Method and Arrangement for the Operation of Electrical Devices

• US 20090289907A1
• Filed: 07/24/2007
• Published: 11/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unify Patente GmbH & Co. KG (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Unify Patente GmbH & Co. KG (Atos SE)
• Inventors: Rüscher, Gitta, Toussaint, Claude
• Granted Patent: US 9,182,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus

Abstract

At least one additional menu layer can be selected in a menu layer and be displayed on a display unit by means of at least one control element. The additional menu layer selected via the control element is displayed in the display unit as a preview when an object approaches the control element that is equipped with a proximity sensor or when an object touches the control element that is fitted with a tactile sensor. The additional menu layer disappears again when the object, e.g. a person'"'"'s finger, is removed, and the originally represented menu layer is automatically displayed again. This prevents the control elements from being repeatedly actuated, thus significantly increasing user friendliness and improving customer acceptance.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A method for an operating electrical device having a display unit and control element, comprising:

displaying a menu in the display unit;

detecting an object approaching the control element or the object touching the control element;

selecting a further menu level in response to the detection; and

displaying the selected further menu level in a display unit as a preview,

wherein the control element includes a proximity sensor to detect the object approaching the control element or includes a touch sensor to detect the touching of the control element.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the preview display of the further menu level is reduced in respect of its format and/or content.

18. The method as claimed in claim 16,

wherein the proximity sensor comprises an optical transmitter/receiver unit or an ultrasound transmitter/receiver unit, an optical signal is sent out by the optical transmitter unit or an ultrasound signal is sent out by the ultrasound transmitter unit respectively, and

wherein when the object approaches the transmitter/receiver unit the reflected optical signal or ultrasound signal is detected in the receiver and a further menu level is selected by the detection.

19. The method as claimed in claim 16,

wherein the proximity sensor comprises a capacitive proximity sensor, and

wherein on approach of an object an oscillator vibration is influenced and the influencing is detected and the further menu level is selected.

20. The method as claimed in claim 16,

wherein the touch sensor is a resistive or capacitive touch screen or is a piezo sensor, and

wherein when an object touches the screen the touch is detected and the further menu level is selected by the detection.

21. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the further menu level is displayed as a preview on the display for as long as an object is located in the proximity area of the proximity sensor or is touching the touch sensor.

22. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising:

actuating the control element after the further menu level is displayed as a preview; and

displaying the selected further menu level as an initialization of the displayed function or of a further selection of an additional further menu level.

23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the preview display of the further menu level is reduced in respect of its format and/or content in relation to the initialized display.

24. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein a menu level or further menu level is represented by an alphanumeric and/or graphical display in the display unit.

25. An arrangement for operating an electrical device, comprising:

a control element having a proximity sensor that detects a proximity of an object or having a touch sensor that detects a touch by an object;

a display unit; and

a control unit connected to the control element and the display unit,

wherein when a first menu is being displayed by the display unit and when the sensor detects the proximity or the touch of the object, the control unit controls the display of the display unit so that a second menu is displayed as a preview.

26. The arrangement as claimed in claim 25, wherein the preview display of the second menu level is reduced in respect to format and/or content.

27. The arrangement as claimed in claim 25, wherein the proximity sensor comprises an optical transceiver unit, an ultrasound transceiver unit or a capacitive proximity sensor.

28. The arrangement as claimed in claim 25, wherein the touch sensor comprises a resistive or capacitive touch screen or piezo sensor.

29. The arrangement as claimed in claim 25, wherein the control element is an electronic or mechanical switching element.

30. The arrangement as claimed in claim 29, wherein the switching element is realized together with the proximity sensor or the touch sensor, with the sensors being arranged in the direction of actuation in front of the switching element.

31. The arrangement as claimed in claim 25, wherein the electrical device is implemented by a wired or wireless communication device.

32. The arrangement as claimed in claim 25, wherein the control element no longer detects the proximity or the touch of the object the first menu is displayed.