Multimedia interface touch shifter

1. An operating device for a shift by wire assembly in an automobile, the operating device comprising:

a touch sensitive display for selecting a plurality of selectable operation modes of an automatic and/or automatized transmission of the automobile and comprising an essentially flat surface;

wherein the touch sensitive display further comprises a communication interface, one or more processors, memory and one or more programs;

wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs comprising instructions for detecting contact with the surface of the touch sensitive display and outputting an operation mode selection signal via the communication interface when the contact corresponds to a predefined gesture for selecting one of the plurality of operation modes;

wherein the surface of the touch sensitive display comprises a recess and in that a start position program of the operating device is configured to issue instructions to the touch sensitive display to display a shift pattern when contact with the touch sensitive display is detected at a location of the recess for a predetermined period of time; and

wherein a start position of the displayed shift pattern is located at the location of the recess and wherein the displayed shift pattern includes at least a first segment of the shift pattern displayed as originating at the location of the recess.

2. The operating device of claim 1 , wherein the touch sensitive display comprises a piezo actuator embedded under the surface at the location of the recess; and

wherein the piezo actuator serves to provide a haptic and/or acoustic feedback to the operator contacting the surface at the location of the recess when the touch sensitive display displays the shift pattern.

3. The operating device of claim 1 , wherein the recess is arranged eccentrically on the surface of the touch sensitive display.

4. The operating device of claim 1 , wherein the operating device also comprises a selection program, which is configured to issue instructions to detect a movement of the contact on the surface of the touch sensitive display corresponding to a predefined gesture, wherein the predefined gesture is defined according to the following rules:

a first segment of the movement begins at the recess and comprises a predetermined minimum first distance and a first direction, wherein the first direction is within a predetermined first angular tolerance with respect to a predetermined direction; and

a second segment of the movement begins at a location on the surface at which the first segment of the movement ended and comprises a second predetermined minimum distance and a second direction, wherein the second direction is within a second angular tolerance, the second angular tolerance being predetermined such that the an angular difference between the first segment of the movement and the second segment of the movement is less than or equal to ninety degrees.

5. The operating device of claim 2 , wherein the recess is arranged eccentrically on the surface of the touch sensitive display.

6. The operating device of claim 1 , wherein the operating device also comprises a selection program, which is configured to issue instructions to detect a movement of the contact on the surface of the touch sensitive display corresponding to a predefined gesture.

7. The operating device of claim 6 , wherein the predefined gesture comprises:

a first segment of the movement that begins at the recess and comprises a predetermined minimum first distance and a first direction, wherein the first direction is within a predetermined first angular tolerance with respect to a predetermined direction.

8. The operating device of claim 7 , wherein the predefined gesture further comprises:

a second segment of the movement that begins at a location on the surface at which the first segment of the movement ended.

9. The operating device of claim 8 , wherein

the second segment of the movement comprises a second predetermined minimum distance and a second direction, wherein the second direction is within a second angular tolerance.

10. The operating device of claim 1 , wherein the touch sensitive display further comprises a light emitting diode display having an integrated touch sensor system.

11. The operating device of claim 1 , wherein the touch sensitive display further comprises a rear projection polycarbonate film having an integrated and/or attached touch sensor system.

12. The operating device of claim 2 , wherein the touch sensitive display further comprises a rear projection polycarbonate film having an integrated and/or attached touch sensor system.

13. The operating device of claim 1 , wherein the touch sensitive display further comprises a liquid crystal display or thin film transistor display having integrated touch sensors.

14. The operating device of claim 2 , wherein the touch sensitive display further comprises a liquid crystal display or thin film transistor display having integrated touch sensors.

15. The operating device of claim 1 , wherein the recess has a circular, oval or rectangular shape.

16. The operating device of claim 2 , wherein the recess has a circular, oval or rectangular shape.

17. The operating device of claim 1 , wherein sides of the recess taper inwards to form a bowl shaped hollow space in the surface of the touch sensitive display.

18. The operating device of claim 2 , wherein sides of the recess taper inwards to form a bowl shaped hollow space in the surface of the touch sensitive display.

19. The operating device of claim 1 , wherein touch sensitive display comprises a multimedia interface.

20. The operating device of claim 2 , wherein touch sensitive display comprises a multimedia interface.