# US 11,451,228 B2 · Operating device for a motor vehicle, method for operating a motor vehicle with the aid of the operating device, control unit, and motor vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,451,228 B2 - Document ID: US11451228B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/628,751 - Filed: 2018-06-25 - Published: 2020-09-10 - Granted: 2022-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 2017-07-06 - Assignees: Audi AG - Applicants: Audi AG - Inventors: Jacques Hélot; Joris Mertens; Maximilian Mitwalsky; Clemens Volz; Günther Seitz; Ulrich Müller; Tobias Hopf - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11451228B2 ## CPC - H03K 17/9622: {using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard} - B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor - G06F 3/0446: {using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes} - G06F 3/0447: {Position sensing using the local deformation of sensor cells} - H03K 17/962: {Capacitive touch switches} - H03K 17/965: Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch - B60K 2360/128: Axially displaceable input devices for instruments - B60K 2360/143: Touch sensitive instrument input devices - B60K 2360/146: Instrument input by gesture - B60K 2360/1468: Touch gesture - H01H 2003/0293: {with an integrated touch switch} - H03K 2217/96054: Double function: touch detection combined with detection of a movable element - H03K 2217/9607: Capacitive touch switches - H03K: PULSE TECHNIQUE (measuring pulse characteristics G01R; modulating sinusoidal oscillations with pulses H03C; transmission of digital information H04L; discriminator circuits detecting phase difference between two signals by counting or integrating cycles of oscillation H03D3/04; automatic control, starting, synchronisation or stabilisation of generators of electronic oscillations or pulses where the type of generator is irrelevant or unspecified H03L; coding, decoding or code conversion, in general H03M) - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) ## Abstract An operating device for a motor vehicle, having a touch-sensitive operating element with a frame element and a central region. The touch-sensitive operating interface has a predetermined operating region at each of at least two predetermined touch positions for activating an operating function assigned to the respective operating region. The operating element is arranged to be displaceable at least partially along a translation axis that intersects the operating interface. The operating device has only one detection element, which is arranged facing an inner side of the touch-sensitive operating element that faces away from the touch-sensitive operating interface, and which is arranged to detect a displacement of each operating region along the translation axis. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An operating device for a motor vehicle, comprising: a touch-sensitive operating element with a frame element and a central region, and precisely one detection element, wherein the frame element has a touch-sensitive operating interface, at least partially frames the central region, and extends conically towards the central region, wherein the touch-sensitive operating interface has at least two predetermined operating regions corresponding to touch positions arranged about the touch-sensitive operating interface for activating an operating function assigned to a respective operating region, wherein the touch-sensitive operating element is displaceable at least partially along a translation axis that intersects the touch-sensitive operating interface, wherein the detection element is arranged facing an inner side of the touch-sensitive operating element which faces away from the touch-sensitive operating interface, wherein the detection element is configured to detect a displacement of the touch-sensitive operating element along the translation axis, wherein a first operation is activated in response to a first operating action, the first operating action comprising a detected movement of an object across two or more of the at least two predetermined operating regions, and wherein a second operation is activated in response to a second operating action, the second operating action comprising (1) a detected presence of the object on one of the at least two predetermined operating regions and (2) displacement of the touch-sensitive operating element along the translation axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the detection element comprises at least one of a pressure sensor, a micro button, and a contact sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The operating device according to claim 2, wherein the detection element is arranged centered with respect to the central region. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the frame element has a sensing web designed as a depression for guiding the object along a movement path. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The operating device according to claim 1, further comprising a ring element which at least partially surrounds the frame element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The operating device according to claim 5, wherein the frame element is countersunk relative to the ring element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The operating device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit which is configured to execute the first and second operations, wherein, through the first operation, the control unit sets a target value of a predetermined control parameter as a function of at least one of a direction of movement of the object and a travel distance of the object across the touch-sensitive operating interface, and wherein, through the second operation, the control unit triggers the operating function corresponding to the one of the at least two operating regions which was pressed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the central region is a non-capacitive surface connected to the frame element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the central region is separate from the frame element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the central region is touch-sensitive, and wherein a third operation is activated in response to a third operating action, the third operating action comprising a detected touching or pressing of the central region by the object. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the object is at least one of a stylus and a finger of a user. ### Claim 12 A method for operating a motor vehicle comprising an operating device, the method comprising: detecting at least one of a plurality of operating actions which are executable on a touch-sensitive operating interface of an operating element; wherein the touch-sensitive operating interface has at least two predetermined operating regions corresponding to touch positions arranged about the touch-sensitive operating interface for activating an operating function assigned to a respective operating region, wherein the operating device comprises precisely one detection element for detecting a displacement of the touch-sensitive operating interface along a translation axis, wherein a first of the plurality of operating actions comprises movement of an object across two or more of the at least two predetermined operating regions, and wherein a second of the plurality of operating actions comprises (1) presence of the object on one of the at least two predetermined operating regions and (2) displacement of the touch-sensitive operating interface along the translation axis.