Bidirectional rotary device for menu navigation

• US 7,595,722 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2001
• Issued: 09/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Heimermann, Matthias, Wengelnik, Heino, Schnier, Carsten
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Toan N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hunnings; Travis R
• Application Number:
  US10/416,639
• Publication Number:
  US 20040046751A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,912 Days
• Field of Search: 340/461, 345/163, 345/164, 345/167, 341/35, 200/336, 200/DIG.29
• US Class Current: 340/461
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/11 Instrument graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/113 Scrolling through menu items
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/117 Cursors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/782 on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/11 Graphical user interfaces or menu aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/113 Scrolling through menu items
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/117 Cursors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/782 on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• 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 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10

Abstract

In a multifunction operating device, e.g., for a vehicle, for selecting function groups and functions in a menu structure that may be represented on a display device, the operating device includes at least one two-directional rotating element. The two-directional rotating element may be arranged so that it may select function groups and/or functions in a menu plane. A second operating element may be provided for selecting the menu planes.

Claims

1. A multifunctional operating device arranged to at least one of preselect and select function groups and functions within a menu structure representable on a display device, comprising:

at least one bidirectional rotary element configured to at least one of preselect and select at least one of function groups and functions within a menu level, the bidirectional rotary element arranged in the form of a rotary manipulation roll having an axis of rotation horizontal with respect to a surface of a component that accommodates the rotary manipulation roll; and

at least one second operation device configured to at least one of preselect and select subordinate and superordinate menu levels;

wherein the at least one second operation device includes at least a part that is movable in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the bidirectional rotary element; and

wherein the second operation device includes a rocker of the bidirectional rotary element in a direction of the axis of rotation.

2. A multifunctional operating device arranged to at least one of preselect and select function groups and functions within a menu structure representable on a display device, comprising:

at least one bidirectional rotary element configured to at least one of preselect and select at least one of function groups and functions within a menu level, the bidirectional rotary element arranged in the form of a rotary manipulation roll having an axis of rotation horizontal with respect to a surface of a component that accommodates the rotary manipulation roll; and

at least one second operation device configured to at least one of preselect and select subordinate and superordinate menu levels;

wherein the at least one second operation device includes at least a part that is movable in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the bidirectional rotary element; and

wherein the second operation device includes one of one and two operating elements, the second operation device arranged one of on, at and at least partially in the bidirectional rotary element.

3. A multifunctional operating device arranged to at least one of preselect and select function groups and functions within a menu structure representable on a display device, comprising:

at least one bidirectional rotary element configured to at least one of preselect and select at least one of function groups and functions within a menu level, the bidirectional rotary element arranged in the form of a rotary manipulation roll having an axis of rotation horizontal with respect to a surface of a component that accommodates the rotary manipulation roll; and

at least one second operation device configured to at least one of preselect and select subordinate and superordinate menu levels;

wherein the at least one second operation device includes at least a part that is movable in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the bidirectional rotary element; and

wherein the bidirectional rotary element is configured for at least one of preselection and selection in two directions, the second operation device configured for selection in two directions perpendicular to the two directions of the bidirectional rotary element.

4. A multifunctional operating device arranged to at least one of preselect and select function groups and functions within a menu structure representable on a display device, comprising:

at least one bidirectional rotary element configured to at least one of preselect and select at least one of function groups and functions within a menu level, the bidirectional rotary element arranged in the form of a rotary manipulation roll having an axis of rotation horizontal with respect to a surface of a component that accommodates the rotary manipulation roll; and

at least one second operation device configured to at least one of preselect and select subordinate and superordinate menu levels;

wherein the at least one second operation device includes at least a part that is movable in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the bidirectional rotary element; and

wherein the part is formed integrally with the bidirectional rotary element.

5. A multifunctional operating device arranged to at least one of preselect and select function groups and functions within a menu structure representable on a display device, comprising:

at least one bidirectional rotary element configured to at least one of preselect and select at least one of function groups and functions within a menu level, the bidirectional rotary element arranged in the form of a rotary manipulation roll having an axis of rotation horizontal with respect to a surface of a component that accommodates the rotary manipulation roll; and

at least one second operation device configured to at least one of preselect and select subordinate and superordinate menu levels;

wherein the at least one second operation device includes at least a part that is movable in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the bidirectional rotary element; and

wherein which of a subordinate and superordinate menu level is at least one of preselected and selected by the at least one second operation device depends on one of a direction of movement of the at least one second operation device and which of at least two operation elements of the at least one second operation device is manipulated.