User interface of a vehicle

• US 9,355,793 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2012
• Issued: 05/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG), Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG), Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Rudolph, Aaron, Maiwand, Heiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Amaya, Carlos
• Application Number:
  US13/538,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20140001834A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,432 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1, 307/10.6, 307/10.8
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/128 Axially displaceable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/34 Backlit symbols
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/128 Axially displaceable input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1537 Displays on a manual operation element
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/34 Backlit symbols
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/04 responsive to presence or absence of the driver, e.g. to weight or lack thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/12 responsive to conditions relating to doors or doors locks, e.g. open door
• 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 35/212 displaying on manual operation elements, e.g. on a knob
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2063 Ignition switch geometry
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/00 Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch wherein the operating part is flexible H01H17/00

Abstract

A method for operating a user interface of a vehicle, a user interface for a vehicle, and a vehicle are described.

Claims

1. A method for operating a user interface of a vehicle, the user interface comprising a push button, the push button comprising a user actuatable push element, an illumination, and a controllable drive adapted to move the push element, the method comprising:

positioning the push element by automatically controlling the drive depending on an operational state of the vehicle; and

automatically controlling the illumination depending on the operational state of the vehicle, wherein the illumination and positioning of the push element indicate an operational capability of the vehicle.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the push element is movable in a push direction from a non-actuated position to an actuated position upon user actuation, and wherein positioning the push element comprises automatically varying the non-actuated position in the push direction.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operational state of the vehicle comprises:

a locking state of a door of the vehicle;

an opening state of a door of the vehicle;

an actuation state of a brake pedal of the vehicle;

a current speed of the vehicle;

a gear selection of a gear selector of the vehicle;

an actuation state of the push button; and

/or

a seat occupation of a driver seat of the vehicle.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user interface further comprises a proximity sensor for a contact free detection of a user approaching the push button, the method further comprising:

positioning the push element by automatically controlling the drive depending on the contact free detection of the user approaching the push button, and/or

automatically controlling the illumination depending on the contact free detection of the user approaching the push button.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the illumination comprises an illuminable symbol on a push surface of the push element and/or an illuminable ring at a circumferential surface of the push element.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

preparing a starting of an engine of the vehicle upon user actuation of the push element;

starting an engine of the vehicle upon user actuation of the push element;

stopping an engine of the vehicle upon user actuation of the push element;

allowing an automatic starting of an engine of the vehicle upon user actuation of the push element; and

/or

inhibiting an automatic starting of an engine of the vehicle upon actuation of the push element.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein, if the vehicle is locked, unoccupied, or above a threshold speed, no operational capability is indicated.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the position of the push element is a height of the push element, and wherein the controlled illumination is an illumination color.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the controlled illumination is a pulsed illumination.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

controlling illumination of a START symbol and illumination of a STOP symbol.

11. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the push element is a button.

12. A vehicle, comprising:

a push button comprising a user actuatable push element, an illumination, and a controllable drive adapted to move the push element; and

a control unit coupled to the push button and configured to receive an operational state of the vehicle, configured to position the push element by controlling the drive depending on the operational state of the vehicle, and configured to control the illumination depending on the operational state of the vehicle.

13. The vehicle according to claim 12, further comprising an engine for propelling the vehicle, wherein the control unit is further configured to:

prepare a starting of the engine of the vehicle upon user actuation of the push element;

start the engine of the vehicle upon user actuation of the push element;

stop the engine of the vehicle upon user actuation of the push element;

allow an automatic starting of the engine of the vehicle upon user actuation of the push element; and

/or

inhibit an automatic starting of the engine of the vehicle upon actuation of the push element.

14. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the engine comprises an electrical engine.

15. A method for operating a user interface of a vehicle, the user interface comprising a push button, the push button comprising a user actuatable push element, an illumination, and a controllable drive adapted to move the push element, the method comprising:

positioning the push element by automatically controlling the drive depending on an operational state of the vehicle; and

automatically controlling the illumination depending on the operational state of the vehicle,

wherein the illumination and positioning of the push element indicate an operational capability of the vehicle,

wherein the position of the push element is a height of the push element, and wherein the controlled illumination is an illumination color,

wherein the controlled illumination is a pulsed illumination, and wherein the combination of the height of the push element, the illumination color and the pulsed illumination indicate a specific operational state.