User interface and method for assisting a user when operating an operating unit
First Claim
1. A processor-based method of operating a touch-sensitive operator control unit configured to execute functions for a vehicle, comprising:
- displaying a graphical symbol on the operator control unit;
detecting, via a sensor system, the presence of input means in a predefined first area in front of the operator control unit in an area of the displayed graphical symbol, wherein the predefined first area comprises an area parallel to a surface of the operator control unit;
acknowledging, via a processing apparatus, the detected presence of the input means by generating a predefined first audio output;
detecting, via the sensor system, a crossover of the input means from the first area to a predefined second area in front of the operator'"'"'s control unit, the second area being associated with executing a function for the vehicle;
acknowledging, via the processing apparatus, the detected crossover by a generating predefined second audio output;
detecting, via the sensor system, a predefined pattern of movement of the input means in the predefined second area;
acknowledging, via the processing apparatus, the predefined pattern of movement by a third audio output associated with the predefined pattern of movement; and
executing the function for the vehicle based on the detected predefined pattern of movement.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, apparatuses and methods for assisting a user in the operation of a touch-sensitive operator control unit, where a presence of input means, such as a user'"'"'s finger, is detected in a predefined first area in front of the operator control unit, and, in response to it, acknowledging of the detected presence by a predefined first audio output. The first area may be bounded in a direction parallel to a surface of the operator control unit corresponding to a button displayed on the operator control unit. The crossover of the input means from the first area into a predefined second area in front of the operator'"'"'s control unit may also be detected and acknowledged by a predefined second audio output. Also, a predefined pattern of movement of the input means in the first area may be detected and acknowledged via audio or visual indicia.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A processor-based method of operating a touch-sensitive operator control unit configured to execute functions for a vehicle, comprising:
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displaying a graphical symbol on the operator control unit; detecting, via a sensor system, the presence of input means in a predefined first area in front of the operator control unit in an area of the displayed graphical symbol, wherein the predefined first area comprises an area parallel to a surface of the operator control unit; acknowledging, via a processing apparatus, the detected presence of the input means by generating a predefined first audio output; detecting, via the sensor system, a crossover of the input means from the first area to a predefined second area in front of the operator'"'"'s control unit, the second area being associated with executing a function for the vehicle; acknowledging, via the processing apparatus, the detected crossover by a generating predefined second audio output; detecting, via the sensor system, a predefined pattern of movement of the input means in the predefined second area; acknowledging, via the processing apparatus, the predefined pattern of movement by a third audio output associated with the predefined pattern of movement; and executing the function for the vehicle based on the detected predefined pattern of movement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A Human Machine Interface installed in a motor vehicle, comprising:
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a touch-sensitive operator control unit configured to display a graphical symbol on the operator control unit; a detection device configured to detect the presence of input means; and a processing device, operatively coupled to the detection device and the operator control unit, wherein the processing device is configured to; detect the presence of the input means in a predefined first area in front of the operator control unit in an area of the displayed graphical symbol, wherein the predefined first area comprises an area parallel to a surface of the operator control unit; acknowledge the detected presence of the input means by generating a predefined first audio output; detect a crossover of the input means from the first area to a predefined second area in front of the operator'"'"'s control unit, the second area being associated with executing a function for the vehicle; acknowledge the detected crossover by a generating predefined second audio output; detect a predefined pattern of movement of the input means in the predefined second area; acknowledge the predefined pattern of movement by a third audio output associated with the predefined pattern of movement; and execute function for the vehicle based on the detected predefined pattern of movement. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification