Operating Method for a Display Device in a Vehicle

• US 20130176232A1
• Filed: 11/23/2010
• Published: 07/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Christoph Waeller
• Inventors: Waeller, Christoph
• Granted Patent: US 9,395,915 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1442 Emulation of input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1442 Emulation of input devices
• 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: G06F 2203/04803 Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

In an operating method for a display device in a vehicle, the display device includes a touch-sensitive surface. A first output is displayed in an area of the display device. A first movement and a second movement by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface are detected simultaneously. The area is divided automatically along a first direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the first movement and the second movement proceed substantially in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and away from each other. The first output is displayed in the first subarea and a second output is displayed in the second subarea.

Claims

1-21. -21. (canceled)

22. An operating method for a display device in a vehicle, the display device having a touch-sensitive surface, comprising:

displaying a first output on the display device in an area of the display device, the area being bounded by a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge in a first direction, a third edge, and a fourth edge opposite the third edge in a second direction;

detecting a movement by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

automatically dividing the area along the first direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the detected movement takes a course from the first edge toward the second edge;

automatically dividing the area along the second direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the detected movement takes a course from the third edge toward the fourth edge; and

displaying the first output in the first subarea and displaying a second output in the second subarea.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising automatically joining the first subarea and the second subarea to form the area, if the detected movement takes a course along a separating line that separates the first subarea from the second subarea.

24. An operating method for a display device in a vehicle, the display device having a touch-sensitive surface, comprising:

displaying a first output on the display device in an area of the display device;

simultaneously detecting a first movement and a second movement by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

automatically dividing the area along a first direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the first movement and the second movement proceed substantially in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and away from each other;

automatically dividing the area along the second direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the first movement and the second movement proceed substantially the first direction and away from each other; and

displaying the first output in the first subarea and displaying a second output in the second subarea.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising:

joining the first subarea and the second subarea to form the area, if the first movement begins in the first subarea, the second movement begins in the second subarea, and the first and second movements are substantially directed toward each other.

26. An operating method for a display device in a vehicle, comprising:

displaying a first output on the display device in an area of the display device;

detecting an actuation of an operating element;

automatically dividing the area into a first subarea and a second subarea as a function of the actuation of the operating element; and

displaying the first output in the first subarea and displaying a second output in the second subarea.

27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising:

detecting a further actuation of the operating element; and

joining the first subarea and the second subarea to form the area as a function of the further actuation of the operating element.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein the area is divided along a predetermined separating line along the first direction or the second direction into the first subarea and the second subarea.

29. The method according to claim 26, wherein the display of the first output in the first subarea includes:

reducing an amount of information in the first output;

reducing dimensions of read-outs and operator interfaces of the first output; and

/or

altering an arrangement of read-outs and operator interfaces of the first output.

30. The method according to claim 26, further comprising:

detecting an approach of a body part of the operator to the display device; and

displaying operator interfaces of the first output and/or the second output as a function of the detected approach.

31. The method according to claim 26, further comprising:

detecting a first distance between an approaching body part of the operator and the first subarea;

detecting a second distance between the approaching body part of the operator and the second subarea; and

displaying operator interfaces of the first output or the second output as a function of the first distance and the second distance.

32. The method according to claim 26, further comprising:

displaying an audio output symbol on the display device, the display device having a touch-sensitive surface;

detecting a movement, beginning at the audio output symbol, by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

moving the audio output symbol on the display device according to the detected movement; and

outputting audio outputs, assigned to the subarea in which the audio output symbol is located, on an audio output medium assigned to the audio output symbol.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the audio output medium includes a loudspeaker connection and/or a headphone terminal.

34. An operating method for a display device in a vehicle, the display device having a touch-sensitive surface, comprising:

displaying a first output in a first subarea of the display device;

displaying a second output in a second subarea of the display device;

displaying a data object symbol in one of the subareas;

detecting a movement, beginning at the data object symbol, by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

moving the data object symbol on the display device according to the detected movement; and

transferring data assigned to the data object symbol to an application assigned to the subarea in which the data object symbol is located when the detected movement ends.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein an area of the display device is bounded by a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge in a first direction, a third edge, and a fourth edge opposite the third edge in a second direction, the method further comprising:

automatically dividing the area along the first direction into the first subarea and the second subarea, if the detected movement takes a course from the first edge toward the second edge; and

automatically dividing the area along the second direction into the first subarea and the second subarea, if the detected movement takes a course from the third edge toward the fourth edge.

36. The method according to claim 34, further comprising:

simultaneously detecting a first movement and a second movement by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

automatically dividing an area of the display device along a first direction into the first subarea and the second subarea, if the first movement and the second movement proceed substantially in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and away from each other; and

automatically dividing the area along the second direction into the first subarea and the second subarea, if the first movement and the second movement proceed substantially the first direction and away from each other.

37. The method according to claim 34, further comprising:

detecting an actuation of an operating element; and

automatically dividing an area of the display device into the first subarea and the second subarea as a function of the actuation of the operating element.

38. The method according to claim 34, wherein the data assigned to the data object symbol includes:

an entry in a contact list;

a significant point on a map;

a title of a piece of music played by a radio;

a maintenance instruction of the vehicle; and

/or an appointment in an electronic appointment calendar.

39. A display device for a vehicle, comprising:

a display area having a touch-sensitive surface; and

a processing unit adapted;

to display a first output on the display device in an area of the display device, the area bounded by a first edge, and a second edge opposite the first edge in a first direction, a third edge, and a fourth edge opposite the third edge in a second direction;

to detect a movement by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

to divide the area along the first direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the detected movement takes a course from the first edge toward the second edge;

to divide the area along the second direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the detected movement takes a course from the third edge toward the fourth edge; and

to display the first output in the first subarea and to display a second output in the second subarea.

43. The display device according to claim 39, wherein the display device includes an audio system, a navigation system, a diagnostic system, and/or a communication system of the vehicle.

47. The display device according to claim 39, wherein the display device is adapted to perform an operating method including:

displaying a first output on the display device in an area of the display device, the area being bounded by a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge in a first direction, a third edge, and a fourth edge opposite the third edge in a second direction;

detecting a movement by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

automatically dividing the area along the first direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the detected movement takes a course from the first edge toward the second edge;

automatically dividing the area along the second direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the detected movement takes a course from the third edge toward the fourth edge; and

displaying the first output in the first subarea and displaying a second output in the second subarea.

48. The display device according to claim 39, wherein the display device is adapted to perform an operating method including:

displaying a first output on the display device in an area of the display device;

simultaneously detecting a first movement and a second movement by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

automatically dividing the area along a first direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the first movement and the second movement proceed substantially in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and away from each other;

automatically dividing the area along the second direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the first movement and the second movement proceed substantially the first direction and away from each other; and

displaying the first output in the first subarea and displaying a second output in the second subarea.

49. The display device according to claim 39, wherein the display device is adapted to perform an operating method including:

displaying a first output on the display device in an area of the display device;

detecting an actuation of an operating element;

automatically dividing the area into a first subarea and a second subarea as a function of the actuation of the operating element; and

displaying the first output in the first subarea and displaying a second output in the second subarea.

50. The display device according to claim 39, wherein the display device is adapted to perform an operating method including:

displaying a first output in a first subarea of the display device;

displaying a second output in a second subarea of the display device;

displaying a data object symbol in one of the subareas;

detecting a movement, beginning at the data object symbol, by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

moving the data object symbol on the display device according to the detected movement; and

transferring data assigned to the data object symbol to an application assigned to the subarea in which the data object symbol is located when the detected movement ends.

40. A display device for a vehicle, comprising:

a display area having a touch-sensitive surface; and

a processing unit adapted;

to display a first output on the display device in an area of the display device;

to simultaneously detect a first movement and a second movement by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

to divide the area along a first direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the first movement and the second movement proceed substantially in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and away from each other;

to divide the area along the second direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the first movement and the second movement proceed substantially in the first direction and away from each other; and

to display the first output in the first subarea and to display a second output in the second subarea (13).

44. The display device according to claim 40, wherein the display device includes an audio system, a navigation system, a diagnostic system, and/or a communication system of the vehicle.

51. The display device according to claim 40, wherein the display device is adapted to perform an operating method including:

displaying a first output on the display device in an area of the display device, the area being bounded by a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge in a first direction, a third edge, and a fourth edge opposite the third edge in a second direction;

detecting a movement by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

automatically dividing the area along the first direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the detected movement takes a course from the first edge toward the second edge;

automatically dividing the area along the second direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the detected movement takes a course from the third edge toward the fourth edge; and

displaying the first output in the first subarea and displaying a second output in the second subarea.

52. The display device according to claim 40, wherein the display device is adapted to perform an operating method including:

displaying a first output on the display device in an area of the display device;

simultaneously detecting a first movement and a second movement by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

automatically dividing the area along a first direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the first movement and the second movement proceed substantially in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and away from each other;

automatically dividing the area along the second direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the first movement and the second movement proceed substantially the first direction and away from each other; and

displaying the first output in the first subarea and displaying a second output in the second subarea.

53. The display device according to claim 40, wherein the display device is adapted to perform an operating method including:

displaying a first output on the display device in an area of the display device;

detecting an actuation of an operating element;

automatically dividing the area into a first subarea and a second subarea as a function of the actuation of the operating element; and

displaying the first output in the first subarea and displaying a second output in the second subarea.

54. The display device according to claim 40, wherein the display device is adapted to perform an operating method including:

displaying a first output in a first subarea of the display device;

displaying a second output in a second subarea of the display device;

displaying a data object symbol in one of the subareas;

detecting a movement, beginning at the data object symbol, by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

moving the data object symbol on the display device according to the detected movement; and

transferring data assigned to the data object symbol to an application assigned to the subarea in which the data object symbol is located when the detected movement ends.

41. A display device for a vehicle, comprising:

a display area;

an operating element; and

a processing unit adapted;

to display a first output on the display device in an area of the display device;

to divide the area into a first subarea and a second subarea as a function of an actuation of the operating element; and

to display the first output in the first subarea and to display a second output in the second subarea.

45. The display device according to claim 41, wherein the display device includes an audio system, a navigation system, a diagnostic system, and/or a communication system of the vehicle.

55. The display device according to claim 41, wherein the display device is adapted to perform an operating method including:

displaying a first output on the display device in an area of the display device, the area being bounded by a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge in a first direction, a third edge, and a fourth edge opposite the third edge in a second direction;

detecting a movement by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

automatically dividing the area along the first direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the detected movement takes a course from the first edge toward the second edge;

automatically dividing the area along the second direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the detected movement takes a course from the third edge toward the fourth edge; and

displaying the first output in the first subarea and displaying a second output in the second subarea.

56. The display device according to claim 41, wherein the display device is adapted to perform an operating method including:

displaying a first output on the display device in an area of the display device;

simultaneously detecting a first movement and a second movement by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

automatically dividing the area along a first direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the first movement and the second movement proceed substantially in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and away from each other;

automatically dividing the area along the second direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the first movement and the second movement proceed substantially the first direction and away from each other; and

displaying the first output in the first subarea and displaying a second output in the second subarea.

57. The display device according to claim 41, wherein the display device is adapted to perform an operating method including:

displaying a first output on the display device in an area of the display device;

detecting an actuation of an operating element;

automatically dividing the area into a first subarea and a second subarea as a function of the actuation of the operating element; and

displaying the first output in the first subarea and displaying a second output in the second subarea.

58. The display device according to claim 41, wherein the display device is adapted to perform an operating method including:

displaying a first output in a first subarea of the display device;

displaying a second output in a second subarea of the display device;

displaying a data object symbol in one of the subareas;

detecting a movement, beginning at the data object symbol, by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

moving the data object symbol on the display device according to the detected movement; and

transferring data assigned to the data object symbol to an application assigned to the subarea in which the data object symbol is located when the detected movement ends.

42. A display device for a vehicle, comprising:

a display area having a touch-sensitive surface; and

a processing unit adapted;

to display a first output in a first subarea of the display device;

to display a second output in a second subarea of the display device;

to display a data object symbol in one of the subareas;

to detect a movement, beginning at the data object symbol, by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

to move the data object symbol on the display device according to the detected movement; and

to transfer data assigned to the data object symbol to an application assigned to the subarea in which the data object symbol is located when the detected movement ends.

46. The display device according to claim 42, wherein the display device includes an audio system, a navigation system, a diagnostic system, and/or a communication system of the vehicle.

59. The display device according to claim 42, wherein the display device is adapted to perform an operating method including:

displaying a first output on the display device in an area of the display device, the area being bounded by a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge in a first direction, a third edge, and a fourth edge opposite the third edge in a second direction;

detecting a movement by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

automatically dividing the area along the first direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the detected movement takes a course from the first edge toward the second edge;

automatically dividing the area along the second direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the detected movement takes a course from the third edge toward the fourth edge; and

displaying the first output in the first subarea and displaying a second output in the second subarea.

60. The display device according to claim 42, wherein the display device is adapted to perform an operating method including:

displaying a first output on the display device in an area of the display device;

simultaneously detecting a first movement and a second movement by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

automatically dividing the area along a first direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the first movement and the second movement proceed substantially in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and away from each other;

automatically dividing the area along the second direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the first movement and the second movement proceed substantially the first direction and away from each other; and

displaying the first output in the first subarea and displaying a second output in the second subarea.

61. The display device according to claim 42, wherein the display device is adapted to perform an operating method including:

displaying a first output on the display device in an area of the display device;

detecting an actuation of an operating element;

automatically dividing the area into a first subarea and a second subarea as a function of the actuation of the operating element; and

displaying the first output in the first subarea and displaying a second output in the second subarea.

62. The display device according to claim 42, wherein the display device is adapted to perform an operating method including:

displaying a first output in a first subarea of the display device;

displaying a second output in a second subarea of the display device;

displaying a data object symbol in one of the subareas;

detecting a movement, beginning at the data object symbol, by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface;

moving the data object symbol on the display device according to the detected movement; and

transferring data assigned to the data object symbol to an application assigned to the subarea in which the data object symbol is located when the detected movement ends.