Operating input device and method for operating an operating input device

A method for operating an operator input device,

• the method comprising, at least temporarily in an unactuated initial state:
• detecting a current actual force value of an operating force applied to the operating surface;
• determining whether the operating surface is touched by an operator;
• if no touching of the operating surface by an operator has been detected:
• assigning the detected, current actual force value to a base force value;
• and
• repeating detecting the actual force value, determining if the operating surface is touched by an operator, and assigning the current actual force value to a base force value;
• if touching of the operating surface by an operator has been detected:
• changing to a first actuation-expected state, and
• assigning a defined force value to the base force value, or
• detecting a current actual force value of an operating force applied to the operating surface;
• determining a force signal gradient of the applied and detected operating force as a function of the actual force signal and comparing the determined force signal gradient with a predefined gradient threshold value;
• if the determined force signal gradient does not exceed the predefined force signal threshold value:
• assigning the detected, current actual force value to a base force value;
• and
• repeating detecting a current actual force value, determining a force signal gradient, and assigning the actual force value to a base force value,
• if the determined force signal gradient exceeds the predefined force signal threshold value:
• changing to a first actuation-expected state;
• and
• assigning a defined force value to the base force value.

The method as claimed in claim 10,

• wherein, when the operator input device is in the first actuation-waiting state or in the second actuation-waiting state after the defined force value is assigned to the base force value
• the method further comprising:
• determining whether the operating input device is actuated and
• outputting a corresponding operating signal,
• wherein the determination of whether the operating input device is actuated is carried out by:
• determining a difference between the current actual force value of the actual force signal and the current base force value, and
• comparing the determined difference with a predetermined difference threshold value,
• wherein the operating input device is recognized as “actuated” at least in the first actuation-expected state and a corresponding operating signal is output if the determined difference exceeds the predetermined difference threshold value.