Interface for a multifunctional system

• US 20030231163A1
• Filed: 06/13/2003
• Published: 12/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Burk, Michael T., Tyner, Randall O. Jr., Hanon, Kris
• Granted Patent: US 7,126,580 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof

Abstract

The interface uses a combination of controls that retain essentially the same function throughout all modes and features and controls that vary based on the active mode or feature. The interface also includes a display. The display can provide text information, graphic information or a combination of text and graphics. The arrangement of the mode controls, the soft controls and the display is designed to facilitate the user'"'"'s interaction with the system. The system provides some redundant controls so that the user can select the control that is most convenient or intuitive for that user.

Claims

1. An interface, comprising:

a display having a first display area and a second display area;

a first plurality of mode controls arranged so that the first plurality of controls is proximate to each other, wherein each control corresponds to a different mode of a first mode type;

a second plurality of mode controls arranged so that the second plurality of controls is proximate to each other, wherein each control corresponds to a different mode of a second mode type;

a plurality of soft controls arranged adjacent to the first display area so that a function associated with a soft controls is displayed proximate to the soft control on the second display area;

a select control; and

a confirmation control.

2. The interface of claim 1, further comprising:

a third plurality of controls, wherein each control corresponds to a different data input.

3. The interface of claim 1, wherein the first mode type is a long duration mode.

4. The interface of claim 1, wherein the second mode type is a short duration mode.

5. The interface of claim 3, wherein the first plurality of mode controls is selected from the group consisting essentially of broadcast content, stored content and requested content.

6. The interface of claim 4, wherein the second plurality of mode controls is selected from the group consisting essentially of communication, navigation and destination marking.

7. The interface of claim 1, wherein the first display area displays text information and the second display area displays graphic information.

8. The interface of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of mode controls is proximate to one side of the second display area.

9. The interface of claim 8, wherein the second plurality of mode controls is proximate to another side of the second display area.

10. The interface of claim 1, wherein the select control is proximate to the first plurality of mode controls.

11. An interface, comprising:

a display;

a plurality of mode controls for selecting an active mode arranged proximate to the display;

a plurality of soft controls arranged adjacent to the display so that a function associated with a soft control is displayed on the display proximate to the soft control;

a third plurality of input controls, wherein each control corresponds to a different data input;

a select control; and

a confirmation control.

12. The interface of claim 11, wherein the plurality of mode controls comprises:

a first plurality of mode controls arranged so that the first plurality of controls is proximate to each other, wherein each control corresponds to a different mode of a first mode type; and

a second mode control arranged so that the second mode control is proximate to the first plurality of mode controls, wherein the second mode control corresponds to a second mode type.

13. The interface of claim 12, wherein the second mode control is one of a second plurality of mode controls, and wherein the plurality of mode controls comprises:

the second plurality of mode controls, wherein each control corresponds to a different mode of the second mode type, and wherein each of the second plurality of mode controls are proximate to each other.

14. The interface of claim 12, wherein the first plurality of mode controls is proximate to one side of the second display area.

15. The interface of claim 13, wherein the second plurality of mode controls is proximate to another side of the second display area.

16. The interface of claim 14, wherein the select control is proximate to the first plurality of mode controls.

17. The interface of claim 12, wherein the first mode type is a long duration mode.

18. The interface of claim 17, wherein the first plurality of mode controls is selected from the group consisting essentially of broadcast content, stored content and requested content.

19. The interface of claim 13, wherein the second plurality of mode controls is selected from the group consisting essentially of communication, navigation and destination marking.

20. The interface of claim 12, wherein the second mode type is a short duration mode.

21. The interface of claim 11, wherein the plurality of mode controls comprises:

a restricted mode control.

22. The interface of claim 11, further comprising:

a pause control for pausing content delivery.

23. The interface of claim 11, wherein the display includes a first display area for displaying text and a second display area for displaying graphics.

24. The interface of claim 11, wherein in at least one mode, the select control and at least one of the soft controls provide a similar function.

25. A method for providing an interface, comprising:

providing a plurality of soft controls, wherein a function associated with a soft control is dependant upon an active mode and wherein the soft controls are adjacent to a display so that the function associated with the soft control is displayed on the display;

providing a first plurality of mode controls, wherein each control corresponds to a different mode of a first mode type, and wherein the first plurality of mode controls are proximate to each other and proximate to the display;

providing a second mode control that corresponds to a second mode type, wherein the second mode control is proximate to the display;

providing a third plurality of controls, wherein each control corresponds to a different data input;

providing a selection control; and

providing a confirmation control.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the first mode type is a long duration mode.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the second mode type is a short duration mode.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the first plurality of mode controls includes a broadcast content control.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the first plurality of mode controls includes a stored content control.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the first plurality of mode controls includes a requested content control.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein a selected mode includes a plurality of features, further comprising:

providing access to the features via the mode control associated with the selected mode.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein the second mode control is one of a second plurality of mode controls, further comprising:

providing the second plurality of mode controls, wherein each control corresponds to a different mode of the second mode type, and wherein each of the second plurality of mode controls are proximate to each other.

33. The method of claim 25, wherein the second plurality of mode controls includes a communication control.

34. The method of claim 25, wherein the second plurality of mode controls includes a navigation control.

35. The method of claim 25, wherein the second plurality of mode controls includes a mark control.

36. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

providing a restricted mode control.

37. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

providing a first display area of the display, wherein the first display area provides text information.

38. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

providing a second display area of the display, wherein the second display area provides graphic information.