Command input system

• US 20030071795A1
• Filed: 09/10/2002
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Albrecht, Stephan, Baldauf, Siegfried, Gotz, Matthias, Bubb, Peter, Hafner, Ernst
• Application Number:
  US10/238,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20030071795A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface

Abstract

The command input system has a display screen and a touch-sensitive input field. On the input field, there is a spatial relationship with options shown on the display field of the display screen. The input field conveys tactile feedback about the available and/or executed actions. The command input system is especially well-suited for use in vehicles since it does not require constant eye contact with the display field.

Claims

1. A command input system with a display screen where command input options are displayed and a touch-sensitive input field, wherein a spatial correspondence exists between command input options shown on the display screen and the physical surface area on the touch-sensitive input field, as signalled to a user by tactile feedback from the input field.

2. The command input system according to claim 1, wherein the input field has a rim with a contour that palpably replicates the display screen.

3. The command input system according to claim 2, wherein the rim is raised relative to the input field.

4. The command input system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the rim continuously surrounds the input field.

5. The command input system according to claim 1, wherein the input field has palpable structures that are associated with the command input options shown on the display screen.

6. The command input system according to claim 5, wherein the palpable structures are covered by a tensioned flexible foil that has a smooth surface on its side opposite to the palpable structures.

7. The command input system according to claim 5, wherein the palpable structures comprise at least one of the following elements:

raised, flat shaped elements,

indented flat shaped elements,

bulges,

geometric shaped elements such as circles, rectangles, triangles,

roughened surfaces,

smooth surfaces,

palpable hard/soft material transitions

palpable rigid/flexible material transitions.

8. The command input system according to claim 1, wherein the input field has a flexibly yielding, smooth surface beneath which a plurality of actuators are situated that generate a palpable reaction in response to an executed command input or to an available command input option.

9. The command input system according to claim 8, wherein the actuators are selected from among the following types:

electromechanical,

electromagnetic,

piezoelectric,

pneumatic

hydraulic.