Input device on a sun-visor

• US 20030151306A1
• Filed: 12/19/2002
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Weinberger, Markus
• Granted Patent: US 7,017,970 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/0204 Sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/81 Fastening of instruments, e.g. to dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/06 of controls, e.g. controls knobs
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0035 Sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0047 using hidden fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0089 around three axes, i.e. universally mounted

Abstract

An input device is proposed in a vehicle, the input device having a plurality of keys, being connected to a processing unit and being arranged in the sun visor of the vehicle. The input of text via the input device is simplified, the input device being available in the vehicle without space being necessary, for example, in the center console.

Claims

1. An input device in a vehicle having a plurality of keys, the input device being connected to a processing unit, a sun visor being disposed in the vehicle, the input device (10, 100) being arranged on the sun visor (3, 5) in the vehicle, [and] the sun visor (3, 5) being disposed in a holding device (7, 9, 61),

wherein for an input using the input device (10, 100), the sun visor (3, 5) is removable from the holding device (7, 9, 61).

2. The input device as recited in claim 1,

wherein the input device (10) is built into the sun visor (3, 5).

3. The input device as recited in one of claims 1-2,

wherein the input device (100) is removable from the sun visor (3, 5).

4. The input device as recited in claim 3,

wherein the input device (100) is able to be latched in the sun visor (3, 5).

5. The input device as recited in one of the foregoing claims,

wherein the input device (10, 100) is provided with a voltage supply (24) that is independent of a vehicle electrical system.

6. The input device as recited in one of the foregoing claims,

wherein the input device is connected to a storage battery (24), and the storage battery (24) is chargeable by a charging current when the sun visor (3, 5) is retained in the holding device (7, 9) and is in electrical contact (15, 16) with the input device (10, 100).

7. The input device as recited in one of the foregoing claims,

wherein the input device (10, 100) is connected to a first transceiver unit (25), the processing unit (30) is connected to a second transceiver unit (26), and data are transmittable between the input device (10, 100) and the processing unit (30) via the first and second transceiver units (25, 26) in a wireless fashion, preferably via a radio transmission or via an infrared transmission.

8. The input device as recited in one of claims 1-5,

wherein the input device (10) is connected to the processing unit (30) via connecting lines (60).

9. The input device as recited in one of the foregoing claims,

wherein at least keys for the letters of the alphabet (22) or keys for the whole numbers from zero to nine (21) are arranged on the input device (10, 100).

10. The input device as recited in one of the foregoing claims,

wherein the keys (20, 21, 22) of the input device (10, 100) are implemented as membrane keys.

11. The input device as recited in one of the foregoing claims,

wherein a display unit (23) is arranged on the input device (10, 100) and/or on the sun visor (3, 5).

12. The input device as recited in one of the foregoing claims,

wherein using the input device (10, 100), data are able to be input into a driver information device (30) and/or into a navigation device (30) and/or via a wireless interface (32) into a Service Node (33) situated outside of the vehicle.

13. The input device as recited in one of the foregoing claims,

wherein the input device (10, 100) is able to be concealed by the sun visor (3, 5), especially by folding the sun visor (3, 5) against a vehicle roof (18).

14. A sun visor for receiving an input device as recited in one of the foregoing claims.