CONTROL INTERFACE ASSEMBLIES AND VEHICLES INCLUDING SAME
First Claim
1. A control interface assembly comprising:
- a touch sensor panel comprising a touch surface, the touch surface extending within a touch plane;
a laser assembly configured to emit a first portion of laser light and a second portion of laser light, the first portion of laser light being oriented generally perpendicular to the second portion of laser light, at least one of the first portion of laser light and the second portion of laser light being directed within a laser plane, the laser plane being spaced from the touch plane;
a first laser detector positioned to receive the first portion of laser light;
a second laser detector positioned to receive the second portion of laser light; and
a controller coupled with each of the touch sensor panel, the first laser detector, and the second laser detector, the controller being configured to detect engagement of the touch surface by an operator'"'"'s finger and being further configured to detect passage of an operator'"'"'s finger through the laser plane.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control interface assembly includes a touch sensor panel, a laser assembly, first and second laser detectors, and a controller. The touch sensor panel includes a touch surface extending within a touch plane. The laser assembly emits first and second portions of laser light. At least one of the first and second portions of laser light is directed within a laser plane which is spaced from the touch plane. The first and second laser detectors are positioned to receive the respective first and second portions of laser light. The controller is coupled with each of the touch sensor panel and the first and second laser detectors. The controller is configured to detect engagement of the touch surface by an operator'"'"'s finger and is further configured to detect passage of an operator'"'"'s finger through the laser plane. Vehicles including a control interface assembly are also provided.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A control interface assembly comprising:
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a touch sensor panel comprising a touch surface, the touch surface extending within a touch plane; a laser assembly configured to emit a first portion of laser light and a second portion of laser light, the first portion of laser light being oriented generally perpendicular to the second portion of laser light, at least one of the first portion of laser light and the second portion of laser light being directed within a laser plane, the laser plane being spaced from the touch plane; a first laser detector positioned to receive the first portion of laser light; a second laser detector positioned to receive the second portion of laser light; and a controller coupled with each of the touch sensor panel, the first laser detector, and the second laser detector, the controller being configured to detect engagement of the touch surface by an operator'"'"'s finger and being further configured to detect passage of an operator'"'"'s finger through the laser plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A vehicle comprising:
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a control console; a steering interface extending from the control console; a graphical user interface; a control interface assembly comprising; a touch sensor panel comprising a touch surface, the touch surface extending within a touch plane; a laser assembly configured to emit a first portion of laser light and a second portion of laser light, the first portion of laser light being oriented generally perpendicular to the second portion of laser light, at least one of the first portion of laser light and the second portion of laser light being directed within a laser plane, the laser plane being spaced from the touch plane; a first laser detector positioned to receive the first portion of laser light; a second laser detector positioned to receive the second portion of laser light; and a controller coupled with each of the touch sensor panel, the first laser detector, the second laser detector, and the graphical user interface, the controller being configured to; detect engagement of the touch surface by an operator'"'"'s finger; detect passage of an operator'"'"'s finger through the laser plane; and control the graphical user interface in response to the detected engagement and the detected passage; wherein the control interface assembly is attached to one of the control console and the steering interface and is positioned such that an operator'"'"'s hand can simultaneously contact the steering interface and the touch surface of the touch sensor panel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A vehicle comprising:
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a control console; a steering wheel extending from the control console; a graphical user interface; and a control interface assembly comprising; a touch sensor panel comprising a touch surface, the touch surface extending within a touch plane; a laser assembly configured to emit a first portion of laser light and a second portion of laser light each extending within a laser plane and having a wavelength between about 380 nm and about 750 nm, the first portion of laser light being oriented generally perpendicular to the second portion of laser light, and the laser plane being spaced from and parallel with the touch plane; a first laser detector extending within the laser plane and being positioned to receive the first portion of laser light; a second laser detector extending within the laser plane and being positioned to receive the second portion of laser light; and a controller coupled with each of the touch sensor panel, the first laser detector, the second laser detector, and the graphical user interface, the controller being configured to; detect engagement of the touch surface by an operator'"'"'s finger; detect passage of an operator'"'"'s finger through the laser plane; and control the graphical user interface in response to the detected engagement and the detected passage; wherein the control interface assembly is attached to one of the control console and the steering wheel and is positioned such that an operator'"'"'s hand can simultaneously contact the steering wheel and the touch surface of the touch sensor panel. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification