AU768551B2

AU768551B2 - Control device

Info

Publication number: AU768551B2
Application number: AU41032/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Wolfgang Hoehn; Klaus-Jurgen Kurr
Original assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
Current assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
Priority date: 1999-03-08
Filing date: 2000-03-01
Publication date: 2003-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-01
Also published as: JP2002539010A; EP1076615B1; EP1076615B2; AU4103200A; EP1076615A1; KR20010043448A; WO2000053448A1; ES2207498T3; DE50003616D1; DE19910240A1; ES2207498T5; ATE249346T1

Abstract

The invention relates to a control device, especially for use in a motor vehicle, with an input terminal that is provided with input keys. The aim of the invention is to simplify the design of such a control device. To this end, the input keys comprise at least one selection key (4) for defining a device that can be controlled by the control device and at least one function key (5) allocated to said selection key (4) for controlling said selected device. In a first operational state, the function key (5) is inactive and in a second operational state, the function key (5) can be activated.

Description

Description Control apparatus The invention relates to a Control apparatus, in particular in a vehicle, ha-ving an input unit which has operating keys.

Suich control apparatuses are known and are frequently used for electrical equipment. For example, in modern motor vehicles, it is normal to use various appliances such as a radio, telephone, air-conditioning system or navigation device. The control panels for these appliances are constructed differently, depending on which of their functions are most frequently required. Thus, for example, the function keys for the volume of the radio have particularly large dimensions and are arranged in a central area of the control panel. A large number of appliances and a large number of functions of these appliances thus lead to the control panels becoming confused- This makes it considerably harder to control the appliances, The lack of clarity in the case of control apparatuses in motor vehicles is particularly disadvantageous since this can result in the vehicle driver's concentration on the traffic being considerably restricted.

Attempts have already been made to control all the electrical appliances in a motor vehicle by means of a small number of function keys, by breaking down the functions of the function keys into hierarchical menus and submenus. The functions of the function keys thus change constantly with the menu or submenu. An operator therefore has to read the actual meaning of the keypad in each case, or to have already noted this meaning, before he operates a function key. Such a control apparatus is thus suitable only for controlling a small number of -functions which are required particularly frequently. A further disadvantage of this control apparatus is that the number of function keys 2 and their arrangement are necessarily the same in each menu and submenu, thus making it impossible to arrange the function keys in a manner appropriate for the appliances.

However, for simple control demanding only a small amount of attention, it is very helpful to arrange the function keys such that they can be associated directly with the appliances to be controlled.

In order to overcome this problem, one object of the present invention is to design a control apparatus of the type mentioned initially so as to ensure that the apparatus can be operated easily and clearly.

According to the present invention, there is provided a control apparatus for a vehicle, having an input unit which has operating keys which comprise at least one selection key for defining a device which can be actuated by the control apparatus, and at least one function key associated with the selection key for actuating the selected device, the function key capable of being switched to be inactive in a first operating mode, 20 and active in a second operating mode, wherein the operating keys which are inactive in the first operating mode are highlighted by: raising these operating keys from the surface of the input unit in the second operating mode; or illuminating the operating keys such that the illumination of operating keys which are inactive in the first operating mode is brighter in the second operating mode than in the first operating mode.

Thus, in contrast to known devices, it is 30 possible for the operator to switch to the active state only those keys which in each case need to be operated.

This precludes distraction resulting from keys which are \\melb-fi es\home$\jozik\keep\Speci\41032-0 a endents.doc 28/10/03 2a not required, and possible incorrect operation. Since it is possible, on the control apparatus, to switch to the active state only those function keys of the device which can be actuated and which have been selected by means of a selection key, the control apparatus according to the invention can be interpreted particularly well and with only a brief glance. This is particularly advantageous in the case of a control apparatus which is arranged in a motor vehicle since, in this case, the vehicle driver is distracted only to an insignificant extent from the traffic. A further advantage of the control apparatus according to the e e *oo** \\melb-files\homeS\jolzik\keep\Speci\41032-O amendments.doc 28/10/03 3 invention is that it requires only a particularly small amount of space. In consequence, for example, all the devices which can be actuated and are arranged in a motor vehicle can be operated from a centrally positioned control apparatus according to the invention. Since it is possible to switch to the active state in each case only those function keys which are currently required, this reliably avoids any risk of confusion between different devices which can be actuated.

According to one advantageous development of the invention, the operating keys have a control key for controlling a variable of the device which can be actuated. It is thus particularly easy for an operator to use the control apparatus to, for example, set the variable volume of a radio or the variable temperature of an air-conditioning system as well. In this case, the control key may consist, for example, of a rocker key or of two individual keys for increasing or decreasing the variable parameter, or of a single key, whose operation results in the parameter being increased or decreased, in which case, when a minimum or maximum value is reached, a sudden change is then made to the maximum or minimum value, respectively, and in this way it is possible to pass through the entire control spectrum.

It is feasible, for example, to use the function key to initiate a defined sequence (such as the starting of a route search by a navigation system), to switch on an appliance such as rear window heating or to check a value, such as the average vehicle fuel consumption calculated by a vehicle computer. On the other hand, it is particularly advantageous if the function key can be used to select a variable parameter for the device which can be actuated. This further improves the clarity of control particularly when, according to another advantageous development of the invention, the selected parameter can be regulated 4 using the control key. It has been found to be particularly advantageous to be able to use the control key to adjust various parameters for different devices which can be controlled, depending on which function key is operated. Only one control key is thus required to control all the devices.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, the operating keys have a changeover key and/or a reset key. It is thus possible, for example, irrespective of the switching of a selection and/or function key, to use the control key in a basic control apparatus mode to regulate a specific parameter for a defined device which can be actuated, for example the volume of an audio system. The changeover key is then used to allow another device to be controlled as a function of the switching of a function key or of a selection key. A reset key is preferably provided in order to make it possible to reset the control apparatus to a predetermined basic mode.

It is feasible to arrange the operating keys physically, for example, on the surface of a spherical body. However, it is particularly advantageous for the operating keys to be arranged in a keypad. Such an approximately flat arrangement of the keys in the form of a matrix on the one hand provides a supporting surface for a hand being used to operate the apparatus, and on the other hand ensures that the operator can easily find his way around even after a brief familiarization time, so that the control apparatus can then be operated to a very large extent without any visual contact with the keypad. Since function keys which are not required at any given time are inactive (and cannot be switched to be active), a large supporting surface is available for the hand without this leading to incorrect control operations.

The hand which is controlling the apparatus according to the invention can use the supporting surface in which the keypad is located as a rest surface reducing operator stress if, according to another advantageous development of the invention, the keypad is arranged approximately horizontally.

The operating keys are preferably pushbuttons, so that the operating reliability and the operatorfriendliness of the apparatus according to the invention are further increased by tactile feedback.

A largely flat and protected surface, which withstands environmental influences such as dust and moisture, is advantageously provided if the operating keys form a touch-sensitive keypad.

One development of the invention is also particularly advantageous, in which the control key and/or the changeover key and/or the reset key can be switched to be inactive in the first operating mode, and can be switched to be active in the second operating mode. Thus, only those selection keys which are essential at the start of a control process can be switched to be active in any given case in order to define a device which can be actuated, in the first operating mode. Keys which do not necessarily need to be operated in this operating mode are inactive, so that incorrect control operations and incorrect functions are precluded.

For example, it would be feasible to change from the first operating mode to the second by means of a voice input by the operator or by means of a separate key. However, the number of keys on the control apparatus is advantageously minimized and the reliability and clarity of the apparatus according to the invention are further increased if the second operating mode can be accessed by switching the selection key. The associated function keys can thus automatically be switched to be active when the appropriate selection key is operated in order to select the device to be actuated.

The clarity of the control apparatus is particularly good and the distraction of the operator -6 by information which is not required at that time very poor if, according to another advantageous development of the invention, operating keys which are inactive in the first operating mode cannot be seen in this operating mode.

It is particularly advantageous, in particular if the amibient lighting level is low, for it to be possible to illumninate the operating keys so that the operator can identify them easily. and at a first glance, even in a dark environment.

.if, according to another advantageous development of the invention, operating keys which are inactive in the first operating mode are illuminated with greater brightness in the second operating mode than in the first operating mode, the inactive keys can easily be distinguished from the keys which can be switched to be active- In this case, the inactive operating keys can even be darkened completely, so that they cannot be seen by the operator, particularly if a black panel effect is used. The operator is thus confronted only by keys which he can switch to be active at that particular time- The surface of the control apparatus could be largely flat in all operating modes. However, the keys which can be switched to be active can be detected particularly well by the operator, without any direct visual contact either, if, according to another advantageous development of the invention, operating keys which are inactive in the first operating mode are raised above the surface of the input unit in the second operating mode.

The status of the devices which can be actuated can be displayed particularly well, according to another development of the invention, if the control apparatus has a display screen. In this case, it is particularly advantageous if operation of the selection key and/or of the function key can be displayed on the display screen. The display screen thus displays 7 information using which the operator can operate the various devices even more easily.

If, in an advantageous manner, the actuation status of the device which can be actuated and is defined by the selection key can be displayed on the display screen, the operator is provided with additional information, which makes it considerably easier to adjust the device as required.

In a control apparatus according to the invention which is provided in a motor vehicle, the apparatus can be operated particularly easily if, advantageously, the control apparatus can be arranged in the center console or in the instrument panel of the motor vehicle, so that the apparatus is located within the vehicle driver's immediate access range- In principle, the selection and function keys of the control apparatus according to the invention can be arranged and allocated as required. However, it is particularly advantageous, in particular to make it easy to learn the key arrangement and for reliable operation if, according to another development of the invention, a number of selection keys, which are arranged in an approximately horizontal row, and a number of function keys, which are each associated with a selection key and are each arranged in an approximately vertical column under this selection key, are provided.

The control apparatus can be provided for any desired devices which can be actuated, of widely differing types. The high level of clarity of the apparatus and the capability to operate it easily are particularly useful, however, in particular if, according to another advantageous development of the invention, a selection key is in each case provided for control of an air-conditioning system and/or of a vehicle computer and/or of a traffic telematic/navigation system and/or of an audio system in a motor vehicle.

8 The invention may be configured in widely differing ways. It is explained in more detail in the following text with reference to one exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an input unit with a keypad of a control apparatus according to the invention, Figure 2 shows the keypad of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 in another operating mode, and Figure 3 shows the keypad of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, with all the keys which are provided.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an input unit 1 of a control apparatus which has further components, not shown here, such as a housing and electrical contact means. The input unit 1 is fitted in the center console, which is not shown in any more detail, of a motor vehicle.

A display screen 2 is arranged in the upper area of the input unit 1, and a keypad 3 is arranged in its lower area. The keypad 3 has four selection keys 4 in an upper, horizontally arranged row, which are respectively designated "VT" for selecting a traffic telematic/navigation system, for selecting an air-conditioning system, "BC" for selecting a vehicle computer (on-board computer) and "AUDIO" for selecting an audio system in the motor vehicle. The respectively selected device can be actuated by using the control apparatus. When the control apparatus is in a first operating mode, only the selection keys 4 can be seen in the keypad 3 (see Figure In a second operating mode which is shown here and which was reached by switching the selection key 4 with the designation 9function keys 5 can be seen, which are arranged in a column vertically under this selection key and by means of which various air-conditioning system functions can be actuated. In the sequence from bottom to top, the function keys 5 allow rear window heating, windshield heating and a fan to be switched on, making it possible to select those air outlet nozzles in a vehicle which are to be used, to switch on an automatic function and a recirculation flap, and to carry out temperature regulation.

A control key 10, which has two individual keys 11, 12 can be seen approximately in the center of the keypad 3, which control key 10 allows a variable parameter such as the internal temperature or the fan speed to be adjusted. A changeover key 9 is arranged between the individual keys 11, 12, which are marked and of the control key 10- This changeover key 9 allows the allocation of the control key 10 to be changed between one predetermrined function for example volume control for an audio system and a second function which is defined by the function keys Thus, irrespective of which device which can be actuated is being controlled by the control apparatus at a specific time, the volume of the audio system can also always be regulated without having to call up this function separately by switching the appropriate selection and function key.

The display screen 2, which is arranged above the keypad 3, has a central display screen area 6, for showing a part of a map from a navigation system, and a lower, horizontal display screen area 8 for displaying general information such as the date, time, internal and external temperature. A left, vertical display screen area 7 displays the inputs made on the keypad 3 and the actuation status of the devic e which can be actuated and is defined by the selection key 4. The present operating mode of the air-conditioning system is thus displayed here, since the selection key 4 with 10 the designation has been operated, and the airconditioning system can be controlled.

The keypad 3 from Figure 1 is shown in a first operating mode in Figure 2, in which only the selection keys 4 can be seen by an operator. The associated function keys 5 (see Figure 1) do not appear until one of these selection keys 4 has been selected, and these function keys 5 can then be switched to be active. The same applies to the changeover key 9 and to the control key The keypad 3 is in the form of a touchsensitive keypad, in which background illumination can be provided for the operating keys. Only those keys which are in each case active are in this case illuminated. The surface of the touch-sensitive keypad facing the operator is colored dark gray so that keys which are not illuminated cannot be seen, and this results in a uniform, dark-gray surface (black panel effect).

All the keys which are provided on the keypad 3 according to Figure 1 are shown in Figure 3. This figure serves only to illustrate the overall functional scope of the control apparatus and, in contrast, all the keys are never actually presented at the same time in any operating mode. In fact, only those keys which can be selected at the particular time are illuminated and can be seen by the operator.

Claims

1. A control apparatus for a vehicle, having an input unit which has operating keys which comprise at least one selection key for defining a device which can be actuated by the control apparatus, and at least one function key associated with the selection key for actuating the selected device, the function key capable of being switched to be inactive in a first operating mode, and active in a second operating mode, wherein the operating keys which are inactive in the first operating mode are highlighted by: raising these operating keys from the surface of the input unit in the second operating mode; or illuminating the operating keys such that the illumination of operating keys which are inactive in the first operating mode is brighter in the second operating mode than in the first operating mode. 20 2. The control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the operating keys have a control key for controlling the selection of a variable of the device which can be actuated.

3. The control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which a variable parameter for the device which can be actuated can be selected using the function key.

4. The control apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 30 3, in which the selected variable can be regulated using the control key. \\melb-files\home$\jolzik\keep\Speci\ 41032-0 amendments.doc 28/10/03 12 The control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the operating keys have a changeover key and/or a reset key.

6. The control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the operating keys are arranged in a keypad.

7. The control apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the keypad is arranged approximately horizontally.

8. The control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the operating keys are pushbuttons.

9. The control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the operating keys form a touch-sensitive keypad. 20 10. The control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the control key and/or the changeover key and/or the reset key can be switched to be inactive in the first operating mode, and can be switched to be active in the second operating mode.

11. The control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the second operating mode o. can be accessed by switching the selection key.

12. The control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the operating keys which are inactive in the first operating mode cannot be seen in this operating mode. \\melb.files\homeS\jolzik\keep\Speci\41032-00 amendments.doc 28/10/03 13

13. The control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the control apparatus has a display screen.

14. The control apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which the operation of the selection key and/or of the function key can be displayed on the display screen.

15. The control apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or 14 in which an actuation state of the device which can be actuated by a selection key can be displayed on the display screen.

16. The control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the control apparatus can be arranged in the center console or in the instrument panel of a motor vehicle. 20 17. The control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a number of selection keys, which are arranged in an approximately horizontal row, and a number of function keys, which are each associated with a selection key and are each arranged in an approximately vertical column under this selection key, are provided.

18. The control apparatus as claimed in any one of *the preceding claims wherein the selection key is provided for control of an air conditioning system, vehicle S 30 computer, a traffic telematic/navigation system, an audio system in a motor car, or any combination thereof. \\melb_files\homeS\jolzik\keep\Speci\41032-O0 amendments.doc 28/10/03 14

19. The control apparatus for a vehicle substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 28th day of October 2003 MANNESMANN= VDO AG By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia \melbfiles \home$\ io1zik\keep\Speci \41032 -00 amendmnents .doc 28/10/03