US6859143B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method, computer program, control apparatus and arrangement for detecting the touch contact of an operator-controlled element as well as the operator-controlled element
Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
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Filing: 2002-02-12
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Granted: 2005-02-22
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Expires: 2022-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A method serves for detecting the touch contact of an operator-controlled element of a machine by a user. In order to be able to continuously and with great safety and meaning carry out the detection, it is suggested that an actual vibration characteristic (FR) of the operator-controlled element is detected during operation, which changes in dependence upon a touch contact of the operator-controlled element by a user, and is compared to at least one desired vibration characteristic (FR 0 ), which is present in a defined state of the operator-controlled element ( 34, 42 ), and an announcement ( 48, 52 ) takes place in dependence upon the result of the comparison.
Inventors
- 👤 Goetz Braeuchle
- 👤 Martin Heinebrodt
- 👤 Juergen Boecker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:43
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/0076
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for detecting the touch contact of a control element of a machine by a user with which the user controls the machine, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one desired vibration characteristic (FR 0 , PIN 0 , SIN 0 ) which is present in a defined state of said control element; during operation, detecting an actual vibration characteristic (FR; PIN; SIN) of said control element which changes in dependence upon a touch contact of the control element by the user; comparing said actual vibration characteristics (FR, PIN, SIN) to said desired vibration characteristic (FR 0 ; PIN 0 ; SIN 0 ); and, outputting an announcement in dependence upon the result of said comparison.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for detecting the touch contact of a control element of a machine by a user with which the user controls the machine, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one desired vibration characteristic (FR 0 , PIN 0 , SIN 0 ) which is present in a defined state of said control element; during operation, detecting an actual vibration characteristic (FR; PIN; SIN) of said control element which changes in dependence upon a touch contact of the control element by the user; comparing said actual vibration characteristics (FR, PIN, SIN) to said desired vibration characteristic (FR 0 ; PIN 0 ; SIN 0 ); and, outputting an announcement in dependence upon the result of said comparison.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the vibration characteristic is the propagation characteristic (SIN) of excited vibrations along at least one region of the control element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the control element is excited by a vibration pulse (SOUT) and the time-dependent intensity profile (SIN) of the response vibrations is detected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the vibration characteristic is a resonance frequency (FR) of the control element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein at least one region of the control element is excited in resonance and the actual resonance frequency (FR) of the control element is detected in that the excitation frequency is varied and the maximum of the power output and/or the minimum of the power input is detected.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein at least one region of the control element is excited at a constant frequency and a change of the needed power input (PIN) or the obtained power output and/or a shift of the phase position between excitation and response is detected.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a conclusion is drawn as to the intensity and/or the nature of the touch contact from the extent and/or of the nature of the deviation of the actual vibration characteristic (FR; PIN; SIN) from the desired vibration characteristic FR 0 ; PIN 0 ; SIN 0 ).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the desired vibration characteristic (FR 0 ; PIN 0 ; SIN 0 ) is detected and stored in a state of ensured non-contact of the control element by the user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the announcement includes the setting of a bit and/or a flag.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the announcement effects an intervention via an autopilot and/or the output of a warning and/or of an alarm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the warning and/or the alarm includes the output of an acoustic signal, the output of an optical signal and/or the generation of sensoric stimuli on the control element, especially vibrations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the vibration characteristics (FR; PIN; SIN) in the ultrasonic range or in the infrasonic range are detected or corresponding vibrations (FR 0 ; SIN 0 ) are generated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the excitation of the vibrations of the control element and the detection of the vibration characteristics take place with the same device, especially a piezo transducer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
141 words
A computer program comprising a method which can be carried out when said computer program is run on a computer, the method being for detecting the touch contact of a control element of a machine by a user with which the user controls the machine, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one desired vibration characteristic FR 0 , PIN 0 , SIN 0 ) which is present in a defined state of said control element; during operation, detecting an actual vibration characteristic (FR; PIN; SIN) of said control element which changes in dependence upon a touch contact of the control element by the user; comparing said actual vibration characteristics (FR, PIN, SIN) to said desired vibration characteristic FR 0 ; PIN 0 ; SIN 0 ); and, outputting an announcement in dependence upon the result of said comparison.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
141 words
A computer program comprising a method which can be carried out when said computer program is run on a computer, the method being for detecting the touch contact of a control element of a machine by a user with which the user controls the machine, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one desired vibration characteristic FR 0 , PIN 0 , SIN 0 ) which is present in a defined state of said control element; during operation, detecting an actual vibration characteristic (FR; PIN; SIN) of said control element which changes in dependence upon a touch contact of the control element by the user; comparing said actual vibration characteristics (FR, PIN, SIN) to said desired vibration characteristic FR 0 ; PIN 0 ; SIN 0 ); and, outputting an announcement in dependence upon the result of said comparison.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer program of claim 14 , wherein it is stored on a memory including a flash memory.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
131 words
A control apparatus (open-loop and/or closed loop) for detecting the touch contact of a control element of a machine by a user with which the user controls the machine, the control apparatus comprising: means for providing at least one desired vibration characteristic FR 0 , PIN 0 , SIN 0 ) which is present in a defined state of said control element; means for detecting, during operation, an actual vibration characteristic (FR; PIN; SIN) of said control element which changes in dependence upon a touch contact of the control element by the user; means for comparing said actual vibration characteristics (FR, PIN, SIN) to said desired vibration characteristic FR 0 ; PIN 0 ; SIN 0 ); and, means for outputting an announcement in dependence upon the result of said comparison.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
131 words
A control apparatus (open-loop and/or closed loop) for detecting the touch contact of a control element of a machine by a user with which the user controls the machine, the control apparatus comprising: means for providing at least one desired vibration characteristic FR 0 , PIN 0 , SIN 0 ) which is present in a defined state of said control element; means for detecting, during operation, an actual vibration characteristic (FR; PIN; SIN) of said control element which changes in dependence upon a touch contact of the control element by the user; means for comparing said actual vibration characteristics (FR, PIN, SIN) to said desired vibration characteristic FR 0 ; PIN 0 ; SIN 0 ); and, means for outputting an announcement in dependence upon the result of said comparison.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
117 words
The control apparatus (open loop and/or closed loop) of claim 16 , wherein said control apparatus includes a computer program for carrying out the method steps of: providing at least one desired vibration characteristic FR 0 , PIN 0 , SIN 0 ) which is present in a defined state of said control element; during operation, detecting an actual vibration characteristic (FR; PIN; SIN) of said control element which changes in dependence upon a touch contact of the control element by the user; comparing said actual vibration characteristics (FR, PIN, SIN) to said desired vibration characteristic FR 0 ; PIN 0 ; SIN 0 ); and, outputting an announcement in dependence upon the result of said comparison.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
136 words
An arrangement for detecting the touch contact of a control element of a machine by a user with which the user controls the machine, the arrangement comprising: a detection device connected to the control element and responding to a touch contact of the control element by the user; said detection device being so configured that the detection device determines an actual vibration characteristic (FR; PIN; SIN) of the control element which changes in dependence upon a touch contact of the control element by a user during operation; a data processing unit for comparing the signal of said detecting device to a desired vibration characteristic FR 0 ; PIN 0 ; SIN 0 ) present in a defined state of the control element; and, means for outputting an announcement in dependence upon the result of the comparison.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
136 words
An arrangement for detecting the touch contact of a control element of a machine by a user with which the user controls the machine, the arrangement comprising: a detection device connected to the control element and responding to a touch contact of the control element by the user; said detection device being so configured that the detection device determines an actual vibration characteristic (FR; PIN; SIN) of the control element which changes in dependence upon a touch contact of the control element by a user during operation; a data processing unit for comparing the signal of said detecting device to a desired vibration characteristic FR 0 ; PIN 0 ; SIN 0 ) present in a defined state of the control element; and, means for outputting an announcement in dependence upon the result of the comparison.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The arrangement of claim 18 , wherein the arrangement includes a unit, which is connected to the control element and can excite the control element at a defined vibration (FR, SOUT).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
The arrangement of claim 19 , wherein the excitation unit can output a defined vibration pulse (SOUT) to the control element and a device is provided, with which the time-dependent intensity profile (SIN) of the response vibrations can be detected.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The arrangement of claim 19 , wherein the excitation unit can excite at least one region of the control element to a resonance vibration (FR).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The arrangement of claim 21 , wherein a unit is provided which detects the power input (PIN) to the excitation unit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The arrangement of claim 18 , wherein said arrangement includes a device for outputting a warning and/or an alarm.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
The arrangement of claim 19 , wherein the excitation unit generates vibrations (FR, SOUT) in the ultrasonic range and/or in the infrasonic range and the detection unit can detect corresponding vibrations (FR, SIN).
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The arrangement of claim 19 , wherein the excitation unit and the detection unit are identical.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The arrangement of claim 25 , wherein said excitation unit and said detection unit are configured as piezo elements.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
158 words
The combination of an control element of a machine and an arrangement for detecting the touch contact of said control element by a user of said machine with which the user controls the machine, the combination comprising: said arrangement; said control element connected to said arrangement; said arrangement including: a detection device connected to the control element and responding to a touch contact of the control element by the user; said detection device being so configured that the detection device determines an actual vibration characteristic (FR; PIN; SIN) of the control element which changes in dependence upon a touch contact of the control element by a user during operation; a data processing unit for comparing the signal of said detecting device to a desired vibration characteristic FR 0 ; PIN 0 ; SIN 0 ) present in a defined state of the control element; and, means for outputting an announcement in dependence upon the result of the comparison.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
158 words
The combination of an control element of a machine and an arrangement for detecting the touch contact of said control element by a user of said machine with which the user controls the machine, the combination comprising: said arrangement; said control element connected to said arrangement; said arrangement including: a detection device connected to the control element and responding to a touch contact of the control element by the user; said detection device being so configured that the detection device determines an actual vibration characteristic (FR; PIN; SIN) of the control element which changes in dependence upon a touch contact of the control element by a user during operation; a data processing unit for comparing the signal of said detecting device to a desired vibration characteristic FR 0 ; PIN 0 ; SIN 0 ) present in a defined state of the control element; and, means for outputting an announcement in dependence upon the result of the comparison.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 27 , wherein said arrangement is integrated into the control element.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-02-22 | 2008-08-23 | 2009-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-02-22 | 2012-08-23 | 2013-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-02-22 | 2016-08-23 | 2017-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |