Driver information system

• US 20040114934A1
• Filed: 11/12/2003
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Taxis, Heiko
• Granted Patent: US 8,214,004 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 398/115
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/33 Illumination features
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a driver information system such a driver information system comprises an operating device 10 having at least two operational control units 20 and a holding unit 12 for the operational control units 20. A control device 62 for validating control signals delivered by the operational control units 20 is also provided, wherein said operational control units 20 are freely arrangeable with respect to the holding device 12.

Claims

1. Driver information system comprising an operating device having at least two operational control units and a holding unit for the operational control units, and a control device for validating control signals delivered by the operational control units, wherein said operational control units are freely arrangeable with respect to the holding device.

2. The driver information system of claim 1, wherein each of said operational control units comprises a transmitting unit, and said control device is associated with a receiving unit, in order to receive the control signals provided by the transmitting unit.

3. The Driver information system of claim 2, wherein the transmitting unit transmits said control signals optically.

4. The driver information system of claim 2, wherein the receiving unit transmits said control signals via radio frequency.

5. The driver information system of claim 4, wherein said transmitting, unit and said receiving unit are adapted for transmitting using the bluetooth protocol.

6. The driver information system according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit comprises preset number of operational control slots, which are each adapted to receive operational control units.

7. The driver information system of claim 6, wherein each operational unit comprises at least one frame connector which is insertable in an edge-socket-connector provided in each said operational control slot, the control signals being transmitted by wire via said connector-socket connection.

8. The driver information system of claim 5, wherein said operational control are supported movably relative to each other by the holding unit.

9. The driver information system of claim 1, wherein each operational control unit comprises a mounting member provided at a operational control unit slot and engaging said mounting member detachably.

10. The driver information system of claim 1, wherein said operation control unit is one of an operating element, volume control element, a hard-key element etc.

11. The driver information system of claim 1, wherein operational control units comprise identical cover plates.

12. Driver information system comprising an operating device having at least two operational control units and a holding unit for the operational control units, and a control device for validating control signals delivered by the operational control units, said operational control units being freely arrangeable with respect to the holding device, wherein each of said operational control units comprises a transmitting unit for transmitting said control signals wirelessly, and said control device is associated with a receiving unit, in order to receive the control signals provided by the transmitting unit.

13. Driver information system comprising an operating device having at least two operational control units and a holding unit for the operational control units, and a control device for validating control signals delivered by the operational control units, said operational control units being freely arrangeable with respect to the holding device, wherein each of said operational control units comprises a transmitting unit for transmitting said control signals optically, and said control device is associated with a receiving unit, in order to receive the control signals provided by the transmitting unit.

14. Driver information system comprising an operating device having at least two operational control units and a holding unit for the operational control units, and a control device for validating control signals delivered by the operational control units, said operational control units being freely arrangeable with respect to the holding device, wherein each of said operational control units comprises a transmitting unit for transmitting said control signals by radio frequency, and said control device is associated with a receiving unit, in order to receive the control signals provided by the transmitting unit.