Haptic feedback in a user interface

Abstract

An actuator is connected to an operating element of a manual user interface and outputs a haptic feedback signal to the user via the operating element. The operating element includes a sensor that detects a sensor signal generated by a manual input of the user as a reaction to the emitted feedback signal. The user's reaction time is determined. If the reaction time is shorter than a predetermined limit value, future haptic feedback signals are adjusted in such a way that their haptically perceptible intensity is reduced, and if the reaction time is greater than the predetermined limit value, future haptic feedback signals are changed in such a way that their haptically perceptible intensity is increased.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an actuator connected to an operating element of a manual user interface, the method comprising: outputting, by the actuator via the operating element, a haptic feedback signal; detecting, by a sensor of the operating element, a sensor signal generated by a manual input of a user responsive to the haptic feedback signal; determining, based on the detected sensor signal, a reaction time of the user after output of the haptic feedback signal by the actuator and adjusting responsive to the determined reaction time being shorter than a first predetermined limit value, future haptic feedback signals in such a way that a haptically perceptible intensity of the future haptic feedback signals is reduced; responsive to the determined reaction time being greater than the first predetermined limit value, the future haptic feedback signals in such a way that the haptically perceptible intensity of the future haptic feedback signals is increased; or a maximum signal magnitude of the sensor signal after output of the feedback signal by the actuator and adjusting responsive to the determined maximum magnitude being lower than a second predetermined limit value, the future haptic feedback signals in such a way that the haptically perceptible intensity of the future haptic feedback signals is reduced; and responsive to the determined maximum magnitude being greater than the second predetermined limit value, the future haptic feedback signals in such a way that the haptically perceptible intensity of the future haptic feedback signals is increased.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the increase or reduction of haptically perceptible intensity of the future haptic feedback signals involves a change of amplitude, frequency, or attenuation of the future haptic feedback signals.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a voice coil or a piezoelectric element.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first predetermined limit value is between 30 to 50 ms.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is automatically performed independent of a user input.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is automatically performed only after a user input at a start of the method.

7. A user interface (200), comprising: an operating element configured for manual input by a user; an actuator, connected to the operating element, configured to output of a haptic feedback signal to the user via the operating element; a sensor, connected to the operating element, configured to detect a sensor signal generated by a manual input of the user into the operating element (201) in response to the outputted haptic feedback signal; and a controller, connected to the actuator and the sensor, configured to determine, based on the detected sensor signal, a reaction time of the user after output of the haptic feedback signal by the actuator, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust responsive to the determined reaction time being shorter than a first predetermined limit value, future haptic feedback signals in such a way that a haptically perceptible intensity of the future haptic feedback signals is reduced; responsive to the determined reaction time being greater than the first predetermined limit value, the future haptic feedback signals in such a way that the haptically perceptible intensity of the future haptic feedback signals is increased; or a maximum signal magnitude of the sensor signal after output of the feedback signal by the actuator, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust responsive to the determined maximum magnitude being lower than a second predetermined limit value, the future haptic feedback signals in such a way that the haptically perceptible intensity of the future haptic feedback signals is reduced; and responsive to the determined maximum magnitude being greater than the second predetermined limit value, the future haptic feedback signals in such a way that the haptically perceptible intensity of the future haptic feedback signals is increased.

8. The user interface of claim 7, wherein the increase or reduction of haptically perceptible intensity of the future haptic feedback signals involves a change of amplitude, frequency, or attenuation of the future haptic feedback signals.

9. The user interface of claim 7, wherein the actuator comprises a voice coil or a piezoelectric element.

10. A vehicle, comprising: an operating element configured for manual input by a user; an actuator, connected to the operating element, configured to output of a haptic feedback signal to the user via the operating element; a sensor, connected to the operating element, configured to detect a sensor signal generated by a manual input of the user into the operating element (201) in response to the outputted haptic feedback signal; and a controller, connected to the actuator and the sensor, configured to determine, based on the detected sensor signal, a reaction time of the user after output of the haptic feedback signal by the actuator, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust responsive to the determined reaction time being shorter than a first predetermined limit value, future haptic feedback signals in such a way that a haptically perceptible intensity of the future haptic feedback signals is reduced; responsive to the determined reaction time being greater than the first predetermined limit value, the future haptic feedback signals in such a way that the haptically perceptible intensity of the future haptic feedback signals is increased; or a maximum signal magnitude of the sensor signal after output of the feedback signal by the actuator, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust responsive to the determined maximum magnitude being lower than a second predetermined limit value, the future haptic feedback signals in such a way that the haptically perceptible intensity of the future haptic feedback signals is reduced; and responsive to the determined maximum magnitude being greater than the second predetermined limit value, the future haptic feedback signals in such a way that the haptically perceptible intensity of the future haptic feedback signals is increased.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

(1) Further advantages, features and details arise from the following description in which at least one exemplary embodiment is described in detail, if applicable with reference to the drawing. The same, similar and/or functionally identical parts are referred to with the same reference numerals.

(2) Here are shown:

(3) FIG. 1 a schematic depiction of a user interface 200 according to the invention, and

(4) FIG. 2 a schematic depiction of a proposed method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) FIG. 1 shows a schematic depiction of a user interface 200 according to the invention. The user interface 200 comprises an operating element 201 formed as a carrier plate for the manual input of a user. Presently, the user touches the surface of the operating element 201, from above in the drawing, and introduces a force directed downwards in the drawing (represented by the arrow) into the operating element 201. An actuator 202, for example having a voice coil or a piezoelectric element (not depicted) is connected to the operating element 201, by means of which actuator 202 a feedback signal S.sub.A(t) that can be haptically perceived by the user can be emitted to him via the operating element 201. The feedback signal S.sub.A(t) presently has a predetermined frequency spectrum, a predetermined amplitude time period, predetermined increase and decrease behavior. The feedback signal S.sub.A(t) controls the actuator 202 and is converted by the actuator 202 into mechanical movements that can be haptically perceived by the user.

(6) Furthermore, the operating element 202 is connected to a sensor 203 that detects a sensor signal S.sub.S(t) generated by a manual input of the user into the operating element 201, in particular in reaction to the emitted feedback signal S.sub.A(t). Presently, the sensor 203 is advantageously a force sensor. Particularly advantageously, the sensor 203 is presently implemented identically to the actuator 202, i.e., as a voice coil unit.

(7) The user interface 200 further comprises a control apparatus 204 connected to the actuator 202 and the sensor 203. This control apparatus 204 is implemented and configured in such a way that, after output of a feedback signal S.sub.A(t.sub.0) at a time t.sub.0, a reaction time RZ of the user is determined on the basis of the sensor signal S.sub.S(t) for t>t.sub.0, wherein, if the determined reaction time RZ is shorter than a predetermined limit value G.sub.RZ, haptic feedback signals S.sub.A(t) to be emitted in the future are changed in such a way that their haptically perceptible intensity is reduced, and, if the determined reaction time RZ is greater than a predetermined limit value G.sub.RZ, haptic feedback signals S.sub.A(t) to be emitted in the future are changed in such a way that their haptically perceptible intensity is increased.

(8) Presently, this is carried out by increasing the amplitude and the frequency response of the feedback signal S.sub.A(t).

(9) FIG. 2 shows a schematic depiction of a proposed method for controlling an actuator 202 that is connected to an operating element 201 of a manual user interface 200 and serves for the output of a haptic feedback signal S.sub.A(t) to a user via the operating element 201, wherein a sensor 203 is present in the operating element 201, the sensor 203 detecting a sensor signal S.sub.S(t) that is generated by a manual input of the user as a reaction to the emitted feedback signal S.sub.A(t).

(10) Presently, the method is started by a corresponding input of the user. All further steps of the method are automatically implemented.

(11) Initially, at a time t.sub.0, a feedback signal S.sub.A(t.sub.0) is emitted to the user by means of the actuator 202 via the operating element 201 (step 210). Then, sensor signals S.sub.S(t) are detected by the sensor 203 for t.sub.0<t<t.sub.1, the sensor signals S.sub.S(t) being generated by a manual input of the user into the operating element as a reaction to the emitted feedback signal S.sub.A(t.sub.0) (step 215). The time point t.sub.1 is correspondingly predetermined. In a further step, a reaction time RZ of the user is determined on the basis of the sensor signal S.sub.S(t) t.sub.0<t<t.sub.1 (step 220). Presently, this is carried out by the determination of the period of time between the time t.sub.0 and the time at which the magnitude of the sensor signal S.sub.S(t) within the time interval [t.sub.0, t.sub.1] is a maximum.

(12) Then, the reaction time RZ is compared to a predetermined limit value G.sub.RZ. If the determined reaction time RZ is shorter than the predetermined limit value G.sub.RZ (step 225), haptic feedback signals S.sub.A*(t).sub.DOWN that are to be emitted in the future are changed such that their haptically perceptible intensity is reduced (step 230), and if the determined reaction time RZ is higher than the predetermined limit value G.sub.RZ (step 235), haptic feedback signals S.sub.A*(t).sub.UP that are to be emitted in the future are changed such that their haptically perceptible intensity is increased (step 240).

(13) If the determined reaction time RZ is the same as the limit value G.sub.RZ, the feedback signal is not changed for future outputs.

(14) Advantageously, the feedback signal S.sub.A*(t) correspondingly changed for the respective user is stored belonging to the user.

(15) Although the invention has been illustrated and explained in more detail by preferred exemplary embodiments in detail, the invention is not limited by the examples disclosed, and other variations can be derived from this by the person skilled in the art without leaving the protected scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that there is a plurality of possible variations. It is also clear that embodiments stated by way of example are only really examples which are not to be seen as limiting the scope, application possibilities or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures put the person skilled in the art in a position to concretely implement the exemplary embodiments, wherein the person skilled in the art with knowledge of the disclosed inventive ideas can carry out diverse changes, for example in terms of the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without leaving the scope of protection that is defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description, for example.