System and method for displaying alphanumeric and /or graphical characters

The invention relates to a system for displaying alphanumeric and / or graphical Characters according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for displaying alphanumeric and / or graphic characters claim 12th

There are already systems for displaying alphanumeric characters known which display the so-called hypertext allow. A hypertext is a text in which certain Passages (hyperlinks) with additional text or image information ( "help texts") are deposited. These passages (hyperlinks) are in accordance with the text in. If such a link is selected and called with a "mouse" so the control program jumps to the stored image or text information.

Furthermore, so-called touch screens or touch-sensitive screens (Touch screen) known. The operation of the associated done Control program by touching the screen. In various areas of contact the screen are proposed individual operating options and by touching one of these areas, the user triggers the generation of Input commands, which leads to the activation of the control program.

Due to finger size and screen resolution (drifting of the image, parallax) However, the accuracy under the kind of a touch screen can be selected the various services offered to select options, limited. Are two contact portions small and / or they are close to the Screen together so there is a risk that undesirable input commands generated will.

Starting from this prior art, the invention has the object, to provide a system and a method of the type mentioned, the risk of the reduce the generation of unwanted input commands.

This object is achieved by a system and a method shown by the claims are defined.

The invention is connected to a plurality of advantages. The invention System allows even error-free entries when displayed on the screen Characters that are selected for processing, are relatively small, so have a relatively small display size, and / or relatively close to one another selectable characters are arranged. To be costly programmatic Measures unnecessary, change the display format, for example, a Enlargement of the individual characters and / or the generation of a greater spacing the individual characters.

Advantageous embodiment of the exemplary system of the invention are characterized in that for the input of commands for selecting the characters touch switch are provided which is integrated in the screen. This is the one associated with the advantage that a separate input device for the inexperienced user is difficult to use, such as a "mouse" not provide is. On the other hand, the screen is at the same time for both the Representation of characters to select as well as for the presentation of information use ( "help texts") that are associated with the characters to select.

Further advantageous embodiments are characterized in the subclaims.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings:

It shows: <dl tsize="8"><dt>figure 1</dt><dd>a block diagram of a system according to the invention,</dd><dt>figure 2</dt><dd>a screen display in a system according to figure 1, and</dd><dt>figure 3</dt><dd>a block diagram of a control system for the control of Household appliances, in which an inventive system according to Figure 1 is used.</dd></dl>

1 shows an inventive system for displaying alphanumeric and / or graphic symbols shown. It has an optical display device MON, a MP controller and a memory MEM. As an optical display device MON In particular, a touch screen or a touch-sensitive screen (Touch screen) with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels used. As controller MP, a microprocessor is used, for example. The memory MEM is a hand for receiving a control program assigned to the control unit MP , and the other part of the information on the optical display device ( "Screen") are displayed. This information includes individual alphanumeric and / or graphic characters ( "net characters"), marking signs, which still describes and the net characters associated information such as text and / or Image Information us "help text" that the associated information characters explain.

are on the screen, as shown in Figure 2, individual usable characters or groups provided with a first flag. The first flag consists for example of an underline of usable characters, from a predetermined color and / or shape of the usable characters or other optical characteristics. The first Flag can be set by the user in a text or can already present in pre-text. In the screen display of Figure 2 the terms "Home Assistant", "alphabetical" and "thematic" with a first flag marked in the form of an underscore.

Marked with the first flag information characters can by first input command are selected in such a way that the at a selection provided with the first flag information characters assigned information (Text and / or image information; "help texts") from the memory MEM available and on the MON screen can be displayed. In the inventive system, can be preferably but only those usable characters for processing (eg Select display Help text), with a first and a second flag are provided.

The second flag can be - just like the first flag - put in a text by the user or can already pre-made texts present. The second flag consists for example of an underline the Usable characters, predetermined from a color and / or shape of the usable characters or other optical characteristics, wherein the first and second flag differ. For example, the first flag from an underline of usable characters, from a predetermined color and / or Form of usable characters and the second flag consists of a block, surrounding the bearing the first marker signs. As already mentioned, only those usable characters with a second flag be provided, that are already marked by a first flag.

In the screen display of Figure 2 is of the terms "Home Assistant" "Alphabetic" and "thematic", which in a first flag form marked an underline, the term "alphabetical" with a second Flag marked in the form of a border block.

The selection of the provided with a first and second flag information characters can in different ways be carried out (claims 3 and 5):

A character or group of contiguous characters ( "tag") of a plurality simultaneously on the display device (MON) shown characters with the (First and) second fiducial marks are provided, or at the same time on the display device (MON) represented groups of adjacent characters with the (First and) second fiducial marks are provided, are connected by a second input command (Claim 3) or a third input command (claim 5) selectable.

Thus, the following two alternatives are provided:

According to the first alternative (claim 3) the selection of and to the first takes place the second fiducial marks provided usable characters by entering the second Input command to a first input INP1 device, wherein the first input device INP1 a first touch switch is TCH1 particular, of the screen MON is integrated. At the first input device INP1 example the text "keyword explain" attached. After pressing INP1 or touching TCH1 jump to the Help page or the audio / video document, the associated is deposited to the tag in the memory MEM.

According to the second alternative (claim 5), the third input command by touching of the touch screen at the position of the second mark with the mark provided character or provided with the second flag Letters made.

In the context of the second alternative, it can be provided that the control unit MP dedicated control program is configured in such a way that the geometric Distance of a character, the second to the (first and) flag is provided, or a group of adjacent characters with the (first and) second mark numerals to another character with the (first and) second flag is provided, or another Group shown on the screen MON characters with the second (first and) Mark mark which is determined. In this context, provided that the third input command can only be generated if the geometric Distance is greater than a predefinable distance. In this way, an error-free Selection of characters that are displayed on the screen and the second with the Mark mark which allows using touch, the character spacing, Finger size and anzeigeimanente errors.

In this context (second alternative) may further be provided that designed the the controller MP assigned control program in such a way is that the touch switch TCH1 provided with a third flag , when the geometric distance is smaller than the predetermined distance. This third flag is for example, a yellow border of Touch switch. The touch switch TCH1 is only in this case for the Input of the second input command released.

The selection of a character or a group of characters, and the first second mark numerals to display an associated help text can be introduced in the following manner (claim 8):

According to a first alternative, which is the controller MP assigned control program the way is a way that triggered by a fourth input command a jump from a first character with the (first and) second flag are provided, or from a first group of adjacent characters are provided with the (first and) second fiducial marks, in the forward direction Text flow according to a second character with the (first and) second flag is provided, or to a second group of adjacent characters are provided with the (first and) second flag, carried. triggered by a fifth input command, a jump from the first sign made with the (first and) second flag is provided, or from the first group adjacent characters with the (first and) second flag are provided, in the reverse direction, ie counter to the text flow to a third Mark, which is provided with the (first and) second flag, or a second group of adjacent characters with the (first and) second flag are provided, carried.

To enter the fourth and / or fifth input command is at least one Another input device is provided, in particular, these are shown schematically in Figure 1 Input devices shown INP2 and INP3, wherein the input device INP2 is provided for the input of the fourth input command, and wherein the input device INP3 provided for the input of the fifth input command is. The input devices INP2, INP3 particular touch switch TCH2, TCH3, which are integrated into the display device MON. On the input device INP2 is for example the text "Next keyword" attached and on the Input device INP3 example, the text "Next keyword" "Previous Tag "attached.

If the touch switch TH2 or TH3 longer than for example 2 seconds continuously touched, so a continuous wandering through the start "keywords", ie of bearing the first and second fiducial marks on the usable characters Screen, where, for example 4 keywords per second in succession in the reverse direction or in Forward direction are selected.

The introduction described above a call to the help text for a sign or a group of characters with the first and second fiducial marks are provided, is therefore carried out by means of the input devices INP2, INP3 or TCH2, TCH3.

Calling help texts to a character or a group of characters with the (first and) second mark numerals, can also, as in the be carried out as described below (Claim 11):

That the controller MP associated control program is configured in such a way that at least one information corresponding to a second with the (first and) Flag provided character is assigned to the MON screen is pictured. The presentation of this help texts can together with the accompanying Usable characters, which is provided with the first and second fiducial marks, in particular with the text part in which this information characters arranged done. In this connection can be provided that twice in the help text for a labeled net characters this also and especially at the beginning of the help text is arranged.

If we now of such a representation of this information ( "Help text") on the Screen MON from, are a sign or a group of adjacent characters a plurality of displayable simultaneously on the screen MON characters with the first and) second Marxierungszeichen are provided, or at the same time on the Screen MON displayable groups of adjacent characters with the (first and) second fiducial marks are provided by a third in at least one Input device INP4, INP5 entered sixth and / or seventh Input command selected. In a sixth input of the command and / or seventh command of the Help text is "scrolled" on the screen until at least a further information, the another with the (first and) second Flag provided character is assigned to the MON screen is shown. The (scroll) movement of the screen display in the help text or in the help text can (double-labeled) to a arranged in the texts Net characters occur.

The input devices INP4, INP5 particular touch switch TCH4, TCH5 that are integrated in the display device MON. On the input device INP4 example, the text "forward" and mounted on the input device INP5 example, the text "reverse" mounted.

The above call or activation of help texts for a sign or a Groups of characters provided with the (first and) second flag are, therefore takes place are displayed while the help text or the help texts, wherein the input devices are INP4, INP5 or TCH4 used TCH5.

The rendering procedures under the second alternative can furthermore also as follows be configured: For help text pages that are larger than one screen, can the visible area the help pages by "scrolling" so be moved that the selected keyword is no longer visible in the help text.

If scrolling down (pressing INP4: "FORWARD") is the highest, yet selected on the screen to be seen keyword; when scrolling upward (Pressing INP5: "REVERSE") is the lowest, still on the screen Seeing keyword selected.

If scrolled in a range of help page, in which no keyword is, remains the last still selected selected keyword, wherein the input device is INP1 or TCH1 "KEYWORD TELL" disabled.

Moreover, following representation procedures can be provided: The help text remains in operation of the input device or INP3 TCH3 "NEXT CHART" so long in its screen position unchanged (no Scroll down, no "paging"), as the keyword in each selected can still be seen on the screen.

If one is on the other hand arrived at the last entry in the help text sidecut shown, so in the selection of the following keyword, a new segment is from the Help page on the screen.

This segment is selected so that the help page starts with that paragraph, in where the selected keyword is. Is this paragraph, however, so long that the selected keyword in this case are no longer in screen capture would, as the segment is selected so that the selected keyword in the is the second row from the top in the help text segment.

Notwithstanding the above text change with the subsequent Representation of the selected keyword in the second line of text is, however, provided that: when the remaining help page is no longer sufficient to to fill the entire area of ​​the Help information (ie, the selected keyword is about the end of the help page), then the remaining help page is displayed, that the entire area of ​​the Help information is filled (ie last row in Help page the bottom line of the range of help information, the presentation at Stop the scroll bar).

If the last keyword of the help page is selected, the input device INP3 or TCH3 "NEXT CHART" disabled (eg transition to color light gray on the screen), so that further actuation of INP3 or TCH3 is no longer possible.

Furthermore, the system can input means INP6, in particular, a touch switch TCH6 is, said "leave of aid" INP6 or TCH6 the text is attached. Actuation of INP6 or TCH6 triggers a transition from a help text to the text using the alphanumeric and / or graphic characters for which the help texts can be called.

The inventive system and the corresponding method can be recordable as also apply to details of a graphic with flag and hyperlinks to deposit.

3 shows the use of a system according to the invention in a control system shown, having a central control unit CPU. This control system used to control home appliances HG1, ..., HGn, at least on a bus to the central control unit CPU are connected. such a Control system, for example, in German Patent Application P 44 46 962.3 of the Bosch-Siemens Household Appliances GmbH described.