Navigation system

0001The invention relates to a navigation device, in particular for installation in a motor vehicle, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

0002Generic navigation devices with a monitor on which a map can be displayed, in particular for use in motor vehicles are well known. Navigation devices are known from the prior art, in which a cursor on the map can be moved by means of a joystick. However, due to the limited space available in a vehicle, it is undesirable to provide an additional component for the purpose of cursor control, in this case a joystick, which may either not be used for other purposes, or at least only to a very limited extent.

0003In another known from the prior art navigation device, the cursor can be controlled by means of a cross-rocker. Again, an additional component is needed, which is why this solution is unsatisfactory. This variant also has the disadvantage that the cursor can only be moved along eight directions. So it is awkward to move the cursor along any direction.

0004The same applies to a further known from the prior art navigation device in which with a rotary switch first one coordinate of the cursor is brought to the desired coordinate, then, after a triggered by pressing the rotary switch switching operation, the other perpendicular to the first running.

0005From the <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US4608656A"><text>US 4,608,656</text></patcit> a street map display for a car is known, wherein in the center of the display a kind of cursor is shown, which reflects the position of the car on the road map and indicates the direction of travel. During the journey by car, the map is automatically moved so that the cursor is always in the center of the map. In addition, the map is rotated according to the direction of travel. For entering the starting position of the vehicle, a joystick pair is provided. In addition, a so-called scale selection unit is provided with which the scale of the road map can be selected. The center is preferably maintained at this scale choice. As controls, a keyboard and the mentioned joystick pair are used.

0006In this context, further reference should be made to <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="EP0961198A2"><text>EP 0 961 198 A2</text></patcit> the content of which is state of the art under Article 54 (3) and (4) EPC and for which the Contracting States DE, ES, FR and GB have been designated. From this document an electronic device with a rotary switch and a display screen for displaying information is known. The screen can either display a menu for selecting functions, with the aid of the rotary switch moving a cursor on the screen. The screen may also show a map section that can be moved using the rotary switch. In this case, the selection of the direction of movement is carried out at standstill of the cursor or the map section by turning the rotary switch first. The movement of the cursor or the map section is then carried out by an axial movement of the rotary switch.

0007The <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="DE19712048"><text>DE 197 12 048</text></patcit> describes an operating device in which can be switched with an actuator in the form of a rotary switch between different functions, individual functions by means of an additional switch can be selected and in the selected function in turn with the same actuator, the function values ​​of the selected function can be switched and selected with the additional switch can be. As an additional switch in this case a control rocker is provided with the depending on the position different switching functions are executable.

0008<patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US5270689A"><text>US 5 270 689 A</text></patcit> describes a rotary switch which is rotatable in two directions and can also be pressed. Furthermore, a menu with several menu items can be displayed on a display device.

0009Other devices relating to the technological background of the invention are known from the <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US4935728A"><text>US 4,935,728</text></patcit> and the <patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="US4504913A"><text>US Pat. No. 4,504,913 A</text></patcit> known.

0010Against this background, the invention has the object, a generic navigation device such that it allows the control of a cursor in a simple and easy to use manner, the space required for the control device should be kept as small as possible.

0011This object is achieved by a navigation device according to the features of patent claim 1. The subclaims relate to particularly expedient developments of the invention.

0012The invention assumes that the cursor control can be divided into two individual aspects: first, the choice of a direction of movement of the cursor, on the other hand, the triggering or performing a movement of the cursor. According to the invention therefore a navigation device is provided which comprises a rotary switch, wherein in a first operating mode of the rotary switch by rotation of the rotary switch, regardless of a movement of the cursor, a direction of movement of the cursor on the figure is selectable and in a second operating mode of the rotary switch by rotation of the rotary switch a Another task is executable, namely, the movement of the cursor along or against the selected direction of movement is executable. By an axial force acting on the rotary switch movement of the cursor along or against the selected direction of movement can be executed or triggered or the first operating mode and / or second operating mode is adjustable by an axial movement of the rotary switch. As a result, the rotary switch is particularly space-saving. For the user, the feeling arises that he would turn the cursor, preferably as an arrow, by hand. In this way, the direction of movement of the cursor - not only at its standstill but also while it is moving - can also be set extremely flexible, and the user is not, as in other devices to a movement in only eight different directions, such. B. bounded on the right, left, up and down. The use of a rotary switch is therefore particularly advantageous since such, in comparison to a cross-type rocker or a joystick, already exists in almost every motor vehicle. By using an existing rotary switch, for example, in another axial position, the function of the cursor control without additional component, ie can be realized without additional space and at minimal additional costs.

0013By rotation of the rotary switch, the direction of movement of the scale of the figure can be selected in a further operating mode. By the rotary switch, for example, in other axial positions, still usable for other operating functions of the navigation device, the ease of use of the navigation device is further increased.

0014An advantageous development of the invention provides that the center of the image is retained during the scale selection, since the user will instinctively choose the image detail that is visible on the monitor in such a way that the area of ​​the image of interest lies almost in the middle.

0015According to the invention, by axial force acting on the rotary switch in the second operating mode, the movement of the cursor along or against a selected direction be executed or triggered, whereby the operation of the navigation device is further simplified because the user also his hand or his fingers for the movement of the cursor do not have to reposition. If the rotary switch has a plurality of operating modes, this function is preferably linked to the extreme positions of the rotary switch, ie, pressed in completely or pulled out completely. The triggering or execution of a movement of the cursor can take place here before or after the setting of a direction of movement of the cursor. When a movement is triggered before the setting of a movement direction, the default direction of movement is preferably the last set movement direction, the movement along a previously set route or in the direction of a previously entered destination. The initial direction of the cursor can then be changed during the movement of the cursor by rotating the rotary switch in the desired direction.

0016If the movement of the cursor by axial force acting on the rotary switch, for example, over a predetermined time, triggered, there is the advantage that especially in a longer movement of the cursor in one direction not resorted to as in long rotation of the rotary switch in one direction again and again but that the hand or fingers can remain positioned in the same way on the rotary switch during cursor movement.

0017It can further be provided that a function can be selected by rotation of the rotary switch in a further operating mode. By such an embodiment, the attachment of numerous function keys is unnecessary and the operating unit of the navigation device according to the invention remains clear. By means of the function, at least one of the further operating modes can be adjustable. The operating mode could consequently also be selected by rotation of the rotary switch, as a result of which a very large number of different operating modes can be selected, so that all the operating steps necessary for the use of the navigation device can be carried out with the rotary switch.

0018A further embodiment of the invention provides that the operating mode and / or at least one of the further operating modes by the operation of at least one further rotary, pressure and / or slide switch is adjustable. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if the operating mode has to be changed very frequently.

0019In an advantageous development of the invention, at least one of the further operating modes by at least one axial force over a predetermined time on the rotary switch, preferably against a spring force adjustable. This development is particularly easy to use when only a few operating modes are used.

0020Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to drawings.

0021It shows<dl id="dl0001"><dt>FIG. 1:</dt><dd>a schematic representation of a rotary switch of the navigation device according to the invention in a plan;</dd><dt>FIG. 2:</dt><dd>a schematic representation of the rotary switch according to <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> in a side view; and</dd><dt>FIG. 3:</dt><dd>a schematic representation of a monitor of the navigation device according to the invention.</dd></dl>

0022In an ergonomically favorable for the user situation in a motor vehicle, a rotary switch 10 is mounted in the <figref idref="f0001">Figures 1 and 2</figref> is shown. This rotary switch 10 is used in addition to the operation of the navigation device for other purposes, ie for the operation of other devices in the motor vehicle, for example, to operate a car phone, a CD player and the like. This rotary switch 10 is, as indicated by the arrows 30, rotatable with and counterclockwise and also by an axial movement in various positions, the user undergoes a haptic feedback at the transition between the individual axial positions. The rotary switch 10 has a first recess 12 and a second recess 14, can engage in the locking elements 16, so that the rotary switch 10 can be fixed in two different axial positions. A movement out of the<figref idref="f0001">FIG. 2</figref> shown equilibrium position takes place against the force of a spring 18th

0023The navigation device also has a monitor 20, which in <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 3</figref> is shown schematically and is mounted in a motor vehicle so that it is clearly visible to the user.

0024The individual axial positions are correlated with different operating modes, the operating modes and their setting being described below on the basis of the <figref idref="f0001">FIGS. 2 and 3</figref> to be discribed.

0025A first axial position is to be set by pressing the rotary switch 10 to a noticeable stop, wherein the locking elements 16 engage in the first recess 12. On the monitor 20, the operating mode "scale change" is displayed in a first display field 22. In addition, a display is displayed on the monitor 20 in a second display panel 24, which displays a current scale of a map shown. By turning the rotary switch 10, the scale of the map can now be changed, wherein the map is displayed on the monitor 20 in the current scale at the same time. If the rotational movement of the rotary switch 10 is set, the current magnification is stored and remains until a subsequent scale change is obtained.

0026A second axial position is starting from the first axial position by slight pressure on the rotary switch 10 against the spring force 18 to achieve. In this position, the rotary switch 10 does not engage, but this position is taken over a predetermined time, can thereby select another operating mode. The thus selected operating mode "cursor movement arrow direction" is again displayed on the monitor 20 in the first display panel 22. On the monitor 20 is now also a cursor 26 can be seen, which begins to move in a default direction. The speed of the cursor movement may be correlated with the map scale of the map as appropriate. By rotation of the rotary switch 10, a change of the direction of movement of the cursor 26 can be brought about, as indicated by the arrows 32. Here, the cursor 26 may be shown as an arrow on the monitor 20 to illustrate its direction of movement. By pressing the rotary switch 10 again in the second axial position over a predetermined time, the operating mode "cursor movement arrow direction" can be left again.

0027A third axial position can be achieved starting from the first axial position by slightly tightening the rotary switch 10. In this case, the latching elements 16 engage noticeably in the second recess 14 of the rotary switch 10 for the user. A previously selected route is optically highlighted on the map, and also the current operation mode "cursor movement route" is displayed on the first display panel 22 on the monitor 20. By the rotation of the rotary switch 10, the cursor 26 can be moved along the previously selected route.

0028Starting from the third axial position leads to the fourth axial position by pulling the rotary switch 10th

0029In an embodiment of the navigation device, an image can be called up which has a menu 28 with at least one function.

0030A refinement of the navigation device provides that information about a point corresponding to a current cursor position or about a circumference of the corresponding point on the map can be called up by the function.

0031It can furthermore be provided that the point corresponding to the current cursor position on the map can be set as destination or intermediate destination by the function.

0032In a further refinement of the navigation device, the operating mode and / or at least one of the further operating modes can be set by an axial movement of the rotary switch 10.

0033In another alternative embodiment, the cursor movement direction can be adjusted when the cursor 26 is at a standstill. After the adjustment can then be triggered by actuation of the rotary switch 10, a movement of the cursor 26 in this direction, this direction can be modified by turning the rotary switch 10.

0034In a further alternative embodiment, a switching of the operating modes, for example by a mounted against a spring force 18 rotary switch 10, wherein the various operating modes are cycled and a single short press of the rotary switch 10 with a first mode of operation, a two times in quick succession pressing with a second operating mode, etc. is correlated.