SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE (HMI) DEVICE

• US 20150253753A1
• Filed: 03/03/2015
• Published: 09/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition, LLC
• Original Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: BENNETT, Jeffrey Scott, MAGUIRE, Phillip B., CECH, Leonard Steven
• Granted Patent: US 11,042,285 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/48 Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/55 Remote control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/741 Instruments adapted for user detection
• 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 35/65 Instruments specially adapted for specific vehicle types or users, e.g. for left- or right-hand drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/80 Arrangements for controlling instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724098 Interfacing with an on-board device of a vehicle for hands-free speaking in vehicles H04M1/6075
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device

Abstract

A system for controlling the operation of a human machine interface (HMI) device located in a vehicle configured to carry a passenger and a driver. The system includes an electrode positioned in a vehicle seat and a signal generating device configured to provide a signal to the electrode. The electrode transmit the signal through the occupant of the seat and the HMI device detects the signal when the occupant contacts the HMI device. The system is configured so that the HMI device operates in a first mode in response to exposure to the signal and in a second mode if the signal is not detected.

Claims

1. A system for controlling the operation of a human machine interface (HMI) device located in a vehicle configured to carry a passenger and a driver, wherein the system comprises:

a first electrode positioned proximate to a seat in the vehicle;

a signal generating device configured to provide a first signal to the first electrode;

wherein the HMI device is configured to operate in a first mode in response to exposure to the first signal as a result of an occupant of the seat contacting the HMI device; and

wherein the HMI device is configured to operate in a second mode if the first signal is not detected.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the HMI device are connected to a common ground.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first electrode is positioned in a passenger seat of the vehicle and wherein the operation of the HMI device in the second mode is more limited than the operation of the HMI device in the first mode.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising

a second electrode positioned proximate to a second seat in the vehicle;

wherein the signal generating device is configured to provide a second signal to the second electrode; and

wherein the HMI device is configured to distinguish between the first signal and the second signal and thereby operate in either the first mode or the second mode depending on whether the occupant of the first seat or the occupant of the second seat contacts the HMI device.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising

a detection and decoding system configured to detect and decode the first signal and provide an input signal to the HMI device;

and

wherein the HMI device operates in either the first or second mode depending on the characteristics of the input signal received from the detection and decoding system.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the detection and decoding system includes an antenna.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the detection and decoding system includes a tuned tank circuit with decoding logic.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the HMI device is configured to receive input from a vehicle sensor and wherein the operational mode of the HMI device changes depending on input from both the vehicle sensor and the location of the occupant contacting the HMI device.

9. A system for controlling the operation of a human machine interface (HMI) device located in a vehicle configured to carry a passenger and a driver, wherein the system comprises:

a first electrode positioned proximate to a driver seat in the vehicle;

a second electrode positioned proximate to a passenger seat in the vehicle;

signal generating device configured to provide a first signal to the first electrode and a second signal to the second electrode;

wherein the HMI device is configured to distinguish between the first signal and the second signal and wherein the HMI device is configured to operate in a first mode in response to exposure to the first signal as a result of the driver contacting the HMI device; and

wherein the HMI device is configured to operate in a second mode in response to exposure to the second signal as a result of the passenger contacting the HMI device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the operation of the HMI device in the first mode is more limited than the operation of the HMI device in the second mode.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising

a detection and decoding system configured to detect and decode the first and second signals and provide an input signal to the HMI device;

and

wherein the HMI device operates in either the first or second mode depending on the characteristics of the input signal received from the detection and decoding system.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the detection and decoding system includes an antenna.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the detection and decoding system includes a tuned tank circuit with decoding logic.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the HMI device is configured to receive input from a vehicle sensor via a vehicle communication bus and wherein the operational mode of the HMI device changes depending on input from both the vehicle sensor and the location of the occupant contacting the HMI device.

15. A system for controlling the operation of a human machine interface (HMI) device located in a vehicle, wherein the system comprises:

a first electrode positioned in the vehicle;

a portable electronic device configured to be used for communication by an occupant of the seat;

a signal generating device configured to provide a first signal to the first electrode;

wherein the electronic device is configured to detect the first signal being transmitted by the electrode and in response to detecting the first signal communicate with the HMI device;

wherein the HMI device is configured to operate in a first mode when the driver contacts the electronic device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first electrode is positioned proximate to a driver of the vehicle and the HMI device is configured to display a prompt for the driver to provide a voice command when the driver contacts the electronic device.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the first electrode is positioned proximate to a driver seat in the vehicle, and the system further comprises

a second electrode positioned proximate to a passenger seat in the vehicle, wherein the signal generating device is configured to provide a second signal to the second electrode;

and wherein the HMI device is configured to operate in a second mode when the passenger contacts the electronic device.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the HMI device includes a display and wherein the HMI device is configured so that upon receipt of a communication indicating that the electronic device is receiving the first signal the HMI device displays a request for the occupant of the vehicle to provide a voice command.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first electrode is located proximate to a storage location for the electronic device.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the electronic device is configured so that upon receipt of the first signal the electronic device establishes a communication to the HMI device.