Cockpit central display, information on operation - GF54.30-P-0004-03SX

Controls of man-machine interface (MMI)

All functions of the MMI are operated using the front central operating unit (A40/9). It is also possible to operate certain elements of particular functions using the following input devices:

Voice control system (VCS [SBS])
Center console button group (S148)
Left multifunction steering wheel push-button group (S110)
Right multifunction steering wheel push-button group (S111)
"Back" and VCS [SBS] off button (S110s4)
VCS on button (S111s4)

The screen of the COMAND display (A40/8) can be adapted to the needs of the individual user using the cockpit switch group (S6/2).

Main operating unit of MMI, shown on model 221

Fig 1: Identifying Main Operating Unit Of MMI

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Shortcut buttons

Buttons which permit direct access to the MMI functions are provided on the front central operating unit to allow main functions to be accessed quickly.

The disc/radio quick select button is double assigned. If this button is pressed once, then the disc application (e.g. Audio CD/DVD) which was last active starts. If this button is pressed once more then the radio function is activated.

Each time the button is pressed again it switches between these applications The corresponding applications can also be activated directly there using the telephone/navigation quick select button.

Rotary push-button

The rotary push-button is used to move the cursor on the screen and to select and activate functions.

Schematic representation of turn/push control on front central operating unit

Fig 2: Identifying Turn/Push Control On Front Central Operating Unit

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Layout of COMAND display, shown on model 221 up to 31.8.06

Fig 3: Identifying COMAND Display

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Status line

The contents of the status line cannot be selected or changed. All displays (e.g. mute, provider name or letter symbol for new SMS messages) relate to the current system status.

Main menu row

The main menu line is a menu line in which equipment-specific and vehicle-specific functions can be selected. The main menu line is actuated via the front central operating unit.

The main menu line contains the following 5 application groups:

"Navi"
Menu item for navigation settings
"Audio"
Menu item for audio component settings (radio, audio CD/DVD, MP3)
"Tel"
Menu item for communication component settings (telephone, SMS, address book)
"Video"
Menu item for video component settings (TV, video DVD)
"Vehicle"
Menu item for configuring vehicle components which can be operated via COMAND display

Application groups which are not available to the user are grayed out and cannot be selected.

Main menu selection range

The graphical display in the main menu selection range varies corresponding to the requirements of the selected application. The information contents of the active application are displayed in the main menu selection range. With video applications TV and DVD as well as in the navigation map display the main menu selection range can fill the entire screen in full picture mode.

Submenu line

In the submenu line the options and functions of the active application of the main menu line can be operated and their submenus can be selected.

Air conditioning functions row

The air conditioning functions are shown by symbols. Apart from a few exceptions and independent of the active application, the air conditioning functions are always visible (exception are full picture display of video signals, navigation map displays as well as faded in spellers).

Cursor on menu item "Audio" in activated main menu line, shown on model 221 up to 31.8.06

Fig 4: Identifying Cursor On Menu Item "Audio" In Activated Main Menu Line

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Cursor

The cursor indicates the function or option which is currently selected. It is highlighted by a light-colored background and moved using the rotary push-button of the front central operating unit. Exceptions are sliders which are orange.

The active field is the selection field in the main menu with the orange slider, shown on model 221 up to 31.8.06

Fig 5: Identifying Active Field Selection In Main Menu With Orange Slider

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Active area

The active screen area is the area in which the cursor is located. It is the area which can be influenced directly. Options and functions can be only be activated in this area.

The contents of the active area are highlighted in color (lighter). All non-active areas are dimmed. These areas can be activated by means of the front central operating unit.

Graphic feedback and user interface

If a function or option is activated using the front central operating unit, the system always reacts by displaying graphic feedback. The following sections describe the most important graphic elements used for selecting and configuring functions:

Menus
Spellers
Sliders
Checkboxes

Menus

The menus are displayed in horizontal and vertical lists.

The menu items can be selected by rotating the rotary push-button counterclockwise/clockwise or pushing it to the left/right.

If a menu item is to be activated (to select an option or a submenu), the rotary push-button must be pressed down vertically.

Should another screen area be selected, then the turn/push control must be pushed forward or backward.

Menu displays as horizontal list, shown on model 221 up to 31.8.06

Fig 6: Identifying Menu Displays As Horizontal List

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Menu displays as vertical list, shown on model 221 up to 31.8.06

The width of the vertical list is determined by its longest item.

Fig 7: Identifying Menu Displays As Vertical List

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Opening and closing submenus

Submenus can be opened in all screen areas (with the exception of the status line). The cursor is moved in the menu by rotating or pushing the rotary push-button. Submenus are opened by pressing the rotary push-button.

Submenus can be closed in the following ways:

by activating an option or function
by pushing the rotary push-button horizontally
by pushing the "back" button on the front central operating unit

pressing once briefly leads to activation of the preceding menu
Pressing for a longer period (more than 3 s) leads to the closure of all

submenus; the basic screen of the application is displayed

Example: Setting time for displaying submenus, shown on model 221 up to 31.8.06

Displaying submenus

A submenu is opened by activating a list option. In many cases, various steps of submenus are shown next to each other.

Example

The example shows how the time is set. The following menus and options must be activated:

"Vehicle"
"System settings"
"Time"
"Clock"

Fig 8: Setting Time For Displaying Submenus

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Displaying paths

If a submenu is opened, the previously active area (screen area or menu) remains open. It is, however, dimmed (i.e. inactive). All areas, except for the active area, are dimmed.

The entire path thus remains on screen and can be traced back if necessary.

Spellers

There are 2 spellers, each with a different function:

Edit speller
Matching speller

Shown on model 221 up to 31.8.06

Edit speller

An edit speller is provided for functions in which texts, numbers and characters have to be entered.

The elements are selected one at a time by rotating the rotary push-button or pushing it to the left or right. An element is adopted in the text being entered by pressing the rotary push-button down vertically.

Shown on model 221 up to 31.8.06

Fig 9: Identifying Edit Speller

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Matching speller

With the matching speller, the entered characters are compared with list entries and the nearest possible entry is displayed. This matching speller also allows the user to search for entries without the precise target or result needing to be known. The elements are selected individually using the turn/push control until the desired list entry appears. The entry can then be activated by pressing the rotary push-button down vertically.

Shown on model 221 up to 31.8.06

Fig 10: Identifying Matching Speller

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Slider for adjusting the treble in the "Audio" menu

Sliders are used if the intensity of the setting is depicted graphically.

Example

The example shows a slider for adjusting the sound property "treble". Sliders can be moved by pushing or rotating the rotary push-button in the required direction. The rotary push-button is locked when the top or bottom of the menu is reached, and cannot be rotated further in this direction. A value is adopted and the slider is closed by pressing the rotary push-button down vertically or pushing it to the left or right.

Fig 11: Identifying Slider For Adjusting Treble In "Audio" Menu

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Shown on model 221 up to 31.8.06

Special sliders

A special slider is provided e.g. for the "balance/fader" setting. Here, the required position can be set by pushing the rotary push-button. The menu can only be closed by pressing the rotary push-button.

Fig 12: Identifying Special Sliders

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Shown on model 221 up to 31.8.06

Check boxes

Check boxes are used to activate and deactivate functions or options for which no other properties have to be defined.

These functions or options are part of a vertical list and are preceded by a check box. To activate, the function must first be selected using the rotary push-button and then activated or deactivated by pressing the rotary push-button down vertically.

Fig 13: Identifying Check books

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Functions or options which cannot be activated

Some functions and options are temporarily unavailable. They are displayed in gray and can be neither selected nor activated using the cursor.