WO2008125640A1 - Control system for a mobile device in a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a control system for a motor vehicle comprising a mobile device that has an annular, touch-sensitive operating element and that can be functionally connected via an interface to devices of the motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle comprises a steering wheel with a touch-sensitive steering wheel outer surface, the wheel being able to detect touch on the steering wheel for controlling at least one device and wherein, after connection of the mobile device to the interface, control functions of the mobile device may be triggered by touching the steering wheel in a manner that is analogous to the functionality of the operating element.

Description

 CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A MOBILE DEVICE IN A MOTOR VEHICLE

The present invention relates to a control system for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering wheel which can detect finger movements on a touch-sensitive steering wheel outer surface for controlling at least one device.

Currently, mobile devices, in particular for storing and playing music, are widely used, which are controlled via a ring-shaped touch-sensitive control. The operation of these devices takes place in such a way that a brushing over an annular touch-sensitive surface causes a direction-dependent displacement of a position indicator, for example in a selection list. In addition, fixed functions can be implemented by tapping marked areas of the annular surface. This type of operation is comfortable with this type of mobile device.

There is a growing trend to use such mobile devices in motor vehicles. There are currently solutions on the market where they can be connected in a vehicle, with the operation continues to be done on the mobile device. The control is due to its properties, eg. As its size and the required operating forces, but hardly suitable to be operated safely by drivers while driving. Furthermore, solutions are known in which the operation of the mobile device via integrated controls in the vehicle. These are usually realized by buttons or by turning wheels. However, the special type of operation of the mobile device is lost here.

It therefore seems advantageous to realize an operating element in the vehicle, which has the same operating mode as the operating element of the mobile device offers, however, adapted to the special conditions of the driver's seat. This is to be achieved by the invention.

This object is achieved in that the motor vehicle has a steering wheel with a touch-sensitive steering wheel outer surface, which can detect the touch of the steering wheel for controlling at least one device and that after connection of the mobile device to the interface control functions of the mobile device by touching the steering wheel analogous to the operation of the control element are triggered.

The invention proposes to use a steering wheel with a touch-sensitive steering wheel rim surface in order to simulate and replace the annular touch-sensitive operating element integrated in the mobile device. Thus, if such a mobile device is connected to the vehicle, a swipe of the fingers over the surface of the steering wheel rim is passed as a signal to the mobile device that it is interpreted by this as a strike on the integrated control. The same applies to an operation on a fixed portion of the steering wheel, which is designed by the mobile device finally as tapping a certain area.

This implementation has the advantage that the driver operates the mobile device in the same way in the vehicle as he would also operate it directly on the mobile device. However, since the driver does not have to take his hands off the steering wheel, he can continue to safely guide the vehicle at the same time.

The dimensions of the steering wheel, which are very large compared to the annular control of the mobile device, the exact operation in the constantly moving vehicle is facilitated. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of the figures, in which several embodiments of the invention will be explained. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows the structure of a control system,

FIG. 2 shows a mobile device with an annular touch-sensitive operating element,

FIG. 3 shows the operation of the mobile device by swiping over the operating element;

Figure 4 shows the operation of the mobile device by tapping in defined

Area of the control element, Figure 5 shows the operation of the mobile device by swiping over the

Steering wheel rim, Figure 6 shows the operation of the mobile device by a force pulse on the steering wheel rim,

FIG. 7 shows a variant of the control system,

Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of the control system.

In the figure 1, the structure of a control system according to the invention is shown in a schematic diagram. All components are permanently installed in a motor vehicle, except for a mobile device (1), which can be coupled via an interface (5) to the vehicle-internal components.

The mobile device (1), shown more clearly in Figure 2, can have a variety of functions, making it versatile. These functions may include, for example, image recording and display functions, telecommunication functions, and the like. Priority such devices are often provided for playing audio files. Especially the latter feature makes such devices interesting for temporary stationary use in a motor vehicle.

Internally, the mobile device (1) next to a control device, a chip or a small-sized hard drive with a relatively large

Storage capacity on. To display a table of contents about the stored data or about status information on the current mode of operation, the device has a display (2), which can display text information or graphically edited information.

In order to make a selection from the data, an annular operating element (3) is provided, which enables a movement of a pointer ("scrolling") through a selection list that can be displayed in the display (2) by sweeping the annular control element (3). Forward and backward scrolling is possible in clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and the scrolling speed can be affected accordingly by the speed of sweeping of the annular control element (3).

In addition, the control element (3) also allows the control of playback functions. For this purpose, several areas on the operating element (3) are defined, which each execute a switching function in response to a pressure actuation. Symbolically represented here are three buttons (4), such as for the functions start, stop and pause.

Of course, other functions (fast forward, fast return, etc.) can be realized. Various functions can also be realized in combination between a switching function and a scroll function, such as the selection of the volume setting function and a following quasi-analog adjustment of the volume via the control.

When using the mobile device (1) in a motor vehicle, especially while driving, these very comfortable operating functions are practically not executable on the device (1) since too much attention would be directed to the device (1).

As outlined in FIG. 1, it is therefore provided that in the case of a mobile device (1) used in a motor vehicle, the operating functions realized by the annular control element (3) are transmitted as exactly as possible to the steering wheel (9).

For this purpose, the steering wheel rim (1 1) completely or partially provided with a touch-sensitive outer surface by means of which a

Scanning the steering wheel rim (1 1) detected and, where appropriate, the location of the steering wheel contact can be located. The functional principles suitable for this purpose are generally known in advance. Can be used in particular according to a capacitive principle functioning, spatially resolving sensors that recognize Lenkradberührungsungen even without a force. In addition, sensors in the steering wheel (9) can be integrated, which can detect the action of a gripping force on the steering wheel (9). Such gripping force sensors can be realized for example by optical fibers, which are integrated in a flexible steering wheel envelope. The operating principle is based on the fact that the optical properties of optical fibers change under a force, which can be detected by a suitably designed electronics. The signals of the touch and grip force sensors integrated in the steering wheel (9) are detected and processed by an evaluation circuit (7) and forwarded to a control unit (6).

Also connected to the control unit (6) is an interface (5). The term interface (5) here refers to a device which connects the mobile device (1) with other devices of the motor vehicle signal technically. The interface (5) is preferably designed as a holder which has a receptacle for the mobile device (1). When inserting the mobile device (1) into the holder, the connector (10) of the mobile device (1) contacts a mating connector of the interface (5) and is thus electrically coupled to the control unit (6).

The interface (5) is adapted to the mobile device to be connected (1) with respect to the dimensions of the receiving device and the connector. Therefore, it is advantageous if the interface (5) contains no other components and thus is particularly inexpensive to produce. To adapt to different device to be connected (1) can be provided to produce the interface (5) in several optionally available variants that are easily interchangeable with each other.

After inserting the mobile device (1) in the interface (5), provided on the operating element (3) control functions of the mobile device (1) immediately on the steering wheel rim (1 1) executable.

Advantageously, a display element (8) is connected to the control unit (6). As a result, the driver of the motor vehicle does not have to turn his attention to the display (2) of the mobile device (1) to make a selection, but receives the corresponding display on the mobile device (1) Display element (8) which is arranged in the region of the dashboard or the steering wheel (9).

The information displayed on the display element (8) is generated by the control unit (6). This happens due to data that the

Control unit (6) via the interface (5) from the mobile device (1) receives, as well as on the basis of data of the evaluation circuit (7).

It can be provided that the display element (8) displays a completely independently designed user interface or a

User interface, which largely corresponds to the usual display on the display (2) of the mobile device (1). In the design of the user interface shown by the display element (8) while ergonomic considerations, such. B. no representation of insignificant and thus distracting acting additional information, be considered.

On the operating element (3) of the mobile device, operating functions can be triggered by sweeping over the annular operating element (3) (sketched in FIG. 3) or by pressing on areas of the operating element (3) which provide push-button functions (FIG. 4).

As FIGS. 5 and 6 show, corresponding operating modes are realized in the same way on the steering wheel (9). For example, by spatially resolved capacitive sensors in the steering wheel rim (1 1), both the

Movement direction, ie a sweep in or counterclockwise, as well as the range of motion, so the amount of the swept angle range, are detected in a simple manner. In addition, by pressure-sensitive areas on the steering wheel rim (1 1) button functions on a control element (3) be simulated, the can be triggered by simply or multiple tapping on the pressure-sensitive areas of the steering wheel rim (1 1) (Figure 6).

Alternatively or additionally, a push-button actuation by a fixed access to the steering wheel (9) detectable by a in the steering wheel rim (1 1) integrated grip force sensor emulated. This function can be provided, for example, as an input confirmation for a selection previously made by a sweep.

Two advantageous embodiments are shown in Figures 7 and 8. FIG. 7 shows a control system in which the touch-sensitive sensor system arranged on the steering wheel rim (1 1), referred to below as steering wheel sensor system, transmits data to a component (12) of the control system via a radio link (14). In addition to the function of an RF receiver unit, component (12) also assumes the function of a control unit, and possibly the function of the signal evaluation circuit. Alternatively, the signal evaluation can also be integrated into the steering wheel sensor system.

An even more integrated embodiment of a control system is outlined in FIG. In this case, all the previously described electronic components of the control system are now split between the steering wheel sensors or the mobile device (1). Thus, the steering wheel sensor now communicates via a radio link (14), for example via a Bluetooth protocol, directly to the mobile device (1).

The connection of the mobile device (1) to an interface corresponds in this embodiment to the introduction of the mobile device (1) into the transmission range of the transmission unit belonging to the steering wheel sensor system. Has the mobile device (1) detects the radio link (14), it allows control via the steering wheel sensor.

The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 are particularly advantageous because the radio link (14) does not require complex wiring of the steering wheel (9) with signal lines.

It is particularly advantageous if the steering wheel sensor system also requires no wiring with power supply lines. Such energy self-sufficient steering wheel sensor can be realized that the required energy is generated by grip and actuation forces, such as integrated piezo elements, directly on the steering wheel (9). Alternatively, the steering wheel sensor can also be supplied with its own energy storage, such as a button cell.

Since a direct connection of the steering wheel sensor with the vehicle electrics and electronics is not required, the steering wheel sensor can be advantageously integrated into a retrofit steering wheel cover, which are connected to montagetechnisch simple way, such as by simply slipping or unbuttoning, with the steering wheel (9) of the vehicle can.

The assembly cost, which contributes significantly to the cost of such a control system, can be kept very low.

reference numeral

1 (mobile) device

2 display

3 control element

4 buttons

5 interface

6 control unit

7 evaluation circuit

8 indicator

9 steering wheel

10 connectors

11 steering wheel rim

12 component

13 electrical connection

14 radio connection

Claims

claims 1. control system for a motor vehicle, with a mobile device, which has an annular touch-sensitive operating element and is operatively connectable to devices of the motor vehicle via an interface, characterized, that the motor vehicle has a steering wheel (9) with a touch-sensitive steering wheel outer surface, which can detect touches of the steering wheel (9) for controlling at least one device, and that after connection of the mobile device (1) to the interface (5) control functions of the mobile device (1) by touching the steering wheel (9) analogous to the operation of the operating element (3) can be triggered. 2. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile device (1) is a music player. 3. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the content of a display (2) of the mobile device (1) is transmitted to an arranged in the field of vision of the driver display element (8) or on the display element (8) is simulated. 4. Control system according to claim 3, characterized in that the display element (8) on the steering wheel (9) is arranged. 5. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the Interface (5) has at least one mechanical support and an electrical contacting element. 6. Control system according to claim 5, characterized in that the Configuration of the interface (5) for connection of a given mobile device (1) is designed. 7. Control system according to claim 6, characterized in that the control unit (6) optionally one of several differently shaped Interfaces (5) can be connected, each connectable interface (5) for connecting specifically a given device (1) is provided. 8. Control system according to claim 5, characterized in that several different mobile devices (1) can be connected to the interface and that the control unit (6) automatically recognizes the type of the respectively connected mobile device (1). 9. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that on the steering wheel (9) arranged grip force sensor is provided, which on the Steering wheel (9) acting access force detected. 10. Control system according to claim 1 or 9, characterized in that on the steering wheel (9) an energy converter is provided, which controls the electrical energy to operate the steering wheel (9) arranged components of Control system is required, generated from the force acting on the steering wheel (9) access force. 1 1. A control system according to claim 10, characterized in that the energy converter is a piezoelectric transducer. 12. Control system according to claim 1 or 10, characterized in that on the steering wheel (9) an energy storage is arranged. 13. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one signal connection between components of the control system is provided as a wireless connection. 14. Control system according to claim 13, characterized in that the steering wheel (9) arranged sensor is connected via a radio link with a component (12) of the control system. 15. Control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the touch-sensitive steering wheel outer surface and optionally the grip force sensor, is formed by a steering wheel cover, which can be connected to the steering wheel (9).