WO2010025781A1

WO2010025781A1 - Method and device for displaying information in a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2010025781A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/066918
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christoph WÄLLER; Markus Missall; Chris Horstmann; Oliver Meyer
Original assignee: Volkswagen Ag
Priority date: 2008-09-03
Filing date: 2008-12-05
Publication date: 2010-03-11
Also published as: WO2010026044A1; DE102008051051A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for displaying information in a vehicle. In said method, part of an entire piece of information is displayed on a display panel (2), the size of the displayed part being dependent on a magnification factor at which the part is displayed on the display panel, and the displayed part of the entire piece of information is modified by means of a control process performed by a user, the extent of the modification of the displayed information being dependent on the control process and the magnification factor of the displayed information. The magnification factor for the control process changes in accordance with a control situation. The invention further relates to a device for carrying out said method.

Description

Method and device for displaying information in one

vehicle

The present invention relates to a method for displaying information in a vehicle in which a subset of total information is displayed from a display area, the size of the displayed subset depending on a magnification factor with which the subset is displayed on the display area, and the displayed Subset of the total information is changed by an operation of a user, wherein the size of the change of the displayed information of the operation and the magnification of the displayed information, in particular the length of an operating movement of the operating process and / or an operating time of the operation and the magnification of the displayed information depends. The inventive device for displaying information in a vehicle comprises a display device with a display area, a memory for storing a total information, of which a subset can be displayed on the display area, wherein the size of the displayable subset depends on a magnification factor with which the subset the display area is displayed, and an operator operable by a user to change the displayed Teilmen- the total information by an operation, wherein the size of the change of the displayed information from the operation and the magnification of the displayed information, in particular depends on the length of an operating movement of the operation and / or an operation time of the operation and on the magnification factor of the displayed information.

In a vehicle, conventionally various information is displayed, which in particular visually depicts operational data of the vehicle for the driver. Furthermore, traffic-related data for the driver can be displayed in the vehicle. Analogue mechanical gauges used to be used to display this information. These were located in particular within the so-called instrument cluster near the driver's primary field of vision behind the steering wheel. The instrument cluster is used in particular to display the speed, the tank contents, the radiator temperature and other operational information of the vehicle.

With the increase in electronic equipment in the vehicle, it has become necessary to represent a larger amount of information in the vehicle. Modern vehicles include For example, a variety of driver assistance systems whose information must be displayed in the vehicle. Furthermore, vehicles often include a navigation system. By means of such a navigation system, digital geographic road maps with a route and possibly a variety of additional information can be displayed. Finally, modern vehicles often include communications and multimedia applications, including a mobile phone interface and music and voice reproduction devices. Also for these applications, the vehicle must be able to display information.

For this reason, multifunction control systems are often used in vehicles, which include one or more multi-function display (s) and controls that can be used to control the various devices contained in the vehicle. The operation is supported or guided by the information displayed on the multifunction display. Furthermore, the operating system can be used to select which information is to be displayed on the multifunction display.

In order to display the diverse information flexibly, z. For example, freely programmable displays are used which often also reproduce conventional mechanical instruments. In DE 10 2006 032 1 18 A1, for example, an instrument cluster for a motor vehicle is described, which includes a display with the variably the speed of the motor vehicle, the speed of the engine of the motor vehicle, the temperature of the engine of the motor vehicle, the tank filling and / or the time can be displayed. In addition, it is possible to display information of a navigation system, a telephone, a music system, an infotainment system and / or an air conditioning system.

In addition to the instrument cluster, a display device is often arranged above the center console of the vehicle, via which further information can be displayed. This display device is used in particular as a multi-function display and for displaying a geographical map of a navigation system. Such a multifunction display is described for example in DE 199 41 956 A1.

The multifunction displays are operated in conjunction with an operating system which can include various operating elements. In DE 199 41 956 A1 z. B. several selection and function keys for controlling the vehicle provided. On the other hand, DE 199 41 960 A1 describes a multifunction control element for selecting function groups and individual functions, which comprises a bidirectionally rotatable cylinder, which is also movable perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

Furthermore, EP 0 366 132 B1 discloses a multifunctional operating device in which the selection of functional groups and the selection of individual functions is effected by means of a rotary pushbutton switch, in which the switch can be actuated in the direction of the axis of rotation. From DE 199 44 324 a multi-function operating device is known, which has a rotary switch for selecting functions that can be displayed within a display panel of a display. To the rotary switch around pressure switches are arranged, which are also assigned display fields of the display. Finally, DE 103 24 579 A1 discloses an operating device for controlling vehicle devices, which has a touch-sensitive control panel.

In addition to the remote controls described above, it has also been proposed to equip the display itself with a touch-sensitive surface and in this way to provide a so-called touchscreen. In such a touchscreen, the operation is carried out in that the user z. B. touches the touch screen with his fingertip. The position of the touch is detected, evaluated and assigned to an operating step. To support the user in the operation, virtual switches can be displayed on the display as graphical buttons. A display device with a touch-sensitive surface, which is used in conjunction with a navigation system, is described for example in DE 10 2005 020 155 A1.

For the display of information in a vehicle and for the operation of the various facilities of the vehicle very specific requirements arise. The information is recorded and operated in the vehicle by, among other things, the driver. The information should thus be displayed in the vehicle so that the information recording by the driver does not lead to a distraction while driving. The information presented should therefore be intuitively and quickly detectable by the driver, so that he only has to take his eyes off the driving experience for a very short time for the information recording. Similarly, the operation of the vehicle equipment should be as simple and intuitive as possible, so that the driver can operate the equipment while driving. If the operation is interrupted by a display supported or guided, the display should be such that the operator for the operation only very briefly to view the display to perform the operation.

The representation of information in a vehicle is in many cases in that a subset of a total information is displayed on the display area in the vehicle and the user can change the subset. The total information may, for example, relate to a list with a plurality of list entries. From the overall list, a subset of the list entries is displayed. Through an operation, the user can scroll (scroll) to bring other list entries to display. In the operation, the user can, for example, perform a control movement of a certain length. Further, the user can operate, for example, a control for a certain period of operation. The magnitude of the change in displayed information, d. H. In this case, the number of positions by which the list entries that are displayed change depends on the length of the operating movement or the duration of the operation. Furthermore, the magnitude of this change depends on the magnification factor with which the list is displayed. Namely, in a certain display area z. If, for example, four list entries are displayed, the change in the displayed information is smaller for a given length of the operating movement or a specific operating time than in the case in which six list entries are reproduced in the corresponding display area for the operating procedure. In particular, if the length of an operating movement determines how large the change in the list, the operation is particularly intuitive for the user, since the displayed list is moved by the operating movement in a certain direction, with a larger magnification, the position of the displayed list entries less changed than a smaller magnification factor.

It should be noted that the magnification factor refers to an arbitrary basic representation scale. The magnification factor may be greater than, less than, or equal to one, such that it also includes reductions relative to the basic scale.

Does the total information a very large amount of data such. B. a very long

List with many list entries or a geographic map, the problem arises that the operation for scrolling to very distant list entries or areas of the map requires a great deal of time and attention from the user. reached. However, as explained above, this is disadvantageous for use in a vehicle.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and a device of the type mentioned, with a simple and intuitive for the user, a change in the displayed subset of the total information can be done so that the required operation as quickly as possible can be performed and requires the user to the lowest possible level of attention.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a device having the features of claim 18. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the subclaims.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that the magnification factor for the operating process changes as a function of an operating situation. In particular, the magnification factor is reduced, so that a greater change in the displayed information in an otherwise identical operation, ie. H. especially with the same length of the operating movement or the same operating time results.

The amount of change of the displayed information is particularly correlated with the speed of change of the displayed subset of the total information. At a small magnification factor, i. H. a smaller representation of a certain amount of information, this is changed during the operation faster or faster than at a larger magnification factor, d. H. in a larger representation of a certain amount of information in the same operation. In the method according to the invention, the displayed subset of the total information can thus be changed faster by the fact that the magnification factor of the displayed information is automatically reduced by the operating situation for the operating procedure.

In conventional operations, the speed at which the displayed subset of the total information changes to a user's input is constant. Furthermore, it is possible for the user to increase the speed by operating a control device permanently and continuously for a certain time. This way, the speed at which the displayed subset of the total formation changes, to increase, is particularly disadvantageous when used in a vehicle, since the operating time and thus the risk of distraction for a driver who operates the operating device increases for this purpose. In addition, vibrations and vibrations occurring in the vehicle make continuous operation of the operating device more difficult, so that there is a risk that the operating procedure will be interrupted unintentionally.

In the method according to the invention, the user can change the speed at which the displayed subset of the total information changes by an operating situation that causes the magnification factor for the operating procedure to change, in particular to decrease, so that the speed is increased. As a result, the operating time can thus be shortened considerably. This contributes to the safe driving of the vehicle.

According to one embodiment of the inventive method, the total information is a list with a plurality of list entries, of which only a subset is displayed, wherein the number of list entries of the subset depends on the magnification factor. In the case of a passage through a long list, the list representation is thus reduced in the method according to the invention as a function of the operating situation, so that significantly more list entries are displayed on a specific display area. The operating movement or the operating time of the operating process thus lead to the list being traversed faster, or the size of the change in the displayed information per unit time is changed more strongly.

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the total information represents a geographical map of which only a partial area is displayed, the map scale depending on the enlargement factor. Such a representation of a geographical map takes place in particular in connection with a navigation system of the vehicle. The user can now change the map section through the operation. In this case - in terms of visual terms - the displayed partial area is moved over the entire map. Since the display area is set to display the partial area of the entire map, the speed at which the area is moved over the entire map depends on the map scale. In the method according to the invention, the scale of the map is reduced for the operating procedure, so that a larger section of the geographical map is displayed by the display area and the section is thus moved faster over the entire map. Far away areas of the map can be displayed faster. The size of the change in the magnification factor can either be fixed or depend on the operating situation. Furthermore, it is possible that the magnification factor is changed continuously. Furthermore, the magnification factor can be changed in stages.

According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the enlargement factor is reset to the original value at the end of the operating procedure. The change in the magnification factor in this case thus only results in that the displayed subset of the total information can be changed more quickly, but not to a different type of representation after completion of the operation.

According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the operating situation is determined by the operating procedure. For example, a surface of the display surface or a surface of an operating device may be touch-sensitive for the operation. In this case, the touch-sensitive surface is operated during the operation. The display area is thus part of a touch screen or the surface of the operating device part of a touchpad. The operation is carried out by, for example, touching with his fingertip the touch-sensitive surface of the display surface or the operating device at a certain position or performing a certain movement on the touch-sensitive surface.

Furthermore, the touch-sensitive surface of the display surface or the operating device may be designed so that with it the simultaneous touch at different areas is detectable (so-called multi-touch screen / touchpad). In this case, the operating procedure and / or the operating situation determined by the operating process may be a gesture executed on the touch-sensitive surface in which the surface of the display surface or the operating device is simultaneously touched in at least two delimitable areas. In the gesture, a movement can be performed for the two areas. For example, two fingertips may be passed over the surface of the display surface or control in a particular manner.

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the size of the change in the magnification factor depends on the number of definable regions. or the size of the area at which or in which the touch-sensitive surface of the display surface is simultaneously touched during the operating process and / or the operating situation determined by the operating process. For example, if the touch-sensitive surface is touched simultaneously with two fingertips, the magnification factor can be reduced a great deal less than if the touch-sensitive surface is touched with more than two fingertips simultaneously. Further, the magnification factor can not be changed at all if the touch-sensitive surface is touched with only a fingertip.

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, in the operating process, the touch-sensitive surface of the display surface or the operating device is touched simultaneously at two areas, the areas are moved away from each other to increase the magnification and the areas are moved towards each other to reduce the magnification. The gesture in this case is a so-called multi-touch zoom. In this case, to change the subset of total information as quickly as possible, the two areas touched on the touch-sensitive surface are moved toward each other, thereby reducing the magnification factor. At the same time, this operation causes the displayed subset of the total information to be changed according to the new magnification factor for the operation.

According to another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the operating situation is determined by an operating process in which the touch-sensitive surface of the display surface or the operating device for reducing the magnification factor simultaneously touches two areas. To change the displayed subset of the total information, the areas on the surface are moved during the operation. The operation gesture executed in this case corresponds to a so-called multi-touch drag. The simultaneous contact of the surface of the display surface or the operating device is interpreted as an operating situation, which leads to a reduction of the magnification factor. The length of the shifting of the areas causes a change in the displayed subset of the total information, the size of which depends on the reduced magnification factor determined for the operating procedure and the length of the shifting of the areas. For example, as described above, when a subset of a list is displayed, the list may be touched with two fingers and moved in the direction of the list items to be displayed. According to another embodiment of the method according to the invention, a mechanical operating element is actuated during the operating process. In this case, the operating situation can be determined by an operating procedure in which the mechanical operating element is actuated with a rapid movement. If a touch-sensitive surface is operated in the operation as described above, the operation situation may be determined by an operation in which a quick movement is performed via the touch-sensitive surface of the display surface. In this case, a "rapid movement" is understood to mean a specific actuating movement that is executed within a predetermined time, such as, for example, 100 ms If the mechanical operating element is, for example, a turntable, there is a quick actuation of the turntable Such a rapid movement is interpreted in the method according to the invention as an operating situation which leads to a change of the magnification factor for the operating procedure The magnification factor may depend on the speed or the frequency of the operation during the operation.

According to another embodiment, the operating situation may be determined by an operating process in which the mechanical operating element or the touch-sensitive surface of the display surface or the operating device are actuated at an area for a long period of time. In this case, a "long time duration" is understood to mean that the touch-sensitive surface or the operating element is actuated for longer than a predefined time interval of, for example, 100 ms Such an actuation is then interpreted as an operating situation that leads to a change in the magnification factor The extent of the change in the magnification factor may depend on the duration of the actuation

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the force exerted by the user during the operating process is detected and the operating situation which leads to the change in the magnification factor depends on the force exerted by the user during the operating procedure. For example, the force exerted on touching the touchscreen or the touchpad can be detected. Furthermore, the force exerted on the element by the user when a mechanical operating element is actuated can be detected. If this force exceeds a certain threshold value, this is interpreted as an operating situation in which the magnification factor changes, in particular decreases. Furthermore, the force determine the operation itself. Depending on the magnitude of the force, it is determined by which amount the displayed subset of the total information changes.

In this embodiment of the method according to the invention, the user can also control the speed with which the displayed subset of the total information changes via the force with which he actuates the operating device. As a result, thus the operating time can be further shortened. In addition, the control of the speed at which the displayed subset changes is intuitively understood by the user through the force exerted on the input device, so that the operation can be performed very easily for the user.

Further, taking into account the area to which the force is applied by the user, the pressure applied during the operation can also be detected, and the speed at which the displayed subset of the total information varies depends in this case on the pressure applied. In the following, therefore, no distinction is made between the variables pressure and force in detail.

The speed with which the displayed subset of the total information is changed is in particular the higher, the greater the force exerted by the user during the operation. The user can thus increase the speed by pressing more on the operating device.

According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the force which can be exerted during the operation is subdivided into regions. The speed with which the displayed subset of the total information is changed in this case depends on the area in which the applied force falls. In this case, the speed is thus changed stepwise when certain threshold values are exceeded.

According to another embodiment, the speed with which the displayed subset of the total information is changed depends on the applied force in the following way:

v = FD, where v is the velocity, F is the applied force and D is a damping factor. There is thus a linear relationship between the applied force and the speed at which the displayed subset of the total information is changed.

According to another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the operating situation is determined by a driving-specific parameter. For example, the speed of the vehicle can be measured. The operating situation in this case depends on the speed of the vehicle. For example, at higher speeds, the magnification factor can be reduced to a greater extent so that the amount of change in displayed information is greater for a given operation than for lower speeds.

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the richness of detail of elements of the displayed information depends on the magnification factor of the displayed information. If the displayed information is greatly reduced, for example, for the operation by z. For example, if the touch-sensitive surface of the display panel is touched with multiple fingertips, elements of the displayed information that were originally displayed with a great amount of detail can be transformed so that only the relevant structural elements of the elements are displayed. If the displayed subset is, for example, a list, the list entries can only display the first letter of the list entries in the case of a large reduction. If the displayed subset is a geographic map, reducing the size of the map can only display major traffic routes and cities that exceed a certain order of magnitude. Upon completion of the operation, when the magnification factor is restored to its original size, the elements are also displayed in their original richness of detail.

The device according to the invention is characterized in that the display on the display surface is controllable such that the magnification factor for the operating process changes as a function of an operating situation.

The device according to the invention is in particular designed such that it can partially or completely execute the method steps described above. According to one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the total information is a list with a plurality of list entries, of which only a subset can be displayed. In this case, the number of list entries of the subset depends on the magnification factor. Furthermore, the total information can represent a geographical map, of which only a partial area can be displayed. In this case, the map scale depends on the magnification factor.

According to one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the operating situation is determined by the operating process itself. The operating process comprises in particular the operating processes described above with reference to the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the operating device comprises, for example, a touch-sensitive surface. This surface can be part of a so-called touchpad. Furthermore, the surface may be formed on the display surface, i. H. the display device is equipped with a touch screen. The touchpad or the touchscreen can be designed in particular as a multi-touchpad / touchscreen, d. H. with the touch-sensitive surface, the simultaneous contact is detectable at different areas. The size of the area may be based, for example, on the size of the area occupied by the touch of a user's fingertip.

Furthermore, the operating device may comprise a mechanical operating element. This control is z. As a mechanical turntable, a control element which is operable in two dimensions, or a joystick to move the displayed subset in different directions on the display surface.

The operating device may further comprise a sensor for detecting the operating speed of the mechanical operating element, for detecting the duration of the contact of the mechanical operating element and / or for detecting the release of the mechanical operating element. For example, the operating device may comprise an infrared-based or capacitive touch sensor system.

The operating device may further comprise a pressure-sensitive surface with which the force exerted during the actuation of the operating device is detectable. The force can for example be detected resistively or capacitively. According to one embodiment of the operating device according to the invention, the pressure-sensitive surface is formed on a touchscreen or a touchpad, so that the force can be detected in a spatially resolved manner, ie it can be detected at which point and given If necessary, the force is applied to the touch-sensitive surface on a soft surface.

According to a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the operating situation is determined by a driving-specific parameter. In particular, the device comprises a sensor for measuring the speed of the vehicle, in which case the operating situation depends on the speed of the vehicle.

It should be noted that the operating situation may indeed be determined by the operating procedure. However, the operating situation represents an event that is otherwise independent of the operating procedure. In particular, the operating procedure does not relate to the change in the magnification factor for the display of the information on the display area. With the operation, the displayed subset of the total information in another way, such. B. by shifting the subset within the overall information changed. The occurrence of a specific operating situation, as explained above, means that for the operating procedure, which does not lead to a change in the magnification factor per se, the magnification factor of the information display on the display area briefly, d. H. for the operation, is changed to exert an influence on how the displayed information changes for a given operation.

The invention will now be explained with reference to embodiments with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the structure of a first exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention and the coupling of this device with other devices of the vehicle,

FIG. 2 schematically shows the structure of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention and the coupling of this device with other devices of the vehicle,

FIG. 3 shows an example of the top view of the touch-sensitive surface of an operating device,

Figures 4A and 4B show displays of the display device according to an embodiment of the method according to the invention, Figures 5A and 5B show displays of the display device according to another embodiment of the method according to the invention and

Figures 6A to 6C show displays of the display device according to yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention.

The device for displaying information in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprises a display device 1 with a display surface 2, which is arranged in the interior of the vehicle so that it is clearly visible by at least one vehicle occupant, in particular the driver. The display surface 2 can be provided by a display, in particular a liquid crystal display, of any type. The display device is coupled to a control device 3.

The control device 3 generates graphic data that can be displayed by means of the display device 1. The control device 3 is for this purpose connected to a memory 4 for storing data. The data may include so-called total information associated with a particular information area. Of this total information, only a subset can be displayed on the display surface 2 of the display device 1, as will be explained later.

The control device 3 is also part of an operating device which can be actuated by a user in order to change the displayed subset of the total information by an operating procedure. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the operating device comprises a touch-sensitive surface 5 of the display surface 2. The display device 1 thus comprises a touchscreen. On the touch-sensitive surface 5 of the display surface 2, in particular, the simultaneous contact at different areas is detectable. It is therefore a so-called multi-touch screen.

Alternatively, the touch-sensitive surface may also be provided separately from the display surface 2. In this case, the operating device thus comprises a touchpad.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the operating device comprises a mechanical operating element 7, the z. B. may be formed as a turntable. The mechanical operating element 7 is coupled to the control device 3. The tax Direction 3 is designed so that by an operation of the surface 5 of the display surface 2 and the mechanical operating element 7, the information displayed on the display surface 2 information can be changed by the user. By actuating the touch-sensitive surface 5 or by the mechanical operating element 7, the user can in particular change the displayed subset of the total information.

The mechanical operating element 7 can also be a push-button switch with which directions of movement for changing the displayed information can be controlled. Finally, the mechanical operating element 7 can also be a digital or analogue joystick.

When the touch-sensitive surface 5 is actuated or when the mechanical operating element 7 is actuated, the control device 3 can detect, in particular, the actuation speed, the actuation or contact duration and the release of the surface 5 or the operating element 7. The control device 3 and the mechanical operating element 7 include corresponding sensors for this purpose. This may be, for example, an infrared-based or capacitive touch sensor. Furthermore, in the case of a mechanical operating element 7, a translation or angular deflection can be detected.

According to a further embodiment, the operating device comprises a pressure-sensitive surface, with which the force exerted during the actuation of the operating device can be detected. The pressure-sensitive surface may be a so-called touchpad. Furthermore, a surface of a control element 7 may comprise the pressure-sensitive surface. Finally, the display surface 2 of the display device 1 may have the pressure-sensitive surface, so that the operating device in this case is a pressure-sensitive touchscreen.

According to a specific embodiment of the pressure-sensitive operating device, the surface 12 is in operative connection with a first layer, which has a plurality of conductive traces, which are aligned on the surface of the layer in a first direction. Further, a second layer is provided which also has a plurality of conductive traces aligned in a second direction on the surface of the second layer. Between the two layers a deformable dielectric membrane is arranged. By arranging the two layers and the membrane, it is possible that a capacitance image is obtained by means of the conductive traces of the two layers when a force is exerted on the first layer. This capacity Image shows the magnitude of the force exerted on the surface 5 at the respective positions. Further details and embodiments can be found in EP 1 840 715 A2, which is incorporated by reference in the present application.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a plan view of the pressure-sensitive surface 12 of an operating device 13. The surface 12 comprises four operating elements 13 to 16, which indicate arrows indicating in which direction an object 7 shown on the display surface 2 should be displaced which direction the subset indicated by the display surface 2, such as the subset shown in FIG. B. a section in a virtual plane to be moved.

Furthermore, the control device 3 is coupled to a vehicle bus 6, via which data can be exchanged with various devices of the vehicle. In particular, the current vehicle speed can be transmitted via the vehicle bus 6 to the control device 3.

In the following, a first exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention is explained with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which can be carried out by the devices described above:

In this embodiment, the total information is a list 8 having a plurality of list entries 9, of which only a subset is displayed. The number of list entries 9 of the displayed subset depends on the magnification factor for the display of the list 8. FIG. 4A shows the case in which the magnification factor is selected such that a total of six list entries 9 of the list 8 are displayed on the display area 2. The displayed subset can now be changed by an operating procedure of a user. In particular, the user may cause scrolling. In the process, display images are successively reproduced on the display area 2 in which list entries 9 successively disappear and other list entries are displayed. If the user, for example, scrolls down from the display of FIG. 4A, first the first list entry 9 disappears and after the sixth list entry 9 the seventh list entry appears. Then the second list entry 9 disappears and after the seventh list entry the eighth list entry appears, etc. The size or the speed of scrolling depends on the one hand on the operation described later and on the other of the magnification of the information displayed. In this case, the speed of scrolling, ie the change of the displayed subset, is understood in which time unit a list entry disappears and a different list entry is displayed for this purpose. The speed of the change is the higher, the smaller the magnification factor, ie the smaller the displayed subset of the total information is displayed, ie the more list entries 9 are displayed on the display surface 2.

The inventive method is characterized in particular by the fact that the magnification factor for the operation, d. H. in the present case for scrolling, depending on a later described operating situation changed. If the control device 3 determines from the operating situation that, for example, the magnification factor for the scrolling is to be reduced, corresponding graphics data are generated by the control device 3, which results in the displayed subset of the total information having a smaller magnification factor on the display area 2 is shown. This usually results in the subset containing more information. In this example, increasing the magnification will result in more list entries. FIG. 4B shows the case in which the enlargement factor for the scrolling has been reduced so that twelve list entries 9 are displayed.

Since the speed of scrolling depends on the magnification factor, in a given operation, after the reduction of the magnification, as shown in Figure 4B, a faster scroll is performed than would be the case in the illustration shown in Figure 4A. Depending on an operating situation, the user can thus cause a faster scrolling with a specific operation and thus scroll through the list 8 faster.

After completion of the operation, the magnification factor is reset to the original value at which six list entries 9 are reproduced from the display area 2 in the present example. In order to make clear in the representation with the reduced magnification factor, which is shown in FIG. 4B, which list entries are displayed after the resetting of the magnification factor, a frame 10 is displayed in the illustration with the reduced magnification factor, which after reset of the magnification displayed list entries 9. In the following, various operations are described which lead to a scrolling of the list 8. Furthermore, these operating processes are distinguished by the fact that they also determine the operating situation, which leads to the fact that the magnification factor according to which the speed of the scrolling is directed changes, in particular decreases.

If the display device 1 as described with reference to Figure 1 configured as a multi-touch screen, it may be in the operation z. Example, a so-called multi-touch zoom, in which the user touches the surface 5 of the display surface 2 simultaneously with two fingers and the areas where he touches the surface 5, away from each other (zoom-in) or towards each other moves (zoom out). The input generated by this multi-touch gesture may vary the magnification either steplessly, depending on how far the areas are moved toward or away from each other. Alternatively, possible magnification factors may be predetermined, which are selected depending on the extent to which the areas have been moved away from each other or towards each other.

After a certain time interval of z. B. three seconds, within which no manual interaction with the touch-sensitive surface 5 has been made, the magnification factor is reset to the original value. Similarly, upon selection of a list entry 9, the representation is reset to the original enlargement factor, whereby the selected list entry 9 is reproduced centrally on the display surface 2.

The scrolling within the list 8 may be caused either by the multi-touch zoom gesture or by a separate actuation of the touch-sensitive surface 5. For example, the direction (vertical or horizontal or diagonal) in which the areas where the fingers touch the touch-sensitive surface 5, are moved towards each other, are interpreted by the control device 3 so that a scroll up or down in the list 8 should be made. On the other hand, after the multi-touch zoom gesture, a shift gesture may be performed on the touch-sensitive surface 5, where the user guides the fingertip up or down across the touch-sensitive surface 5, causing the user to scroll up or down leads. For example, if the user guides his fingertip down a certain distance on the touch-sensitive surface 5, which vertically on the display surface 2 has a length z. B. corresponds to three list entries, the displayed subset of the list 8 would change in the representation of Figure 4A by three entries. In the case of the method according to the invention, however, since the magnification factor has changed for scrolling, as shown in FIG. 4B, in this case the same operating procedure, ie a movement of the fingertip on the touch-sensitive surface 5 by the same distance, leads to a change in the displayed list entries 9 by seven positions, because with the reduced magnification factor, as shown in FIG. 4B, the corresponding route corresponds to seven list entries 9. With a given operating movement of the operating procedure, the user can thus generate a much faster scrolling because the magnification factor for the operating procedure has been reduced. Likewise, when the multi-touch zoom gesture is performed, a corresponding operator gesture may result in correspondingly faster scrolling.

Furthermore, it is possible for the user to touch buttons on the touch-sensitive surface 5 in order to generate scrolling, in which corresponding icons for the buttons are displayed on the display surface 2. In this case, the size or rate of change of the subset, i. H. the displayed list entries 9, depending on the duration of touching these buttons change. In this case as well, a certain actuation time of the buttons in the method according to the invention leads to a faster scrolling since the scrolling factor is reduced as shown in FIG. 4B.

According to another example, a so-called multi-touch drag gesture is performed by the user on the touch-sensitive surface 5 of the display surface 2 as the user's operation, in which the user touches the touch-sensitive surface 5 simultaneously with two fingertips and simultaneously moves the touched areas in one direction. In the example shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, for example, the user can touch a list entry simultaneously with two fingers and then lead the two fingertips upwards. In this case, on the one hand, the simultaneous contact of two regions of the list entry 9 is interpreted as an operating situation, which leads to a reduction of the magnification factor. If the user touched the list entry with just one finger, the magnification factor would not change. The length of movement of the two fingertips touching the touch-sensitive surface 5, in addition to the magnification factor, determines the amount of change in the displayed information, ie how many list entries 9 the displayed subset of the list 8 changes. If the user allows the touch-sensitive surface 5 of the display surface 2 again, the representation is automatically reset to the original magnification factor.

In another example, the operating device does not use a touch-sensitive surface 5 of the display surface 2, but rather a mechanical operating element 7, as has been explained with reference to FIG. For example, to generate a scroll through the list 8, the turntable 7 can be used. In this case, as an operating situation, a fast rotation or a repeated fast rotation of the turntable 7 can be interpreted by the control device 3 such that the magnification factor for the display of the list 8 decreases as shown in FIG. 4B. In this case, a rapid rotation is understood, for example, to mean that within a given time interval of z. B. 100 ms at least a defined number of increments of the rotary actuator 7 is traversed. From the angle of rotation with which the turntable 7 has been rotated, the number of list entries by which the displayed subset of the list 8 changes can be determined. At the same time, the smaller the magnification factor for the scrolling, the larger the change at a certain angle of rotation. When releasing the turntable 7, which can be detected via an infrared-based or capacitive touch sensors, or in the absence of further interaction on the turntable 7 within a certain time interval of z. B. 3 seconds, the magnification factor is automatically reset to the original value and the changed subset of the list 8 is displayed on the display area 2. Similarly, when selecting a list entry 9, the magnification factor is reset and the selected list entry is placed centrally on the display area 2.

Furthermore, a very long or frequent pressing of a mechanical operating element or a virtual button which is displayed on the display surface 2 with a touch-sensitive surface 5 can be interpreted as the operating situation. For example, if a mechanical control or a button during a time interval of z. B. 100 ms permanently actuated or within a time interval of z. B. one second is pressed several times, the magnification factor for the representation of the list 8 is reduced either in discrete stages or analogous to the duration of the interaction. When you release the mechanical control element 7 or in the absence of further interaction on the element 7 for z. B. three seconds, the magnification factor is automatically reset to the initial value. Even with a selection of a list entry 9, the enlargement factor is reset and the selected list entry 9 is arranged centrally on the display surface 2. In a further embodiment, as explained above, the operating device is used with a pressure-sensitive surface 12, as shown for example in FIG. 3. In this case, a particularly strong pressing of one of the operating elements 13 to 16 can be interpreted as the operating situation. The magnification factor for the representation of the list 8 as shown in FIG. 4B thus decreases when the force exerted on the operating elements 13 to 16 exceeds a specific threshold which may be stored in the memory 4. After the magnification factor has been changed, the list is scrolled up, for example, when the operating element 15 is actuated, or scrolled down when the operating element 16 is actuated. After releasing the controls 13 to 16, the magnification factor for the display of the list 8 is reset to the original value.

In this example, the amount by which the magnification factor is changed when the applied force threshold is exceeded may depend on the applied force. For example, the larger the applied force, the smaller the magnification factor can be. Finally, the scrolling speed can also be directed to the operating elements 13 to 16 independently of the exceeding of a threshold value according to the applied force. For example, the speed at which the displayed subset of the total information changes may be determined as follows:

In the control device 3, the force exerted on the operating device under normal circumstances is divided into regions. The range limits thus represent

Each area is assigned a speed value, so that with increasing force, the speed in discrete steps when exceeding the

Range limits is increased. For example, the exercisable force can be divided into four areas.

Alternatively, the velocity may also change linearly with the applied force, so that the following relationship applies:

v = F D,

where v is the velocity, F is the applied force and D is a damping factor stored in the control device 3 and the memory 4, respectively. According to another embodiment of this embodiment, the operating situation is independent of the operation. For example, the reduction of the magnification factor may depend on the vehicle speed. At higher vehicle speeds, the display of the list 8 can be made smaller, so that a certain operating movement or duration leads to a greater change in the displayed subset of the list 8. Namely, when the driver of the vehicle performs the operation, it is particularly important at high speeds that he particularly fast by a z. B. can scroll very long list.

With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a further embodiment of the method according to the invention is described, which can be carried out by the devices described above:

In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, a portion of a geographical map 11 is displayed by the display surface 2. The display device 1 is in this case, for example, the display of a navigation system of the vehicle again. In this case, the user has the option of using the touch-sensitive surface 5 of the display surface 2 or a control element which comprises, for example, four arrow keys, as is shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 3, to move the displayed section in different directions.

The displayed section of the geographical map 11 can be displayed in different map scales. The map scale in this case corresponds to the magnification factor described above. For example, FIG. 5A shows a reproduction of the map section with a relatively large magnification factor. If, on the basis of this map scale, the user wants to move the map over a large area, for example by moving the fingertip over the touch-sensitive surface 5 of the display surface 2 or by actuating a push-button for a certain duration, the operation would take a relatively long time, until far away Areas of the map are displayed. For this reason, in the method of the present invention, as described in the first embodiment, the magnification factor, i. H. the map scale, depending on the operating situation changed, in particular reduced, as shown in Figure 5B.

The displayed on the geographic map 1 1 elements such. Roads, buildings or points of interest, which are graphically represented, may Change the scale of the map scale. In this case, the detail richness of the graphically represented elements can be reduced, in particular when the scale is reduced. For a smaller scale z. B. only relevant structural elements of the graphical representation of the elements are shown.

The operations and operations of the second embodiment may be substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, so that they will not be explained again.

Finally, it should be pointed out that the transition between the representations with different magnification factors takes place in each case animated, so that there are flowing transitions between the representations.

With reference to FIGS. 6A to 6C, a further embodiment of the method according to the invention is described, which can be carried out by the devices described above:

In this embodiment, the operating device comprises a display surface 2 with a touch-sensitive surface 5, on which the simultaneous contact at different areas is detectable. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the operating device is thus a multi-touch screen.

From the display area 2, as explained with reference to Figs. 4A and 4B, a list 8 of list items 9 may be displayed or, as explained with reference to Figs. 5A and 5B, a geographical map 11 may be displayed. An example of a display of a list 8 is shown in Figs. 6A to 6C.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the list 8 is first displayed at a magnification factor at which five list entries 9 are displayed on the display area 2. The user can change the displayed subset by operating, for example, by touching with his fingertip 17, the display surface 2 at the list 8 and then moves the fingertip 17 in a particular direction, in particular to the right or left on the display surface 2. When creating this scrolling or scrolling operation with only one fingertip, the magnification factor of the displayed information is not changed. However, as shown in Fig. 6A, when the user touches the touch-sensitive surface 5 with only one fingertip 17 instead of touching with two fingertips 17 and 18 as shown in Fig. 6B, the enlargement factor of Figs changed displayed information. However, in this embodiment, the amount of change of the magnification depends on the display of the demarcable areas or the size of the area where the touch-sensitive surface 5 of the display panel 2 is touched simultaneously. When the user touches the touch-sensitive surface 5 with two fingertips 17 and 18, either two mutually delimitable areas result, in which the touch-sensitive surface 5 of the display area 2 is touched or a larger area in which the surface 5 is touched.

In the present embodiment, the magnification factor is not changed when the touch-sensitive surface 5 is touched with only a fingertip 17, the magnification factor is reduced, e.g. B. halved when the touch-sensitive surface 5 is touched with two fingertips 17 and 18. The display that is displayed in such an operation performed by two fingertips 17 and 18 is shown in FIG. 6B.

If the touch-sensitive surface 5 is touched with even more fingertips, z. B. with three fingertips 17, 18 and 19, as shown in Fig. 6C, the magnification factor is further reduced, for example, again halved compared to the magnification factor in the contact with two fingertips 17 and 18. The display for this operation, with three fingertips 17, 18 and 19 is performed is shown in Fig. 6C.

In this way, the user can perform a quick and controlled movement of virtual objects, such as lists or maps, on a multi-touch screen with little effort and time. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 display device

2 display area

3 control device

4 memories

5 touch-sensitive surface

6 vehicle bus

7 mechanical control

8 list

9 List entry

10 frames

11 geographical map

12 pressure-sensitive surface

13-16 controls

17-19 fingertips

Claims

P AT EN TA NSPR O CHE

A method for displaying information in a vehicle, wherein - a subset of total information is displayed on a display area (2), the size of the displayed subset depending on a magnification factor with which the subset is displayed on the display area, and displayed subset of the total information is changed by an operation of a user, wherein the size of the change of the displayed information depends on the operation and the magnification of the displayed information, characterized in that the magnification factor for the operation changes depending on an operating situation ,

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the total information is a list (8) with a plurality of list entries (9), of which only a subset is displayed, and that the number of

List entries (9) of the subset depends on the magnification factor.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the total information represents a geographical map, of which only one

Part area is displayed, and that the map scale depends on the magnification factor.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the end of the operation of the magnification factor is reset to the original value.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating situation is determined by the operation.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a surface (5) of the display surface (2) or a surface of an operating device is touch-sensitive and that the touch-sensitive surface (5) is actuated during the operation.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that with the touch-sensitive surface (5) of the display surface (2) or the operating device, the simultaneous contact at different areas is detectable and that the operation and / or the operating process specific to the operation on the touch-sensitive surface (5) is performed, in which the display surface (2) is touched simultaneously at least two delimitable areas.

A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the magnitude of the change in the magnification depends on the number of demarcable areas or the size of the area where the touch-sensitive surface (5) of the display area (2) coincides with the Operation and / or the operating process specific to the operation is touched.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that in the operation, the touch-sensitive surface (5) of the display surface (2) or the operating device is touched simultaneously at two areas, which are moved away from each other to increase the magnification and to reduce the magnification factor be moved towards each other.

10. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the operating situation is determined by an operating operation, wherein the touch-sensitive surface (5) of the display surface (2) or the operating device for reducing the magnification factor simultaneously in two areas is touched, and in the operation for changing the displayed subset of the total information, the areas are shifted.

1 1. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the operating operation, a mechanical operating element (7) is actuated.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating situation is determined by an operating operation in which a fast movement over the touch-sensitive surface (5) of the display surface (2) is executed or the mechanical control element (7) with a fast Movement is actuated.

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the operating situation is determined by an operating operation, wherein the mechanical operating element (7) or the touch-sensitive surface (5) of the display surface (2) at a range for a long Duration is pressed.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force exerted by the user during the operation is detected and that the operating situation, which leads to the change of the magnification factor, depends on the force exerted by the user during the operation.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the operating situation is determined by a driving-specific parameters.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or 14, characterized in that the speed of the vehicle is measured and that the operating situation depends on the speed of the vehicle.

17. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized that the richness of detail of elements of the displayed information depends on the magnification factor of the displayed information.

18. A device for displaying information in a vehicle, comprising - a display device (1) with a display surface (2), a memory (4) for storing a total information, a subset of which can be displayed on the display surface (2), wherein the size the displayable subset depends on a magnification factor with which the subset is displayed on the display area (2), and - an operating device (3, 5, 3, 7), which is operable by a user, by a displayed subset of the total information Operation, wherein the amount of change of the displayed information depends on the operation and the magnification of the displayed information, characterized in that the display on the display surface (2) is controllable such that the magnification factor for the operation in dependence changed an operating situation.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the total information is a list (8) with a plurality of list entries (9), of which only a subset can be displayed, and that the number of list entries (9) of the subset of the magnification factor depends.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the total information represents a geographical map (1 1), of which only a partial area can be displayed, and that the map scale depends on the enlargement factor.

21. Device according to one of claims 19 to 20, characterized in that the operating device (3, 5) comprises a touch-sensitive surface (5) with which the simultaneous contact at different areas is detectable.

22. Device according to one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the operating device (3, 5, 3, 7) comprises a pressure-sensitive surface (12), with which the upon actuation of the operating device (3, 5, 3 , 7) can be detected.

23. Device according to one of the preceding claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the device comprises a sensor for measuring the speed of the vehicle and that the operating situation depends on the speed of the vehicle.