Control console for an automobile

• US 20030105568A1
• Filed: 10/18/2002
• Published: 06/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Berneis, Paul Allen, Matson, Jeff, Melnyk, Borys Joseph, Flascher, Oded M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,928,350 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/028 on planes with different or alterable inclination, e.g. convex plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/034 Support for hands or arms

Abstract

A control device for controlling a plurality of user appliances is disclosed. The device is ergonomically designed to enforce hand placement and eliminate the problem of finding the correct switch to manipulate. Additionally, the controls on the device have software-defined functions, enabling the functions of a plurality of equipment to be managed from a single device. The device has a hand positioning portion having a first set of user actuatable switches for changing an operation of at least one of the plurality of user appliances. The hand positioning portion is configured to align a user'"'"'s hand with the first set of user actuatable switches. Additionally, the device has a switch pad portion in juxtaposition with the hand positioning portion having a second set of user actuatable switches for changing an operation of at least one of another of the plurality of user appliances.

Claims

1. A control device for controlling a plurality of user appliances from a single location, the device comprising:

a hand positioning portion having a first set of user actuatable switches for changing an operation of at least one of the plurality of user appliances, wherein the hand positioning portion is configured to align a user'"'"'s hand with the first set of user actuatable switches;

a switch pad portion proximate to the hand positioning portion having a second set of user actuatable switches for changing an operation of at least one of another of the plurality of user appliances.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the hand positioning portion includes a slightly elevated portion for accommodating a user'"'"'s palm.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a padded member attached to the hand positioning portion to accommodate a user'"'"'s arm.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a host computer in communication with the actuatable switches and the user appliances.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a display for displaying system operations.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the display is located in the switch pad portion.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of user appliances includes at least one of a warning light, a siren, a radio, a computer, and a radar.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the hand positioning portion includes depressions to align the user'"'"'s hand with the first set of actuatable switches.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuatable switches are at least one of push button switches, slide switches, toggle switches, and knobs.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising a biometric identification device.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the biometric identification device is a fingerprint reader.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising a padded member attached to the control console to accommodate a user'"'"'s arm.

14. The system of claim 10, further comprising a host computer in communication with the control console and the user appliances.

15. The system of claim 10, further comprising a display for displaying system operations.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the display is located in the third portion.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the control console is located between a passenger seat and a driver seat.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of user appliances includes at least one of a warning light, a siren, a radio, a computer, and a radar.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein the moveable shaft is attached to the vehicle with a ball and socket.

20. The system of claim 10, wherein the control console is attached to the moveable shaft with a ball and socket.

21. The system of claim 10, wherein the depressions in the upper portion include actuators for controlling the user appliances.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the actuators are at least one of push button switches, slide switches, toggle switches, and knobs.

12. A control system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

a plurality of user appliances;

a moveable shaft having first and second ends, the first end being affixed to the vehicle; and

a control console having a generally planar surface, wherein the surface includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the first portion having depressions for accommodating fingers of a user, the second portion being elevated slightly above the planar surface for accommodating a user'"'"'s palm, and the third portion having a plurality of actuators for controlling the user appliances,

and wherein the control console is attached to the second end of the moveable shaft enabling the control console to be positioned relative to the user.

23. A control console comprising:

a first portion having a generally planar top surface, the surface having depressions for accommodating fingers of a user;

a second portion having a top surface elevated slightly above the generally planar surface of the first portion for accommodating a palm of the user; and

a third portion having a generally planar top surface, the surface having a plurality of actuators for controlling a plurality of user appliances.

24. The control console of claim 23, further comprising a padded member attached to the third portion to accommodate a user'"'"'s arm.

25. The control console of claim 23, further comprising a display for displaying system operations.

26. The control console of claim 23, wherein the display is located in the third portion.

27. The control console of claim 23, wherein the plurality of user appliances includes at least one of a warning light, a siren, a radio, a computer, and a radar.

28. The control console of claim 23, wherein the depressions in the first portion include actuators for controlling the user appliances.

29. The control console of claim 23, wherein the actuators are at least one of push button switches, slide switches, toggle switches, and knobs.

30. A control device for controlling a plurality of user appliances from a single location, the device comprising:

a hand positioning portion having a first set of user actuatable switches for changing an operation of at least one of the plurality of user appliances, wherein the hand positioning portion is configured to align a user'"'"'s hand with the first set of user actuatable switches; and

switch pad portion in juxtaposition with the hand positioning portion having a second set of user actuatable switches for changing an operation of at least one of another of the plurality of user appliances.