Device for controlling a display screen

0001The invention relates to a device for controlling a screen display with an actuator, which has a starting point and contrast against the action of an elastic element to move in at least two can perform as well as degrees of freedom for rotation about a longitudinal axis and in the direction is the longitudinal axis movable.

0002Such devices are known from EP 0796766 A2 and DE 197 52 056 A1 known. In EP 0796766 A2 an actuator is used, the number of Levels within the menu structure to enlarge. The levels are the scope of the display arranged distributed. Depending on the configuration menu However, different structurally configured actuators have provided be because the number of planes and arranged in these planes contact elements the number of selectable menus and / or functions each adapted is.

0003Although the selection of in accordance with this multi-function operating device Menu items carried by a transverse actuation of the actuator. But by assigning the contact points of an actuator to the individual Menu items and / or functional levels obtained a very limited flexibility.

0004From DE 197 52 056 A1 discloses a device for controlling a screen display is known in which by moving the actuator in one of two degrees of freedom a main menu item at the edge of the screen is selectable. The selection of such a main menu item subordinate menu items, which are displayed in the central area of ​​the screen, then done but by means of a rotary / longitudinal movement. Advantageously, in this embodiment, although the rapid change between the individual main menus. Within the main menu However exclusively selected by the rotary movement, whereby the operation of the sub-menus designed relatively slow.

0005Object of the present invention is an improvement of the just mentioned Device for controlling a screen display, so that also within the Main menu quick operation is possible.

0006This object is solved by the features indicated in claim 1.

0007Compared to the DE 197 52 056 A1 is an essential element of the invention that even within the main menu, a selection of menu items (ie: Untermenüpunkte) is carried out by a combination of movements and rotations, wherein at least a movement in the direction of one of the at least two degrees of freedom must be encompassed. Each menu item can thus be by a certain Combination of movements in the direction of the predetermined degrees of freedom Select and rotations, the selected menu item in the display use is highlighted. Moreover, one can of each Menu item quickly switch to another main menu, namely - depending on the configuration the operating element - through a single or repeated operation of the actuator in a certain direction of one of the at least two degrees of freedom, particularly in the direction of the corresponding main menu item.

0008A selection of a function or a function value can be obtained by operating the Actuator carried in its longitudinal direction. The operation of the actuator thus defines longitudinally the input function.

0009It is very helpful if both of the active main menu item as a uch of just active and displayed in the central area sub menu are highlighted. In order to you can to a survey the currently active functions. On the other hand can check whether the approached by a cursor and the selected Menu items have been activated.

0010In a specific application you will thus first by a movement of the actuator in the direction of the predetermined one degree of freedom Select the menu item from the main menu, whereby an associated submenu appears in the middle of the screen. Here, in the middle of the field only Submenus, the functions or function values ​​arranged that at the very the selected main menu item includes. The main menu items are further described in disposed edge region of the display and the active main menu item is<ul><li>preferably - shown in a prominent manner.</li></ul>

0011The present invention is based on two exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings in detail. The drawings show in<dl tsize="12"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a screen display, in the context of the inventive device is used,</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>the screen display from FIG. 1 with currently activated submenu and</dd><dt>Figure 3a -. 3d</dt><dd>further displays in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.</dd></dl>

0012In Fig. 1 is provided for in the context of the present invention display represented in principle liable. Within a display area 1, the same as the image area a screen corresponds to, there is a marginal area 2 and a central region 3. In the marginal portion 2 are at eight places, which related to the center the display surface 1 about each offset by 45 ° to each other are eight symbols represented for to be driven with an actuator 5 main menu items. This is the main menu item Audio, Navigation, TV, Stand-air, off, setting, on-board computer and DSP.

0013In the main menu item "Setting" can generally functions or function values be set for a vehicle. "Off" is the possibility, the display screen disable.

0014The operating member 5 in the present case in four degrees of freedom according to the Main menu items are arranged in the edge region 2 of the display area 1 (see. Arrows in Fig. 2), each slidable in two directions and is not in actuated state in a starting position, to whom it against the action is a return spring pivot.

0015On Verschwenkmechanismen is presently not discussed because they generally are known (see. EP 0796766 A2).

0016When switching a vehicle now first the main menu appears with the in Fig. 1 main menu items shown. By actuation of the actuator 5, a direction of actuation associated main menu item called will. In Fig. 1, the actuator 5 is moved obliquely upwardly (arrow 4), whereby the main menu item "Audio" menu is activated. The activation is by an made highlighting the main menu item "Audio" indicated what in Fig. 2 is shown. In addition, in the central portion 3 of the display area 1 appears the Main menu item "Audio" associated submenu. In the present case, the selection of different transmitters (Bayern3, B5 Currently, antenna, Charivari and classical) possible wherein in Fig. 2, the transmitter "Bayern3" is selected, a cursor 6, however, to "Antenna" is. By operating the operating member 5 in the longitudinal direction of its Rotation axis can now be selected as a new station of the transmission channel "Antenna".

0017If you move before selection the actuator 5 up or down, so the cursor can be placed 6 to other stations.

0018When the cursor is moved 6 standing on the position "Bayern3" upwards so come one in the main menu item "Navigation". If, however, the cursor 6 to the Menu item "Classic" standing moves downward, so we come to the main menu item "Setting". When the cursor 6 by operation of the actuator 5 is moved in one of the other directions, one comes immediately to one of the other main menu items (TV, stand-Air, Off, PC or DSP).

0019Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated with reference to Figs. 3a to 3d. Here all the specific features and elements are marked with an apostrophe. According to the second embodiment can be an actuator 5 'only move in two degrees of freedom respectively in two directions which are perpendicular are arranged to each other. Accordingly, only four main menu items "Telephone", "Navigation", "Audio" and "air" in an edge region 2 'of an ad slot 1 '. Selection of different menu item is now analogous to that in FIGS. 1 and 2. According to the invention, the motion function of the operating member 5 in the direction of one of the two degrees of freedom for the Open submenus used. According to FIG. 3a is already the main menu item called "Audio", which is marked by its highlighting. By selecting the main menu item "Audio" is associated submenu in the central region 3 'of the display area 1' appears. In the present case the submenu includes the information "Tape", "CD", "Radio" and "MD". Here is the menu item "Tape" currently active, which is indicated by highlighting the word "tape". A cursor 6 'on the other hand is on the menu item "CD". Furthermore, the sub-menu just described in the display area 1 'as active.

0020For the currently active submenu item "Tape" is also another sub-menu ( "Page 1", "page 2") appears. Also in this submenu is the currently active side (here: page 1) highlighted. The operator is thus immediately clear that the main menu item "Audio" is selected, the cassette player "Tape" is active and a Page 1 plays.

0021The cursor 6 'in Fig. 3a is on the submenu item "CD". Pressing the Actuator 5 ', the CD player will now be activated. Here, the menu item is "CD" highlighted. The highlighting of the menu item "Tape" disappears. simultaneously to activate the menu item "CD" appears associated submenu with the information (here: Figures 1 to 6), which individual CDs in a CD changer describe. The CD3 is currently displayed as active CD.

0022By moving the actuator 5 'down to get out of the FIG. 3b active submenu (tape, CD, radio, MD) in the to the submenu item "CD" associated sub-menu (numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). Now you can by moving Select the actuator 5 'to the left or right according to a different CD and this with the Enter function (pressing the actuator 5 ') choose.

0023Alternatively, a selection in this level by rotating the actuator 5 'done. In a particular embodiment, one should present at the Set design of the system.

0024Also by the 3c in Fig. Submenu shown as active (the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) it is now possible by single or multiple moving the operating member 5 'in Direction of the main menu items arrive at a particular main menu item. From the in Fig. 3c illustrated cursor position 6 'is accessed by four times Pivoting to the right in the main menu item "Navigation", twice Pivoting upwards in the main menu item "Telephone" by three times Pivoting to the left in the main menu item "air".

0025If in an alternative embodiment, a selection of sub menu items submenu 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 by turning the actuator 5 ', then a Selecting a main menu item by a single pivoting the actuator 5 done 'to the left or right in "Air" or "navigation".

0026Assuming a submenu of the main menu item "Audio" by the action described above, in another main menu item, for example, "Navigation" what 3d in Fig. Is shown, as is a related submenu shown in the middle portion 3 'of the display surface 1'. In the present case is at route guidance an address list (here: different streets) listed, which in turn either by operating the actuator 5 'up or down or turning of the actuating member 5 'and selected by pressing the actuator can be 5 'is selected. From the submenu shown in Fig. 3d you just go again as described above to further submenus or to the main menu items.

0027Overall, with the present invention a quick selection of all major menu and Untermenüpunkte possible, in the selection of sub-menu items perform a combination of movement and rotation operations are.