Method for operating an operator control device of a motor vehicle in multi-finger operation

Abstract

A number of objects simultaneously touching a touch-sensitive operator control unit of an operator control apparatus are detected and a trigger position at which one of the number of objects detected touches the touch-sensitive operator control unit is determined. When more than one object touches the touch-sensitive operator control unit, a touch pressure with which the touch-sensitive operator control unit is acted on overall by the number of objects detected is compared to a predefined pressure threshold value. A function of the motor vehicle, assigned to the trigger position, is triggered if the touch pressure is higher than the predefined pressure threshold value. The predefined pressure threshold value is defined in a manner dependent on the number of objects detected.

Claims

1. A method for operating an operator control apparatus of a motor vehicle, the method comprising: detecting a plurality of objects simultaneously touching a touch-sensitive operator control unit; determining, as a triggering object, an object among the plurality of objects detected having a touch signal exhibiting: a greatest electrical capacitance by comparing an electrical capacitance of the object with respective electrical capacitances of respective touch signals corresponding to a remaining number of the plurality of objects detected, or a greatest change in electrical capacitance by comparing a change in electrical capacitance of the object with respective changes in electrical capacitance of respective touch signals corresponding to the remaining number of the plurality of objects detected; determining a trigger position at which the triggering object, among the plurality of objects detected, touches the touch-sensitive operator control unit; predefining a pressure threshold value in a manner dependent on a number of the plurality of objects detected; determining an overall touch pressure with which the touch-sensitive operator control unit is acted on by all of the plurality of objects detected during the simultaneous touching, the overall touch pressure being a sum of respective pressure values for all of the plurality of objects detected which act on the touch-sensitive operator control unit; determining whether the overall touch pressure is greater than the predefined pressure threshold value; and triggering a function of the motor vehicle, assigned to the trigger position, when the overall touch pressure is greater than the predefined pressure threshold value.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in response to detecting the plurality of objects simultaneously touching the touch-sensitive operator control unit: determining, by the touch-sensitive operator control unit, an electrical capacitance between electrodes of the touch-sensitive operator control unit and each of the plurality of objects detected, or determining, by the touch-sensitive operator control unit, a change in electrical capacitance with respect to time between electrodes of the touch-sensitive operator control unit and each of the plurality of objects detected.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein for a predefined range of a number of objects, a different pressure value is assigned to each of the number of objects in the predefined range, and one of the pressure values assigned to the number of objects in the predefined range is predefined as the pressure threshold according to the number of the plurality of objects detected.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pressure values assigned to each of the number of objects in the predefined range increase as the number of objects in the predefined range increase.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first pressure value is predefined as the pressure threshold value when the touch-sensitive operator control unit is touched by a first plurality of objects, a second pressure value is predefined as the pressure threshold value when the touch-sensitive operator control unit is touched by a second plurality of objects, the second plurality of objects is greater in number than the first plurality of objects, and the first pressure value is less than the second pressure value.

6. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein a first difference between two adjacent pressure values assigned in the predefined range is different from a second difference between another two adjacent pressure values assigned in the predefined range.

7. An operator control apparatus for a motor vehicle, the operator control apparatus comprising: a touch-sensitive operator control unit configured: to detect a plurality of objects simultaneously touching the touch-sensitive operator control unit, when the touch-sensitive operator control unit detects the plurality of objects simultaneously touching the touch-sensitive operator control unit, to determine, as a triggering object, an object among the plurality of objects detected having: a greatest electrical capacitance by comparing an electrical capacitance of the object with respective electrical capacitances of a remaining number of the plurality of objects detected, or a greatest change in electrical capacitance with respect to time by comparing a change in electrical capacitance with respect to time of the object with respective changes in electrical capacitance with respect to time of the remaining number of the plurality of objects detected, and to determine a trigger position at which the triggering object, among the plurality of objects detected, touches the touch-sensitive operator control unit; a pressure sensor configured to determine an overall touch pressure with which the touch-sensitive operator control unit is acted on by all of the plurality of objects detected during the simultaneous touching, the overall touch pressure being a sum of respective pressure values for all of the plurality of objects detected which act on the touch-sensitive operator control unit; and a controller, comprising a processor, configured to predefine a pressure threshold value based on a number of the plurality of objects detected, to determine whether the overall touch pressure is greater than the predefined pressure threshold value, and to trigger a function of the motor vehicle, assigned to the trigger position, when the overall touch pressure is greater than the predefined pressure threshold value.

8. The operator control apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein when the touch-sensitive operator control unit detects the plurality of objects simultaneously touching the touch-sensitive operator control unit, the touch-sensitive operator control unit is further configured to determine an electrical capacitance between electrodes of the touch-sensitive operator control unit and each of the plurality of objects detected.

9. The operator control apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein when the touch-sensitive operator control unit detects the plurality of objects simultaneously touching the touch-sensitive operator control unit, the touch-sensitive operator control unit is further configured to determine a change in an electrical capacitance with respect to time between electrodes of the touch-sensitive operator control unit and each of the plurality of objects detected.

10. The operator control apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the controller predefines a first pressure value as the pressure threshold value when the touch-sensitive operator control unit is touched by a first plurality of objects, the controller predefines a second pressure value as the pressure threshold value when the touch-sensitive operator control unit is touched by a second plurality of objects, the controller predefines a third pressure value as the pressure threshold value when the touch-sensitive operator control unit is touched by a third plurality of objects, the second plurality of objects is greater in number than the first plurality of objects, the third plurality of objects is greater in number than the second plurality of objects, and the first pressure value is less than the second pressure value, and the second pressure value is less than the third pressure value.

11. A motor vehicle, comprising: a chassis; and an operator control apparatus, including: a touch-sensitive operator control unit configured: to detect a plurality of objects simultaneously touching the touch-sensitive operator control unit, when the touch-sensitive operator control unit detects the plurality of objects simultaneously touching the touch-sensitive operator control unit, to determine, as a triggering object, an object among the plurality of objects detected having: a greatest electrical capacitance by comparing an electrical capacitance of the object with respective electrical capacitances of a remaining number of the plurality of objects detected, or a greatest change in electrical capacitance with respect to time by comparing a change in electrical capacitance with respect to time of the object with respective changes in electrical capacitance with respect to time of the remaining number of the plurality of objects detected, and to determine a trigger position at which the triggering object, among the plurality of objects detected, touches the touch-sensitive operator control unit; a pressure sensor configured to determine an overall touch pressure with which the touch-sensitive operator control unit is acted on by all of the plurality of objects detected during the simultaneous touching, the overall touch pressure being a sum of respective pressure values for all of the plurality of objects detected which act on the touch-sensitive operator control unit; and a controller, comprising a processor, configured to predefine a pressure threshold value based on a number of the plurality of objects detected, to determine whether the overall touch pressure is greater than the predefined pressure threshold value, and to trigger a function of the motor vehicle, assigned to the trigger position, when the overall touch pressure is greater than the predefined pressure threshold value.

12. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein when the touch-sensitive operator control unit detects the plurality of objects simultaneously touching the touch-sensitive operator control unit, the touch-sensitive operator control unit is further configured to determine an electrical capacitance between electrodes of the touch-sensitive operator control unit and each of the plurality of objects detected.

13. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein when the touch-sensitive operator control unit detects the plurality of objects simultaneously touching the touch-sensitive operator control unit, the touch-sensitive operator control unit is further configured to determine a change in an electrical capacitance with respect to time between electrodes of the touch-sensitive operator control unit and each of the plurality of objects detected.

14. The motor vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein the controller predefines a first pressure value as the pressure threshold value when the touch-sensitive operator control unit is touched by a first plurality of objects, the controller predefines a second pressure value as the pressure threshold value when the touch-sensitive operator control unit is touched by a second plurality of objects, the controller predefines a third pressure value as the pressure threshold value when the touch-sensitive operator control unit is touched by a third plurality of objects, the second plurality of objects is greater in number than the first plurality of objects, the third plurality of objects is greater in number than the second plurality of objects, and the first pressure value is less than the second pressure value, and the second pressure value is less than the third pressure value.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other aspects and advantages will become more apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of an operator control apparatus described herein during operator control by way of only one finger;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of an operator control apparatus described herein during operator control by way of multiple fingers; and

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a diagram in which respective pressure values are assigned to in each case different numbers of fingers used for the operator control of the operator control apparatus; and

(5) FIG. 4 is a box diagram of a motor vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(6) Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

(7) Exemplary embodiments are discussed below with reference to the drawings. In the exemplary embodiments, it is however the case that the described components of the embodiments each constitute individual features which can be considered independently of one another, and each also develop the disclosure independently of one another and are thus also to be regarded either individually or in any combination other than that presented. Furthermore, the described embodiments may also be supplemented by further features that have already been described.

(8) FIG. 1 shows an operator control apparatus 10 for the selection and/or triggering and/or control of functions F of a motor vehicle (not illustrated here). Such functions F may for example be a navigation system of the motor vehicle, a multimedia device, an infotainment system, a so-called car menu, which can be displayed on a display unit (not shown here) of the motor vehicle, or a hands-free device of the motor vehicle. FIG. 4 shows a box diagram of a motor vehicle 100 in which the operator control apparatus 10 may be provided. The motor vehicle 100 includes a chassis 110.

(9) The operator control apparatus 10 may for example be provided in a central console, such that it can be easily operated in particular by a driver of the motor vehicle. Here, the operator control apparatus 10 has a touch-sensitive operator control unit 12, a detection device 14 and a control device 16. The detection device 14 may for example be in the form of a pressure sensor such as is known per se. The control device 16 may also be a control unit of the motor vehicle which is designed to communicate with the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 and/or with the detection device 14 of the operator control apparatus 10.

(10) The touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 is designed to detect a number n.sub.m of objects by way of which the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 is touched. The touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 may, for example, be operated by the user by way of his or her fingers. Thus, the fingers of the user are detected as the touching objects.

(11) Here, the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 is touched by way of exactly one finger 18. Here, the number n.sub.m of objects is thus one. The number n.sub.m is made available to the control device 16. Furthermore, the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 is designed to detect a position at which the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 is touched by way of the finger 18. This may be realized for example by way of the measurement of a capacitance that the finger 18 forms with the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 at the position.

(12) The detection device 14 is designed to detect a pressure p.sub.m that the finger 18 exerts on or applies to the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12. The pressure p.sub.m detected by the detection device 14 is made available to the control device 16.

(13) The control device 16 is designed to determine a pressure threshold value p.sub.s in a manner dependent on the detected number n.sub.m. The control device 16 compares the pressure p.sub.m detected by the detection device 14 with the presently predefined pressure threshold value p.sub.s. The control device 16 is designed to select and/or trigger and/or control the function F if the detected pressure p.sub.m exceeds the pressure threshold value p.sub.s. The function F is thus selected and/or triggered and/or controlled only if, during the operator control of the operator control apparatus 10 or of the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12, the finger 18 exerts on the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 a pressure p.sub.m which exceeds the pressure threshold value p.sub.s, that is to say a triggering threshold.

(14) Here, the functions F may be assigned to defined positions on the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12. For this purpose, it is for example possible for labels or symbols (not illustrated here) to be displayed on the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12, which labels or symbols describe the function F assigned to the respective defined position. The user thus exerts the pressure p.sub.m on the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 at the assigned position provided with the label. If the pressure p.sub.m exceeds the pressure threshold value p.sub.s, the associated function F is triggered.

(15) It may however also be provided that the positions, assigned to the functions F, on the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 arise from an interaction of the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 with a display unit (not illustrated here) of the motor vehicle. For example, a mouse pointer may be controlled on the display unit by touching the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12, and the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 is pressed with the triggering pressure when the mouse pointer is situated at the desired position on the display element. It is thus possible for a function displayed on the display unit to be highlighted by way of the mouse pointer and selected and/or triggered by pressing the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12. In this case, the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 is thus operated in the manner of a touchpad known per se.

(16) It is however also possible for the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 to be divided into regions, wherein it is for example provided that, in a first region, the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 is operated in the manner of a touchpad known per se, by virtue of the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 interacting with the display unit. In a second region of the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12, it is for example possible for labels to be provided at absolute positions, wherein, by pressing the operator control unit 12 at one of the absolute positions, the assigned defined function can be triggered. The positions, assigned to the predefined or defined functions, in the second region are also referred to as so-called preset buttons. A preset button of the type may for example be a menu button, by way of which a menu situation can be accessed on the display unit, or a navigation button, which can be used, for example, to exit a menu situation displayed on the display unit.

(17) FIG. 2 shows the operator control apparatus 10 from FIG. 1. Here, the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 of the operator control apparatus 10 is touched by way of three fingers 20, 22 and 24. The touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 is designed to detect the number n.sub.m of fingers, which in this case is three. The number n.sub.m is made available to the control device 16, which determines the pressure threshold value p.sub.s in a manner dependent on the number n.sub.m.

(18) Furthermore, the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 is designed to detect touch signals 26, 28 and 30 of the fingers 20, 22 and 24. The touch signals 26, 28 and 30 may for example be electrical capacitances of respective capacitors which are formed by the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 as a first electrode and the respective fingers 20, 22, 24 as a respective second electrode. In this exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the finger 24 is intended to actuate the operator control apparatus 10, that is to say the finger 24 presses on the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12. The fingers 20 and 22 merely rest on the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12. Thus, the finger 24 generates a stronger touch signal 30 in relation to the touch signals 26 and 28 of the fingers 20 and 22. Here, the finger 24 therefore generates the strongest touch signal 30 because the finger 24 is pressed flat and thereby increases the size of a touch area of the finger 24 on the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12. The finger 24 is in this case defined as a triggering object owing to the strongest touch signal 30. Furthermore, the position in which the triggering object, that is to say the finger 24, touches the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 is determined by way of the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12.

(19) The detection device 14 determines the pressure p.sub.m that is exerted on the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 by the fingers 20, 22 and 24 collectively. The pressure p.sub.m is thus determined globally for the entire touch-sensitive operator control unit 12. The pressure p.sub.m detected by the detection device 14 is made available to the control device 16.

(20) The control device 16 compares the pressure p.sub.m detected by the detection device 14 with the presently predefined pressure threshold value p.sub.s. The control device 16 is designed to select and/or trigger and/or control the function F if the detected pressure p.sub.m exceeds the pressure threshold value p.sub.s.

(21) Here, the pressure threshold value p.sub.s from the exemplary embodiment as per FIG. 2 is in particular higher than the pressure threshold value p.sub.s from the exemplary embodiment as per FIG. 1. Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment as per FIG. 2, it is shown by way of example that the user for example inadvertently touches the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 by way of multiple fingers 20, 22, 24, but seeks to operate the operator control unit 12 only by way of the finger 24, while the other fingers 20 and 22 merely rest on the operator control unit 12. The multiple resting fingers 20 and 22 however have the effect that an elevated pressure is already exerted on the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12. To now prevent inadvertent operator control or actuation of the operator control apparatus 10, the pressure threshold value p.sub.s is raised the greater the number of fingers detected on the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 is, such that the actuating finger for triggering the function F has to exert an increased pressure.

(22) FIG. 3 shows, by way of example, a diagram 32 in which in each case different numbers n.sub.1, n.sub.2, n.sub.3, n.sub.4, n.sub.5 of fingers used to operate the operator control apparatus 10 are assigned respective pressure values p.sub.1, p.sub.2, p.sub.3, p.sub.4. It is thus the case that a first pressure value p1 is provided as the pressure threshold value p.sub.s if the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 is touched by way of only one finger, that is to say if the detected number n.sub.m amounts to n.sub.1=1. A second pressure value p.sub.2 is provided as the pressure threshold value p.sub.s if the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 is touched by way of two fingers, that is to say if the detected number n.sub.m amounts to n.sub.2=2, etc. Here, it is provided that the pressure values p.sub.1, p.sub.2, p.sub.3, p.sub.4, p.sub.5 are increased with an increasing number of objects n.sub.1, n.sub.2, n.sub.3, n.sub.4, n.sub.5. One of the pressure values p1, p.sub.2, p.sub.3, p.sub.4, p.sub.5 is selected or predefined as the pressure threshold value p.sub.s in a manner dependent on the detected number n.sub.m of objects. This means that the object defined as the triggering object must press more intensely on the touch-sensitive operator control unit 12 the greater the number of objects detected, that is to say the greater the number n.sub.m of detected objects.

(23) A description has been provided with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof and examples, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the claims which may include the phrase at least one of A, B and C as an alternative expression that means one or more of A, B and C may be used, contrary to the holding in Superguide v. DIRECTV, 358 F3d 870, 69 USPQ2d 1865 (Fed. Cir. 2004).