Vehicle information system with steering wheel controller
First Claim
1. A vehicle information system having a steering wheel mounted controller, said system comprising:
- a primary display disposed in the vehicle in a position to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle for displaying informational data to the driver in multiple, sequential, interactive presentations;
a steering wheel supported for rotation about a steering axis;
a manual controller supported on said steering wheel for changing the information data and initiating vehicle system changes in response to a manual input from the driver;
and said controller including a scroll wheel rotatably carried about a scroll axis, said scroll axis being fixed relative to said steering wheel so that driver manipulation of the informational data through the multiple, sequential, interactive presentations can be accomplished easily and without releasing the driver'"'"'s grip of the steering wheel.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An information system for a vehicle includes a computer for handling informational data corresponding to operation of the vehicle. A primary display is connected to the computer in a position to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle for presenting the informational data in multiple, sequential, interactive menu screens. A manual controller mounted on the steering wheel allows input to the computer and manipulation of the primary display through the menu screens. The controller includes a scroll wheel which is oriented so that its rotational axis is parallel to the steering axis. The controller includes a central push button for activating a particular selection highlighted on the primary display. A plurality of category selector buttons operate as mode switches for activating various vehicle system subjects through the information system. The scroll wheel and push button selectors establish an interface for the driver which can be operated intuitively, without taking eyes off the road or releasing the driver'"'"'s grip of the steering wheel.
41 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A vehicle information system having a steering wheel mounted controller, said system comprising:
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a primary display disposed in the vehicle in a position to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle for displaying informational data to the driver in multiple, sequential, interactive presentations;
a steering wheel supported for rotation about a steering axis;
a manual controller supported on said steering wheel for changing the information data and initiating vehicle system changes in response to a manual input from the driver;
and said controller including a scroll wheel rotatably carried about a scroll axis, said scroll axis being fixed relative to said steering wheel so that driver manipulation of the informational data through the multiple, sequential, interactive presentations can be accomplished easily and without releasing the driver'"'"'s grip of the steering wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A steering wheel mounted for rotation in a vehicle of the type including a primary display disposed in a position to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle for displaying informational data to the driver in multiple, sequential, interactive presentations, said steering wheel comprising:
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a hub supported for rotation about a steering axis;
a rim;
at least one spoke interconnecting said hub and said rim;
a manual controller for changing information data and initiating vehicle system changes in response to a manual input from the driver;
said controller including a scroll wheel rotatably carried about a scroll axis, said scroll axis being fixed relative to said hub, rim and spoke so that driver manipulation of the informational data through the multiple, sequential, interactive presentations can be accomplished easily and without releasing the driver'"'"'s grip of said steering wheel;
and a haptic actuator for creating selective resistance to rotation of said scroll wheel about said scroll axis. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for a driver to change and interact with informational data presented on a primary display in a vehicle without removing his hands from the steering wheel, said method comprising the steps of:
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supporting a steering wheel in the vehicle for rotation about a steering axis;
displaying informational data to the driver in multiple, sequential, interactive presentations on the primary display;
manually changing the informational data while the driver'"'"'s hands are able to clutch the steering wheel;
and said step of manually changing the informational data including rotating a scroll wheel about a scroll axis that is fixed relative to the steering wheel. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification