Operating method for an operating and display device in a vehicle and operating and display device in a vehicle

An operator control apparatus in a vehicle, the operator control apparatus comprising:

• a display panel;
• a memory that stores data pertaining to an operator control structure that comprises a main menu and a multiplicity of further menus;
• a control apparatus coupled to the memory and to the display panel that is configured to produce graphics data for presenting the further menus of the operator control structure on the display panel;
• and
• an input apparatus that is configured to be used to capture inputs that can bring about alteration of the displayed menu and that can actuate switching elements of the menus,
• wherein the controller is configured, at initialization of the operator control structure, to present the main menu having a number of switching elements and to capture an initial actuation of one of the switching elements and to responsively present animated movement of the main menu to reveal one of the further menus associated with the actuated switching element, and to present, for at least a plurality of menus from the multiplicity of further menus of the operator control structure, a special switching element at the edge of the display panel, the special switching element configured for actuation responsive to a swipe gesture catching the special switching element, and
• wherein responsive to activation of the special switching element, the main menu moves incrementally to transition onto the display panel from the edge at which the special switching element is displayed and the previously displayed menu simultaneously disappears as time progresses until expiration of a first time interval, wherein responsive to expiration of the first time interval the display panel presents only the main menu thereby indicating the change of the display panel to provide simple access to the main menu from any of the plurality of menus of the multiplicity of menus without negotiating a menu hierarchy.

An operator control apparatus for a transportation vehicle, the operator control apparatus comprising:

• a display panel;
• a memory that stores data pertaining to an operator control structure that comprises a main menu and a multiplicity of further menus;
• a controller coupled with the memory and the display panel to produce graphics data for presenting the menus of the operator control structure on the display panel;
• and
• an input apparatus arranged to capture inputs that alter the displayed menu and to actuate switching elements of the menus,
• wherein the controller is configured, at initialization of the operator control structure, to present the main menu having a number of switching elements and to capture an initial actuation of one of the switching elements and to responsively present animated movement of the main menu to reveal one of the further menus associated with the actuated switching element, and to present a special switching element at the edge of the display panel for at least a plurality of menus from the multiplicity, the special switching element configured to be actuated by a swipe gesture capturing the special switching element, and
• wherein responsive to activation of the special switching element, the main menu moves incrementally to transition onto the display from the edge at which the special switching element is displayed and the previously displayed menu simultaneously disappears as time progresses, wherein responsive to expiration of a first time interval, the display panel presents only the main menu thereby indicating the change of the display panel to provide simple access to the main menu from any of the plurality of menus of the multiplicity of menus without negotiating a menu hierarchy.