DE102020105042A1 - Method for setting an operating device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for setting an operating device (2) of a vehicle, the operating device (2) having at least one variably adjustable operating element (4, 6), with a user of the Vehicle a selection of functions for occupying the at least one variable control element (4, 6) is proposed, with at least one function for the at least one variably adjustable control element (4, 6) being selected by the user, this at least one function being assigned to the at least one variably adjustable control element (4, 6) is assigned.

Description

The invention relates to a method for setting an operating device and a system for setting an operating device.

An input device can have several operable keys, with a function assigned to this key being executed by actuating a respective key.

In many vehicles there are one or more buttons or virtual buttons, the meaning of which a user can freely assign. For example, with a * key or star key on the steering wheel of a vehicle, set whether pressing this key switches a speed limit display on or off, selects a drive select mode or switches the navigation announcements on or off. Such a key can be referred to as a wildcard key.

In today's variants, the user always has to decide which functionality a button has for the entire journey or up to a new setting that he has made himself. The use of the key functionality can be quite different in different application cases.

The pamphlet US 2007/136694 A1 describes a context and color adaptable hardware button.

A global and context-related in-vehicle computer system control is from the document US 10180785 B2 known.

A general purpose context control is in the document US 2011/060589 A1 described.

Against this background, one task was to adapt a function of a button in a vehicle.

This object is achieved by a method and a system with the features of the independent patent claims. Embodiments of the method and the system emerge from the dependent patent claims and the description.

The method according to the invention is provided for the context-dependent setting of an operating device of a vehicle, the operating device having at least one variably adjustable operating element, with a user of the vehicle having a selection of functions for occupying the at least one depending on a current context that arises for the vehicle variable control element is proposed, the user selecting from the proposed selection at least one function for the at least one variably adjustable control element, this at least one function being automatically assigned to the at least one variably adjustable control element.

In the embodiment, a variably adjustable control element is assigned a function that is dependent on the current context. The respective current context is, for example, a current operating situation in which the vehicle is during a journey and / or at a standstill.

Here it is possible that the current context, for example the current operating situation, is dependent on a current operating mode or operating mode of the vehicle, which can result in a particular application.

In one embodiment, the operating situation, for example an operating mode and / or driving situation, of the vehicle and thus a context, among other things. manual driving, driving with active route guidance, automated driving, for example partially automated driving or fully automated driving, and / or assisted driving and / or a parking maneuver can be provided.

It is also possible that the current context, for example the current operating situation, is dependent on a current position of the vehicle. The current position of the vehicle changes during a journey. A journey usually begins at a starting position and ends at a target position that is to be reached during the journey. The target position or a destination is a specific location, for example a place of work or a place of residence of a driver who uses the vehicle. It is possible here for the current context, for example the current operating situation, to change if the vehicle is, for example, at a distance from a respective intended target position that is less than a definable target distance. Accordingly, the current context can result depending on the distance between the current position and the target position. A target position can also be defined, for example, by a filling station for a fuel tank and / or by an electrical charging station for a battery as an energy store for the vehicle.

In one embodiment, the current context, for example the current operating situation, for example as an application, can be dependent on the use of the vehicle by the user.

Alternatively or in addition, the current context, for example the current operating situation, can be dependent on a current operating state of the vehicle, the current operating state from is dependent on at least one current operating parameter of the vehicle. The current operating parameter can be dependent on an amount of fuel in the fuel tank of the vehicle, an amount as electrical energy in the battery of the vehicle or on a kinematic operating parameter, for example a speed, of the vehicle. It is also possible that the current context, for example the current operating situation, is dependent on a current time, for example a time, a weekday, a month or a season at which the vehicle is currently being operated. Furthermore, the current context can be dependent on an environmental condition in which the vehicle is located. An environmental condition can be defined by a state of a surface, for example a road, on which the vehicle is located, for example driving, or by a weather condition, ie a temperature and / or weathering, for example precipitation, to which the vehicle is exposed be.

If the at least one or the respective variably adjustable control element is actuated by a user, this or that function which is selected for the variable control element and is currently assigned to the variably adjustable control element is carried out.

The system according to the invention is designed for setting an operating device of a vehicle, the operating device having at least one variably adjustable operating element. The system has a control module that is designed to suggest a selection of functions for occupying the at least one variable control element to a user of the vehicle, depending on a current context that results for the vehicle, the user having at least one function for the at least one variably adjustable control element is selected or is selectable or can be selected, the control module being designed to automatically assign this at least one function to the at least one variably adjustable control element or to assign this function to the at least one variably adjustable control element.

In one embodiment, the control module has a control display field which is designed to display to the user on the control display field a setting menu on which the selection of functions is displayed.

Furthermore, the control module can have at least one selection element for selecting the at least one function and possibly for assigning the at least one function to the at least one variably adjustable operating element.

The system can be used for an operating device which has a button, a button and / or a slide as the at least one variably adjustable operating element.

The system can furthermore have at least one operating display field which is assigned to the at least one variably adjustable operating element, an operating display field being assigned to each variably adjustable operating element. The at least one operating display field is designed to display a symbol that represents the function currently selected by the user that is currently assigned to the at least one variably adjustable operating element.

In a further embodiment, the system can have at least one detection device, for example at least one sensor and / or a navigation system, which is designed to detect the current context, for example the current operating situation, and to provide information about it to the control module .

With the method and the system, it is possible to design the at least one variably adjustable operating element of the operating device as a so-called context-sensitive joker key or context-dependent freely assignable key for entering commands for performing functions. It is provided that a context provided here corresponds to the operating situation in which the vehicle with the operating device is currently located. Depending on the current context, e.g. the corresponding operating situation of the vehicle, the function that depends on the current operating situation is automatically proposed to the user for selection for the at least one variably adjustable control element, this function being dependent on the operating mode, the position, the operating state and / or the time can be.

By actuating the at least one variably adjustable control element, a command for carrying out the function currently assigned to it can be executed. The at least one variably adjustable control element as a wildcard key can be offered to the driver as a user with several context-dependent functions that the user can configure, whereby a context-dependent setting of the control device, for example the respective operating situation, is made.

Various use cases of the operating device are conceivable during a journey of the vehicle, for each of which the user or driver can select a separate setting. For example, when driving manually, the at least one can be variably set Operating element or a corresponding key can be assigned a basic assignment that provides at least one definable, for example, basic function. This also applies to other contexts, such as driving with active route guidance or navigation, automated driving, an active parking maneuver in particular, but also position-dependent operating situations as contexts, such as reaching a so-called home zone or a destination area around the place of residence or home In this case, a variably adjustable control element can be assigned, for example, a function with which an automatic opening of a garage door of a garage is triggered for the vehicle.

If the vehicle is driven electrically, for example, a charge state of an electrical energy store, for example a high-voltage battery, can also be monitored and / or controlled as its operating state. If the state of charge reaches a value that is lower than a threshold value, a so-called range mode function, for example, can be proposed, selected and assigned for the at least one variably adjustable operating element.

Alternatively or in addition, a function can be proposed, selected and assigned for the at least one variably adjustable control element that causes the vehicle to be navigated to a nearest charging station, for example a charging station, when the at least one variably adjustable control element is activated.

In a further conceivable embodiment, the user can also be offered a functional prioritization of the joker button or of the at least one variably adjustable operating element depending on the availability of a respective function. It is thus possible for the at least one variably adjustable control element, for example, to be assigned a function for announcing a navigation device only when route guidance is active. If the route guidance should not be active, the at least one variably adjustable control element can alternatively be assigned a function that causes a current and / or last traffic announcement from the radio to be repeated.

In a further possible embodiment, the presented system can be designed to be self-learning if actions of the user are recognized as operating situations in the above-mentioned use cases. It is possible in a respective operating situation to automatically suggest a most popular or most frequently selected and / or prompted function or user action for the at least one variably adjustable control element for selection and to save this function on the at least one variably adjustable control element, if the user otherwise does not have such a function in direct access.

Such a function can, for example, relate to a call to a specific person on their way home from work. A definition of a selection option for a particular function that is dependent on the application can be made, for example, by opening the settings menu, e.g. B. can be carried out via a so-called long push, the joker button as a variably adjustable control element. In such a setting menu, the user can select corresponding, predefined use cases and associated functions. In a further embodiment, only those functions are proposed for selection in the setting menu for the at least one context-sensitive, variably adjustable control element or for the joker button that match the current application and thus a corresponding operating situation.

Alternatively or in addition, the at least one control element, for example the button, can also be equipped with an intelligent control system, e.g. B. an artificial intelligence and / or a digital assistance system, linked and / or combined. The at least one operating element can be controlled and thus also controlled by this control system, this intelligent control system, for example by using artificial intelligence, being designed to recognize a particular context. This relates, for example, to a recognition of a specific need of the user in a respective specific context and / or a recognition of a specific context that arises on the basis of a specific need of the user.

The at least one variably adjustable control element or the at least one joker key for calling up a respectively desired function can be configured differently. It is thus possible to generate a symbol as a hardkey on the operator display field that is assigned to the respective function. This can also be a context-dependent symbol with which the respectively selected function is shown directly and schematically on the at least one variably adjustable operating element and can be recognized by the user. As an alternative or in addition, the at least one variably adjustable operating element can represent various assignable operating options. This concerns, for example, a short or a long press, if the at least one variably adjustable control element is designed as a button, or a sliding in different directions, if the at least one variably adjustable control element is designed as a slide. It is thus possible that the at least one control element for which the respective context-dependent function is selected, can be operated or actuated differently, taking into account in each case how long the operating element is actuated, for example pressed.

The result of the method and the system is that the user can use the at least one button as desired in each application case during his journey, whereby he can save several operating steps if necessary. This means that the user is less distracted from an actual driving task and also gains time for other activities.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention is shown schematically on the basis of embodiments in the drawing and is described schematically and in detail with reference to the drawing.

1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the system according to the invention for performing an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

the 1 shows a schematic representation of an example of an operating device 2 , the several variably adjustable control elements 4th , 6th has, with only two variably adjustable controls here 4th , 6th , here a first variably adjustable control element 4th and an nth variably adjustable control element 6th , are explicitly shown.

Also shows 1 in a schematic representation the embodiment of the system according to the invention 8th , this is a control module 10 with a control display field 12th has, on which a setting menu 14th is pictured. In addition, the system 8th as additional components, several variably adjustable control display fields 16 , 18th each with an operating display field 16 , 18th here on an outwardly visible surface of a respective control element 4th , 6th is arranged.

The operating device 2 and the system 8th are provided here for a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle. In the embodiment of the method, at least one sensor (not shown) is used to detect a context in which the vehicle is located during its operation, ie at least while driving and possibly also at a standstill. Such a context or such an operating situation of the vehicle can, among other things, depend on a respective operating mode of the vehicle, a position of the vehicle, which can be detected, for example, with a navigation device as the at least one sensor, an operating state of the vehicle and / or actions or Activities of a user, usually a driver, depend on the vehicle. It is also possible that the context, for example through the control module 10 can be detected using an algorithm that merges information from several sensors, for example uses and / or is based on such information.

It is provided here that in a respective context, for example in a respective operating situation, different functions can be carried out by the vehicle and / or for the vehicle, which functions are correspondingly context-dependent. Thus, first functions can be carried out in a first operating situation and second functions can be carried out in a second operating situation that differs therefrom, the two sets of functions differing from one another by at least one function.

As soon as a respective operating situation occurs and / or has been recorded, the corresponding functions are available to the user via the settings menu 14th on the control display panel 12th presented optically and suggested to the user for selection. Now the user can use a selection element 20th of the control module 10 Select at least one function from all the functions proposed for selection and at least one variably adjustable control element 4th , 6th assign and / or assign.

In the presented embodiment of the method, the first control element is here 4th assigned a first function, which is on its operating display field 16 is shown schematically and / or symbolized here by the symbol "x1". Furthermore, the n-th control element 6th assigned an nth function, which is here on the control display field 18th of the nth control element 6th is schematically represented or symbolized by a symbol "xn".

As soon as a respective control element 4th , 6th is assigned a respective function, it is assigned this function. The user now has the option of a control element 4th , 6th to be operated, for example actuated, as required, causing that function of the vehicle to be carried out which is currently assigned and thus assigned to the respectively operated, for example actuated control element.

List of reference symbols

2

Control device

4, 6

variably adjustable control element

8th

system

10

Control module

12th

Control display field

14th

Settings menu

16, 18

Control panel

20th

Selection element

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• US 2007136694 A1 [0005]
• US 10180785 B2 [0006]
• US 2011060589 A1 [0007]

Claims (9)

A method for setting an operating device (2) of a vehicle, the operating device (2) having at least one variably adjustable operating element (4, 6), with a user of the vehicle making a selection depending on a current context that results for the vehicle Functions for occupying the at least one variable control element (4, 6) are proposed, with at least one function being selected by the user for the at least one variably adjustable control element (4, 6), this at least one function being assigned to the at least one variably adjustable control element ( 4, 6). Procedure according to Claim 1 , in which the current context depends on a current operating mode of the vehicle. Procedure according to Claim 2 , in which manual driving, driving with active route guidance, assisted, partially automated or fully automated driving or a parking maneuver is provided as the operating mode of the vehicle. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the current context is dependent on a current position of the vehicle. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the current context is dependent on the use of the vehicle by the user. System for setting an operating device (2) of a vehicle, the operating device (2) having at least one variably adjustable operating element (4, 6), the system (8) having a control module (10) which is designed to be dependent on one The current context that arises for the vehicle is to propose a selection of functions to a user of the vehicle for occupying the at least one variable operating element (4, 6), with the user providing at least one function for the at least one variably adjustable operating element (4, 6 ) can be selected, the control module (10) being designed to assign this at least one function to the at least one variably adjustable operating element (4, 6). System according to Claim 6 , in which the control module (10) has a control display field (12) which is designed to display a setting menu (14) to the user on the control display field (12), on which the selection of functions is displayed. System according to Claim 6 or 7th , in which the control module (10) has at least one selection element (20) for selecting the at least one function. System according to one of the Claims 5 until 8th , which has at least one operating display field (16, 18) which is assigned to the at least one variably adjustable operating element (4, 6), each variably adjustable operating element (4, 6) being assigned an operating display field (16, 18), the at least an operating display field (16, 18) is designed to display a symbol that represents the function that is assigned to the at least one variably adjustable operating element (4, 6).

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