Multi-functional control and entertainment systems
First Claim
1. A method for providing control inputs comprising the steps of;
- providing a reflective member;
providing a TV camera;
imaging said member with said TV camera;
covering a portion of the member with an object in a position corresponding to a desired control input;
analyzing the output of said TV camera with a computer;
determining, from said analysis, the location of said object on said base member, and;
using said location, determining the control input desired.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
For use in vehicles, it is desirable to have multi-functional (also known as reconfigurable) controls in the center stack portion of the instrument panel in order to best provide electronic and telematic functions to the driver. Disclosed are methods and apparatus to allow reconfiguration of classical controls such as knobs, sliders, and switches most familiar to the vast majority of the motoring public which may, if desired, utilize conventional flat panel displays (e.g., LCD based) and conventional readout electronics and switching. Also disclosed are projection based controls and new forms of rear seat entertainment controls and related apparatus for minivans and other vehicles.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for providing control inputs comprising the steps of;
-
providing a reflective member;
providing a TV camera;
imaging said member with said TV camera;
covering a portion of the member with an object in a position corresponding to a desired control input;
analyzing the output of said TV camera with a computer;
determining, from said analysis, the location of said object on said base member, and;
using said location, determining the control input desired. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method for determining the location of at least one member proximate the front surface of an LCD flat panel display, comprising the steps of:
-
providing an LCD display;
providing an electro-optical sensor in the rear of said display, said sensor having a light source for illuminating said members;
controlling the pixels of said display in those regions where member location is desired, such that light from said light source projected the from rear of said display can substantially pass through said display, and;
using the light reflected by said member in front of the display back to said sensor, determining the location of said member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. An instrument panel for vehicles or other applications comprising:
-
a projector for projecting fixed image data onto a rear projection screen and control surface of said instrument panel, means to sense a user input command on said control surface, and computer means for determining a control function from said input command. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification