In-car computing device and method of controlling a cursor for an in-car computing device

• US 20020198633A1
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CAA AG (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: CAA AG (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Weimper, Andreas
• Granted Patent: US 6,904,338 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3614 through interaction with a road map, e.g. selecting a POI icon on a road map
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/014 Force feedback applied to GUI
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03548 Sliders, in which the moving part moves in a plane
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance

Abstract

The present invention relates to an in-car computing device comprising a computer unit (12), a display screen (20) for displaying information (54-58, 82), a cursor (62) and option menus with individual option menu items, and a control element (22, 23, 24) for moving said cursor on the display screen two-dimensionally and for selecting of option menu items. The in-car computing device further comprises first means (34) for detecting a display region of predetermined information (54-58, 82) on the display, second means (36) for determining a pull-in region (60) of a predetermined size for a display region, and third means (30) for applying an operating force to said control element (22) when the cursor (62) is in said pull-in region (60) such that said cursor is moved into the corresponding display region.

Claims

1. In-car computing device comprising

a computer unit,

a display screen for displaying information, a cursor and option menus with individual option menu items,

a control element for moving said cursor on the display screen two-dimensionally and for selecting of option menu items,

first means for detecting a display region of predetermined information on the display,

second means for determining a pull-in region of a predetermined size for a display region, and

third means for applying an operating force to said control element when the cursor is in said pull-in region such that said cursor is moved into the corresponding display region.

2. In-car computing device of claim 1, characterized in that said information displayed on the display screen are streets.

3. In-car computing device of claim 1, characterized in that said information displayed on the display screen are hyperlinks.

4. In-car computing device of claim 1, characterized in that the control element is a crossed rocker switch, a sliding controller or a toggle switch.

5. In-car computing device of claim 2, characterized in that upon actuation of the control element in one of said two directions (x-, y-direction) for moving said cursor, said third means apply an operating force to said control element to move said cursor in the other direction in order to hold said cursor on the display region.

6. In-car computing device of claim 5, characterized in that the magnitude of said operating force is adjustable.

7. In-car computing device of claim 5, characterized in that the magnitude of said operating force depends on the street-type.

8. In-car computing device of claim 1, characterized in that said control element comprises a rotary button.

9. In-car computing device of claim 3, characterized in that said third means apply to said control element a force counteracting said operating force, when said cursor reaches the margin of the display screen during operation.

10. In-car computing device comprising

a computer unit,

a display screen for displaying a map with streets, a cursor and option menus with individual option menu items,

a control element for moving said cursor on the display screen two-dimensionally and for selecting of option menu items,

first means for detecting a display region of said streets on the display,

second means for determining a pull-in region of a predetermined size for a display region, and

third means for applying an operating force to said control element when the cursor is in said pull-in region such that said cursor is moved into the corresponding display region, wherein upon actuation of the control element in one of said two directions (x-, y-direction) for moving said cursor, said third means apply an operating force to said control element to move said cursor in the other direction in order to hold said cursor on the display region.

11. Method of controlling a cursor for an in-car computing device comprising a display screen for displaying information, option menu items and a cursor, and a control element for moving said cursor and for selecting an option menu item, the method comprising the steps:

detecting a display region of a predetermined information on the display screen,

detecting a distance between said cursor and an adjacent display region, and

automatically applying a force to said control element if the distance to a display region falls below a predetermined value as to move the cursor on this display region.

12. Method of claim 11, characterized in that said information displayed on said display screen are streets which are part of a map detail of a navigation system.

13. Method of claim 11, characterized in that said information displayed on the display screen are hyperlinks of an Internet page.

14. Method of claim 12, characterized in that upon manual actuation of the control element in one of said two directions (x-, y-direction) for moving said cursor said third means apply an operating force to said control element to move said cursor in the other direction in order to hold said cursor on the display region.

15. Method of any of claims 12, characterized in that a force counteracting the manual operating force is applied to said control element if the cursor reaches the margin of the display screen.

16. Method of claim 15, characterized in that said map detail displayed on the display screen is changed if the counteracting force is overcome by the user.

17. Method of claim 12, characterized in that the magnitude of the force depends on the street type.

18. Method of claim 13, characterized in that Internet page displayed on the display screen is turned over if the counteracting force is overcome by the user.

19. Method of claim 13, characterized in that said information displayed on the display screen are option menu items.

20. Method of controlling a cursor for an in-car computing device comprising a display screen for displaying a map with streets, option menu items and a cursor, and a control element for moving said cursor and for selecting an option menu item, the method comprising the steps:

detecting a display region of a street on the display screen,

detecting a distance between said cursor and an adjacent display region, and

automatically applying a force to said control element if the distance to a display region falls below a predetermined value as to move the cursor on this display region, wherein upon manual actuation of the control element in one of said two directions (x-, y-direction) for moving said cursor said third means apply an operating force to said control element to move said cursor in the other direction in order to hold said cursor on the display region.