USER INTERFACE WITH PROXIMITY DETECTION FOR OBJECT TRACKING

• US 20140019913A1
• Filed: 09/17/2013
• Published: 01/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: USSI, LLC
• Original Assignee: USSI, LLC
• Inventors: Newman, Todd R., Washeleski, John M., Shank, David W.
• Granted Patent: US 10,592,092 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/810
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/569 Vehicle controlling mobile device functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/569 Vehicle controlling mobile device functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/26 using acoustic output
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/80 Arrangements for controlling instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04101 2.5D-digitiser, i.e. digitiser detecting the X/Y position of the input means, finger or stylus, also when it does not touch, but is proximate to the digitiser's interaction surface and also measures the distance of the input means within a short range in the Z direction, possibly with a separate measurement setup
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04166 Details of scanning methods, e.g. sampling time, grouping of sub areas or time sharing with display driving Synchronisation with the driving of the display or the backlighting unit to avoid interferences generated internally G06F3/04184
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

A system or method for tracking items proximate a user interface device include a user interface device having at least one solid-state touch-sensitive region and a receiver for wirelessly receiving a signal from at least one item to determine proximity of the item relative to the user interface device. The device may also include a display screen for displaying controls and information. The user interface device may be permanently or removably mounted in a vehicle and used to interface with vehicle systems and personal electronic devices for control and information display. Tracked items or objects may include passive or active data tags and communicate identification information and optionally position information to the user interface device. The device may alert the user to movement of tracked objects, and/or confirm presence of a group of objects intended for a particular task or project. The device may use various wired or wireless devices to control selections and/or a cursor on the display.

Claims

1. A user interface device comprising:

a display surface having at least one touch-sensitive region;

a receiver for wirelessly receiving a signal having identification information for at least one selected item; and

a processor in communication with at least one touch-sensitive region and the receiver, the processor detecting user input via the at least one touch-sensitive region and determining whether the at least one selected item is within proximity of the user interface device in response to the signal received from the at least one selected item.

2. The user interface device of claim 1 wherein the at least one touch-sensitive region detects user input via capacitive coupling.

3. The user interface device of claim 2 further comprising:

an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the display surface; and

drive electronics for selectively applying a charge to at least a portion of the electrically conductive layer to detect capacitive coupling with a user.

4. The user interface device of claim 3 wherein the electrically conductive layer is substantially transparent, the user interface further comprising a display screen, wherein the electrically conductive layer is positioned between the display screen and the display surface.

5. The user interface device of claim 4 wherein the electrically conductive layer is secured to the display surface using a spray adhesive having an index of refraction that reduces visibility of the electrically conductive layer through the display surface.

6. The user interface device of claim 1 further comprising an audio input for receiving voice commands.

7. The user interface device of claim 1 further comprising a transmitter in communication with the processor, the transmitter broadcasting a polling signal to elicit at least one signal transmission from the at least one selected item within proximity of the user interface device.

8. The user interface device of claim 1 wherein the receiver receives at least one RFID signal from the at least one selected item.

9. The user interface device of claim 1 wherein the processor compares identification information for identified items within proximity of the user interface device to a list of selected items.

10. The user interface device of claim 1 wherein the processor generates a user alert in response to movement of the at least one selected item.

11. The user interface device of claim 1 wherein the processor determines location of the user interface device in response to GPS signals received by the receiver.

12. The user interface device of claim 1 wherein the processor determines location of the at least one selected item based on GPS data associated with the at least one selected item.

13. The user interface device of claim 1 wherein the processor determines location of the user interface device and the at least one selected item based on GPS data associated with the user interface device and the at least one selected item.

14. The user interface device of claim 1 further comprising a remotely located input device in communication with the processor.

15. The user interface device of claim 14 wherein the remotely located input device is mounted on a steering wheel of a vehicle.

16. The user interface device of claim 14 wherein the remotely located input device communicates wirelessly with the receiver of the user interface device.

17. The user interface device of claim 14 wherein the remotely located input device comprises a track ball.

18. The user interface device of claim 14 wherein the remotely located input device communicates with the processor to control a cursor displayed on the display surface.

19. The user interface device of claim 1 wherein the processor generates at least one command in response to proximity of a user to the display surface, and wherein the command is communicated to a vehicle accessory to control an accessory function.

20. The user interface device of claim 1 wherein the user interface device is removably mounted in a vehicle.

21. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein the processor is operable to detect a user input identifying a specified proximity range for the at least one selected item.

22. The user interface device of claim 1, wherein the receiver is operable to wirelessly receive a signal having identification information for a plurality of selected items.

23. The user interface device of claim 22, wherein the plurality of selected items includes packages, bins, or pallets.

24. The user interface device of claim 22, wherein the plurality of selected items comprises construction equipment.

25. The user interface of claim 22, wherein the display surface allows the user to select the at least one selected item from a plurality of displayed representations of a plurality of selected items.

26. A method comprising:

identifying at least one selected object using a touch-sensitive user interface device;

receiving a signal having identification information for the at least one selected object via the user interface device;

determining a position of the at least one selected object relative to the user interface device; and

determining whether the at least one selected object is within a desired proximity of the user interface device.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the identifying comprises using a remotely located input device.

28. The method of claim 26 further comprising detecting user input to the user interface device in response to capacitive coupling of a user with the user interface device.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein the remotely located input device is mounted on a steering wheel of a vehicle.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the remotely located input device controls cursor position of a cursor displayed by the user interface device.

31. The method of claim 26 comprising determining the position of the at least one selected object and a position of the user interface device using GPS data.

32. The method of claim 26 further comprising controlling at least one vehicle accessory using the touch-sensitive user interface device.

33. A computer readable storage medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a microprocessor, the computer readable storage medium comprising:

instructions for identifying at least one selected object using a touch-sensitive user interface device;

instructions for determining a position of the at least one selected object relative to the user interface device in response to a signal received from the at least one selected object, the signal including identification information regarding the at least one selected object; and

instructions for determining whether the at least one selected object is within a desired proximity of the user interface device.

34. The computer readable storage medium of claim 33 comprising:

instructions for detecting user proximity to an active surface of the user interface device in response to a change in capacitive coupling.

35. A user interface comprising:

a display having at least one touch-sensitive region;

a processor in communication with the at least one touch sensitive region;

an electronically conductive and substantially transparent layer positioned behind a panel surface; and

a remote device for at least one of controlling a selection or moving a cursor on the display.

36. The user interface of claim 35 wherein the display comprises a surface and the conductive layer is positioned on the display surface.

37. The user interface of claim 35 wherein at least one camera is used for controlling selections and/or move a cursor on the display system.

38. The user interface of claim 35 wherein a trackball is used for controlling selections and/or move a cursor on the display system.

39. The user interface of claim 35 wherein a capacitive touch pad is used for controlling selections and/or move a cursor on the display system.

40. The user interface of claim 35 wherein a smartphone or another smart device is used for controlling selections and/or move a cursor on the display system.

41. The user interface of claim 35 wherein a mouse is used for controlling selections and/or move a cursor on the display system.

42. A user interface comprising:

a processor for storing a plurality of pre-determined gesture combinations;

said processor in communication with at least one remote device;

said remote device comprising a camera for capturing an image of at least one of a user'"'"'s finger, head, hand, or body movement;

said camera being mounted in a high mount display located in front of a driver where the camera can capture an image of the driver'"'"'s eyes and at least one hand in proximity of a steering wheel; and

a control output signal being generated from said processor when said camera detects the driver'"'"'s eyes are straight forward, and the driver is making a gesture with at least one hand or finger.

43. A user interface comprising:

a processor in communication with at least one remote device;

said remote device comprising a camera for capturing an image of a user'"'"'s hand movement;

said camera being mounted on a vehicle dash in proximity to the user interface where the camera can compare an image of an individual in the vehicle; and

a control output being generated from said processor to disable functions of the user interface if a driver of the vehicle attempts to control the remote device while the vehicle is moving, and

to enable the user interface functions if a vehicle passenger attempts to control the remote device while the vehicle is moving.

44. A user interface comprising:

a processor of a motor vehicle, the processor being configured to recognize a plurality of pre-determined gesture combinations;

at least one remote device;

a camera situated for detecting a user that approaches the camera;

said camera being in communication with the processor to provide information to the processor regarding a user gesture detected by the camera;

a control output signal being generated from the processor when the camera detects the user making one of the pre-determined gestures;

said camera being mounted on an exterior of a motor vehicle;

a rechargeable power source; and

a solar cell for recharging said rechargeable power source.

45. A method comprising:

identifying at least one selected object using at least one camera in communication with a user interface device;

determining a gesture of the at least one selected object; and

generating a control output signal from the user interface device when the gesture corresponds to a pre-determined gesture.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein the user interface device enters a sleep mode for a pre-determined period of time when a user is not detected.