.

[0076] In step S7, the control system 100 assigns the selected vehicle function 10.3 to the selected control key and stores the assignment to the memory 112. If the selected vehicle function has two setting options (as the function 10.3 to lighten and to darken the screen 5), the first setting option of the function will be assigned to the control key selected by the operator and the other setting option to the other control key of the key pair. For example: If the operator pressed the key 8.7 of the key pair 8.7 and 8.8, the control system 100 assigns the setting option lighten the screen 5 to the pressed key 8.7 and the complementary setting option darken the screen 5 automatically to the other key 8.8 of the key pair.

[0077] After the assignment of the selected vehicle function 10.3 to a selected configurable control key the method proceeds with step S8 to indicate the type of assigned function to the operator. For example, indicator 13 can display a pictogram or a symbol corresponding to the function assigned to the control key. Alternatively, the indictor 11 or 12 can emit a colored light as a color code for the assigned function, e. g. yellow to indicate an light control function, red to indicate an entertainment function, green to indicate a comfort function, etc. Preferably, the indicator 11, 12 or 13 used to indicate the configurable keys is the same to indicate the assigned function.

[0078] Finally, the methods ends with step S9.

[0079] FIG. 6 illustrates a tractor 50 comprising the console 1 discussed herein.

[0080] In a variant, one or more of the control keys are equipped with a proximity sensor (not shown) operable to detect an approaching of a finger of the operator towards the control key before the finger gets in contact with the control key.

[0081] Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included within the scope of the embodiments in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure.

[0082] It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention can be realised in the form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. Any such software may be stored in the form of volatile or non-volatile storage such as, for example, a storage device like a ROM, whether erasable or rewritable or not, or in the form of memory such as, for example, RAM, memory chips, device or integrated circuits or on an optically or magnetically readable medium such as, for example, a CD, DVD, magnetic disk or magnetic tape. It will be appreciated that the storage devices and storage media are embodiments of machine-readable storage that are suitable for storing a program or programs that, when executed, implement embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, embodiments provide a program comprising code for implementing a system or method as set out herein and a machine readable storage storing such a program. Still further, embodiments of the present invention may be conveyed electronically via any medium such as a communication signal carried over a wired or wireless connection and embodiments suitably encompass the same.

[0083] It will be appreciated that the above embodiments are discussed by way of example only. Various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present application.