Patent Application
20100259483
This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)-(d) to DE 10 2008 050 921.3 filed Oct. 10, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
1. Technical Field
The disclosure relates to a display panel and an operator control device for a motor vehicle.
2. Background Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,821,935 discloses a display panel and operator control device in a motor vehicle in which an operator control panel has operator control keys with a firmly associated functionality, function keys with a function which can be altered by the user and two multifunction switches for the selection of functions from a selection menu. The keys and switches appear as symbols on a display panel.
However, this arrangement allows data which are not prescribed directly in the selection menu or as a function to be input only with difficulty. Generally, this requires the function keys or the selection menu to be used to call an appropriate digit or letter menu, which is time consuming and complicated.
An operator control system is disclosed which has an operator control panel with control keys, function keys, and a keypad. It also includes a display panel electronically coupled to the operator control panel and has roughly the same outer shape as the operator control panel. Representations of the control and function keys are displayed on the display panel in the same relative positions as the control and function keys are located on the operator control panel. Data input on the keypad of the control panel is displayed on an input panel on the display panel. The operator control panel and the display panel are mounted in a motor vehicle. The control keys include a navigation system key, a radio key, and a CD key. The keypad is a numeric keypad comprising keys for numerals 0 through 9. The operator control system also has a multifunction button used to control a selection menu displayed on the display panel and a position of the selection menu on the display panel correspond to a position of the multifunction button on the operator control panel. Alternatively, he keypad is used to control the selection menu. The operator control keys are arranged at an edge of the operator control panel and the associated operator control key symbols are arranged as an array of symbols at an edge of the display panel.
Also disclosed is an operator control system, with an operator control panel having a navigation system key, a radio key, a CD key, function keys, and a keypad; and a display panel electronically coupled to the operator control panel and having roughly the same shape as the operator control panel. A navigation system symbol, a radio symbol, and a CD symbol are displayed on the display panel in the same relative positions as the navigation system key, the radio key, and the CD key are positioned on the control panel; and data input on the keypad of the control panel is displayed on an input panel on the display panel.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the operator control and display is improved such that even complex data inputs are possible due to the keys on the operator control panel being in the same relative position as the representations of the keys on the display panel. The operator has direct visual feedback of the keys of the keypad which have been depressed on the display panel. The user can see the physical association between the operation of the numeric keypad on the operator control panel and the appearance of the data in the input panel portion of the display panel.
Data for input are preferably digits, letters or combinations of letters. For the input of digits, the keypad is preferably in the form of a numerical digit block. For the input of letters or combinations of letters, the keypad may be in the form of an alphanumeric digit block (numeric keypad), as is customary on mobile telephones, for example. Other arrangements of the keypad are possible.
In this case, the presentation of the input panel can be matched to the respective function, e.g., the telephone and navigation functions. Under the telephone function, telephone numbers are input via the keypad and displayed on the input panel. However, in the navigation function, the input panel may have a different appearance when inputting addresses via the input panel.
In some embodiments, the operator control panel has a multifunction button used to control a selection menu on the display panel. The selection menu can be used to select many functions—particularly using submenus—more quickly than is possible with the function keys or operator control keys. The position of the multifunction button on the operator control panel corresponds to the position of the selection menu on the display panel.
In one embodiment, the display panel displays either the selection menu or the input panel. The area provided in the display panel for the selection menu and the input panel can then be used entirely to show either the selection menu or the input panel. This allows better recognition by the user. This function is performed in conjunction with operation of the multifunction button or the keypad. When the multifunction button is operated, only the selection menu appears on the display panel. When the keypad is operated, only the input panel appears on the display panel. In both cases, the symbols for the function and operator control keys remain visible and the functions of these keys remain active even when the multifunction button or the keypad is operated. Thus, if input using the multifunction button or keypad needs to be aborted, it is possible at any time to press a function or operator control key to activate or execute the desired function.
In a further embodiment, the display panel displays the selection menu, and the keypad is used to effect menu selection. A direct selection of this kind can be made in the case of a track list for a music CD, for example, by replacing a selection using the multifunction button with direct input of the track number via the keypad.
According to one embodiment, the operator control keys are arranged as an array of keys at the edge of the operator control panel; and the associated operator control key symbols are arranged as an array of symbols at the corresponding edge of the display panel. The function keys are arranged as an array of keys at the top and/or bottom edge of the operator control panel, and the associated function key symbols are arranged as an array of symbols likewise at the associated top and/or bottom edge of the display panel.
The display and operator control system may be produced in any desired combination of the features described herein. In particular, the display panel can show various presentations, splits, symbols and input panels or selection menus for various modes of operation and/or functions.
As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features of the embodiments illustrated and described with reference to any one of the Figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other Figures to produce alternative embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. However, various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired for particular applications or implementations. Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize similar applications or implementations consistent with the present disclosure, e.g., ones in which components are arranged in a slightly different order than shown in the embodiments in the Figures. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the teachings of the present disclosure may be applied to other applications or implementations.
In
The left-hand edge of the operator control panel 2 holds an array of operator control keys 3 with six operator control keys for the following modes of operation: navigation, CD player, radio, auxiliary input (AUX), telephone and menu control. Depressing an operator control key results in execution of the corresponding mode of operation directly. The operator control key symbols associated with the operator control keys are shown in the same relative positions on the display panel 1. As shown in
The bottom edge of the operator control panel 2 holds an array of function keys 5 with four function keys. The function key symbols 6 associated with the function keys 5 are shown in the same relative position on the display panel 1. It is not an obstruction to the physical association if the display panel 1 additionally displays a status line 7 with additional information below the function key symbols 6. Depending on the selected mode of operation via the operator control keys 3, the function keys 5 have different functions assigned to them, the respective function being displayed in the associated function key symbol.
The operator control panel 2 also has a multifunction button 8 and a keypad 9. Depending on the embodiment, further switches 10 may be arranged on the operator control panel 2.
In
While the best mode has been described in detail, those familiar with the art will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments within the scope of the following claims. Where one or more embodiments have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments and/or over prior art in regard to one or more desired characteristics, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that compromises may be made among various features to achieve desired system attributes, which may depend on the specific application or implementation. These attributes include, but are not limited to: cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. The embodiments described as being less desirable relative to other embodiments with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure as claimed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2008 050 921.3 | Oct 2008 | DE | national |
