VEHICLE USER CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PERFORMING A VEHICLE COMMAND

• US 20140070933A1
• Filed: 09/07/2012
• Published: 03/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Gautama, Neeraj Roy, Chau, Jarvis, Weigert, Norman J., Kalhous, Amanda J.
• Application Number:
  US13/606,469
• Publication Number:
  US 20140070933A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/139 Clusters of instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1446 Touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/782 on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/139 Clusters of input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1446 Touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/158 Haptic output
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/782 on the steering wheel
• 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 35/25 using haptic output
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/06 of controls, e.g. controls knobs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1484 mounted on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/005 Electro-mechanical devices, e.g. switched electric switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/023 for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence

Abstract

A vehicle user control system includes an interactive pad providing tactile feedback to a user and disposed on an exterior portion of a steering wheel. Also included is a controller in operable communication with the interactive pad and at least one vehicle component, wherein the controller is configured to perform at least one vehicle command associated with the at least one vehicle component.

Claims

1. A vehicle user control system comprising:

an interactive pad providing a tactile feedback sensation to a user and disposed on an exterior portion of a steering wheel; and

a controller in operable communication with the interactive pad and at least one vehicle component, wherein the controller is configured to perform at least one vehicle command associated with the at least one vehicle component.

2. The vehicle user control system of claim 1, wherein the tactile feedback sensation comprises a plurality of pulses at a variety of frequencies.

3. The vehicle user control system of claim 1, wherein the tactile feedback sensation comprises a constant pressure at a variety of intensities.

4. The vehicle user control system of claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises a plurality of resistors in direct communication with the interactive pad.

5. The vehicle user control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one vehicle component comprises at least one of an audio system, a navigation system, a HVAC system, a seat positioning system, a lighting system and a window control system.

6. The vehicle user control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one vehicle component comprises a radio system.

7. The vehicle user control system of claim 6, wherein the at least one vehicle command comprises a change in volume.

8. The vehicle user control system of claim 6, wherein the at least one vehicle command comprises a change in station.

9. The vehicle user control system of claim 1, wherein the controller is non-capacitive.

10. The vehicle user control system of claim 1, wherein the interactive pad comprises a touch screen.

11. The vehicle user control system of claim 1, wherein an optics arrangement for sensing an input from the user is in communication with the interactive pad and with the controller.

12. The vehicle user control system of claim 1, wherein the interactive pad is configured to receive an input from the user, wherein the input comprises at least one of a standardized motion and a customized motion preprogrammed by the user.

13. A vehicle comprising:

a steering wheel disposed at an interior region of the vehicle;

an interactive pad having a first side and a second side, wherein the interactive pad provides tactile feedback to a user and is disposed on an exterior portion of the steering wheel; and

a controller in operable contact with the second side of the interactive pad, wherein the controller is configured to perform at least one vehicle command associated with at least one vehicle component.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the tactile feedback sensation comprises a plurality of pulses at a variety of frequencies.

15. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the tactile feedback sensation comprises a constant pressure at a variety of intensities.

16. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the at least one vehicle component comprises at least one of an audio system, a navigation system, a HVAC system, a seat positioning system, a lighting system and a window control system.

17. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the at least one vehicle component comprises a radio system.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the at least one vehicle command comprises a change in volume.

19. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the at least one vehicle command comprises a change in station.

20. A method of performing a vehicle command comprising:

contacting a first side of an interactive pad disposed on a steering wheel;

interacting with a controller in communication with a second side of the interactive pad;

providing tactile feedback to a user in contact with the first side of the interactive pad; and

performing at least one command on at least one vehicle component in response to the interaction with the controller.