Method for Detecting a User Input for an Input Device Having a Plurality of Switch Elements, and Input Device

• US 20190324637A1
• Filed: 11/08/2017
• Published: 10/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Rosilius, Marcel, Ulrich, Dominik, Huwer, Wojciech
• Granted Patent: US 10,732,831 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/11 Instrument graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1446 Touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/146 Instrument input by gesture
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1468 Touch gesture
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/199 for avoiding maloperation
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/29 Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for detecting a user input for an input device having a plurality of switch elements, wherein a control action with a marking gesture and a selection gesture is detected. In doing so, at least one first and one additional switch element are marked sequentially in a specific sequence using the marking gesture, wherein initially the first switch element and then the at least one additional switch element is marked. Using the selection gesture, the marked switch elements are selected sequentially in reverse sequence. Depending on the selected switch elements, control signals are generated and output. The invention furthermore relates to an input device having a plurality of switch elements, a control unit and a detection unit by means of which a control action with a marking gesture and a selection gesture is detectable. In doing so, at least one first and one additional switch element are markable sequentially in a specific sequence using the marking gesture, wherein initially the first switch element and then the at least one additional switch element is markable. Depending on the selection gesture, the marked switch elements are sequentially selectable in the reverse sequence, and control signals can be generated and output depending on the selected switch elements.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a user input for an input device having a plurality of switch elements, wherein a control action with a marking gesture and a selection gesture is detected;

wherein

at least one first and one additional switch element are marked sequentially in a specific sequence using the marking gesture by moving sequentially in a first direction;

wherein

initially the first switch element and then the at least one additional switch element is marked; and

using the selection gesture, the marked switch elements are selected sequentially in a reverse sequence by movement in a reverse direction; and

depending on the switch elements marked by the marking gesture and then selected by the selection gesture, control signals are generated and output.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the marking gesture comprises a touching of the first and the at least one additional switch element.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the touching is detected on continuous touch-sensitive surface.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the switch elements comprise control surfaces that are displayed by a display device.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the marking gesture comprises an unbroken control gesture.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the marking gesture and the selection gesture are detected in the control action during a touching of a surface, wherein the touching of the surface is not interrupted during the control action.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control signals are generated after the end of the control action has been detected.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control signals are generated depending on whether the first switch element is also selected as the last one by the selection gesture.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein a highlighting of one or more of the marked and selected switch elements is generated for one or more of the marked and selected switch elements.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein

a function status is determined for the selected switch elements;

the control signals are furthermore generated depending on the respective function status; and

an output is generated and output depending on the function status.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein

at least two switch elements are assigned to a function cluster;

and

the control signals are generated depending on the selected switch elements that are assigned to the same function cluster as the first switch element.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control signals are transmitted to an apparatus for generating a lighting function or a heating function.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection gesture comprises a touching of the first and the at least one additional switch element.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection gesture comprises an unbroken control gesture.

13. An input device comprising:

a plurality of switch elements;

a control unit; and

a detection unit, configured to detect a control action with a marking gesture and a selection gesture;

wherein

using the marking gesture, at least one first and one additional switch element are markable sequentially in a specific sequence by moving in a first direction;

wherein

initially the first switch element and then the at least one additional switch element can be marked by moving in a reverse direction; and

using the selection gesture, the marked switch elements are selected sequentially in reverse sequence; and

depending on the switch elements marked by the marking gesture and then selected by the selection gesture, control signals are generated and output.

14. The input device according to claim 13, wherein the detection unit comprises a touch-sensitive surface.

15. A vehicle with an input device according to claim 13.

16. A vehicle with an input device according to claim 14.