Device and method for adapting the content of a status bar

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10649625-B2
Application number	US-201315033138-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 29, 2013
Priority date	Oct 29, 2013
Publication date	May 12, 2020
Grant date	May 12, 2020

Abstract

A device and method for adapting the content of a status bar to a screen. The method includes activation of an input element with respect to the status bar, reception of user input, and adaptation of the contents of the status bar in which additional information is displayed.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for adapting display of content of a status bar on a screen of a Human Machine Interface installed in a transportation vehicle, wherein the Human Machine Interface is configured to control functionality of the transportation vehicle based on input by a user to the Human Machine Interface, the method comprising:
displaying information in the status bar, the displayed information belonging to a first set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information for the functionality of the transportation vehicle;
detecting an indication of a user's focus on the status bar displayed on the screen while the first set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information is displayed in the status bar;
determining which subject matter included in status bar is the subject of the user's focus based on the detected indication of the user's focus;
displaying an indication of the subject matter determined to be the subject of the user's focus;
detecting a subsequent user input indicating confirmation by the user that the displayed indication of the user's subject matter of interest is correct; and
automatically adapting, in response to the detection of the subsequent user input, the content displayed in the status bar by displaying information belonging to a second set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information for the functionality of the transportation vehicle, wherein the adapting the content of the status bar comprises outputting a notification representing the functionality of the second set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information for the functionality of the transportation vehicle, wherein the notification is replaced by the second set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information for the functionality of the transportation vehicle after a predefined time interval has elapsed,
wherein inclusion of information in both the first set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information for functionality of the transportation vehicle and the second set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information for functionality of the transportation vehicle is based on a current operating status of one or more transportation vehicle systems included in the transportation vehicle such that information included in the status bar displayed pertains to currently operating transportation vehicle systems, and
wherein the second set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information, compared with the first set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information, comprises more information, and/or comprises less information.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user input comprises a finger hovering within a predefined distance range from the screen in front of the status bar, on the screen.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising predefining, in a configuration menu for the status bar, the first set and/or the second set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information for functionality of the transportation vehicle.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information and the second set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information each comprise a different combination of icons from the following group:
current cellular network operator,
current field strength of cellular network,
fan speed,
circulation mode,
time,
date,
destination,
destination address,
distance to destination,
estimated time of arrival,
steering-wheel heater,
windshield demister,
radio traffic service,
unread message,
amount of charge in energy storage device,
short-range wireless data connection,
audio output active/muted,
volume level,
current performer,
current title,
road condition,
traffic warning,
status of driver assistance systems, and temperature.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein adapting the content of the status bar comprises displaying a summary of a multiplicity of topic areas, from which a topic area is selected in response to receipt of a further user input and, in response thereto, more detailed information on the selected topic area is shown in the status bar.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detected indication of the user's focus indicates the user's focus on an icon associated with a predefined topic area, and the adapting the content of the status bar comprises displaying a third set of icons, which provide more detailed information about the predefined topic area.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying in the status bar an indicator, which is used to inform the user about the facility to adapt the status bar.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the status bar is embodied as a roller that has a cross-section of a regular polygon or is animated to rotate on user interaction, wherein the first set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information is arranged on a first lateral surface of the roller, and the second set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information is arranged on a second lateral surface of the roller.

9. A device for a transportation vehicle, the device comprising:
a screen of a Human Machine Interface installed in the transportation vehicle, wherein the Human Machine Interface is configured to control functionality of the transportation vehicle based on input by a user to the Human Machine Interface;
an input unit for receiving user input; and
a processing unit,
wherein the device displays transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information in the status bar, the displayed transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information belonging to a first set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information;
wherein the input unit, detects an indication of a user's focus on the status bar displayed on the screen while the first set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information is displayed in the status bar,
wherein, the processing unit determines which subject matter included in status bar is the subject of the user's focus based on the detected indication of the user's focus,
wherein, the screen displays an indication of the subject matter determined to be the subject of the user's focus,
wherein, the input unit detects a subsequent user input indicating confirmation by the user that the displayed indication of the user's subject matter of interest is correct,
wherein, in response to the detection of the subsequent user input, the processing unit automatically adapts content displayed in the status bar on the screen of the Human Machine Interface by displaying transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information belonging to a second set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information for the functionality of the transportation vehicle, wherein the adapting the content of the status bar comprises outputting a notification representing the functionality of the second set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information for the functionality of the transportation vehicle, wherein the notification is replaced by the second set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information for the functionality of the transportation vehicle after a predefined time interval has elapsed,
wherein inclusion of information in both the first set of transportation vehicle system operating-status dependent information and the second set of transp

Assignees

• Volkswagen Ag

Inventors

• Wild Holger
• Czelnik Mark Peter
• Althoff Frank

Classifications

• G06F3/04817

  using icons (graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34) · CPC title

• G06F3/0482 Primary

  Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus · CPC title

• G01C21/36

  Input/output arrangements for on-board computers · CPC title

• G06F3/04883

  for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text · CPC title

• B60K2370/1442

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic