Robert Boschgmbh

Christa Heiland-Franzen

Winfried Koenig

Peter Knoll

Clemens Guenther

Georg Geiser

Udo Brunke

Rudolph Vollmer

Rudolf Haller

Ralf Eck

In a logging device for registering the frequency of manually entered operator control functions for an electrical device, the frequency of entered operator control functions are selectively counted. Consequently, it can be established with which frequency the individual operator control functions are activated. The logging device may be connected separately to the electrical device, for example a car radio, via a bus or be integrated into the electrical device. The operating characteristics of a certain operator can be stored individually for the operator and can be output automatically when this operator enters an identification code. This simplifies the operating of an electrical device with high operating convenience. It is also advantageous that, for example in the motor vehicle, the driver is distracted less from the traffic situation when operating the car radio.

Operator control logging device for an electrical device

A method for displaying information on a screen of a display device in a motor vehicle is described. Information to be displayed and/or its forms of representation are selected from a range of options displayed on the screen by the actuation of command keys. An evaluation is made thereby of the speed of operation of the command keys and/or the frequency distribution of the user's selection of the information and of the forms of representation. The evaluation is then used to change the range of options represented and/or the information displayed and/or the forms of representation of the information displayed.

Method for displaying information on a screen

A visual display monitor of an information system of a motor vehicle is connected not only with the usual engine and vehicle instrumentation, but also with a variety of electrical equipments installed in the motor vehicle which the driver may want to activate and control from time to time. The picture screen of the monitor, preferably of the LCD, electro-luminescence or plasma type, is subdivided into a report region at the top and a region for interactive information such as instructions menus and operation results. All the functions that would otherwise be performed by individual buttons, knobs and switches of the various equipments installed in the vehicle may be simply performed by a series of easily designated choices. One input device has a ball control for directing a cursor on the screen of the monitor, a menu button and an entry button, and may be located on the steering wheel. While a particular equipment that has been selected is being controlled, the corresponding field of the monitor selected by the cursor has its light-to-dark contrast reversed, to indicate that the corresponding equipment is in the process of being adjusted or controlled. Another input device is combined with a telephone handset used for telephone calls and has a recessed alphanumeric keyboard in its back for more detailed entries into the system. The information system is built around a digital speech memory which not only provides telephone answering messages and the like but also makes possible audible outputs of the system through the ratio receiver's loudspeaker so that the driver can be less dependent on visual outputs displayed on the monitor.

Multi-choice information system for a motor vehicle

A visual display monitor of an information system of a motor vehicle is connected not only with the usual engine and vehicle instrumentation, but also with a variety of electrical equipments installed in the motor vehicle which the driver may want to activate and control from time to time. The picture screen of the monitor, preferably of the LCD, electro-luminescence or plasma type, is subdivided into a report region at the top and a region for interactive information such as instructions menus and operation results. All the functions that would otherwise be performed by individual buttons, knobs and switches of the various equipments installed in the vehicle may be simply performed by a series of easily designated choices. One input device has a ball control for directing a cursor on the screen of the monitor, a menu button and an entry button, and may be located on the steering wheel. While a particular equipment that has been selected is being controlled, the corresponding field of the monitor selected by the cursor has its light-to-dark contrast reversed, to indicate that the corresponding equipment is in the process of being adjusted or controlled. Another input device is combined with a telephone handset used for telephone calls and has a recessed alphanumeric keyboard in its back for more detailed entries into the system. The information system is built around a digital speech memory which not only provides telephone answering messages and the like but also makes possible audible outputs of the system through the radio receiver's loudspeaker so that the driver can be less dependent on visual outputs displayed on the monitor.

Growing community of inventors

Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany

Christa Heiland-Franzen