WO1998015964A1

WO1998015964A1 - Method and device for operating at least one device

Info

Publication number: WO1998015964A1
Application number: PCT/DE1997/002304
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Kleinschmidt; Luc De Vos
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 1996-10-10
Filing date: 1997-10-08
Publication date: 1998-04-16

Abstract

The invention relates to a control unit, consisting of input fields having cognitive features, by means of which it is possible to operate several devices without having to look at the control unit. An output unit displays the functional settings of the control unit visually and/or auditively through adequate optical means. This enables the control unit to operate as many devices and functions as desired. A voice recognition means that works together with the control unit makes it possible to select directly any given device and if necessary one of its functions through a voice input. The control unit is also suited for broader inputs.

Description

description

Method and arrangement for operating at least one device

The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for operating at least one device by means of a computer using an operating unit which comprises a plurality of input fields, each of which has a cognitive peculiarity.

Information display systems for people or users can be widely used. One example is the provision of information for the driver of a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle. To inform the driver with information such as the traffic situation _^, electronic control and information systems can be a vehicle mounted on the dashboard, and installation positions are preferred, which are as high as possible, ie close to the windshield. Other devices for displaying information can be attached to the dashboard as high as possible with a bracket or a swivel arm to the right of the steering wheel with left-hand control. However, all of these installation measures require that the driver directs his gaze from the street to the information display system. He also has to change the focus of his eye from infinite to the short distance to the display system. The presbyopic may need different glasses. For the rest, the displays for the display are mostly small. Future studies show a large display that is attached to the dashboard near the windshield. The problem of different vision distances is then reduced, but not yet completely eliminated. Large displays are also expensive.

The problem underlying the invention is to provide an information display system that can be placed so that the operator's attention is not unnecessarily distracted and operation is very simple. Another object of the invention is to provide a Method and an arrangement to specify that at least one device can be operated by means of an operating unit and / or using voice input.

These objects are solved by the features of independent claims 1 and 7.

Further developments of the invention also result from the dependent claims.

A method for operating at least one device by means of a computer is specified, an operating unit comprising several input fields being used for this. The input fields each have a cognitive peculiarity, so that by feeling the input field it can be recognized which input field it is. The shape of the individual input field or at least one tactile marking, as with typewriter keyboards, can be used to ensure the cognitive peculiarity. Functional assignments that correspond to key labels in conventional input fields are displayed on an output unit. This ensures a high level of flexibility for the individual input fields, since each input field can take on an unlimited number of functional assignments and these versatile options can still be economically perceived simply by reprogramming the display on the output unit. The operating unit thus represents an input tool that can be used flexibly for different applications (devices). Setting options of the respective device to be operated are also shown on the output unit. The device is operated by actuating the input unit, which corresponds to the desired predefinable functional assignment for this device in a current menu display. A development of the invention is more _D evices with the operating unit to operate, which is also selected between the devices by means of the operating unit.

Another development consists in outputting visual and / or auditory information by means of the output unit.

As part of an additional training, operation can be carried out via voice input. For this purpose, options for performing the voice input are shown on the output unit. Setting options of the device are also shown on the output unit. It is operated by voice input of the corresponding option or setting option.

It is also a further development of the invention to design the output unit as a display or a head-up display.

It is an advantage of the invention that it is precisely in the combination of actuation of the operating unit and voice input that simple and economical addressing of complex operating levels can take place. The user can thus call up a device and even a functionality of the device with simple, direct voice commands, for example “call Müller”. The telephone is automatically selected as the device, the function of this device is "call", the number to be dialed is that of the addressee "Müller", which is preferably stored. In addition, if several "Müller" addressees are stored in the address book, the input unit can be used to select the "correct" addressee. Voice input does not have to be used if a more extensive selection using the control panel has advantages in terms of the type of operation. It also takes advantage of the fact that voice input can be simple and intuitive, but active knowledge of the type the input and the required service. The operating unit, on the other hand, enables simple selection among terms and / or services that do not have to be actively known, but are propagated by the display unit.

Services designate the functions (devices) that can be perceived via the control unit. An example of a service is "Establish a telephone connection".

In the information display system, the information to be communicated to the person is generated on an output display at a location which is not critical for the use. With the aid of first and second optical means, the representation of the information generated by the output display can then be reflected in the direction of the user's gaze and at the same time a virtual image of the representation can be generated at a distance from the user. Finally, an operating arrangement is expediently provided, by means of which the information to be displayed can easily be called up.

It is expedient that the second optical means is a pane which is arranged in the direction of view of the user and which, for example, is present anyway, as is the case with a windshield in a motor vehicle.

In order to disturb the field of vision of the user or driver as little as possible, it is expedient to reflect the representations of the information near the lower edge or the upper edge or oriented vertically on the right or left edge of the pane.

In order to make the location of the information reflected in the pane and thus the location of the virtual image adjustable, it is expedient to arrange the output display also adjustable, or to implement the first optical means in such a way that it can be pivoted. A concave mirror, for example, can be used as the first optical means is arranged in the viewing direction of the user and reflects the display in the viewing direction of the user and can also be designed to be pivotable in order to make the location of the creation of the virtual image adjustable. The concave mirror can then be arranged so that the output display can be closed with it.

The output display can be operated in such a way that it generates a representation of the information consisting of at least two partial areas, of which one partial area does not

Interaction with the user indicates the other sub-area with the operating arrangement of accessible units or devices.

The output display can then be controlled by the user via the operating arrangement and the information displayed there can be selected. The subareas can represent maps, sections of maps or possible settings of the operating arrangements. A partial area can represent a map and the virtual image a selectable enlarged section of the map and the map.

It can be expedient to design the second optical means in such a way that the virtual images can be recognized by more than one person, the persons being able to call up the information to be displayed independently of one another with the operating arrangement. However, it is also possible that only one person can use the operating arrangement to call up the information to be displayed and thus e.g. the driver of a motor vehicle can pass on the information that he currently needs without the driver having to operate the operating arrangement.

In order to always make the representations given by the output display fall into the eye of the user, it is expedient to provide a video camera which is aimed at the person and which determines and tracks the location of the eyes of the person or the user and controls the first optical means, for example the concave mirror, accordingly.

There are different solutions for implementing the operating arrangement. An operating device with a blind navigator, e.g. be provided with controls and / or with voice input means, and a feedback arrangement that acknowledges the operations and gives advice for further, executable operating steps.

It could be useful to design the speech input device as a directional microphone. Then it is expedient to make the directional lobe pivotable for entering the command and always on the user's mouth, e.g. of the driver. Such an operating arrangement can furthermore be designed in such a way that a video camera and image recognition software directed towards the person are provided, by means of which the position of the mouth of the user is determined and accordingly the microphone is controlled so that it is always aimed at the mouth of the user . If the operating arrangement is provided in a motor vehicle, it is expedient to arrange the video camera in the region of the windshield and to align it with the driver's mouth in order to accordingly adjust the sensitivity maximum of the directional characteristic of the microphone towards the mouth.

In order to effectively implement the blind control concept, a feedback arrangement is provided which advantageously has an acoustic voice output. Furthermore, it is advantageous that in the case of a plurality of operable devices, for example a motor vehicle and a telephone, a virtual image of the respectively controlled device is provided on a display. _T he feedback arrangement may also include a visual display device in addition to the speech output, wherein the visual device can be arranged in the operating device, but also in the operated device. The devices which can be operated can thus be represented with the visual display device, but also symbolized operating elements of the operating device which can be operated by the navigator.

It is also advantageous if the visual display device represents the operating processes on the devices in that the symbolized operating elements can change dynamically as a result of the operation. The control device which has the navigator can be a handheld control device, e.g. a hand-held device for remote control, which can additionally have a chip card for legitimation functions or similar functions.

Such a handheld device that can be used for remote control of the operable devices is particularly expedient when the software required for operation, which is normally contained in the operable device, is automatically loaded into the handheld device when it is used for the first time to control the device.

The navigator of the operating device can also be used as

Control panel run, which is conveniently located near the hand position of the user. This solution is particularly useful when used in a motor vehicle, since here the control panel e.g. can be integrated into the steering wheel.

Furthermore, the operating device can have a microphone with speech recognizer, and thus enable operation using speech. It is useful if the speech recognizer has different speech models adapted to the device to be operated. The control elements contained in the navigator advantageously allow movement in three dimensions that can be blindly distinguished by the operator. Buttons, rollers, wheels and rotary knobs can be used as operating elements. Such an operating device with a navigator is particularly advantageous if it uses buttons as the operating elements, namely a button for voice and five binary buttons, four of which form two mutually perpendicular directional button pairs and the further button can be used to confirm a selection.

In order to be able to carry out a plurality of functions with the few operating elements, it is advantageous to at least partially assign multiple functions to operating elements. The selection of functions can then e.g. can be achieved in that a key is pressed for different lengths. Then an assignment of the control elements to the devices can be realized in such a way that, starting from a controlled device, it is possible to branch to any lower level, depending on the requirement, with a list of the available devices on the top level and functions and subfunctions of these devices in the lower levels are responsive.

Particular advantages of the operating arrangement are that the operating processes have simple logic, are understandably reduced to operation with a few operating elements, or can be mapped. Such a general input structure can be operated blindly after a short learning phase, e.g. if Buttons are used and these distinctive, tactile shapes or an easy im

Have head-to-head arrangement and have a usable, yet similar or analog effect in many different situations. The required success control is achieved via the display, which is primarily a speech output, but can be supported by a visual display device. The operating concept thus combines an intuitive and blind-operated navigator for manipulating the functions of the devices, consisting, for example, of a minimal keyboard or a voice input and the feedback arrangement, implemented as acoustic voice output or additionally as a visual display device. Operating or user populations of one or more devices are combined as virtual devices and shown symbolically or textually on a display. This division into virtual devices allows one physically separate device to be operated one after the other.

The invention is further explained on the basis of exemplary embodiments which are shown in the figures.

Show it

Fig.l an embodiment of the information display system when used in a motor vehicle as an example, wherein Fig. La the closed information display system and Fig. Lb the information display system in

Operating position, Fig.2 is a schematic representation of the

Information display system when used in a motor vehicle viewed from above, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a

4 shows a side view of the information display system when the virtual images of the representations are generated at different locations on the windshield of a motor vehicle, Fig.5 and

6 further locations where virtual images can be generated, 7 shows an example in the event that several people can observe the virtual images simultaneously, for example when used in a motor vehicle, FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of the information display system in which the

Output display is arranged steerable, Fig.9 is a possible representation on the output display and thus the virtual image, which consists of several

10, a possible representation of a map as a virtual image, FIG. 11 a basic representation of the operating arrangement, FIG. 12 an embodiment of the operating device as a hand-held device, FIG. 13 a second embodiment of the operating device as a hand-held device,

Fig. 14 is a picture that shows how the different

Settings can be made from an upper level to lower levels, Fig. 15 a second representation of the multi-level concept, Fig. 16 a first version of the navigator, Fig. 17 and

Fig. 18 further versions of the navigator, Fig. 19 is a block diagram showing an operating concept for at least one device

Fig. 20 is an image showing an operating concept for at least one

Device shows.

The information display system according to Fig.la, lb, which shows the application in a motor vehicle as an example, has an output display A-DIS, on which a representation of the information to be displayed is generated, a first optical means OPl, for example a concave mirror, with which the Output display A-DIS light rays emitted are reflected in the driver's line of sight, a second optical means 0P2, implemented, for example, as a disk WS, in which the virtual image of the representation is generated and operating arrangements in the Steering wheel LR, designed for example as a Zappkreuz ZA or as a handheld device HG. Furthermore, a video camera CA and a microphone MIK are arranged next to the rearview mirror RS. With the help of the video camera CA you can, for example, determine the position of the driver's mouth or the driver's eyes, for example to control the reflection of the images in the driver's line of sight or to always align the microphone MIK directly to the driver's mouth.

The information display system is shown in greater detail in Figures 2 and 3. According to FIG. 2, the output display A-DIS is arranged in front of the person PE, the driver, and generates representations of the information to be displayed. These representations are provided by the first optical means OP1, e.g. a concave mirror, projected in the driver's line of sight and appear on the second optical means OP2 as a virtual image of the representation. In the exemplary embodiment, the second optical means is implemented as a windshield WS.

Fig. 3 shows more clearly how e.g. the output display can be realized. This can consist of a display DP, e.g. a multi mirror chip that is illuminated with light that comes from a lamp LA and that is directed by a condenser KO onto the display DP. The position of the lamp LA can be changed using servomotors MO. The light coming from the display DP is bundled with the aid of an objective OB, passes through an illuminating lens LI, and continues through a focusing screen MA to the first optical means OP1, e.g. a mirror ocular, and from there in the line of sight of the person PE, who displays the image as a virtual image VIR e.g. looks in the windshield.

The location at which the virtual images VIR are generated with the aid of the second optical means can, according to FIGS. 4 and 5, be at the upper edge or at the lower edge of the windshield WS, the different location of the virtual images is determined by a different position of the first optical means OP1, for example the concave mirror. 6, it is also possible to generate the virtual image on the side edge of the windshield, again caused by the position and arrangement of the first optical means OP1.

It can be useful that not only one person can view the virtual image, but several people. An example is shown in Fig. 7, in which two people have virtual images, e.g. generated in the windshield of a motor vehicle. It is possible to generate a separate virtual image of a representation of information for each person or, under the control of one person, a virtual image for both persons. It is possible that e.g. the front passenger calls up the information for the driver with an operating arrangement, so that the driver is not burdened with the operation of the information display system.

A further exemplary embodiment, with which different locations of the virtual image can be generated, is shown in FIG. 8. Here the output display DIS is pivoted, with the result that e.g. the WS windshield can create virtual images.

The first optical means can e.g. be a mirror, a concave mirror, but it can also be part of the windshield WS, which must then be mirrored accordingly. The first optical means must in any case be a means by which the light rays emanating from the output display are reflected in the direction of the person's gaze and must also be partially transparent so that a virtual image can be created for the person.

Fig. Shows what representations generated by the output display can look like. Such a display of information can consist of different sub-areas TB. A first one Partial area TB1 can represent a section of a map, a second partial area TB2 show several operable devices, and a third partial area TB3 represent a section of a street with directional indicators and signposts. The map can be generated as a virtual image, for example, as shown in FIG. There the map is first shown as a spherical map and, with the aid of a magnifying glass LP, a central area of this map is shown enlarged.

Fig. 11 generally shows an arrangement for operating several devices G (I) to G (n), e.g. a motor vehicle and a telephone or other devices or aggregates of devices or their functions. The operating arrangement for these devices G is designated BEA. The BEA arrangement enables the virtual

Illustration of a device that is currently being controlled in a display DIS and has a feedback arrangement RE, in addition the operating device BD, which contains a navigator (not shown). One of the devices G (I) to G (n) can be selected by operating the operating device BD accordingly. If a device has been activated, e.g. the device G (I), then it is shown on the display DIS and the selection of the device is communicated to the user via the feedback device RE.

A possible embodiment of the operating device BEA can be seen in FIG. There the operating device is implemented as a handheld device HG. It can be seen that the display DIS, as an example, enables the selection of various television channels which are shown virtually as text there.

Furthermore, an operating device BD is provided, which consists of buttons TA and a so-called Zappkreuz ZA. The TA buttons, but in particular the ZA cross, are then the Navigator NV, which can be used to select from the devices. The connection to the devices can be established using infrared rays or other remote control methods. In FIG. 12, the GSM / DECT method is exemplified. The handheld device of FIG. 12 also enables input using a MI microphone, so that the devices can be operated even without keys. The feedback arrangement, a handset, is labeled H_RE. If the corresponding device has been activated, this can be shown on the DIS display and the activated device can also be acoustically reported using the feedback arrangement RE.

Another embodiment of a handheld device HG is shown in FIG. 13. A display DIS is also provided here, as a navigator of the operating device a zapper cross ZA and feedback arrangements RE, which in addition to a handset H_RE can also contain a visual display device V_RE. A microphone MI can also be used to enter the operating procedures, so that the zapper could also be dispensed with.

A structure of a Zappkreuzes ZA shows Fig. 16. It can be seen here that the devices can be operated with five keys, two key pairs TA_R, TA_L or TA_0, TA_U lying perpendicular to one another and a key TA_Z lying centrally within the two key pairs. With the button pair TA_0, TA_U e.g. selected one of the devices shown on the DIS display in Fig. 13. With the help of the pair of buttons TA_R, TA_L e.g. Functions can be selected. The entry is confirmed with the central key TA_Z.

Fig. 16 shows that a further key TA_M can also be provided next to the zapper cross, with which, for example, a voice input can be switched on via the microphone MI. The further key TA_M can also be arranged elsewhere, see Fig. 13. Fig. 14 shows that various settings are possible with the hand-held device, it being possible to change from an upper level, which is assigned to the individual devices in Fig. 13, to lower levels of functions and sub-functions of a selected device. The example in FIG. 14 assumes, for example, that a photographic device is operated with the operating arrangement. In this case, the handheld device can show in the DIS display what is to be done with the photographic device, for example a photograph is to be reproduced. The handheld device is set using the ZA cross, for example using the TA_U key. The photo to be displayed is shown on the DIS display. Additional settings can now be triggered with the zapper cross. For example, the brightness can be set using the TA_R key on the cross, which is then shown on the V_RE display. Or a special function can be set, namely the dubbing of a photo with another button on the zapper. 14 shows three settings I to III and shows how these can be achieved. Of course, the individual functions can also be selected by voice using the MI microphone.

Another example of the multi-level concept can be seen in FIG. 15. Here the operating arrangement is shown in four different settings. In the first setting I, the DIS display shows which devices can be selected. With the help of the zapper, for example the TA_U key, the "television" device can be selected by pressing the central TA_Z key. If the "TV" device has been selected, a list of the addressable stations appears on the DIS display and the selected device appears on the V_RE display. For example, using the TA_R, TA_L buttons, one of the stations, for example the ZDF, can be selected after confirmation by the central TA_Z button. This setting shows II. Finally, a special function can be selected by pressing the cross or an additional button. Such special functions are shown in setting III. A function that results from setting IV can be selected from the functions shown in the DIS display using the cross zapper.

The multilevel concept according to Fig. 15 thus shows the way from the selection of a device to the selection of a special function that is to be carried out with the selected device. The

The selection is made using the Zappcross ZA and with the key pairs and confirmed by the central key TA_Z. All selection processes can of course also be carried out with the aid of a voice input via the microphone MI.

As the figures show, an acoustic success control H_RE is used, which can be supplemented by a visual success control V_RE. It is also possible to use the MI microphone to implement operator input with voice. The Navigator comes with a minimal concept of easy-to-remember haptic input elements, namely buttons. It is sufficient to use six easy-to-learn controls that can be distinguished by the sense of touch.

Furthermore, the figures show that the entirety of the devices with their functions can be operated more easily in that the operating effort is broken down into subtasks. For the subtasks, clear visual operating scenes are shown on the DIS display and continue to only show what is required at the moment of operation.

As Fig. 16 shows, the Navigator NA manages with three cognitive dimensions, which can be selected with the control elements, the buttons. A distinction can be made between an xy level of the representation of virtual devices and the tabular representation of parameters, the leveling or detailing according to the hierarchical Principle, and the memory sequence of the temporal sequence of the processed and to be processed processes. For example, the visual dimension, the xy plane, can be assigned to the key pairs TA_R, TA_L or TA_O, TA_U, the penetration into the depth of detail can be achieved with the central key TA_Z, the way back by pressing this central key for a correspondingly long time TA_Z can be reached. The depth indexing or detailing is based on the multi-level concept shown in Fig. 15. Finally, the chronological sequence of use or the sequence of reminders can also be achieved, for example, using the horizontal button pair TA_L, TA_R. With the help of the language, it is possible, alone or additionally, to go through several of these levels directly with a chain of keywords or even a single user-defined special word and to reach the destination without manual navigation.

Operation without visual contact is made possible by voice feedback. As a navigator, it is advisable to use the cross zapp. Fig.16 to use, since you get by with the minimum required six tools or buttons. Although this small number of operating elements appears to be too small for the multitude of operating tasks, it is sufficient for the operating concept according to the invention. According to the invention, multiple functions can be assigned to these six basic operating elements, as shown in the figures. The multiple functions can be selected so that the haptic controls are assigned a recurring meaning in different operating situations.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, several different real or virtual devices can be listed on the display DIS of the top level or primary level, for example by text or symbolically by an icon, and for example scanned by means of a vertical pair of buttons TA_0, TA_U and by means of the central key TA_Z can be triggered. With the central button, a new operating level, the device level, is reached.

The respective device with its controls can be illustrated on the DIS display on the device level, the horizontal pair of buttons for operating an important specific function, e.g. Volume, can be used and the vertical pair of buttons mainly for switching text fields such as TV channels, telephone subscribers, and the central function TA_Z is used to select the corresponding function. Special functions that are required less often are e.g. accessible via a single operating step, such as e.g. in Fig. 12, left column SPI. With the central key TA_Z you can e.g. each to a new device level, with the return e.g. with a long press on the central key TA_Z, see SPI column. For example, a double click on the central button TA_Z can lead directly to the primary selection level, see SPI column.

Thus it is possible, as Fig. 12, column SPI shows, with a different duration of the actuation, e.g. a key or by repeatedly pressing a key to get from one level to another and back, or to address different functions within a level. The respectively addressed level and there the respectively addressed function can be shown on the DIS display, wherein an additional display V_RE can also be used for the feedback.

In addition to the implementation of the navigator using the cross, there can of course also be other implementations, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 17 and 18. For example, knobs, wheels, rollers, control sticks or similar controls can be used. Functions can also be implemented in these implementations of the navigator execute the multi-level concept according to Fig. 14. A combination of buttons and wheels allows, for example, parallel functions and multiple functions to be assigned to an input element.

12 shows an exemplary embodiment of how devices and different functions of these devices can be selected by pressing buttons, in particular the zapper cross and additional buttons, it being possible to proceed according to the multilevel concept of FIG. 15. The relationships of the actuation of the key to key functions specified in the columns SPI, SPII, SPIII in FIG. 12 are only given as examples; a different assignment of key functions for the actuation of keys is of course possible.

FIG. 19 shows an operating unit BE which has several input fields TA_O, TA_R, TA_U, TA_L, TA_Z and TA_M (see also FIG. 16). A computer RE processes the input from the control unit BE and represents a corresponding functional assignment FB1 or FB2 on the output unit DISP. A high degree of flexibility is guaranteed since the input fields of the control unit BE can be differentiated and a labeling of these input fields is provided does not function as a device. This also eliminates the frequently used multiple assignments of input fields, which require plenty of practice for economical handling and always require visual contact with the respective input field.

The interaction of functional assignments with device-dependent options is outlined in Fig. 20.

The multiple assignments of the input fields TA_O, TA_R, TA_U, TA_L, TA_Z and TA_M are displayed on the DISP output unit. 20 shows the output unit DISP a virtual device "electronic mailbox". Are on the functional assignments of the input units are shown to the output unit. The user can carry out a corresponding interaction without looking at the input fields. Each input field can be identified by feeling and, based on the knowledge of the arrangement, operation is possible without looking at the control unit.

20 also shows how the individual input fields can be occupied, depending on a representation that can be based on different virtual devices.

A virtual device is understood to mean a device that is only displayed electronically and is not necessarily designed as a single device with operating options. Examples of virtual devices are a keyboard of a mobile phone that is displayed on the output unit, the electronic mailbox mentioned above or a navigation system. The virtual devices are presented to the user uniformly via the output unit, and a selection of the individual device is also possible via the control unit.

The input field TA_Z can perform different functions on single actuation (single click) or double actuation within a predefinable period (double click).

Depending on the components displayed on the output unit, possible functions associated with the input fields are described below.

If objects or switches are shown, the input fields TA_R, TA_L, TA_0 or TA_U are used to identify the next right, left, top or bottom object. With such a marking, the user becomes the current position of his input mark (Cursor) is displayed. For this purpose, the switch (or the corresponding object) just marked is preferably displayed with a different color, so that the user can see at a glance the position of his cursor (cursor). The input field TA_Z corresponds to simple

Actuation of a selection, with double actuation within a predefinable time interval of a function that jumps back to the last menu or remains in the hierarchically top menu. Visible names are named with the input field TA_M, a speech recognizer accepts such a name and initiates the selection corresponding to the name.

If lists or tables are displayed, they are operated using the input fields in the manner described above. With the TA_M key, speech is recorded and you can jump directly to the spoken element within the list or table.

For the display of pages or registers, the positioning of the input mark (cursor) using the corresponding input fields TA_R, TA_L, TA_0 or TA_U applies again. The TA_M key is used for direct selection by voice input.

If the components displayed on the DISP output unit are maps or pictures, the input mark is also positioned by actuating the input fields TA_R, TA_L, TA_0 or TA_U, the input field TA_Z represents a zoom function. Alternatively, direct navigation is also possible via voice input by speaking the desired name while pressing the TA_M key.

Navigating through HTML links is also possible. HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) is a language for displaying Internet documents, whereby links (so-called links) to other documents or other functionalities can be realized. A collection of HTML links corresponds to entries as in a telephone book, in which the input fields TA_L and TA_R can be used to page back and forth individually and the input fields TA_0 and TA_U can be used to skip a predeterminable number of HTML links (in both directions: forward and backwards). The input field TA_Z is used again for selection with a single operation or to jump to the next higher menu level with a double operation within a predefinable period. Also, while that

Input field TA_M is pressed, an HTML link can be called directly. If it has been recognized by the speech recognizer, this is started.

Claims

claims

1. Method for operating at least one device by means of a computer using an operating unit, which comprises a plurality of input fields, each of which has a cognitive peculiarity, a) in the functional assignment of the plurality

Input fields are displayed on an output unit, b) when setting the device on the

Output unit are shown as functional assignments, c) in which the operation of the device is carried out by pressing the input field corresponding to the functional assignment.

2. The method according to claim 1, in which a plurality of devices are operated by means of the control unit, the device also being selected by the control unit.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, in which visual and / or auditory information is output on the output unit.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, a) in which the device is additionally operated by means of a speech input by means of a speech recognition means, b) in which options for the speech input are shown on the output unit, c) in the setting options of the device on the output unit d) in which the operation of the device is carried out by carrying out the voice input corresponding to the respective option or setting option.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the output unit is a display.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the output unit is a head-up display in a vehicle.

7. Arrangement for operating at least one device using an operating unit, which comprises a plurality of input fields, each of which has a cognitive peculiarity, with a processor unit which is set up in such a way that a) functional assignments of the several input fields are displayed on an output unit, b) setting options the device is displayed on the output unit, c) the device is operated by pressing the input field corresponding to the functional assignment.

8. The arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the processor unit is set up in such a way that a plurality of devices are operated by means of the control unit, wherein a selection of the device is also carried out by the control unit.

9. Arrangement according to claim 7 or 8, in which visual and / or auditory information is output on the output unit.

10. Arrangement according to one of claims 7 to 9, with a processor unit which is set up in such a way that a) the device is additionally operated by means of a speech recognition means by means of a voice input, b) options for a voice input are shown on the output unit, c) Setting options of the device are shown on the output unit, d) the device is operated by using the voice input corresponding to the option.

11. Arrangement according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the output unit is a display.

12. The arrangement according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the output unit is a head-up display in a vehicle.